B110408
New Hanover County
Board of Social Services
Minutes
Multipurpose Room A
9:00a.m. -10:00a.m.
The New Hanover County Board of Social Services met in open session on Tuesday,
November 4, 2008 at 9:00 in Multipurpose Room A of the New Hanover County
Department of Social Services.
ATTENDING: John E. Craig, Chairman; Bill Caster, Vice Chairman; Minerva Glidden;
Evelyn Bryant; Patrick Riley
ALSO ATTENDING: LaVaughn Nesmith, Secretary to the Board; Stephanie Monteath,
Assistant to the Director
Mr. Craig called the meeting to order at 9:08 a.m.
Mr. Patrick led the invocation. Ms. Glidden led the pledge of allegiance.
Mr. Caster moved for approval of the agenda. The motion was seconded by Ms. Glidden
and passed unanimously.
CONSENT AGENDA
Ms. Glidden moved to approve the consent agenda. The motion was seconded by Mr.
Caster and passed unanimously.
INFORMATION AGENDA
New Hires
Stephanie Monteath introduced Elizabeth Currie, Tabatha Pugh and Michael Conant as
Social Workers. Kathy Hudson and Robert Tinsley were introduced as Family and
Children's Medicaid Caseworkers. Lesha Johnson was introduced as a Fiscal Support
Technician and Betty Cepeda-Jones was introduced as a Family and Children's Medicaid
Caseworker Trainee.
Promotions
Esther Watson-Hall was promoted from a Day Care Caseworker Zone 1 to a Program
Integrity Caseworker Zone 3. Richard Ohmer was promoted from a CPS Social Worker
to a Social Services Supervisor in CPS.
Service Awards
Melita Newkirk and Floyetta Rogers were recognized for 10 years of service to New
Hanover County. Marlene Dancy was recognized for 20 years of service to New
Hanover County.
SSDI
There were no comments on the Significant Service Delivery Indicators.
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County Budget Expenditures
There were no questions or comments on the County Budget Expenditures.
Director's Report
Mr. Caster asked about the anticipated Foster Care funding shortage. Mr. Nesmith talked
about some strategies the agency is discussing with Chris Coudriet and Chris McNamee
such as use of TANF funds and Adoption Assistance. In January 2009 the numbers
should be more accurate. Mr. Nesmith noted Child Support collections may offset the
additional costs anticipated with the increase in foster care board rates. Mr. Caster asked
for information on Cape Fear HealthNet. Ms. Glidden explained it is a program run by
the hospital for uninsured or underinsured folks. Ms. Glidden asked if voter registration
and fishing licenses are actually run out of DSS as unfunded mandates. Mr. Nesmith
explained that indeed they are. The State continues to ask DSS to take on additional
tasks with no administrative monetary reimbursement.
STRATEGIC ACTION AGENDA
Child Care Subsidy Update
Kathy Heslin explained in FY07/08, DSS received additional funds from More at Four
and Smart Start to assist with Child Care Subsidy. No additional funds are expected for
FY08/09. Ms. Heslin reviewed factors impacting cost: parental choice, non-licensed
facilities, family care homes, licensed child care, star rating, the age of children being
served and parental fee based on income. Mr. Nesmith explained the Board prioritized
need based on things like Work First (families that work get first priority) and children
At-Risk (such as Child Protective Services cases). Ms. Heslin noted that 2,326 children
were served in September 2007 with 251 children on the waiting list. This year 1,829
children are receiving subsidy with 424 children on the waiting list. The ramifications of
the funding shortfall are as follows: growing waiting list, monthly reports of all subsidy
families, reduction in spending due to attrition, and, if reduction in spending is not
enough, the termination of children currently being served by the program. Ms. Watson-
Hall explained the process of recouping funds from families that received assistance even
when their circumstances changed and they were no longer eligible. Families that are
eligible but not able to receive assistance may lose jobs they currently have due to
inability to pay for child care. Ms. Heslin reviewed the strategies in place to assist with
the shortfalls: closely monitor agency spending, program integrity efforts and discussions
with Child Care State Representative. Mr. Lane explained the agency is in a slightly
better situation than a few months ago because school started back up. Four and five year
old children are enrolled in More at Four and Smart Start. Mr. Lane shared that weekly
conversations about Day Care Subsidy are occurring to ensure the agency is on target and
not over-spending funds. Mr. Caster asked if money from Smart Start works as a pass-
through. Mr. Lane clarified the flow of money from the State through Smart Start and
then into programs at the local level. Mr. Nesmith explained that no Smart Start money
is allocated to us to pay for administrative costs although it should but the State is not
enforcing the policy. Ms. Glidden complimented the staff for being humanitarian as well
as fiscally responsible. Mr. Caster noted when Smart Start was created it was supposed
to be a 50-50 State and private donation funding pot. Mr. Lane explained that Smart Start
does fund raisers and last year did give an additional $25,000.00 to the agency for Day
Care. This year, Smart Start was granted permission to carry forward funds to the next
fiscal year.
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Adoption Awareness Proclamation
Ms. Bryant read the Adoption Awareness Month Proclamation. Ms. Glidden moved to
support the proclamation. The motion was seconded by Mr. Caster and passed
unanimously.
Next Meeting Objectives
Budget Process
Confirm Board Retreat Date
Board Self Evaluation
The Board completed self evaluations.
Additional Items
As there were no 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 9:51a.m.
Respectful submitted,
LaVaughn Nesmith,
Secretary to the Board
4E &
ohn E. Craig,
Chairman
Date approved:
LN: scm
B11042008