B041107
• New Hanover County
Board of Social Services
Minutes
Multipurpose Room A
9:00a.m. -10:00a.m.
The New Hanover County Board of Social Services met in open session on Wednesday,
April 11, 2007 at 9:00 in Multipurpose Room A of the New Hanover County Department
of Social Services.
ATTENDING: Frankie Roberts, Chairman; Bill Caster, Vice-Chairman; John Craig; F.
Wayne Morris; Ann Pitts
ALSO ATTENDING: LaVaughn Nesmith, Secretary to the Board; Stephanie Monteath,
Assistant to the Director
The Chairman called the meeting to order at 9:02 a.m. Mrs. Pitts moved for approval of
the agenda. The motion was seconded by Mr. Craig and passed unanimously.
Mr. Roberts led the invocation. Mr. Caster led the pledge of allegiance.
• CONSENT AGENDA
Mr. Craig moved for approval of the consent agenda. The motion was seconded by Mr.
Caster and passed unanimously.
INFORMATION AGENDA
New Hires
David Bomba, Grace Gagliardi, Kiia Owens, Emily Provost, Brenda Keegan, Susan
Ross, Maria Escamilla, Mary Levite, Angelo Sortino, Roy Spellman, Carol Thiel, Leah
Holub, Rheda Richmond, Sheri Parrish and Maureen Fisher were introduced as new
hires.
Service Awards
Jennifer Warren was recognized for 5 years of service to New Hanover County. Genevi
Francis was recognized for 10 years of service to New Hanover County. Helen
Simmonds and Cindy Smith were recognized for 15 years of service to New Hanover
County. Paulette Long was recognized for 25 years of service to New Hanover County.
Promotions
• Heidi Laufer and Sara Karanikos were promoted from Economic Service Caseworkers
Zone 1 in Food Assistance to Economic Service Caseworkers Zone 2 in Family and
Children's Medicaid. Tangy Jones was promoted from Administrative Support Assistant
• for Facility Services to Economic Services Caseworker Zone 1 in Family and Children's
Medicaid.
SSDI
There were no questions or comments about SSDI.
County Budget Expenditures
Carol Thiel explained color coding of the County Budget Expenditure Report. Ms. Thiel
noted that 66% of the fiscal year has passed and 77% of TANF Domestic Violence
money has been spent. Other areas of high spending explained were: Emergency/Energy
Assistance, Day Care Subsidy and Smart Start/Partnership for Children.
Mrs. Pitts complimented the Living Well article highlighting services DSS provides to
families.
STRATEGIC ACTION AGENDA
New Hanover County Department of Social Services 2005-2006 Annual Report
Chris McNamee presented the DSS Annual Report for 2005-2006. The report addresses
® Leading by Results indicators. Progress has been made on twenty-five of twenty-eight
indicators. Mr. Caster asked about the county match for Medicaid and Medicaid relief
requirements. Mr. Nesmith explained that the county has to surpass the cap set in 2005.
Our county is expected to surpass the cap by June but other counties have already
surpassed their cap and will most likely use up the relief funds by the time New Hanover
County becomes eligible to apply for the relief funds.
Program Integrity
Mary John Brantley discussed Program Integrity. In FY2005-2006 $115,434.00 were
collected by program integrity. Sixty-three percent of collection has been met this year
towards benchmark of $139,700.00. In the last 4 months, New Hanover County has been
one of the top three collectors of Medicaid reimbursements in the state. Ms. Brantley
discussed some strategies Program Integrity has put into place to include; training of
staff, prevention through interviewing and documentation; getting the New Hanover
County Legal Department involved in Program Integrity efforts and attending annual
training conferences and quarterly network meetings. The challenges this unit faces are
vacancies and staff turnover; communication between units throughout the agency and
keeping up with complex program policies and procedures.
Update on Adult Services Home
• Wanda Marino gave an update about the adult care home previously known as Jasmine
Cove. The facility has been taken over by Mr. Carnegie. There are concerns regarding
the previous owner that are currently be evaluated.
Child Abuse Prevention Month
Wanda Marino discussed the upcoming forum "Too Young to Die" on April 16, 2007:
® Mrs. Pitts read the Child Abuse Prevention Month proclamation. Mr. Craig moved to
support the proclamation. The motion was seconded by Mr. Morris and passed
unanimously.
Next Meeting Objectives
Communication Outreach Efforts
Board Self Evaluation
The Board completed self evaluations.
Mr. Caster moved to enter closed session as provided in G.S. 143-318.11, to consider
information that is confidential pursuant to G.S. 108A-80 and/or G.S. 154A-98. The
motion was seconded by Mr. Morris. and passed unanimously. The Board entered closed
session at 10:01 a.m.
The Board returned to open session 10:36a.m. Mr. Caster moved to award LaVaughn
Nesmith a merit raise retroactive to December 2006. Mr. Craig seconded the motion and
it passed 4 to 1 with Mr. Morris opposing the motion.
• There being no further business the Board by consensus adjourned.
Respectful
LaVaughn Nesmith
Secretary to the Board
Frankie Roberts
Chairman
Date approved:
LN: scm
B041107