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HomeMy WebLinkAbout4-21-2025 MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES April 21,2025 THE ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES MET ON MONDAY: April 21, 2025 at Drakeford Library Complex in Carrboro. BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES MEMBERS PRESENT: Jane Garrett, Ann Wilkerson, and Oscar Fleming BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES MEMBERS ABSENT: Earl McKee, Chris Barnes STAFF PRESENT: Lindsey Shewmaker, Social Services Director, Sharron Hinton, Assistant Director, and Crystal Wiese, Assistant Director. I. Call to Order DSS Chair, Jane Garrett, called the meeting to order at 4:25 pm. II. Board Comments None. III. Public Comments None. IV. Agenda Changes None. V. Action Items On a motion by Ann Wilkerson , the Board approved the minutes of March 17, 2025. Oscar Fleming seconded the motion. The motion was carried without dissent. VI. Items for Discussion and/or Decision 1. Fictive Kin Policy and Changes Crystal Wiese provided the Board with two handouts regarding board rates for unlicensed kinship care. Ms. Wiese reviewed the current North Carolina Child Welfare policy in regards to half board rate payments to unlicensed kinship care providers and the eligibility criteria. Staff proposed using existing county funding to pay a half board rate for unrelated/fictive kinship care scenarios. This will put the agency in line with supporting all kinship care providers. A data snapshot was provided to the board members. A motion was made by Ann Wilkerson to approve the plan to pay half board rates for all kinship care arrangements. Oscar Fleming seconded the motion. 2. Quarterly Data Dashboard Lindsey Shewmaker presented the quarterly data for Medicaid, Food and Nutrition, Child Care Subsidy, Work First, Child Protective Services, Foster Care, Adult Protective Services, and Adult Guardianship. Oscar Fleming asked about the scope and responsibilities for the agency in Adult Guardianship cases. Lindsey Shewmaker explained with full Guardianship of a Person the agency is tasked with making all major decisions on behalf of the adult (e.g. financial, medical). Jane Garrett asked about our role when we contract out guardianship to a private agency and when we 1 MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES April 21,2025 decide to do that. Crystal Wiese explained with guardianship contracts our role is only to oversee the contract and the appointed guardianship agency makes the decisions regarding the adult. DSS utilizes contracts for adults outside the immediate Orange County area and those with complex behavioral health issues to maximize the capacity of our staff. 3. Budget Update Lindsey Shewmaker updated the Board on the status of the submitted budget. She noted the revaluation and sales tax revenue decline as being major drivers of the budget for FY2025-26. Social Services was asked to give up a vacant position and cuts were made to the proposed training budget. That is the extent of the current cuts but there could still be updates as the budget moves through the approval psocess. 4. Employment Services Sharron Hinton discussed the employment services offered at the Drakeford Complex including Durham Technical Community College courses, youth employment services, financial literacy courses, and hiring events. 5. Director's Report Child Care subsidy spending is still in line with the original budget and there is no waiting list. VII. Announcements Oscar Fleming moved to adjourn the meeting at 5:30 pm. Ann Wilkerson seconded the motion. The motion was carried without dissent. Submitted by: Lindsey Shewmaker, DSS Director Jane Garrett, Chair 2