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HomeMy WebLinkAboutB113005 NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES MINUTES NOVEMBER 30, 2005 The New Hanover County Board of Social Services met in open session on Wednesday, November 30, 2005, 9:00 a.m. in the Multipurpose Room of the New Hanover County Department of Social Services. ATTENDING: Frankie Roberts, Chairman; Bill Caster, Vice Chairman; Ann Pitts; John Craig 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. Caster moved to approve the agenda. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Pitts and passed unanimously. Mrs. Pitts delivered the invocation and Mr. Caster led the pledge of allegiance. CONSENT AGENDA Mr. Caster moved for approval of the consent agenda. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Pitts and passed unanimously. Mr. Nesmith proposed moving the December 21, 2005 board meeting time to 10:00 a.m. to accommodate the Christmas Luncheon. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Pitts and passed unanimously. INFORMATION AGENDA Service Awards Mr. Nesmith asked that the board members join him to hand out Service Awards from the State of North Carolina. Betty Robinson and James Oxendine were recognized for 20 years of services. Julia Talbutt and Ophelia Dixon were recognized for 25 years of service. Karen Vincent accepted a service award on behalf of Martha Stein who recently retired. Robin Johnson was recognized for 5 years of service by New Hanover County. Personnel Change Report Stephanie Monteath introduced new employees: Merry Byers, Hope Pearce and Johnette Cook. Minutes November 30, 2005 Page 2 of 4 r Promotions Amanda Lamkin was recognized for her promotion from an Economic Services Caseworker to an Economic Services Supervisor in Food Stamps. Significant Service Delivery Indicators (SSDI) for October 2005 The number of children in DSS custody has risen again. The agency has seen a growing number of reports involving Hispanic families. Mr. Caster requested that, if possible, data be presented in context (per 1,000 residents, etc.). Mrs. Steinbeck reported on the background checks required of foster family recruits. Mrs. Marino reported that the correct number of licensed foster homes for the month of October is 111 not 11. Budget Expenditures Mr. Oxendine reviewed the Budget Expenditures. He explained that due to the energy crisis, we will receive an addition allocation of CIP funds to assist with energy bills. The exact amount available for New Hanover County will be known in December 2005. . Mr. Oxendine explained that the state under budgeted for our county in funding for Adult • Day Care and Health. Day Care Update Mr. Nesmith explained that we must get our spending coefficient down to or below 120% by the end of the year. He feels sure we will drop to that percentage by the end of November. Mr. Nesmith shared that 342 people are still on the waiting list for Day Care. He went on to explain the various numbers of people who were dropped from Day Care services; 194 did not return their quarterly reports, 178 people did not pay their co-pay and 251 people did not turn in their paperwork. Mrs. Vincent explained that before the day care crisis, people who turned in their paperwork late could come in the next month and be put right back on the list. Now, if they turn in their paperwork late, they end up placed on the waiting list. Ms. Schulz gave a number of scenarios as to why clients may not return their paperwork or pay their co-pay. Mr. Nesmith explained how DSS may be able to tap into IV-E waiver funds to subsidize child care for foster children or children receiving prevention services. Mr. Oxendine explained how foster children who were receiving 50% funding from the county are now using IV-E waiver money and the county only spends 18% funding for these children. The IV-E waiver stipulation is that the remaining (saved) county money still be spent in the foster care program. Mrs. Marino shared that some of the IV-E money is used for contracts. For example, DSS contracts with Methodist Home to provide family • Minutes November 30, 2005 Page 3 of 4 preservation services which help keep children at home instead of placing them in foster care. As well, DSS uses IV-E waiver money for family reunification and assisted guardianship, which helps children obtain permanency with long term foster parents. NC Fast Update Chris McNamee reported on a State automation initiative, NC Fast. She explained how NC Fast will help to store and retrieve current and historical case information across all DSS programs state-wide. New Hanover County is piloting the Service Delivery Interface portion of NC Fast which will improve our efficiency by eliminating dual entry of data into both our local and the state systems. STRATEGIC ACTION AGENDA Leading by Results Indicator Update - Medicaid Christine McNamee and Karen Vincent reviewed the Leading by Results indicator for Medicaid. The result for this indicator is: Children, families and adults will become economically secure. As of January 2006, all children from 0-5 enrolled in Health Choice will be switched over to Medicaid. Mrs. Vincent reviewed strategies used to increase participation in the Medicaid Program. People are now able to mail in applications for Medicaid and Health Choice, bi-lingual information has been made available to outreach programs, child care providers and health fairs. Liz Schulz then explained Medicaid Part D. Ms. Schulz shared that a power point presentation explaining Medicaid benefits is available for clients daily. She also reviewed the various challenges this program faces, including inadequate numbers of health care professionals accepting Medicaid, a growing aging population, a growing general population and the increase in uninsured people nationwide and in our county. She lastly explained that due to these challenges, it is especially troublesome that so many children in January 2006 will need Medicaid services. Appointment of Board Member to Health Department Fatality Committee Mr. Craig volunteered to be on the Health Department Fatality Committee. Mr. Caster moved for his appointment. Mr. Roberts seconded the motion. NEXT MEETING OBJECTIVES The agenda item for the December meeting will be Leading by Results - Identified Resources Needed to move Objectives. Minutes November 30, 2005 Page 4 of 4 BOARD SELF-EVALUATION Each member of the Board completed the self-evaluation. ADDITIONAL ITEMS Gingerbread Tree Julie Steinbeck explained the Gingerbread Tree Christmas present project. There were no questions. Closed Session Mr. Roberts 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. Caster and passed unanimously. The Board entered closed session at 10:27 a.m. The Board returned to open session at 11:40 a.m. There being no further business the Board by consensus adjourned. • Respect ly submi C;~~o LaVaughn Nesmith Secretary to the Board rankie Roberts C airman Date approved: LN:scm B113005