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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDSS Board minutes 061812MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES June 18, 2012 1 THE ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES MET ON MONDAY: June 18, 2012 at the Hillsborough Commons, Hillsborough, North Carolina. BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES MEMBERS PRESENT: Pat Garavaglia, Chair; Arthrell Sanders; Valerie Foushee; Claire Millar; and Albert Williams. GUEST: None. BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES MEMBER ABSENT: None. STAFF PRESENT: Denise Shaffer, Assistant Director; Lindsey Shewmaker, Human Services Manager; Joyce Lee, Business Officer; and Sharron Hinton, Community Services Manager. I. Call to Order and Introductions DSS Chair, Pat Garavaglia, called the meeting to order at 4:03 P.M. II. Board Comments None. III. Public Comments None. IV. Agenda Changes None. V. Action Items On a motion by Valerie Foushee the Board approved the Minutes of May 21, 2012. Claire Millar seconded the motion. The motion was carried without dissent. VI. Items for Discussion and/or Decision 1. Work Force Board Update Sharron Hinton updated the Board on ongoing discussions about the Work Force Development Board between Orange County and Durham. There have been conversations with the existing Work Force Board and Gwen Harvey has taken the lead in these discussions. There are political issues involved. Orange County has appointments to the Board that need to be made this summer, but no official decision has been made. Ms. Hinton stated that she, Nancy Coston, and Valerie Foushee plan to meet with representatives from Durham to continue conversations. 2. Budget and Legislative Updates Denise Shaffer informed the Board that many of the issues at the state level are still undecided although Nancy Coston and the Directors Association have done a lot of work to educate people at the state level about county social services’ needs. Valerie Foushee mentioned that SB433, the consolidation bill, is likely to go forward. She noted that there are a lot of counties in the state that MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES June 18, 2012 2 want to pass the bill. She also suggested that the Social Services Board be aware that the bill will give counties flexibility but the system in Orange County is working and needs to continue to work. She added that the Social Services Board and Health Board remove political pressures from the departments. Pat Garavaglia noted that she only heard back from Joe Hackney. Ms. Shaffer added that the Social Services budget did not change from the initial presentation although the Board of County Commissioners added $10,000 to the Youth Enhancement Fund for a total of $20,000. 3. Year-End Review Lindsey Shewmaker discussed the alignment pilot, Work Support Strategies grant, NC FAST, job classification changes, and work planning and performance evaluation changes in public assistance. Sharron Hinton discussed the Adolescent Parenting Program graduation. She shared pictures and other program information with the Board. Many of the program graduates are attending college in the fall. Pat Casper, one of the program coordinators, will be retiring in August and the agency will be having a celebration on August 3rd. Staff are attending training in conflict resolution and team building over the next two weeks run by the Orange County Dispute Settlement Center. Social Services will be administering the drug treatment court effective July 1, 2012. Unity Day for that program will be held June 29th at the Seymour Center from 2:30-4:00. The agency will be hosting focus groups in Orange County to determine what services should be continued for veterans. Pat Garavaglia asked whether there were any plans with UNC for the Toy Chest. Ms. Hinton replied that the UNC Athletic Director plans to partner with the agency during basketball season. Ms. Garavaglia stated that she would ask her contacts whether the new football coach might be interested in doing an event. Joyce Lee discussed the Single County Audit in which there were no findings. Staff are working to purge the file room at Whitted. There have also been several other monitoring visits in the last few months although results are not yet back. Some work will be done at Southern to enlarge the visitation area and create more space for an interview room. Carpet will also be replaced. Denise Shaffer discussed the transfer of guardianship from OPC to social services. There are some legal pieces that still need to be completed. Other changes are occurring in Adult Services but nothing is yet definite. Staff and management are working to improve access to mental health services for children and adults served by the agency. There is a meeting tomorrow with Judy Truitt to develop ways to improve access. The agency received a Smart Start grant to provide trauma- based services to children age 0-5. There is also a state-wide effort that is underway that provides similar services. Three foster youth are graduating from high school and plan to attend college. Four former foster youth are already attending college. Triangle United Way has a program to help children with financial planning. Five children in foster care are participating. A waiting list will begin soon for child care. Pat Garavaglia noted that the Foster Parent appreciation event was fantastic. Claire Millar asked whether foster parents have other opportunities to get together. Ms. Shaffer noted that there are some parents that get together to support each other but nothing formal at this point. Arthrell Sanders asked how many foster parents there are in Orange County. Ms. Shaffer responded that there are approximately 65. 4. Evaluation Process MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES June 18, 2012 3 Lindsey Shewmaker reminded the Board that the Director’s evaluation is due next month. Pat Garavaglia stated that she will get the forms and information together to share with the Board. 5. Director’s Report There is no Director’s Report. VII. Announcements The next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 16, 2012 at the Hillsborough Commons, 113 Mayo Street, Hillsborough, North Carolina at 4 PM. On a motion by Claire Millar and seconded by Arthrell Sanders, the Board adjourned their regular meeting at 4:39 pm. Submitted by Nancy Coston Director Pat Garavaglia Chair