B092006
New Hanover County
Board of Social Services
Minutes
September 20, 2006
The New Hanover County Board of Social Services met in open session on Wednesday,
September 20, 2006 at 9:00 a.m. in Multipurpose Room A in the Department of Social
Services.
ATTENDING: Frankie Roberts, Chairman; Bill Caster, Vice Chairman; John Craig; Ann
Pitts
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 for approval
of the agenda with proposed changes: Work First Plan was moved to Strategic Action
Agenda and Legislative Agenda was added to Strategic Action Agenda. The motion was
seconded by Mr. Caster and passed unanimously. Mr. Caster delivered the invocation
and Mrs. Pitts led the pledge of allegiance.
CONSENT AGENDA
Mrs. Pitts moved for approval of the consent agenda. The motion was seconded by Mr.
Craig and passed unanimously.
INFORMATION AGENDA
Service Awards
Mr. Nesmith recognized Carolyn Jackson for ten years of service and Barbette Colvin,
Elizabeth Floyd, Molly Roush and Sue Taylor for fifteen years of service.
New Hires
Stephanie Monteath recognized the following new hires: Dava Bollinger and Julia Davis,
Economic Services Caseworker Zone 2; Allison Davis; Wendy Maddox; John Davis; and
Corrie Hasty are all Social Worker Zone 2. Ashley Lewis was hired as an Administrative
Support Technician; Shameika Stokes and Ebony Lawrence were both moved from
Economic Services Caseworker Temporary position to regular Economic Services
Caseworkers Zone 1.
Promotions
Stephanie Monteath recognized the following staff promoted in-house: Kathi Heslin,
Chief of Family and Children Medicaid/Child Care and Stephanie McGrew, Social
Worker in CPS Unit.
Page 2 of 3
SSDI
Mr. Nesmith explained that with school starting and energy costs rising, the numbers for
August are higher. Mr. Nesmith also noted that outreach measures seem to be working as
Food Stamp applications are up. Mr. Caster asked for a ten year comparison to show the
trend in monthly spikes in service delivery. Mr. Nesmith explained the deficit reduction
act and how it affects TANF.
County Budget Expenditures
There were no questions about the County Budget Expenditures.
STRATEGIC ACTION AGENDA
Mary John Brantley led a power point presentation on New Citizenship Requirements.
Ms. Brantley reviewed exemptions to this new law, examples of Documentation that may
be used as Identity and Documentation required for proof of Citizenship. Ms. Brantley
continued the power point presentation and noted how this will impact New Hanover
County DSS clients and the agency budget. This process will be required for all new
applicants for Medicaid and all current recipients of Medicaid when they come in for
review. Sam Lane noted that New Hanover County DSS currently has about 21,000
Medicaid recipients. Mr. Lane and Ms. Brantley shared the proactive measures the
agency has already put into place to ease the transition of these requirements. No action
was taken.
Ann Barkley recapped the proposed Work First Plan. Ms. Barkley reviewed issues that
may arise from the Deficit Reduction Act and TANF changes and how they may affect
the Work First program and its recipients. Ms. Barkley then reviewed proactive
measures the agency is taking to assist with potential negative impacts of said changes.
Mr. Caster asked that acronyms be spelled out at least once when presenting material to
other groups. Mr. Roberts asked what the county pays to support the Work First
program. James Oxendine stated that the County contributes approximately $2.4 million
as maintenance of effort. Mr. Roberts asked if the county would be able to provide a
mentoring program for Work First participants. Mr. Nesmith shared that he and Jerome
Fennell, Director of NHC Property Management have already discussed this possibility
and have an action plan. Mr. Roberts moved to accept the Work First Plan. The motion
was seconded by Mr. Craig and passed unanimously.
Ms. Barkley thanked the board for their support during the Department's investigation of
the Jasmine Cove Adult Care Facility (formerly The Meadows) and for adopting the
resolution.
Ms. Barkley shared that New Hanover County DSS was awarded 10 Special Assistance
In-Home Program slots. This additional allocation saves the county $1118.00 per month
and enables folks to stay in their home instead of having to live in an assisted living
facility. This was presented as information only.
Page 3 .of 3
Mr. Nesmith reviewed proposed legislative changes proposing ending County fiscal
assistance with Medicaid relief, governing Adult Care Homes and approving Multiple
Response System Program Standards which increases our staffing needs by 9 Social
Workers. Mr. Roberts moved to endorse said legislative items for FY07/08. The motion
was seconded by Mr. Caster and passed unanimously.
Mr. Nesmith handed out a proposed schedule for Leading by Results topics for
discussion. The board agreed to the schedule unanimously.
NEXT MEETING OBJECTIVES
Multiple Response System Update
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 10:19 a.m.
Respectful
LaVaughn Nesmith
Secretary to the Board
Frankie Roberts
Chairman
Date approved: