B092011
New Hanover County
0 Boa►-d of Social Services
Meeting Minutes
Multi Purpose Room A
10a.m. 41 a.m.
The NeNv Hanover County Board of Social Services met in open session on Tuesday.
September 20. '2011 at 10:02 in Multi Purpose Room A of the New Hanoi er County
Department of Social Services.
ATTENDING: John Craig. Chairman: Patrick Riley. Vice Chairman: Evelyn Bryant:
Diana Woolley and Brian Berger
ALSO ATTENDING: LaVaughn Nesmith. Secretary to the Board: Stephanie
Monteath, Assistant to the Director
The Chairman called the meeting to order at 10:03 a.m. Mr. Craig asked for a motion
to approve the agenda. Ms. Woolley moved for approval of the agenda. The motion
was seconded by Ms. Bryant and passed unanimously.
Mr. Nesmith led the invocation. Ms. Bryant led the pledge of allegiance.
CONSENT AGENDA
1Mr. Cralo asked for a motion to approve the consent agenda. Ms. Woolleti moved to
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approye the agenda Frith the addition of information pertaining to the Northwoods
Project. The motion was seconded by Ms. Bryant and passed unanimously.
INFORMATION AGENDA
Ms. Woolley noted both Child Protective Services and courtesy conflict case numbers
have increased from last year. Ms. Marino noted the courtesy conflict numbers
increased due in part to inyestioations taking place because families move from
countti° to county.
Ms. Woolley asked for clarification about the monthly expenditures. Karen Graham
provided clarification. Mr. Cram asked about the high security cost. 'Mr. Nesmith
noted the Deputies placed at DSS have lots of experience and thus have a higher
salary.
No action was taken by the Board.
STRATEGIC ACTION AGENDA
Economic Services LBR Child Care Subsidy Challenge and Medicaid/Health
Choice Achievement
Patricia Robinson introduced the Economic Services LBR challenge and achievement
to the Board.
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Mary John Brantley noted that Child Care Subsidy is very challenged right riow with
758 children on the wait list. Funding cuts and policy- changes requiring Smart Start
children to be placed in d and > star (more costly) facilities have resulted in fewer
children being served by DSS.
Kathi Fleslin talked about the success of the Medicaid program serving its eligible
clientele. DSS serves about 3,000 more Family and Children's Medicaid recipients
each month in 2011 than in 2007 and approximately 1,500 more Adult Medicaid
recipients each month in 2011 than in 2007. Ms. Woolley asked lnow many additional
staff is needed in the program. Mr. Nesmith noted that DSS requested additional staff
in the budget but was denied by the County. Ms. Heslin explained the Medicaid unit
is instead focusinc, on working smarter not harder. Mr. Berger asked if there is a
model that can be used to project the increasing Adult Medicaid numbers. ivls.
McNamee discussed how the agency tracks needs including usinc, the census
information.. poverty level changes and new health care plans.
Mr. Riley will write a letter requesting the County entertain the idea of providing Day
Care Subside which would work the waiting list and ultimately enable people to get
back to work. Mr. Riley suggested the State provide a tax henefit for employers that
contribute to child care expenses.
No action was taken by the Board.
Adoption Awareness Proclamation
Mr. Riley read the Adoption Awareness Proclamation.
Mr. Craig asked for a motion to adopt the proclamation. Mr. Berger moved to adopt
the proclamation. The motion vyas seconded by Mr. Riley and passed unanimously.
Nett Meeting Objectives
LBR Adult Protective Services Challenge and Child Support Enforcement
Achievement
Additional Items
Ms. Woolley noted an article in the Chicago Sun Times about the increase of child
abuse and encouraged her fellow Board members to read the article as well. As well
Ms. Woollev asked about Mental I lealth consolidation. Chris Coudriet explained the
consolidation is an effort to keep New Hanover County as an administrator of Mental
Health Services. New Hanover County will continue to use a Local Management
Entity model instead of serving as a direct provider. Ms. Marino shared that Failure
to Thrive with children is becoming a widespread issue in Nev,- Hanover County and
will be working with Mental Health and other community MUencies to educate the
Columunlty on prevention and recoonitlon.
tins. Woolley made a motion to enter closed session. The motion vvas seconded by
Mr. Riley and the board unanimously entered closed session at 10:41 a.rn.
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Ms. NVoolley made a motion to enter into open session at 1 1 :01 a.m. The motion vyfls
seconded by Mr. Berger and passed unanimously at 1 1:02a.m.
Ber(aer made a motion to grant Director Nesmith a 2% merit increase for Fiscal
Year 2011%2012. The motion vyas seconded by Mr. Riley and passed unanimously.
AS there \yere no further items to discuss as provided in G.S. 154A-98 to consider
information that is confidential pursuant to G.S. 108A-80 and or G.S. 1 ~4A-98. the
board by consensus adjourned at l I :06 a.m.
Respectfully submitted.
I -aVaU111n Nesmith.
Sccretary to the Board
(John F. Craiu.
Chairman
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