B090208
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,
September 2, 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
ALSO ATTENDING: LaVaughn Nesmith, Secretary to the Board; Stephanie Monteath,
Assistant to the Director
Mr. Craig called the meeting to order at 9:05 a.m.
Mr. Caster 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
Mr. Caster moved to approve the consent agenda. The motion was seconded by Ms.
Glidden and passed unanimously.
INFORMATION AGENDA
New Hires
All new hires were attending the County orientation and will be introduced during
October's Board meeting.
Service Awards
George Marshall was recognized for 5 years of service to New Hanover County. Ella
Deaver and Sheila Martin were recognized for 10 years of service to New Hanover
County. Bette Jean Payton and Faye Smith were recognized for 25 years of service to
New Hanover County.
Biennial Review
Wanda Marino reviewed the results of the biennial review for Family and Children's
Services. According to the State, New Hanover County met standard in four of the seven
review areas. Kari Sanders explained the seven areas of review dealing with safety and
permanence, highlighting any citations received as a result of the review. The Program
Improvement Plan for the citations will be discussed at October's Board meeting.
SSDI
There were no questions or comments.
Page 2 of 3
County Budget Expenditures
Ms. McNamee explained that the expenditures reflect only the first month of the fiscal
year.
Additional Information
Mr. Nesmith explained the self assessment DSS completed as a result of the Business
Manager not having 2 years experience in the position. Ms. McNamee explained any
exceptions on the self assessment.
STRATEGIC ACTION AGENDA
Work First Plan Update
Mr. Nesmith thanked Ms. Bryant for participating in the Work First forum.
The County Commissioners approved the New Hanover County DSS Board's
recommendations that New Hanover County remain a Standard County.
Ms. Barkley reviewed areas of concern, such as participation rate and areas of success,
such as Work First Work Experience. She related progress in the Work First program to
LBR indicators addressing Work First employment and recidivism.
Michelle Caruth, a Work First recipient volunteering in a Work First Work Experience
position at DSS talked about her personal experience with the program.
Ms. Barkley and Mr. Nesmith reviewed strategies DSS is looking into to meet
participation rate such as Pay for Performance.
Mr. Caster asked for an explanation of Child Only cases. Ms. Barkley explained Child
Only cases refer to children receiving Work First/TANF funds who live with a relative
not a parent. The adult members of the household do not receive Work First funding and
are not required to participate in Work First employment activities.
Ms. Glidden asked if undocumented people received Work First. Ms. Barkley said no.
Mr. Caster moved for approval of the Work First plan. The motion was seconded by Ms.
Glidden and passed unanimously.
Budget Update
Ms. McNamee explained FY08-09 will be a very tight budget year. Administration and
Foster Care line items will be monitored closely to ensure funding will be available for
the entire year. The State has increased the monthly board rate paid to foster homes and
facilities effective January 2009. County DSS's will also be required to pay up front for
Foster Care expenses and be reimbursed by the State. This will create a cash flow issue.
The Board will be given more information on the increased cost of these changes next
month and will be asked whether the additional County supplement currently given to
foster parents will be continued. Ms. Glidden asked if there is a group that could answer
whether foster parents would still foster children if they were not paid this supplement.
Ms. Glidden explained that as an advocate for the community, she does not want to make
Page 3 of 3
a decision about cutting funds to a program without knowing the ramifications to families
and the community. She also requested data on the numbers of foster homes and
percentage of children in these homes. Ms. McNamee and Ms. Marino discussed the
Foster Parent Association and explained that foster parents spend more on foster children
than they receive. Foster parents will be surveyed regarding their dependence on the
supplement and this information as well as the data on the number of children residing in
DSS foster homes will be relayed to Board members at the October meeting.
The third area of budget concern is Child Day Care Subsidy. No children have been
moved off the waiting list in over a year. DSS is looking into improving Program
Integrity to ensure Day Care funds are being spent properly. Mr. Nesmith explained
there are certain programs where DSS is mandated to provide child care such as Child
Protective Services and Work First. The waiting list number continues to increase as
more families are deemed eligible for assistance but no families have moved off the
waiting list. The child care subsidy expenditures will be carefully monitored to
determine if it will be necessary to activate the Service Reduction Plan later in this fiscal
year.
Next Meeting Objectives
Child Welfare Services Performance Improvement Plan
Foster Care Board Rate Projections
Board Self Evaluation
The Board completed self evaluations.
Additional Item
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 10:06 a.m.
Respectfull ubmitted,
ei 4&v-~
LaVaughn Nesmith,
Secretary to the Board
ohn E. . Craig,
9
Chairman
Date approved:
LN: scm
B09022008