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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-16-2020 MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES November 16,2020 THE ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES MET ON MONDAY: November 16, 2020 virtually. BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES MEMBERS PRESENT: Tamara Dempsey-Tanner, Pat Garavaglia, Susie Enoch, Jamezetta Bedford, and Jane Garrett. GUEST: None. BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES MEMBERS ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Nancy Coston, Director; Sharron Hinton, Human Services Program Manager; Lindsey Shewmaker, Human Services Program Manager; Crystal Mitchell, Human Services Program Manager; Brittany Mann, Social Work Program Manager I. Call to Order and Introductions DSS Chair, Tamara Dempsey-Tanner, called the meeting to order at 4:09 pm. II. Board Comments None. III. Public Comments None. IV. Agenda Changes None. V. Action Items On a motion by Pat Garavaglia, the Board approved the minutes of October 2020. Susie Enoch seconded the motion. The motion was carried without dissent. VI. Items for Discussion and/or Decision 1. Memorandum of Understanding Nancy Coston provided background on Rylan's Law and the creation of the MOU about performance measures. The MOU lasts 18 months. If DSS does not meet the measure goal set, funding can be withheld. There were steps added in the MOU that would have to be taken before withholding funds can happen. The relationship is between Orange County and the State of North Carolina. The BOCC gave the County Manager authority to sign. Ms. Coston also has to sign as DSS Director. The Board does not need to approve or assign. Our responsibilities include having trained staff. The State is supposed to provide us training and technical assistance. If there is training offered and staff doesn't participate, then this will be held against us. NCGA required this because they felt Counties were not doing a good job. Ms. Coston pointed out on p. 9 of the MOU there is information about data security and reporting of data breaches. The MOU will be effective January 1 st through June 30, 2022. Pat Garavaglia asked how much extra work there is for DSS l MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES November 16,2020 staff. Ms. Coston explained data validation is what has initially took the most time. The measures are policy that we are familiar with and are doing in regular practice. Crystal Mitchell agreed. 2. Data Sets Nancy Coston displayed the Data Dashboard, "Transparency and Well-Being Dashboard", managed by DHHS for DSS Directors. Tamara Dempsey-Tanner stated it is helpful to have the data for other program areas in DHHS that have these data dashboards. Lindsey Shewmaker showed the data points for Economic Services which includes timely recertifications and if applications have been done timely. Jane Garrett asked what the timeframe for new application decision making is. Lindsey Shewmaker explained we have up to 30 days for denial; 25 days for approval; expedited application have to be completed within four days (no income/no resources). Adult Services performance measures were shared. Special Assistance applications data was highlighted to show an example of small numbers (3) and the impact of this data. With a small sample size, it was pointed out that DSS would either have to be 100% or we would fail the measure. Nancy Coston shared there is some discussion at the State to look at things in a 12 month period instead of month to month. Work First is another program area with small program numbers. Crystal Mitchell explained in Child Welfare the data point being measured is monthly face-to-face contact with each child/youth in foster care. It was explained this is regular practice for social workers and occurs in person or virtually. The visit must be documented in NCFAST for the data to be pulled and counted. Nancy Coston explained once it is launched, the Board will be able to access this data dashboard. Child Care and Energy are still being worked on. County will be providing feedback to DHHS about the site. She further explained DSS would have to fail for three consecutive months before there would be state involvement. 3. Holiday Programs Sharron Hinton shared the Toy Chest is scheduled for 12/19 and 12/20. Holiday food boxes will be provided with corn, green beans, stuffing, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, gravy mix, cornbread, and turkey. We were approached by a local farmer with an idea to do a community donation. A convoy of tractors will travel a route of neighborhoods in Hillsborough, down Churton Street, and end at Orange County DSS. They are excited about giving back to the community. The Sheriff's office and Hillsborough Police are involved to assist with traffic management. Tamara Dempsey- Tanner asked about the meat and packaging. Sharron Hinton explained the meat is pre-packaged and USDA approved. Orange County Environmental Health is involved on the committee. A refrigerated trailer will be utilized. The letters for Toy Chest will go out this week. We are going to increase our media campaign to ask for additional sponsors for our Holiday Program Sponsorship Program. Pat Garavaglia stated she has been in touch with the UNC Men's Basketball program. They are supposed to get back with her if they will be doing any holiday shopping that can be donated to OCDSS. She reported they have a lot of basketballs from last year's team if we can host an online auction. Nancy Coston suggested Jamezetta can announce at a BOCC meeting that we need help with donations, etc. Pat Garavaglia said a lot of people this year have said they will sponsor multiple kids. Jamezetta Bedford asked if we will be posting about the need in News of Orange and have 2 MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES November 16,2020 Todd McGee (Community Relations Director) send out an email? Sharron Hinton stated this will happen. Tamara Dempsey-Tanner asked who the Board should touch base with about volunteering. Sharron Hinton responded that she or Rebekah Rapoza could be called or emailed. Sharron Hinton explained Toy Chest process. Tamara Dempsey-Tanner suggested trying to partner with a store that will allow us to borrow some shopping carts to use to help with distribution at DSS. Sharron Hinton reported letters will go out to eligible households. Sharron Hinton provided an update on food assistance to the community. The County Food Distribution was cancelled last week due to severe weather. As a result, OCDSS donated 300 bags of grapes to OCIM. There is a food distribution on Thursday in Carrboro. For Thanksgiving, OCDSS will receive 15-20 turkeys from a local realtor and PHE has donated 25 $100 gift cards to Food Lion that we will distribute. 4. Director's Report Nancy Coston has been working on the Upward Mobility grant, which looks at how to move people up in poverty. She has received a good response from several community partners. Nancy Coston provided an update on CARES funding; we are continuing to use those funds to assist Orange County households. OCDSS is focused on getting people back working. We have held Job Fairs and our Skills Center staff are still planning to move to the Europa Center in January 2021. VII. Announcements Jamezetta Bedford reported the BOCC did vote to begin disengagement process from Cardinal Innovations and move to Alliance. She provided an overview of the process and what it entails; ultimate approval comes from DHHS Secretary. Union, Cabarrus, Forsyth, and Mecklenburg have all voted to disengage. It has been called to the attention of the DHHS Secretary. Jamezetta Bedford reported it is the BOCC's goal to get better services for our residents. Tamara Dempsey-Tanner stated there has to be a transition plan for families. Jamezetta Bedford explained Cardinal Innovations is still responsible for services during the transition. Jamezetta Bedford shared new BOCC members get sworn in on Monday, December 7, 2020. Pat Garavaglia moved to adjourn the meeting at 5:21 pm. Susie Enoch seconded the motion. The motion was carried without dissent. Submitted by: Nancy Coston, DSS Director Tamara Dempsey-Tanner, Chair 3