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HomeMy WebLinkAboutB070808 ® New Hanover County Board of Social Services Meeting Minutes Multi Purpose Room A 9:00a.m. - 9:20 a.m. The New Hanover County Board of Social Services met in open session on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 at 9:00 in Multi Purpose Room A of the New Hanover County Department of Social Services. ATTENDING: Ann Pitts, Chairman; Bill Caster, Vice-Chairman; John Craig; F. Wayne Morris ALSO ATTENDING: LaVaughn Nesmith, Secretary to the Board; Stephanie Monteath, Assistant to the Director 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. Craig and passed unanimously. Mrs. Pitts led the invocation. Mr. Craig led the pledge of allegiance. CONSENT AGENDA • Mr. Caster moved for approval of the consent agenda. The motion was seconded by Mr. Craig and passed unanimously. Additional Items Farewell statements from Mrs. Pitts and Mr. Morris were given. Mr. Caster presented plaques to Mr. Morris and Mrs. Pitts. The meeting was adjourned 9:16a.m. Respectfully submitted, xgvd~j~ LaVaughn Nesmith Secretary to the Board W SC4v~ 'Bill Caster Vice Chairman Date approved: LN:scm B07082008 Item 2 Page 1 • New Hanover County Board of Social Services Minutes Multipurpose Room A 9:20a.m. -10:00a.m. The New Hanover County Board of Social Services met in open session on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 at 9:20 in Multipurpose Room A of the New Hanover County Department of Social Services. ATTENDING: Bill Caster, Vice Chairman; John Craig; Evelyn Bryant; Patrick Riley ALSO ATTENDING: LaVaughn Nesmith, Secretary to the Board; Stephanie Monteath, Assistant to the Director Mr. Caster called the meeting to order at 9:20 a.m. Mr. Craig moved for approval of the agenda. The motion was seconded by Ms. Bryant and passed unanimously. Mr. Caster moved to nominate Mr. Craig as the 5`" member of the Board. The motion was seconded by Mr. Riley and passed unanimously. Mr. Caster moved to nominate Mr. Craig as Chairman to the Board. The motion was seconded by Patrick Riley and passed unanimously. Mr. Craig moved to nominated Mr. Caster as the Vice Chairman. The motion was seconded by Mr. Riley and passed unanimously. Mr. Craig moved to schedule the Board Meetings the first Tuesday of every month. The motion passed unanimously with four ayes. CONSENT AGENDA There were no items for consent. INFORMATION AGENDA New Hires Leah Holub was introduced as a new Prevention/At Risk social worker. Service Awards Patricia Reynard and Brenda Willis were recognized for 5 years of service to New Hanover County. Donna Gray was recognized for 15 years of service to New Hanover County. Page 2 of 3 SSDI • There were no questions or remarks about the Significant Service Delivery Indicators. County Budget Expenditures Chris McNamee reviewed the budget expenditures for April 2008 paid in May 2008. There were no comments or questions. Mr. Nesmith explained how expenditures are reported and paid out to the new Board Members. Mr. Nesmith shared with the Board that as a result of a two year Human Resource study, the agency was able to reclassify Food and Nutrition staff from Economic Services Caseworkers Zone 1 to Economic Services Caseworkers Zone 2. As well, 88% of Economic Service Caseworkers agency-wide received an increase in salary to remain competitive in the State. Mr. Nesmith shared the State is proposing additional revenue for the Child Subsidy Program. It also appears the State will be increasing the Foster Care board rate. This may mean additional funds for a County match. Four additional universities have been added to the Social Work Collaborative, which broadens the scope of staff available for NHCDSS recruitment. Mr. Riley asked what it would take to get LJNCW involved in the Social Work Collaborative. Mr. Nesmith • explained that schools involved with the Collaborative are usually placed in areas where there is not a lot of interest in Social Work. LJNCW's BSW program is part of the Social Work Collaborative but not its MSW program. There were no other questions. STRATEGIC ACTION AGENDA DSS's Role During Hurricanes and Disaster Chris McNamee reviewed the history of Hurricanes and Tropical Storms in New Hanover County. Ms. McNamee explained training and preparation of staff for themselves, their families and the people in their caseloads. Information about storms and disaster is available in English and Spanish. Ms. McNamee reviewed the roles of various staff in the agency from the Emergency Operations Center, Interagency Care Coordination Center, Shelter Site Coordinators and Shelter Team Members to the On Call staff. Ms. McNamee explained the new co-location shelter, where pets may be housed with their owners at Noble Elementary School. The state is developing a CRES (Coastal Resident Evacuation and Sheltering) plan. The first tier would send New Hanover County residents to Harnett and Johnson Counties. New Hanover County staff participated in a dry run CRES plan and evacuated to Johnson and Harnett Counties. All shelters have bilingual in Spanish staff available. As well, custodial staff and cafeteria staff as well as American Red Cross staff and Ham Radio Operators are all in place when shelters are open. Mr. Caster noted how difficult it will be to evacuate County residents if the need arises. Ms. McNamee explained that contracts are in place with WAVE transit and the NHC school busses. Red Cross has agreed that DSS Staff will remain in place as Shelter Managers. Item 2 Page 3 Page 3 of 3 Work First Strategic Plan • Ann Barkley explained that Work First is North Carolina's TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) program. New Hanover County DSS is requesting its Board of Social Service recommend to the County Commissioners a Standard County status for the Work First program for the 2010-2011 biennium. NHCDSS is also requesting its Board of Social Services request the County Commissioners to appoint the same group as the planning committee to develop the County's Work First Plan for 2010-2011. Mr. Caster moved to support the Work First plan. The motion was seconded by Mr. Craig and passed unanimously. Ms. Bryant was nominated to serve on the Work First planning committee. Next Meeting Objectives Leading by Results Overview and Recommendations Board Self Evaluation The Board completed self evaluations. Additional Items • Ms. Bryant and Mr. Riley will attend Board of Social Service Training in Kinston September I O'", 2008 with Mr. Craig. As there were no further 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 10:09 a.m. Respectfully submitted, ~"a-l LaVaughn Nesmith Secretary to the Board John Craig Chairman ® Date approved: LN: scm B07082008 Item 2 Page 4