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HomeMy WebLinkAbout5-15-2023MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES May 15, 2023 1 THE ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES MET ON MONDAY: May 15, 2023 at Hillsborough Commons. BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES MEMBERS PRESENT: Oscar Fleming, Jane Garrett, Pat Garavaglia, Ann Wilkerson, and Jamezetta Bedford. BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES MEMBERS ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Nancy Coston, Social Services Director; Crystal Mitchell, Human Services Manager; and Sharron Hinton, Human Services Manager, Rebekah Rapoza, Fiscal Operations Manager; and Tina Clark, Child Care Subsidy Supervisor. I. Call to Order and Introductions DSS Chair, Pat Garavaglia, called the meeting to order at 4:02 pm. II. Board Comments Board members requested a copy of the SAS presentation for the April 2023 meeting. Nancy Coston reported she would have this sent via email to Board members. III. Public Comments Kay Wright, community member, advised the Board she is interested in being a member of the DSS Board. She provided some educational and professional experience background to the Board members. IV. Agenda Changes None. V. Action Items On a motion by Ann Wilkerson, the Board approved the minutes of April 17, 2023. Jane Garrett seconded the motion. The motion was carried without dissent. VI. Items for Discussion and/or Decision 1. DSS Board Member Update Nancy Coston informed the Board Pat Garavaglia is appointed by the Social Services Commission. Her seat on the board will expire on 6/30/2023 or when the State makes an appointment. Jane Garrett will take another three year term on the Board. Director Coston explained the law sets up term lengths to not expire at the same time. Pat Garavaglia stated she has enjoyed her time on the Board. Interested members of the community must submit an application for consideration. 2. Budget Update Nancy Coston shared that budget information has been submitted and the meeting with the County Manager went well. Staff will wait to see what is in the Manager’s budget on May 2nd. MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES May 15, 2023 2 3. Child Care Subsidy Nancy Coston and Tina Clark presented on the child care subsidy program to the Board. Ms. Coston explained OCDSS has met with several groups in the community to address how to increase the number of four year olds in Pre-K or quality childcare. There was a particular concern that Northern Orange County had many four year olds not in childcare. OCDSS has paid parent fees to try and increase the numbers. Transportation does continue to be a barrier for some parents in Orange County. Nancy Coston shared we are only spending 80% of our federal dollars but this is in line with a statewide trend. Director Coston explained we are running data on all four year olds receiving Medicaid and then completing outreach to any family whose four year old is not receiving childcare subsidy. Tina Clark explained the Pre-K programs located in Orange County schools and Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools. She shared the Pre-K day ends at 2:30pm in Orange County and transportation is not offered to another site for those children. Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools have the majority of their Pre-K slots full. There are some slots open that end at 2:30pm. Ms. Clark explained our child care subsidy program can cover the part time childcare needed for children to receive a full day of care. It was explained we are trying to extend the day at the school where the child attends Pre-K and there are active conversations with our external stakeholders about this. Another strategy we will explore includes mapping of where our childcare providers are located and where kids not being served are located. Ann Wilkerson commented parents typically don’t want their children transported from one location to another. Nancy Coston shared there has been some preliminary conversation with the County’s on-demand transportation service to assist parents riding with their child to the childcare program. Oscar Fleming reported he is on the Board of Orange County Partnership for Young Children as well as NCInCK. He commented NCInCK is a good model to look at this issue as well. Director Coston agreed and stated it fits into the model of trying to mobilize services for children. Ann Wilkerson asked which schools in Orange County offer Pre-K programs. Tina Clark reported Central Elementary and Efland Cheeks Elementary are sites. Nancy Coston explained she will send the Board the childcare report that was shared with Commissioner Richards. Oscar Fleming asked who is responsible for the messaging campaign for Pre-K. Nancy Coston stated she believes all of us as community stakeholders are responsible. We want to make sure we embed Pre-K in the processes for other organizations. 4. Director’s Report Nancy Coston reminded the Board our next meeting will occur on 6/20/23 instead of 6/19/2023 due to the holiday. Oscar Fleming moved to move the meeting to 6/20/23 and Jane Garrett seconded the motion. Nancy Coston thanked Friends of DSS who has been supplying the staff with snacks. She also shared we have received both grants for WIOA; we are currently working on contracts. Sharron Hinton shared there will be a Job Fair at the Sheraton on 6/7/23. Oscar Fleming asked if there is a need for employees; Sharron Hinton confirmed there is still a need. The job fair will target employers who are currently hiring and they have to agree to be a part of our database in order for us to track who is hired from the event. Jane Garrett asked if any employers hire on site; Sharron Hinton commented there are employers who do this. Sharron Hinton also shared the 2nd Annual Latino Fair will be offered on 5/20/23 at the Seymour Center in Chapel Hill. Crystal Mitchell shared our annual Foster Parent Appreciation Event will be held on 5/20/23 at KidZu in Chapel Hill from 5:30-7:30pm. MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES May 15, 2023 3 VII. Announcements Ann Wilkerson moved to adjourn the meeting at 5:14 pm. Jane Garrett seconded the motion. The motion was carried without dissent. Submitted by: Nancy Coston, DSS Director Pat Garavaglia, Chair