HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-21-2022 MINUTES
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES
November 21,2022
THE ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES MET ON MONDAY: November 21, 2022 at
Hillsborough Commons.
BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES MEMBERS PRESENT: Jamezetta Bedford, Jane Garrett, Pat Garavaglia,
Oscar Fleming and Ann Wilkerson
GUEST: None
BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES MEMBERS ABSENT: None.
STAFF PRESENT: Nancy Coston, Social Services Director; Lindsey Shewmaker, Human Services Manager;
Sharron Hinton, Human Services Manager; Tina Clark, Child Care Supervisor; and Crystal Mitchell, Child
Welfare Manager.
I. Call to Order and Introductions
DSS Chair, Pat Garavaglia, called the meeting to order at 4:06 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 17, 2022. Ann Wilkerson
seconded the motion. The motion was carried without dissent.
VI. Items for Discussion and/or Decision
1. Permanency Efforts
Nancy Coston talked about efforts to extend the amount of time that families get to spend with their
children when DSS has custody. Crystal Mitchell discussed the need for families to spend more
time together and increase capacity of the agency to provide more family time. The County
Manager has agreed to the rental of a property to facilitate increased family time. Staff have started
looking at possible properties in Orange County appropriate for this. Staff are also looking at ways
to staff family time more effectively using staff outside of CPS. This plan will also help with
emergency placements.
Staff pay increases in child welfare should go into effect in December which may help with
recruitment and retention.
2. Child Care Plan
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MINUTES
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES
November 21,2022
Nancy Coston informed the Board that there was a request from one of the Commissioners to do
more for preschool children in Orange County. Staff have been looking at the numbers of children
0-4 who are not receiving child care services and are at 300% of poverty or below. Tina Clark talked
to the Board about children currently being served by the agency. Oscar Fleming mentioned that he
is on the Partnership for Young Children Board and it is something that group has been discussing
as well. He offered to assist with research if needed. Ms. Coston noted that there has been
feedback about barriers to accessing child care and a large one is transportation. There are
discussions about how to provide transportation to help kids get to care.
3. Agency Data
Lindsey Shewmaker talked about agency data and plans for regular data reporting.
4. Holiday Programs
Sharron Hinton gave an update on the current status of the holiday program.
5. Director's Report
The Public Health Emergency is being extended again for another three months and is now likely to
go until April.
Staff relocated from Southern Human Services are now at Europa and at the Commons. Intake for
public assistance is still located at Southern.
There are several staff retirements to note. Darren Edmonds has already retired in Child Welfare.
Maria Retana and Ginny Schwartz are retiring in the next few weeks and have both been in public
assistance for many years. Valeria Richmond is retiring at the end of the year as is Robert Gilmore.
VII. Announcements
Oscar Fleming moved to adjourn the meeting at 5:16 pm. Ann Wilkerson seconded the motion. The motion
was carried without dissent.
Submitted by:
Nancy Coston, DSS Director
Pat Garavaglia, Chair
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