B100609
New Hanover County Board of Social Services
October 6, 2009 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,
October 6, 2009 at 9:00 in Multi Purpose Room A of the New Hanover County
Department of Social Services.
ATTENDING: John Craig, Chairman; Minerva Glidden, Vice-Chairman; Bill Caster;
Evelyn Bryant 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. Mr. Caster moved for approval of
the agenda. The motion was seconded by Mr. Glidden and passed unanimously.
Mr. Caster led the invocation. Ms. Bryant led the pledge of allegiance.
CONSENT AGENDA
Mr. Caster moved for approval of the consent agenda. The motion was seconded by Ms.
Glidden and passed unanimously.
INFORMATION AGENDA
Personnel
Stephanie Monteath recognized Jean O'Keeffe, a former employee who has been hired to
fill a temporary Family and Children's Medicaid Zone 2 vacancy; Gail Carelli, the new
agency attorney; and Latisha Corbett who was hired as a Family and Children's Medicaid
Zone 2 worker.
Promotions
Anabela Diaz was recognized for her promotion from Administrative Support Assistant
to Fiscal Support Technician. Teresa Baughman was recognized for her promotion from
Family and Children's Medicaid Zone 2 caseworker to Adult Medicaid Zone 3
caseworker.
Service Awards
Rozann Burdick celebrates 5 years of service to New Hanover County this month.
Separations
Mr. Craig requested a summary of the September separations from DSS. Wanda Marino
and Sam Lane each reviewed the separations from their sections. Mr. Nesmith and Chris
Coudriet explained that the positions from the last set of early retirements should be filled
by the end of this fiscal year to be in place in the next fiscal year. All new vacancies
have been approved to be filled.
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New Travel Policy
John Craig asked about the policy where staff must use a county vehicle instead of a
personal vehicle for in-town travel or a rental car instead of a personal car for long
distance trips. Mr. Coudriet explained that the policy insists a county vehicle be used if
one is available. Mr. Nesmith shared that an unmarked car has been obtained for after-
hours workers use. Mr. Nesmith noted that 65% of the staff travel every day as part of
their job. The more children who come into custody the more the agency incurs travel
costs.
SSDI
Mr. Caster talked about a report of a woman incarcerated for drugs where DSS needed to
take custody of her two children under 12 months of age. Ms. Marino warned that the
September SSDI will show an even higher number of children taken into DSS custody.
Mr. Nesmith talked about the letter that went out from Cape Fear Public Utility Authority
(CFPUA) which led the public to incorrectly believe that DSS would assist with or pay
monthly supplements for bills which were once subsidized by local municipalities.
Mr. Caster asked about the agency's involvement with LILAC, Inc. Ms. McNamee said
the LILAC-trained youth assisted with clerical jobs and scanning in the agency.
County Budget Expenditures
There were no questions or comments about County Budget Expenditures.
Director's Executive Report
Mr. Craig asked that the board receive information from the County Break-Out Sessions.
STRATEGIC ACTION AGENDA
Adoption Awareness Proclamation
Ms. Glidden read the Adoption Awareness Proclamation. Mr. Caster moved to support
the proclamation. The motion was seconded by Ms. Glidden and passed unanimously by
the Board.
Medicaid Update
Mary John Brantley explained the age and income requirements to be eligible for Adult
Medicaid. Ms. Brantley reviewed the programs that are administered under Adult
Medicaid including Long Term Care (nursing homes), In-Home Long Term Care, PACE-
Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly, Special Assistance In-Home, and CAP-
Community Alternatives Program. Ms. Brantley discussed staffing issues in the Adult
Medicaid Unit.
Kath Heslin discussed the many programs within Family and Children's Medicaid. Ms.
Heslin explained Family and Children's Medicaid assistance is income based. With the
poor economy, many more people are applying for services and 62% were approved.
Ms. Heslin reviewed challenges in providing timely, accurate assistance including
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increased monitoring-"discouragement" (wherein a person must be seen and assessed for
services if they come into the lobby area), frozen and vacant positions, the denial letters
that have to be written in order for other services to become available and moving from
monthly issued Medicaid cards to annual issued Medicaid cards.
Mary John Brantley talked about the new Medicare Low Income Subsidy program which
provides assistance with prescriptions. Persons requesting this service must be evaluated
for Medicaid eligibility, increasing workloads.
Ms. Brantley also discussed Cape Fear Health Net (CFHN) which is housed here at DSS.
CFHN assists the.
Ms. Glidden asked if any of the programs discussed were available to undocumented
persons. Ms. Heslin shared that only Medicaid for Pregnant Women and emergency
Medicaid are available for undocumented people.
Next Meeting Objectives
Child Care Subsidy Update
Community Child Protection Team Update
Lobby Renovation Update
Board Self Evaluation
The Board completed self evaluations.
Additional Items
Ms. Bryant shared what she learned about the lobby renovations.
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 10:02 a.m.
Respectfu submitted,
V,,xvall-~
LaVaughn Nesmith,
Secretary to the Board
John E. Craig,
Chairman
Date approved: 131 91-oo
LN: scm
B 100609