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• New Hanover County
Board of Social Services
Minutes
April 26, 2006
The New Hanover County Board of Social Services met in open session on Wednesday,
April 26, 2006 at 9:00 a.m. in Multipurpose Room A.
ATTENDING: Frankie Roberts, Chairman; 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 Chairman called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. Mr. Roberts moved to approve the
agenda. The motion was seconded by Mr. Caster and passed unanimously. Mr. Caster
delivered the invocation and 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.
® INFORMATION AGENDA
Service Awards
Victoria McAniff was recognized for ten years of service. Beth Justice was recognized
for twenty years of service.
Personal Change Reports
Stephanie Monteath introduced Mildred Camacho, new Economic Services Caseworker
SSDI
Mr. Caster asked about the missing transportation numbers. Stephanie Monteath
explained that our numbers are dependent upon information from WAVE Transit and
provided the statistics which were only available today. Bill Caster asked for an
explanation of work permits. Mr. Oxendine and Mr. Nesmith shared the work permit
process for children ages 14-18.
County Budget Expenditures
Mr. Oxendine gave an update on County Budget Expenditures and an update on the
projected budget for FY06-07. Mr. Oxendine noted the day care numbers, as our agency
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is still at 102% of spending according to the state figures. Ten thousand dollars was
• received from Partnership for Children and we are hoping to receive an additional seven
thousand dollars from that organization. Sam Lane updated the board noting that there
are still 350 children on the waiting list for child care. Mr. Lane expounded on the
possibility of additional funds from the governor which the agency won't see until next
fall. As well, since the day care rating system has become more intense, the cost to
provide service for children has gone up.
Mr. Nesmith shared that the Medicaid positions originally requested in the FY06-07
budget were approved by the County Commissioners and we are currently recruiting for
those positions in this fiscal year.
For Your Information
Mr. Nesmith shared the agency update which covered the employee climate survey
conducted in 2004. Each member of the board was given a copy of the update. Mr.
Caster suggested that the board members read over the update and discuss it at the next
meeting.
Strategic Action Agenda
Julie Steinbeck introduced Toby Baccante, Lisa Roberts and Ronnie Roberts of the Foster
Parent Association. Mr. Baccante discussed what the association does in acting as a
support group for other foster parents. The Foster Parent Association recently moved
their meetings out of DSS to a facility that provides free child care which has increased
participation. As May is Foster Parent Appreciation month, Mr. Baccante read aloud the
Foster Parent Proclamation which the board then adopted.
Christine McNamee, Pat Jessup and Susan Sprenger gave a power point presentation and
explained the different areas of Adult Services which include Adult Protective Services,
Guardianship and Payeeship, Health Support, Adult Care Home Licensure and
Monitoring, Adult Day Care/Day Health, In-Home Aide Service, Long Term Care
Placement, Special Assistance In-Home Program, and Unclaimed Bodies.
Mr. Nesmith closed by stating that a justification for an increase of Adult Services staff
will be presented at a future date. Mr. Caster moved to approve the addition of new state
indicators to our LBR goals on a trial basis. Mr. Craig seconded and the motion was
passed unanimously.
NEXT MEETING OBJECTIVES
It was decided that the agency climate survey, child day care and Smart Start will be
discussed at the next meeting. Janet Nelson from the Partnership for Children will be
• invited to give a presentation.
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is
BOARD SELF EVALUATION
The Board completed self evaluations.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Ms. Talbutt explained that the Department's Motion to Quash the subpoena for agency
computer records was dismissed. The situation was resolved amicably by a consent
search in which the material to be reviewed was narrowed to material which originated
between August 20, 2005, and October 20, 2005. On April 12, 2006, Ms. Talbutt and the
Assistant DA from Forsyth County who represented the Sheriff's Department reviewed
the material maintained on the County Server with members of the Sheriff's Department
and ensured that all material unrelated to the case remained confidential. We have not
been informed of the Assistant DA's recommendation to the Sheriff's Department about
prosecution but hope the matter is closed.
Mr. Nesmith shared that the agency is supporting Mr. Robert's candidacy for the Public
Servant of the Year award.
Mr. Roberts moved that John Craig be nominated for a second term to the Board. Mr.
Morris seconded and the motion was passed unanimously.
Being that there was no confidential information to consider as pursuant to G.S. 108A-80
and/or G.S. 154A-98, Mr. Roberts moved to adjourn the meeting and the motion was
passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 10:12 a.m.
Respectful u}itte ,
~V
LaVaughn Nesmith
Secretary to the Board
Frankie Roberts
Chairman
• Date approved: