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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDSS Board Minutes 081511MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES August 15, 2011 1 THE ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES MET ON MONDAY: August 15, 2011 at the Hillsborough Commons, Hillsborough, North Carolina. BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES MEMBERS PRESENT: Pat Garavaglia, Chair; Valerie Foushee; Arthrell Sanders; and Claire Millar. GUEST: Alissa Willett, NCACC; Gwen Harvey, Assistant County Manager. BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES MEMBER ABSENT: Albert Williams. STAFF PRESENT: Nancy Coston, Director; Joyce Lee, Business Officer; Denise Shaffer, Assistant Director; Sharron Hinton, Community Services Manager. I. Call to Order and Introductions DSS Chair, Pat Garavaglia, called the meeting to order at 4:05 P.M. II. Board Comments Pat Garavaglia commented on how difficult the past week had been. Arthrell Sanders suggested there be a moment of silence in memory of Joe Robbins and Albert Williams granddaughter who passed away last week. III. Public Comments None. IV. Agenda Changes None. V. Action Items On a motion by Valerie Foushee the Board approved the Minutes of July 25, 2011. Arthrell Sanders seconded the motion. The motion was carried without dissent. VI. Items for Discussion and/or Decision 1. Overview of Services at Skills Development Center Sharron Hinton reported the current site is county owned property. There have been discussions over the past year about using the building for other services but those now appear to be off the table. There are 10 to 12 agencies who are housed or visit there. The focus now will be to not only maintain services but to enhance what is provided and expand to assist more residents in locating employment. In the past, DSS staff rotated going to the building. Two DSS staff are now assigned there: Randy Haynes, Work First SW; and Rebecca Margolis-Malin, Job Coach/Front Desk coverage. Durham Tech is planning to upfit the computer lab. The equipment is antiquated. The County has designated some funding to help with this effort. The job fair held last year was very successful with about 600 attendees. Clearly there is a need to expand employment and training opportunities in Orange County. This full-time presence at the Skills Development Center will be an opportunity to expand our service delivery to residents who are not Work First clients. MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES August 15, 2011 2 In addition, DSS has submitted a proposal to administer a Food and Nutrition Services grant. If awarded, this $180,000 grant will allow us to broaden our employment efforts. These funds will be used to: maintain existing staff; provide group and individualized work with persons seeking employment including completing applications; contact employers; provide coaching and support during job search; and work with the community college to acquire additional skills. A portion of the funding will also assist participants with transportation, child care and training costs. 2. Child Care Update Nancy Coston informed the Board that the agency continues to address child care issues during this period of transition of the Smart Start subsidy program to DSS. DSS agreed to make no payments until everything is in writing. DSS will follow the guidelines are established by the Orange County Partnership for Young Children (OCPYC). It is critical that this process be transparent. The funds will be tracked to assure payments are correct and that there is an adequate amount to subsidize children currently in the program. It has been a challenge obtaining eligibility information for all the currently enrolled families. Those that are ineligible are being transitioned off the program. There will be a meeting with providers next week. This will be an opportunity to address any concerns they have regarding the transition and to clarify the priorities established by OCPYC Board. There will also be information presented regarding the rates for subsidy as well as enhancements. DSS staff are working with OCPYC staff on the Memorandum of Understanding. Once that is finalized, payments will be issued to the providers. Currently child welfare, homeless, and adolescent parents are being picked up in the DSS subsidy Program. Work First families will be the next priority for these funds. 3. Changes in Medicaid Programs Substantial cuts are likely to be made in Medicaid programs and will primarily impact adults. Decisions will have to be made such as is it better to cut back in some programs rather than eliminate a particular service altogether. The challenge will be to identify what cuts will do the least harm. Most services are considered optional including things like glasses, prosthetics, and hospice. DMA was going to send out a RFP for Medicaid transportation. DSS Directors and transportation providers were able to convince DMA to slow down and give some thought to whatever the issues were for them. DMA states the error rate in this program is a big problem. However this has never been shared with DSS nor what type of errors are occurring. DMA is to present what it is they want and how they want it administered. If DSS is unable to address their concerns, then DMA will send out the RFP. According to 1915i all Medicaid recipients in Adult Care Homes must be assessed by the end of February regarding personal care services. This would require an assessment of approximately 2400 people statewide. The decision has not been made yet regarding who is responsible for conducting these assessments. Some think it would be less costly to contract with a private provider. This might be true for the first year but it is unlikely this would hold true over time. MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES August 15, 2011 3 4. Director’s Report Nancy Coston met with IFC regarding prioritizing Orange county residents. There was also a discussion about providing child care subsidy to parents in IFC’s shelter. It was clarified that people who come here from out of county or out of state will not be prioritized over Orange county residents who are on the waiting list. The OCPYC is in agreement. DSS will work collaboratively with IFC as they determine who they will serve in the residential programs. Nancy Coston has been working on revising how the agency administers “crisis intervention” funds. The plan is for Robert Gilmore’s staff to work with families and children. Renee Bynum’s staff will work with the elderly and disabled population. Utilities will continue to be handled as they are now. LIEAP funds have been cut substantially. Checks will go directly to the vendors. The agency will target seniors. Others will be included later in the winter if funds are still available. The agency has distributed 331 book bags for children. A meeting will be scheduled soon to begin holiday planning. VII. Announcements The next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 19, 2011 at the Hillsborough Commons, Mayo Street, Hillsborough, North Carolina at 4pm. On a motion by Claire Millar and seconded by Arthrell Sanders, the Board adjourned their regular meeting at 5:04 P.M. Submitted by Nancy Coston Director Pat Garavaglia Chair NC/PG __________________________ Approval Date