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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3-17-2025 MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES March 17,2025 THE ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES MET ON MONDAY: March 17, 2025 at Hillsborough Commons. BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES MEMBERS PRESENT: Jane Garrett, Ann Wilkerson, Oscar Fleming, and Chris Barnes BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES MEMBERS ABSENT: Earl McKee STAFF PRESENT: Lindsey Shewmaker, Social Services Director and Sharron Hinton, Human Services Manager. I. Call to Order DSS Chair, Jane Garrett, 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 Chris Barnes, the Board approved the minutes of February 17, 2025. Ann Wilkerson seconded the motion. The motion was carried without dissent. VI. Items for Discussion and/or Decision 1. Federal Funding Updates and Potential Impacts Lindsey Shewmaker provided a PowerPoint presentation of current federal financial updates and potential programmatic impacts. There was discussion regarding the process for policy changes and budget approval at the federal and state levels. Oscar Fleming asked about staff implications in light of potential funding cuts. Lindsey Shewmaker advised that staff have expressed concerns and any employees negatively affected would probably be redirected to vacant positions. She also noted that supervisors and managers are seeking to address staff morale. There has been an Employee Appreciation Lunch as well as small weekly gift distributions to acknowledge staff. Chris Barnes requested to inform board members if they can help with enhancing staff morale. Ann Wilkerson applauded Lindsey for listening to staff concerns. 2. Outside Agencies Lindsey Shewmaker reported on the revised process for funding Outside Agencies. Instead of the boards reviewing applications, it is now a staff-driven process. The department directors, along 1 MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES March 17,2025 with staff from the County Manager's Office, will assess applications and make recommendations. Oscar Fleming commented that there is value in including volunteer leaders in the process and this revised system would be a missed opportunity to help in the mission of others. Ann Wilkerson asked that the DSS Board is kept informed of the decisions. 3. Orange County Social Services Archives Policy Lindsey Shewmaker provided an overview of the policy. She noted that there are technical changes regarding the audit trail and documentation. DSS is specifically required to follow the Retention Guide as per the State Archives of North Carolina. 4. Economic Services Reorganization Lindsey Shewmaker announced that her previous position, Human Services Manager, has been reclassified to an Economic Services Program Manager and two vacant positions have been reclassified to Program Administrators—one for Medicaid and the other for Economic Benefits (Childcare, Work First, and FNS). This will allow for more supervisory support and also provide opportunities for growth within the agency. Additionally, the two Child Welfare Program Managers have been promoted to the next step. Also, the Human Services Managers, Sharron Hinton and Crystal Mitchell will become Assistant Directors effective March 81h Jane Garrett commented that this is a wonderful tier plan. Oscar Fleming asked about the current number of staff vacancies. Lindsey will present that information at the April meeting. 5. Director's Report The Grand Opening of the Drakeford is scheduled for March 21, 2025. The April DSS Board Meeting will be held there. VII. Announcements Oscar Fleming moved to adjourn the meeting at 5:34 pm. Ann Wilkerson seconded the motion. The motion was carried without dissent. Submitted by: Lindsey Shewmaker, DSS Director Jane Garrett, Chair 2