HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-15-2021MINUTES
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES
November 15, 2021
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THE ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES MET ON MONDAY: November 15, 2021 virtually
BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES MEMBERS PRESENT: Pat Garavaglia, Jane Garrett, and Earl McKee
GUEST: None
BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES MEMBERS ABSENT: Oscar Fleming
STAFF PRESENT: Nancy Coston, Director; Lindsey Shewmaker, Human Services Manager; Sharron Hinton,
Human Services Manager; and Crystal Mitchell, Child Welfare Manager
I. Call to Order and Introductions
DSS Chair, Pat Garavaglia, called the meeting to order at 4:03 pm.
II. Board Comments
None.
III. Public Comments
None.
IV. Agenda Changes
None.
V. Action Items
On a motion by Jane Garrett, the Board approved the minutes of October 2021. Pat Garavaglia
seconded the motion. The motion was carried without dissent.
VI. Items for Discussion and/or Decision
1. Board Training/Board Recruitment
Staff will work with new DSS Board members to do a local training in early 2022. Board Members
continue to work on recruitment to fill the vacant Board seat and will provide updates in December.
2. Holiday Program
Sharron Hinton updated the Board on the holiday programs. The Toy Chest will be held the week
of the 13th and run until 7pm. Letters have gone out for pickup and clients have started calling to
schedule appointments. Toys for Tots has donated 1000 books and many of those were shared
with Central Elementary in Hillsborough. So far 223 children and adults have been sponsored and
almost 550 registrations for the Toy Chest have been submitted. Staff expect both numbers to
increase in the next few weeks.
3. Divisional Updates
Lindsey Shewmaker updated the Board on workload in public assistance including the new water
program that begins on December 1, 2021. Staff are busy with open enrollment for the Affordable
MINUTES
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES
November 15, 2021
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Care Act and applications are already increasing for other energy programs. Staff recruitment and
retention is still a major issue.
Crystal Mitchell provided the Board with an overview of the new practice model, Safety Organized
Practice, that will be implemented in all 100 counties in 2022. This will include five practice
standards and tools to use when working with families who have an open CPS case. We don’t
anticipate this to be a large learning curve for our current workforce; however, there will be a
considerable training requirement for all child welfare staff. Supervisors begin training in January
2022 and social workers will follow with training beginning March 2022.
4. Board Work Plan
Lindsey Shewmaker presented information on the Board Work Plan update that will be due to the
Board of County Commissioners in January. After some discussion it was decided that the draft
plan will be sent prior to the December meeting for approval.
5. Director’s Report
The mental health transition from Cardinal to Alliance will take place next month and staff continue
to work to make sure that services will continue with no impact to clients.
The ARPA Plan is going to the County Commissioners soon so staff will know more about
additional funds DSS could receive by the end of the year.
The County Commissioners are moving toward a hybrid meeting model and that could be a
possibility for the DSS Board. Nancy Coston will clarify meeting rules with John Roberts prior to
December.
VII. Announcements
Jane Garrett moved to adjourn the meeting at 5:08 pm. Pat Garavaglia seconded the motion. The motion was
carried without dissent.
Submitted by:
Nancy Coston, DSS Director
Pat Garavaglia, Chair