B070808
® 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,
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LaVaughn Nesmith
Secretary to the Board
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'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.
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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.
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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
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