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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1-16-2024MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES January 16, 2024 1 THE ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES MET ON MONDAY: January 16, 2024 at Hillsborough Commons. BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES MEMBERS PRESENT: Jane Garrett, Ann Wilkerson, Chris Barnes and Sally Green GUEST: none BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES MEMBERS ABSENT: Oscar Fleming STAFF PRESENT: Nancy Coston, Social Services Director; Lindsey Shewmaker, Human Services Manager; Crystal Mitchell, Human Services Manager, Sharron Hinton, Human Services Manager I. Call to Order and Introductions DSS Chair, Jane Garrett, called the meeting to order at 4:05 pm. II. Board Comments None. III. Public Comments None. IV. Agenda Changes None. V. Action Items On a motion by Sally Green, the Board approved the minutes of December 18, 2023. Ann Wilkerson seconded the motion. The motion was carried without dissent. VI. Items for Discussion and/or Decision 1. Welcome and Oath of Office Chris Barnes is a new Board of Social Services’ member. He was sworn into office and informed all present he is a practicing immigration law attorney in Chapel Hill who lives in Northern Orange County. All in attendance introduced themselves and explained the role they hold. 2. Medicaid Expansion Update Lindsey Shewmaker, Human Services Manager, provided data to the Board in regards to Medicaid Expansion. She explained staff has been accepting applications since 12/1/23. Our peak with applications occurred around 12/29/23. The numbers have plateaued and are on the decline. Over 2,000 residents are enrolled with 1900 of those as auto enrollment due to being on family planning Medicaid prior to the expansion date. Ms. Shewmaker stated we are confident in where we are with staff to support the expansion. MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES January 16, 2024 2 Ms. Shewmaker shared she will provide the Board with another update next month. She explained DSS will conduct targeted outreach, if needed. Ann Wilkerson asked for an example of targeted outreach. Ms. Shewmaker stated if we see numbers are low geographically, we can aim outreach toward Northern Orange County. Nancy Coston, Director, stated the State is going to do a media campaign over the next couple of months. 3. Annual Board Work Plan Lindsey Shewmaker stated the Board Work Plan will go to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC). The Board Chair, Jane Garrett, will be invited to speak. The Annual Board Work Plan covers the key issues DSS will be dealing with over the next year. Sally Green informed the Board members of the BOCC process. Ann Wilkerson made a motion for the Board to accept the Annual Board Work Plan for submission to the BOCC; Sally Green seconded the motion. The motion was carried without dissent. 4. Quarterly Data Presentation Lindsey Shewmaker provided the Board with a review of data elements for DSS program areas for Quarter Two (October-December 2023). Current and longitudinal data was given to the Board members. Ms. Shewmaker highlighted 5122 Food and Nutrition cases in December 2023. This serves approximately 9542 participants. DSS continues to see a slight decline in participants since the unwinding of COVID rules. Chris Barnes asked for clarification between cases and participants. Ms. Shewmaker explained a case is a household and a participant is a household member. In Medicaid, we had 19,675 participants in December 2023. While we have seen a decline since recertifications started back in the summer of 2023, we do expect these numbers to increase with Medicaid Expansion. WorkFirst is experiencing consistent numbers with 76 participants in December. There is low enrollment with WorkFirst across the state. In November, there were 562 children receiving a child care subsidy. There were 106 Child Protective Services (CPS) reports in December. The number of children in foster care is steady with 86 children currently in DSS custody. There were 12 Adult Protective Services (APS) reports in December. Jane Garrett inquired about the spike in APS reports for November. Ms. Shewmaker explained most of those reports were self-neglect and the holidays tend to bring more people into contact with adults who may need assistance. The Adult Guardianship numbers have remained consistent with 49 adults in guardianship in December 2023. Eight of those adults are under a guardianship contract. Sally Green asked for clarification on guardianship contracts. Lindsey Shewmaker explained this is when DSS contracts out to private companies for guardianship services. Nancy Coston added the State has a couple of statewide contracts we can access. Sally Green asked for a timeline when this happened and Director Coston stated this occurred when OPC (Orange Person Chatham mental health) dissolved and DSS became the only public guardian. Ms. Coston explained the Clerk of Court has to approve any guardianship. Lindsey Shewmaker stated we will bring more data to the Board for the budget process. 5. FY 2024-25 Budget Process Nancy Coston informed the members that the DSS Board, by statute, has an advisory role for the budget. She explained the Board will recommend a budget to the County Manager who then MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES January 16, 2024 3 presents it to the BOCC. Director Coston explained the DSS budget is complex and we have many revenue sources with over 50% of our budget having federal funds. Ms. Coston stated the State provides counties budget estimates on or around 2/15/24; the budget is due to the County on 2/23. Due to this short turnaround, we load projected numbers and provide a final recommendation in March. After the recommendation, the County Manager and her team meets with the Director. On 5/7/24, the County Manager presents the overall budget to the BOCC. On 5/23/24 Human Services department (which includes DSS) budgets are presented to the BOCC. Ms. Coston stated DSS has a large budget and it is important we get it right. Director Coston explained the DSS Board plays a role in the Outside Agency funding process for the County. Ultimately, the County Manager gives the BOCC funding recommendations. The DSS Board reviews about 15 outside agency applications. The County Manager meets with each non- profit. She includes a DSS board member in this process. The applications were due on 1/12/24. Ms. Coston explained once we receive the applications, we will provide copies to participating Board members. Ms. Coston stated OCIM, IFC, Senior Care, and Diaper Bank are now included in our regular budget process. Additionally, In Home and Legal Services bids need to go out this year. Ms. Coston pointed out she may be projecting in regards to the rate for these contracts in the budget. 6. Director’s Report Nancy Coston shared there will be a staff meeting/luncheon on 1/26/24 at 11am. Ann Wilkerson shared Board members usually give giftcards to staff and Friends of DSS donates gifts. A drawing is held for staff to win door prizes. VII. Announcements Chris Barnes moved to adjourn the meeting at 5:12 pm. Ann Wilkerson seconded the motion. The motion was carried without dissent. Submitted by: Nancy Coston, DSS Director Jane Garrett, Chair