B032906
New Hanover County
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Board of Social Services
Minutes
March 29, 2006
The New Hanover County Board of Social Services met in open session on Wednesday,
March 29, 2006 at 9:00 a.m. in Multipurpose Room A.
ATTENDING: Bill Caster, Vice Chairman; Ann Pitts; John Craig; F. Wayne Morris
ALSO ATTENDING: LaVaughn Nesmith, Secretary to the Board; Stephanie Monteath,
Assistant to the Director
The Vice Chairman called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. Mr. Caster moved to
approve the agenda. The motion was seconded by Mr. Morris and passed unanimously.
Mrs. Pitts delivered the invocation and Mr. Caster led the pledge of allegiance.
CONSENT AGENDA
Mrs. Pitts moved for approval of the consent agenda. The motion was seconded by Mr.
Morris and passed unanimously.
® INFORMATION AGENDA
Service Awards
Karen Halso, Monica Jacobs, Angela King, Debra Reuben, Chiquita Gooding-Register,
Clifton McAllister, Fausto Sanchez and Robert Setzer were recognized for 5 years of
service. Lou Miller was recognized for 10 years of service. Christine McNamee was
recognized for 15 years of service. Kenda Wigand was recognized for 20 years of
service. Ann Barkley was recognized for 25 years of service.
Personnel Change Report
Stephanie Monteath introduced new employees; Sam Lane, Ligia Sullivan and Tisha
Pridgen.
SSDI
Wanda Marino noted that there was an increase in Adult Protective Services reports for
the month of February 2006.
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County Budget Expenditures
James Oxendine shared that the agency is still watching the same areas in the budget with
nothing new to report. Mr. Nesmith added that we did receive ten thousand dollars from
Share the Care funds and are anticipating an additional seven thousand dollars.
Sam Lane reported that the ten thousand dollars can be used right away. Mr. Lane further
explained that the agency requested one-hundred thousand dollars from the state and is
waiting to hear if any additional funding will be granted. There are 357 children still on
the waiting list for day care services. Mr. Caster asked if Smart Start/Share the Care
funds are from the State. Chris McNamee answered that Share the Care funds come from
private citizen donations. Mr. Caster requested a presentation on the Partnership's
programs and funding on a future meeting agenda.
For Your Information
Chris McNamee shared a short film that will be shown on government television and
community meetings. The film gives a summary of the services DSS has to offer. This
film will serve as an outreach effort, is available in Spanish and English and was created
as part of the Family Net initiative.
Mr. Nesmith updated the board on a budget change. County Administration has asked
that Mr. Nesmith request approval for the three new Medicaid positions to the County
Commissioners on April 3, 2006 instead of waiting to fund these positions in FY 06-07.
Mr. Nesmith reported that Economic Services Supervisors and Caseworkers in Zones 3
and 4 have received raises as a result of a survey conducted by County Human Resources
Department. These raises keep our county more in line with comparable Counties' pay
rate averages for these positions.
Strategic Action Agenda
Pat Jessup, Susan Sprenger, Cheryl Mote and Regina Anderson jointly conducted a
power point presentation about Adult Services - Adult Home Licensing. Ms. Sprenger
reviewed the types of Adult Care Homes in New Hanover County. Mr. Caster asked if
this included Nursing Homes. Ms. Sprenger explained that Nursing Homes fall under
State Jurisdiction. The group reviewed the services that Adult Care Homes offer, types
of issues that occur in these homes, when DSS becomes involved and the types of
violations/penalties that can occur.
Wanda Marino gave an update on the Meadows of Wilmington. Mrs. Marino explained
the various deficiencies and violations the Meadows was cited with and shared that there
are still pending actions against the home. Ms. Marino said that the agency is
understaffed for the amount of reports it receives about Adult Care Homes, explaining
that the state only provides funding for 1 '/Z social workers and the agency would need to
evaluate the need for additional staff for this program.
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• Mr. Nesmith handed out the Child Abuse Prevention Proclamation to the board and asked
for their approval. Mr. Morris moved to approve the proclamation and Mr. Craig
seconded the motion. The proclamation will be presented to the County Commissioners
on April 3, 2006.
NEXT MEETING OBJECTIVES
It was decided that a continuing presentation of the Adult Services Program will take
place for the April 2006 Board of Director's meeting.
BOARD SELF EVALUATION
The Board completed self evaluations.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Ms. Talbutt gave an update on the Brunswick County case.
Being that there was no confidential information to consider as pursuant to G.S. 108A-80
and/or G.S. 154A-98, Mr. Caster moved to adjourn the meeting and the motion was
passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 10:13 a.m.
Respectful s rtte~-
LaVaughn Nesmith
Secretary to the Board
Frankie Roberts
Chairman
Date approved:
LN: scm
B032906