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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2-21-2022 MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES February 21,2022 THE ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES MET ON TUESDAY: February 21, 2022 virtually BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES MEMBERS PRESENT: Pat Garavaglia, Jane Garrett, Oscar Fleming, Jamezetta Bedford, and Ann Wilkerson GUEST: None BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES MEMBERS ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Nancy Coston, Director; Lindsey Shewmaker, Human Services Manager; Sharron Hinton, Human Services Manager; Crystal Mitchell, Human Services Manager; Brittany Mann, Social Work Program Manager I. Call to Order and Introductions DSS Chair, Pat Garavaglia, called the meeting to order at 4:02 pm. II. Board Comments None. III. Public Comments None. IV. Agenda Changes Pat Garavaglia added Friends of DSS to the agenda. V. Action Items On a motion by Jamezetta Bedford, the Board approved the minutes of January 18, 2022. Jane Garrett seconded the motion. The motion was carried without dissent. VI. Items for Discussion and/or Decision 1. FY 2022-2023 Budget Presentation Nancy Coston presented the FY 2022-2023 budget. As an overview, Ms. Coston explained the budget process from initial budget planning until finalization of the budget by the Orange County Board of County Commissioners in June 2022. It was explained changes can occur that require adjustments all the way up to the final approval stage. An overview of our organizational structure was provided along with an explanation that DSS employs over 180 employees. Ms. Coston stated last year Orange County Human Resources conducted a study, which resulted in salary adjustments for some DSS employees. The overall budget has a $736,000 increase this year. Ms. Coston highlighted DSS is responsible for over $125 million dollars in funding that does not show up in the county budget. This includes childcare, food and nutrition benefits, and Medicaid. Oscar Fleming asked if there are additional staff that oversee the additional $125 million dollars of funding. Ms. Coston explained there is not additional staff allocated. 1 MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES February 21,2022 Next, an overview of ARPA requests were discussed. This includes childcare support for families, countywide food distribution, support for low-income families, stabilization of former foster youth, and youth enhancement funds. Pat Garavaglia asked if any of the five-star childcare centers have openings for children. Ms. Coston explained we are seeing spaces open. Ann Wilkerson asked for clarification on the youth enhancement funds, which was provided. Oscar Fleming asked how Outside Agency requests fit into the budget picture. Ms. Coston explained additional funds are transferred to DSS to manage a contract with an outside agency if the County awards the agency funding. Lindsey Shewmaker, Human Services Manager, explained performance and workload measures for the agency. She explained county DSS agencies could face corrective action by the State if you fail to the meet the benchmark for three consecutive months. Ms. Shewmaker continued by providing a programmatic overview for the Economic Services and Public Assistance Division. She explained we are preparing for staffing needs as pandemic waivers end and additional public assistance programs are rolled out. An example is the water assistance program, which has served 124 families with over $82,000 thus far; this program is expected to grow. Nancy Coston informed the Board that DSS is shifting from TANF Emergency Assistance to a family support services approach. Using this approach, along with ARPA funding, DSS will be able to assist low-income families with children. Crystal Mitchell, Human Services Manager, provided a programmatic overview for Child and Family Services. This included discussion about North Carolina child welfare transformation efforts, Families First Prevention Services Act, North Carolina Integrated Care for Kids, and increased board rates for foster and adoptive parents effective January 1, 2022. Pat Garavaglia asked for the increased board rate amounts. Ms. Mitchell shared the following amounts: ages 0-5: $514.00, ages 6-12:$654.00; ages 13-17: $698.00. These are board rates for licensed foster parents. Oscar Fleming asked for an estimate on the number of unlicensed relative placements. Ms. Mitchell explained DSS is making concerted efforts to encourage relatives to become licensed. To this end, Ms. Mitchell estimated 10 or less families are unlicensed. Relative placements are supported in other ways beyond a room and board rate. Mr. Fleming asked for an overview of the foster care population at a future Board meeting. Nancy Coston summarized the budget and stated overall she deems it a positive budget. She pointed out we hope to add another supervisor in the Economic Services Division. Ms. Coston introduced the Board to Rebekah Rapoza, DSS's new Fiscal Operations Manager. Ms. Coston asked if there were any outstanding questions. Ann Wilkerson asked for clarification on some positions and where DSS holds property leases. Nancy Coston stated both Hillsborough Commons and Europa have leases. Oscar Fleming made a motion to approve the FY 2022-23 DSS budget. Jane Garrett seconded the motion. The motion was carried without dissent. 2. Audit Lindsey Shewmaker informed the board an audit exception was found during the Single County Audit. Oscar Fleming asked the frequency of a Single County Audit; Ms. Shewmaker responded it occurs annually. Jamezetta Bedford stated it is important to note the finding was material and not financial. 3. Work Force Board Alignment 2 MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES February 21,2022 Sharron Hinton, Human Services Program Manager, explained Orange County is currently one of five counties in the Regional Partnership Workforce Development Board. The NCWorks Commission began a study to realign existing workforce boards. There was a presentation to the Board of County Commissioners on this topic on 2/8/22. The Commission will vote mid-March. If realigned, it is expected Orange County would join a region with Durham, Wake, Person, Vance, Warren, Franklin, Nash, Edgecombe, Wilson, Johnston, Harnett, Lee, and Chatham counties. Ultimately, the Orange Board of County Commissioners will vote to determine if Orange will realign with another area. 4. Director's Report Nancy Coston advised the board there is a listening session scheduled this week in regards to the Project 203 in Carrboro. Jamezetta Bedford shared there has been a four million dollar construction increase for this project. 5. Friends of DSS Updates Pat Garavaglia wanted to provide a correction to the total amount of money spent toward Toy Chest in 2021. The final number is $8,098.76. Ms. Garavaglia stated Friends of DSS has seen a decrease in requests for utility assistance due to the funding DSS currently receives to assist community members. She asked staff to be thinking of ways Friends can assist DSS. VII. Announcements Oscar Fleming moved to adjourn the meeting at 5:23 pm. Jamezetta Bedford seconded the motion. The motion was carried without dissent. Submitted by: Nancy Coston, DSS Director Pat Garavaglia, Chair 3