Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-17-2025 MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES November 17,2025 THE ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES MET ON MONDAY: November 17th, at the Orange County Department of Social Services at 113 Mayo Street, Hillsborough, NC 27278. BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES MEMBERS PRESENT: Jane Garrett, and Ann Wilkerson GUEST: None BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES MEMBERS ABSENT: Earl McKee, Oscar Fleming, and Chris Barnes STAFF PRESENT: Lindsey Shewmaker, Social Services Director; Crystal Wiese, Assistant Social Services Director; LaKecia Robbins, Economic Services Program Manager; and Serena McPherson, Administrative Officer. I. Call to Order and Introductions DSS Vice-Chair, Jane Garrett, called the meeting to order at 4:12 pm. II. Board Comments None III. Public Comments None. IV. Agenda Changes None. V. Action Items None VI. Items for Discussion and/or Decision 1. Holiday Programs Serena McPherson shared an update on the DSS Christmas Sponsorship program. She stated that 205 children involved with child welfare, 81 children being served in other social work programs (Adolescent Parenting Program, More Than A Job, and WIOA programs), and 53 adults served by Adult Services programming are currently sponsored. Ms. McPherson stated we have additional sponsorship requests which we are typically able to fulfill as our social workers are assigned new cases. Jane Garrett inquired how DSS selects children for sponsorship and Ms. McPherson explained social workers refer children on their open cases. Director, Lindsey Shewmaker, informed the Board that the Toy Chest will operate on 12/11-12/12 this year from 10a-6p. There are almost 1100 children registered. This program is open to all families at or below 200% of the federal poverty level for children ages birth to 12. Families are asked to make an appointment and we accept pre-registration up until 11/30/25. Director Shewmaker shared no county dollars are used to operate this program. DSS is ramping up our donation efforts and all money raised from this point forward will go to next year's Toy Chest. There is a Picture with Santa event being held 1 MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES November 17,2025 at the Hillsborough Walmart this Saturday from 10a-3pm. With a donation of a toy, a family can have a free picture with Santa. Internally, we are conducting a food drive. The food obtained will be used to replenish our pantry and if we have enough, we will give out food at the Toy Chest. DSS does have Toy Chest collection boxes for toys out in the community and additional boxes are available to go out upon request. Jane Garrett requested a box. Ann Wilkerson inquired about volunteers as well as an update on where the Food Boxes collected by the Food Lion on Weaver Dairy Road are distributed. 2. HR1 Updates Director Shewmaker provided updates to the Board to include training being offered this week for staff on policy changes as a result of the Reconciliation Bill. One of the new work requirements targets individuals ages 55-64. DSS is convening Department of Aging, local Chambers of Commerce, and local businesses friendly to hiring older adults to brainstorm employment strategies for this population. There will be a Job Fair held in early 2026 specifically for adults ages 55 and up. The first month we will see individuals begin to lose benefits due to not meeting work requirements will be March 2026. 3. Food and Nutrition Services Delay and Response The Food and Nutrition Services program was fully funded as of last Friday, 11/14. We did confirm our clients received their benefits. The delay in receiving the full allotment of benefits was very impactful to families. Orange County increased the contract for PORCH Hillsborough and PORCH Chapel Hill/Carrboro by$12,000. Both Interfaith Council and Orange Congregations in Mission received an extra $15,000 for their food banks. On 11/8/25 there were food distributions at Hillsborough and Chapel Hill sites. Around 1100 families and 3000 individuals were served. Orange County and the local towns have challenged each other with food drives. 4. Child and Family Specialty Plan and PATH NC Assistant Director, Crystal Wiese, provided the Board with updates on CFSP and PATH NC. CFSP is a single statewide health care plan for children in foster care. Healthy Blue Care Together (HBCT) was awarded the contract by the State to administer this plan. This plan also serves youth who aged out of foster care up until age 26 as well as children receiving adoption assistance Medicaid until their 18t" birthday. DSS Medicaid and child welfare staff have been engaged in training and readiness activities to ensure a smooth transition. Our child welfare staff recently met with HBCT staff to review all children in foster care. Each child in the CFSP will be assigned a HBCT care manager. All care management assignments have occurred for OCDSS foster youth. PATH NC is North Carolina's new statewide technology solution for child welfare. 89 counties have rolled into this system for CPS Intake and Assessment program areas. OCDSS is in the last group of 11 counties that will go live in the system on 2/23/26. In addition to going in for intake and assessments, this group of counties will also go live for the ongoing program areas of child welfare to include in home, permanency planning, licensing, and adoptions. There is an ambitious readiness schedule to meet the go-live date of 2/23. Our child welfare team will be engaged in mandatory policy and system training from December through February in addition to their normal job duties. 5. Energy Programs LaKecia Robbins, Economic Services Program Manager, provided energy program updates to the Board. NCDHHS allocated funds from prior year carryover of around $238,000 for the Crisis Intervention Program (CIP) to Orange County. The current available balance is $98,812. Due to the government shutdown, we did not receive our full funding allocation. Now that operations have 2 MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES November 17,2025 resumed, we are awaiting authorization for the remaining funds to be released. We currently have three pending CIP applications. There are currently 244 pending applications that will be auto approved for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP). These pending applications are for individuals 60 years old and above who were prior recipients of LIEAP. Ms. Robbins explained we are currently waiting for authorization from the government. We are hopeful payments will be issued in December. If LIEAP is reauthorized, then new applications will be accepted in January. Board questions included if these funds are paid to clients or utility companies and if clients submit their bills to DSS. Ms. Robbins explained the payment is made directly to the utility company and is issued as a credit to the individual's account. The LIEAP program does not require you to be past due. 6. Director's Report No updates for this month. VII. Announcements The meeting adjourned at 4:50 pm. Submitted by: Lindsey Shewmaker, DSS Director Jane Garret, Vice-Chair 3