B060209
New Hanover County
Board of Social Services
Meeting Minutes
Multi Purpose Room A
9:00a.m. -10:00 a.m.
The New Hanover County Board of Social Services met in open session on Tuesday,
June 2, 2009 at 9:00 in Multi Purpose Room A of the New Hanover County Department
of Social Services.
ATTENDING: John Craig, Chairman; Bill Caster, Vice-Chairman; Minerva Glidden and
Patrick Riley
ALSO ATTENDING: LaVaughn Nesmith, Secretary to the Board; Stephanie Monteath,
Administrative Support Specialist
The Chairman called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. Ms. Glidden moved for approval
of the agenda. The motion was seconded by Mr. Caster and passed unanimously.
Mr. Caster led the invocation. Mr. Riley led the pledge of allegiance.
CONSENT AGENDA
Mr. Caster moved for approval of the consent agenda. The motion was passed with a
® unanimous aye.
INFORMATION AGENDA
Personnel
Stephanie Monteath introduced Marilyn Costen as the new paralegal.
Service Awards
Susan Cox-Parker, Angel Major, Charlene McEldridge and Stephanie McGrew were
recognized for 5 years of service to New Hanover County. Ruth Massey was recognized
for 10 years of service to New Hanover County. Kara Toney was recognized for 15 years
of service to New Hanover County.
SSDI
There were no comments on or questions about the significant service delivery indicators.
County Budget Expenditures
Mr. Caster asked about TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) Domestic
• Violence funds spending. Ms. McNamee and Ms. Talbutt explained that money can be
used for families trying to find stability after leaving an abusive situation. Mr. Nesmith
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also noted that TANF/DV funds are used for prevention services, keeping families out of
child protective services situations.
Director's Executive Report
Mr. Nesmith said the foster family picnic had a great turnout and everyone had a
wonderful time.
Mr. Craig asked about the program integrity cases that were referred to the Sheriff s
office. Ms. Heslin shared the program integrity unit started with investigations into Adult
Medicaid over issuances due to unreported resources (illegally hidden). These cases
were referred to county finance and now county legal and/or the District Attorney's
Office. All areas of service will be investigated ending with Food and Nutrition Services
as that unit has the largest number of claims. Currently, one and a half million dollars is
owed and in the process of being recouped.
Mr. Craig asked about the ARRA stimulus money. Mr. Nesmith shared DSS is working
on hiring some temporary staff, hopefully utilizing Work First clients as well as using the
funds to enable staff to work over time to process Food and Nutrition Services
applications as numbers of people applying for FNS has nearly tripled since last year,
while number of staff in that program has decreased.
Mr. Craig asked why the IRS cared about employee's cell phones. Mr. Coudriet
explained that the IRS notes cell phones used at work are considered a taxable expense.
As such, and with the loss of our great contract giving DSS work phones for 99 cents a
month, effective July 1, 2009, the County will pay a reimbursement to employees who
are required to have a cell phone as a condition of employment for use of personal cell
phones used for work.
STRATEGIC ACTION AGENDA
Child Support Contract Update
Alyssa Harrell noted that Young Williams is waiting for the certificate of insurance for
the County and the performance bond to be able to renew the contract. Mr. Nesmith said
there will be no change in cost for the contract whatsoever.
Fatherhood Expo Update
Angelina Bernard noted there were about 60 people in attendance at this latest
Fatherhood Expo. Judge Corpening is already making plans for next year's expo. Judge
Blackmore and Judge Gorham were also in attendance. Government T.V. recorded the
program. It will be aired regularly. Mr. Nesmith noted the Sheriff s Department, Port
City Java, Food Lion and several other agencies acted as sponsors for the event which
made for no cost to the County.
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Family Find Presentation
• Karl Sanders and Christy Thompson gave a presentation on the Family Finding pilot
project. DSS staff received direct training from Kevin Campbell who developed the
program. The program helps find family members throughout the country which helps
Foster children make life long connections. Ms. Sanders explained that it is very
important to find connections for children before they "age out" of foster care and often
return to the bad situation from which they were taken. It is really important for children
to know about their family and where they came from. Ms. Thompson talked about a
child in a mental health facility that had 33 placements in 9 years and no family contact.
Family Finding helped that child find 8 new family connections. Ms. Thompson noted
children with no family connections aging out of foster care have a dramatically higher
chance of ending up in jail, homelessness, substance abuse and teen pregnancy. Ms.
Sanders explained the pilot program is run by Duke Endowment and covers the salary of
the social worker, Christy Thompson and the cost of the Search Engine. All the children
in the program are between ages 10 and 17 with no plan for reunification, no permanent
placement plan and often no hope.
Ultimately, the goal is to find lasting connections for these children and find potential
options for permanent placement.
Emergency Action Plan for DSS
Chris McNamee introduced the emergency action plan for DSS. Mr. Brim explained
how the employee badges are currently used to enter and exit the secured areas in the
building. However, DSS is working on getting proximity cards like the rest of the county
employees use. Mr. Brim also gave a description of training given to each employee for
evacuation plans, use of the 14 fire extinguishers etc. Department staff participate in
unannounced timed fire and tornado drills. The department has 5 security gates and all
clients must be escorted through these gates. There are two deputies stationed in the
agency that monitor the metal detector and search personal bags to ensure no weapons are
brought into the building. There are 20 surveillance cameras located throughout the
building which can be burned onto a disc. Mike Winebar (NHC Safety Officer) is
offering defibrillator training at the end of the month for which a number of staff have
signed up. There are quarterly building inspections by various marshals and the county
safety officer. The county offers training on CPR, First Aid and Defusing Aggressive
Customers.
Chris McNamee discussed our special role in community disasters, especially hurricanes.
The agency provides training to all employees on personal and community preparedness
in the event of a disaster. DSS works in the EOC (emergency operations center), IC3
(individual care coordination center) and the Community Shelters as Site Coordinators
and Shelter Team Members.
Jerry Brim will be attending a reception this evening to accept an award on behalf of the
agency for safety.
• Next Meeting Objectives
Child Support Contract
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Leading By Results Recommendations
• Adopted Budget Update
Board Self Evaluation
The Board completed self evaluations.
Additional Items
Appointment to the Board
Mr. Caster moved for re-appointment of John Craig to the board. The motion was
seconded by Ms. Glidden and passed unanimously.
As there were no other additional items to discuss 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 by consensus adjourned at 10:12 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
• LaVaughn Nesmith,
Secretary to the Board
John E. Craig,
Chairman
Date approved:. qte= ~f .
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B060209
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