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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1-20-2026 MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES January 20,2026 THE ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES MET ON MONDAY: January 20th, at the Orange County Department of Social Services at 113 Mayo Street, Hillsborough, NC 27278. BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES MEMBERS PRESENT: Oscar Fleming, Chris Barnes, Jamezetta Bedford, Ann Wilkerson, and Jane Garrett. GUEST: Carol Conway BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES MEMBERS ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Lindsey Shewmaker, Social Services Director; Sharron Hinton, Assistant Director; Crystal Wiese, Assistant Director; LaXecia Robbins, Economic Services Program Manager; Serena McPherson, Administrative Officer II; and Rebekah Rapoza, Fiscal Operations Manager I. Call to Order and Introductions DSS board chair, Oscar Fleming, called the meeting to order at 4:02 pm. II. Board Comments None III. Public Comments Ms. Conway provided a brief background on her personal and professional experience with individuals with intellectual developmental disabilities. Ms. Conway stated she comes before the board to provide two observations, two recommendations, and one offer. Two observations include there being a weird lack of accountability for voiced concerns with the social services system and being no avenue of redress for a "bungled case." Ms. Conway recommended DSS to be careful in foster care and adoption cases when the identified child is nonverbal and developmentally delayed. She also recommended DSS be aware of retaliatory calls to CPS and provided examples of other countries making these types of calls illegal and enacting fines. Ms. Conway offered to provide a 30-minute training on intellectual developmental disabilities (IDD) to DSS staff. IV. Agenda Changes None. V. Action Items A motion was made to approve the December 2025 Board Meeting Minutes by Ann Wilkerson. Chris Barnes seconded the motion. All board members were in favor. VI. Items for Discussion and/or Decision 1. FY 2026-27 Budget Process and Overview Director, Lindsey Shewmaker, provided an overview of where the County is with FY27 budget planning. In an explanation of budget timelines and the release of State budget estimates, Ms. Shewmaker recommended the Board meet later in February to review the proposed DSS budget. A motion was 1 MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES January 20,2026 made to move the February DSS Board Meeting from 2/16/26 until 2/23/26 by Chris Barnes. Ann Wilkerson seconded the motion. All board members were in favor. Fiscal Operations Manager, Rebekah Rapoza, facilitated a presentation to the Board of the County Manager's overview of the budget landscape that was presented to County Department Directors and to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC). All budget requests need to align with the County's strategic goals. Ms. Rapoza reviewed the revenue sources for the county. The Board was reminded that SNAP reimbursement from the State decreases from 50% to 25% effective 10/1/26. Next, Ms. Rapoza reviewed the expenditure budget for the County. Increases include health insurance, retiree health insurance, and retiree benefits. Oscar Fleming asked if county employees are on the state health plan. It was explained they are not. Jamezetta Bedford shared the BOCC wants to know what is mandated and what isn't. Director Shewmaker discussed budget impacts of House Resolution 1 (HR1). She provided background on HR1 and reviewed the HR1 timeline. Ms. Shewmaker included a current data snapshot of Food and Nutrition Services with 4542 households receiving FNS. This covers 8363 participants. Benefits are loaded from the 3rd to the 21 st of each month. Orange County recipients receive FNS benefits totaling $31 million per year with $2.6 million per month. Director Shewmaker explained the federal match percentage reduction from 50% to 25% will cost Orange County$680,000. Beginning October 2027, states will pay the cost of benefits based on error rates. There is a current focus on state error rates, and this focus will continue into the future. Ms. Shewmaker stated historically changes in policy cause an increase in errors. She emphasized the importance of maintaining staffing to help prevent errors. Director Shewmaker shared a data snapshot of the Medicaid program in Orange County. As of December 2025, 21,141 individuals received Medicaid. 5094 individuals receive benefits as part of Medicaid Expansion, 9652 are children, and 2107 are ages 65 and up. The implementation of work requirements will begin in January 2027 which does impact our planning for FY26-27. There will be an increased workload and administrative burden. Recertification for expanded Medicaid will occur every six months instead of annually starting January 2027. Ms. Shewmaker asserted additional staffing will be needed. Ms. Shewmaker discussed possible DSS budget strategies. They include reducing our county childcare subsidy request, reducing our county funding in employment services, and reclassifying some staff positions and reallocating existing staff strategically to meet our goals and enhance revenue. Jamezetta Bedford shared a worry is if the North Carolina General Assembly decides not to match SNAP benefits. Ms. Shewmaker shared there is a strong advocacy effort by grocers because of the potential large economic impact in rural communities. There is advocacy on a federal level to delay the administrative cost share. Ann Wilkerson asked since the state has not passed a budget, will there be impacts on what DSS presented today. Ms. Shewmaker stated we are relying on last year's budget to guide us. We expect state estimates to look similar since there is no state budget. Oscar Fleming asked if DSS is collaborating with any non-profits or private sectors. Ms. Shewmaker shared we are meeting with food groups, and she is on a healthcare panel next week. 2. DSS Annual Work Plan The Board discussed the DSS annual work plan presented last month. Jamezetta Bedford asked if we could add training with staff and the Board on IDD. Everyone agreed to add this. Ann Wilkerson applauded DSS collaboration with other agencies. Ann Wilkerson moved to accept the report as presented. Jamezetta Bedford seconded the motion. All board members were in favor. 2 MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES January 20,2026 3. Director's Report Ms. Shewmaker shared we are currently in planning with Emergency Services, the County Manager's office, and Orange County Housing regarding the potential winter storm this weekend. Social workers are currently outreaching to cases and ensuring all medical needs are met. Sharron Hinton's team is currently reaching out to local hotels incase we need to move anyone with high vulnerabilities to hotels. Activation of a mass shelter is dependent on a power outage threshold. Chris Barnes asked how families reach DSS during an emergency. Crystal Wiese explained we have on-all social workers for Child Protective Services and Adult Protective Services that are available outside of normal business hours for emergency calls. Phone calls are routed through 911 communications. Communications reaches out to DSS social worker with the caller's name and phone number for a return call. The DSS staff meeting will be held this Friday starting at 10:00am. Lunch will be served and prizes provided to staff on behalf of the Board and Friends of DSS. All board members are invited. Our Leadership Development Program with Allies for Outcomes kicks off next Monday. This will consist of workshops and 1:1 coaching. DSS currently has 25 vacancies. There is a preliminary freeze on positions by the County Manager's office. Director Shewmaker has a meeting with the County Manager tomorrow. 4. Executive Session §143 318.11 (a)(1) referencing §108A 80(a) Chris Barnes moved into Executive Session pursuant to §143 318.11 (a)(1) referencing §108A 80(a). Jane Garrett seconded the motion. The motion was carried without dissent. VII. Announcements The meeting adjourned at 5:48pm. Submitted by: Lindsey Shewmaker, DSS Director Oscar Fleming, Chair 3