B061008
• New Hanover County
Board of Social Services
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, June 10,
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; Minerva Glidden
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. Craig moved for approval of the
agenda. The motion was seconded by Mr. Caster and passed unanimously.
Mr. Caster led the invocation. Mrs. Pitts led the pledge of allegiance.
CONSENT AGENDA
Mrs. Glidden moved for approval of the consent agenda. The motion was seconded by Mr.
Craig and passed unanimously.
INFORMATION AGENDA
Personnel
Stephanie Monteath introduced Teresa Burnette, Family and Children's Medicaid Caseworker,
Norma Brown, Paralegal, Stacie Hansen, Food and Nutrition Caseworker and Jacqueline Jones,
Social Services Manager.
Service Awards
Vera Whitehurst was recognized for 15 years of service.
Food and Nutrition Award
Mr. Lane introduced Sherri Parrish, Emily Brown, Maria Escamilla and Alice Tyler who all
received 100% accuracy in Food and Nutrition last year. As such, they received an award at the
Food and Nutrition state-wide conference.
SSDI
® Mr. Nesmith noted that DSS took 40 new children into custody last month. Ms. Floyd-Davis has
donel4 new petitions in the six weeks she has been here which is alarming. Mr. Nesmith is
looking at different ways to target areas in the community to provide outreach and education to
families in crisis.
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County Budget Expenditures
Cora Waddell reviewed the County Budget Expenditure report. Overall, the agency is where it
should be in most areas of spending for this time of year. Mr. Nesmith noted that the General
Assistance funds have been exhausted.
Other Information
Mrs. Pitts noted the Certificate of Appreciation to Mr. Nesmith from the NCACDSS.
The board reviewed the Title VI Compliance policy for New Hanover County DSS.
Mr. Nesmith and Stephanie Monteath explained a Stay Survey as proposed by the Jordan
Institute Recruitment and Retention project. With a Stay Survey, you ask questions periodically
to staff to see what is working and why they stay at their job.
Chris McNamee explained the IT consolidation move July 1, 2008. Helen Nelson, Vera
Whitehurst and Kim Johnston will be moving to County Administration but DSS will still have
IT presence daily. The details have not been completely worked out. The challenge is to figure
out how to continue to be proactive through information technology.
ACTION AGENDA
Work First Demonstration Grant Update
• Ann Barkley and Leah Holub explained the Job Coach Job Locator position. Ms. Barkley
discussed the participation rate gift cards. If a client reaches the countable hours of participation,
they receive a $50.00 gift card to Wal-Mart. An average of 28 gift cards have been distributed
each month since the incentive began. Ms. Holub explained her grant funded position. As a
result of Ms. Holub's job coaching, an average of two people each month has found
employment. As well, Ms. Holub finds work experience opportunities, including some work
training here in the agency. Ms. Holub drives people to job interviews and works closely with
the Employment Security Commission, where she works three hours a week with people on
resumes and such.
Family Find
Ms. Marino explained the Family Find Initiative. This plan assists foster children to find
relatives they may not know about or may not know how to contact. Family Find identifies
relative resources. Family Find believes that every child should have 40 family connections that
they can identify and count on. Kevin Campbell will provide training to County staff. The
project is funded by Duke Endowment. NHCDSS will identify it's hardest to place foster
children to take part in the program. Family Find has been extremely successful in other states
with helping children find permanency. Ms. Glidden asked how many children in New Hanover
County would benefit from Family Find. Ms. Marino shared that originally 40-50 children were
identified to participate in the program.
® Fatherhood Expo
Angelina Bernard and Mr. Nesmith discussed the Fatherhood Expo. Mr. Nesmith explained that
children are 5 times more likely to commit suicide when a father is not involved, nine times more
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likely to drop out of school, 20 times more likely to end up in prison and the list goes on. The
Fatherhood Initiative helps single mothers to accept fathers into the lives of their children and
encourages fathers to participate in their children's lives. The Fatherhood Initiative helps to
rehabilitate dads and re-build their self confidence. Angelina Bernard introduced the Leading by
Results Fatherhood Initiative television program and played a small clip for the board. The
television show will be played daily throughout the month of June on Channel 13.
Special Assistance In-Home Waiting List Policy
Mr. Lane and Mary John Brantley discussed the Special Assistance In-Home waiting list policy.
Any clients on the waiting list for Special Assistance for 90 days are contacted to see if anything
has changed and if they are still interested in services. When a slot opens up, a client is called to
come in and do an application for services. The board was asked to approve the policy. Mr.
Craig asked if any letters sent are certified. The letters are not certified but clients are contacted
by phone as well. Mrs. Glidden moved to approve the policy. The motion was seconded by Mr.
Craig and passed unanimously.
Next Meeting Objectives
DSS's role during a hurricane or disaster
Reception for out going and in coming board members
Board Self Evaluation
The Board completed self evaluations.
Additional Items
As there were no items to discuss in closed session as provided in G.S. 143-318.11 pursuant to
G.S. 108A-80 and/or G.C. 154A-98, the meeting was adjourned at 10:40 a.m.
Respectfully ubmitted,
LaVaughn Nesmith,
Secretary to the Board
Ann Pitts
Chairman
Date approved:
B061008: LNscm. •