B050907
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,
May 9, 2007 at 9:00 in Multipurpose Room A of the New Hanover County Department
of Social Services.
ATTENDING: Frankie Roberts, 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. Mr. Morris moved for approval of
the agenda. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Pitts and passed unanimously.
Mrs. Pitts led the invocation. Mr. Morris 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
New Hires
Susan Ross, John Chendorain, Cecelia Williamson, Jette' Ferrell and Jenny Webb were
introduced as new hires.
Service Awards
Dave Smith was recognized for 15 years of service to New Hanover County.
Promotions
Julia Davis was promoted from Economic Service Caseworkers Zone 2 in Family and
Children's Medicaid to Economic Services Caseworker Zone 3 in Adult Medicaid.
SSDI
Adjusted spreadsheets for SSDI were given to the board. There were no questions from
the board. Mr. Nesmith noted that for 2 months in a row the number of children in DSS
custody is below 500.
Mr. Nesmith shared information about IV-E Waiver money with the board. Currently the
• State of North Carolina is not cost-neutral with IV-E Waiver funds and the State is
considering suspension of IV-E Waiver all together. A decision should be made within
the next week.
County Budget Expenditures
Carol Thiel reviewed areas of high spending. New Hanover County is expected to
exceed the Medicaid cap but it is unclear how much money will be left in the Medicaid
Relief fund. Sam Lane explained that Special Assistance funds are used to enable adults
to live with assistance either in their home or an assisted living facility. These are adults
who currently do not need the level of care a skilled nursing home provides.
STRATEGIC ACTION AGENDA
Foster Care Appreciation Month Proclamation
Julie Steinbeck read the Foster Care Appreciation Month Proclamation. Mr. Morris
moved to endorse the proclamation. The motion was seconded by Mr. Craig and passed
unanimously.
Work First Demonstration Grant
• Ann Barkley reviewed the Work First Demonstration Grant. Originally the grant was
slated to last three years but must now be re-applied for annually. Ms. Barkley shared
some successes of the program and some strategies that will be implemented should the
second year grant be awarded to New Hanover County DSS. Those strategies include
hiring a clinical psychologist to assist clients with mental health issues, a "pay for
performance" strategy with check issuance occurring after work activities are
demonstrated and an expectation that mothers of new babies look for work after the child
reaches three months of ages-age as opposed to six months in age. Mrs. Pitts moved to
support reapplying for the grant. The motion was seconded by John Craig and passed
unanimously.
Communication and Outreach Efforts
Mark Boyer presented a compilation video of various public service announcements
(PSA) produced by the County and aired on cable television. Mr. Boyer also noted that
the County maintains an electronic community bulletin board. Chris McNamee noted
DSS staff is regularly interviewed by area media on subjects varying from child abuse to
Food Assistance. As a result, DSS has developed a "speaker bureau" compiled of agency
staff. Ms. McNamee discussed outreach efforts the agency uses to include developing
power point presentations on all LBR indicators, brochures discussing available services
and a newly purchased Expo Board for use at community events. Mr. Nesmith noted that
a lot of information about our agency is available on line though the county web site as
• well as through the agency intranet.
® Next Meeting Objectives
Community Partnerships
Reception for Frankie Roberts
Board Meeting Schedule for 2007-2008
Board Self Evaluation
The Board completed self evaluations.
Additional Items
Mrs. Pitts moved to hold the 2007-2008 Board Meetings on the fourth Wednesday of
each month beginning July 2007. The motion was seconded by Mr. Craig and passed
with a three to one vote.
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 9:57 a.m.
Respect s fitted;-~
U
LaVaughn Nesmith
Secretary to the Board
Frankie Roberts
Chairman
Date approved: