B050410
New Hanover County
Board of Social Services
Meeting Minutes
Multi Purpose Room A
May 4, 2010
9:00a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
The New Hanover County Board of Social Services met in open session on Tuesday.
May 4. 2010 at 9:00 in Multi Purpose Room A of the Nevi Hanover County Department
of Social Services.
ATTENDING: John Craig. Chairman: Minerva Glidden. Vice-Chairman: Bill Caster:
Patrick Riley
ALSO ATTENDING: LaVaughn Nesmith, Secretary to the Board: Stephanie Monteath.
Administrative Support Specialist
The Chairman called the meeting to order at 9:04 a.m. Ms. Glidden moved for approval
of the agenda. The motion was seconded by Mr. Caster and passed unanimously.
Mr. Caster gave the invocation. Mr. Riley led the pledge of allegiance.
CONSENT AGENDA
Mr. Caster moved for approval of the consent agenda. The motion was seconded by ;\/1s.
Glidden and passed unanimously.
INFORMATION AGENDA
Personnel
Jocelyn Wilson and Jean Wall %vere re-hired as temporary Economic Service Case
Workers Zone 2.
Promotions
Alice Moore was promoted to Social Work Supervisor.
Service Awards
Cheryl Crossinan celebrates years of service with New Hanoi er County.
SSDI
March 2010 was a record for Child Protective Service: over 30 children were taken into
custody by DSS.
County Budget Expenditures
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Ms. McNamee noted 75% of the year has passed and 65% of the budget has been spent
so DSS is looking pretty good. Revenues have increased slightly with ARRA and
Department of Defense dollars to help administer Food and Nutrition services.
Director's Executive Report
There were no comments on the Director's report. Mr. Caster will be attending the
Foster Care picnic.
STRATEGIC ACTION AGENDA
Multiple Response System (MRS) Update
Wanda Marino introduced the Multiple Response System (MRS). Karl Sanders
explained that MRS is an approach to deal with families that have been reported for
neglect or abuse. MRS helps social workers to look at the whole picture when
conducting family assessments. Ms. Sanders explained that more serious cases of
neglect, sexual or physical abuse would be referred to a "forensic track" meaning law
enforcement would be involved. If a family is in an assessment for domestic violence
and it comes to light that a child has been physically abused during the interview, the
case would be switched from MRS to forensic. Law enforcement will also become
involved if a social worker must investigate a potentially dangerous situation. Ms.
Sanders noted that the recidivism rate is high but made up by a small percentage of
families involved with DSS. MRS works to provide services to families in the home in
an effort to prevent the need for placing the child in foster care.
Ms. Sanders shared that two major factors contributing to abuse and neglect of children
are drug abuse and mental health issues. Ms. Marino noted she is receiving more positive
drugs screens from families for use of heroin and PCP. Ms. Sanders and Ms. Marino
both noted that the removal of the Prevention Program has negatively impacted the
recidivism rate. Ms. Sanders talked about possibly putting a time frame on the indicator
measuring children with confirmed CPS reports who previously had an unconfirmed
report. Ms. Sanders also noted that often children will recant or aren't ready to talk about
abuse the first time it is. Ms. Sanders next talked about the indicator discussing the
percentage of children who had a confirmed CPS report who were placed in custody of
the department. The number of children taken into custody by NHCDSS in March 2010
set a record high. Children are placed with family whenever possible. Ms. Sanders
reiterated the findings of children in families using heroin or PCP as well as mothers ho
aren't using drugs but living with drug dealers. placing children at high risk. ~1r. Caster
asked if there was any connection between income and abusehneglect reports. Ms.
Sanders and Ms. Marino both stated that abuse occurs across the board economically and
is not found more often in lower income homes. Ms. Sanders noted there have been some
successes including the decreases in the following: assessments, substantiations. repeat
assessments and repeat substantiations. As well, social workers are spending more time
with families. Mr. Nesmith reiterated that the loss of the Prevention unit has really
impacted the agency. Mr. Riley asked if there were other funding sources for Prevention
Services. Ms. Sanders noted that families receiving Medicaid can often apply of
additional mental health services, but other than that. there are no resources available for
Prevention. Ms. Marino closed by noting that DSS lost a lot of good collaboration and
services due to mental health reform.
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Foster Care Awareness Proclamation
Patrick Riley read the Foster Care Awareness Proclamation. Mr. Riley moved to support
the proclamation. The motion was seconded by Ms. Glidden and passed unanimously.
Board Presentation Discussion
John Ranalli passed out a draft power point for the Board to present to the County
Commissioners. Mr. Ranalli explained the Microsoft word document v~ould be'V1r.
Craig's talking points with the accompanying graph's on the power point. Ranalli
reviewed the talking points and explained each slide. Mr. Caster asked that all the
acronyms be spelled out such as FNS. Food and Nutrition Services, as most of the
Commissioners will not know the acronyms. It was clarified that the slides represent a 12
month period. Ms. Glidden asked that the ,valtina list for Child Care Services be added
as a graph pictorially. to sho,,y the enormous need in the community. There was
discussion about the economic impact on the community.
Next Meeting Objectives
Adopted Budget Update
Finalize Board Power Point Presentation
Board Self Evaluation
The Board completed self evaluations.
Additional Items
The Board entered into closed session as provided in G.S. 154A-98 to consider
information that is confidential pursuant to G.S. 108A-80 and or G.S. 154A-98.
The Board returned to an open session and adjourned at 10:00 a.m.
Respectfully submitted.
LaVau,hn Nesmith_
Secretary to the Board
JO}111 E. Crab,
Chairman
Date approved: G - ►
LN: scm
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