B05152012 New Hanover County
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Board of Social Services
Meeting Minutes
Multi Purpose Room A
9:00a.m. — 10:00 a.m.
The New Hanover County Board of Social Services met in open session on Tuesday.
May 15, 2012 at 10:00 in Multi Purpose Room A of the New Hanover County
Department of Social Services.
ATTENDING: John Craig, Chairman: Patrick Riley. Vice Chairman: Evelyn Bryant,
Diana Woolley and Jonathan Barfield Jr.
ALSO ATTENDING: LaVaughn Nesmith, Secretary: Stephanie Monteath, Assistant to
the Director
The Chairman called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. Mr. Craig asked for a motion to
approve the agenda. Mr. Barfield moved for approval of the agenda. The motion was
seconded by Mr. Riley passed unanimously.
Mr. Nesmith led the invocation. Ms. Woolley led the pledge of allegiance.
CONSENT AGENDA
Mr. Craig asked for a motion to approve the consent agenda. Mr. Riley moved to approve
the minutes. The motion was seconded by Mr. Barfield and passed unanimously.
INFORMATION AGENDA
Karen Graham clarified the items in red on the monthly expenditures report.
STRATEGIC ACTION AGENDA
Significant Service Delivery Indicator Analysis
Director Nesmith asked if the Board feels the new format for SSDI was what they were
looking for. Ms. Woolley said she is comfortable with the new format. Ms. Woolley
asked about adult guardianship numbers. Director Nesmith noted that while the agency is
expected to take on 15 additional adult guardianship cases, the goal is to contract with the
ARC of North Carolina as they are currently providing guardianship services for the
wards and DSS does not have enough staff to handle the extra work 15 wards would
entail.
Elder Abuse Awareness Proclamation
Mr. Riley read the Elder Abuse Awareness Proclamation. Mr. Barfield moved to support
the proclamation. The motion was seconded by Mr. Riley and passed unanimously with
the changes of June 2012 (as it read 201 1 ) and an additional "s".
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4111°. In Home Aide Review
Gwendolyn Stahl and Wilma Daniels along with Wanda Marino presented the In Home
Aide policy and review. Ms. Stahl explained that the in-home aide provides case
management services and assistance to the elderly (light house keeping) to enable them to
stay in their own home as opposed to being moved into nursing homes. The program is
exceeding State goals. Ms. Daniels explained that the in-home aides give satisfaction
surveys to the clients receiving aide. Most complaints are people wanting more time or
more intense assistance from the workers. Ms. Bryant asked how the agency handles the
waiting list. The list is monitored monthly to see if client's needs change or if clients
stop receiving services. Ms. Daniels defined light housekeeping and explained that
sometimes. the aides will also take clients to doctors appointments or pick up
medications (if the client is not Medicaid eligible). Mr. Riley asked if the agency had
considered contracting out services. Mr. Nesmith said the agency looked into contracting
and found it couldn't be done for the same amount that is being spent now. Ms. Woolley
asked that staff be mindful of the eligibility assessment piece. Ms. Sprenger clarified that
all clients receiving services are eligible: the forms are at times not filled out in the
correct place. No action was taken by the Board.
BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS
Ms. Woolley went to a child fatality quarterly review. Eight fatalities were reviewed and
the majority was due to medical issues. The group decided that education about gang
awareness was the biggest need in the community, as one of the fatalities was due to a
gang shooting. Ms. Marino added that a lot of gang initiation involves very serious
violence. Commissioner Barfield asked who in the agency is associated with the Blue
Ribbon committee. Director Nesmith noted that he, Ms. Marino and Holly Royals all
serve on that committee. Ms. Woolley noted a 16 year old in jail is currently running a
local gang. Mr. Riley feels like the Board and the agency need to really tell the story to
refute the reputation of entitlement that a few cause. Mr. Riley noted that drug testing
and making people accountable if we are going to aid them might be helpful. Ms.
Woolley shared that the youth seems to be in such despair with an outlook that it doesn't
matter because they are convinced they aren't going to live past 20 anyway.
Commissioner Barfield explained that discipline was a much greater reinforcement when
he was growing up than it is now. Ms. Bryant reiterated that education is key. and asking
what role they as Board members or DSS staff play in educating the community.
Ms. Woolley passed out documents that outline consolidation of DSS under the County.
Ms. Woolley asked Commissioner Barfield if he feels the Commissioners will disband
the current Board and put in place a much larger (25 members) Board. Commissioner
Barfield said while he does think consolidation will pass. he does not think they will
change the make up of the advisory Board of Social Services.
Ms. Woolley noted in last Sunday's paper an advertisement for a pilot program for elder
abuse prevention. Ms. Marino said the agency would happily take part in the pilot.
Director Nesmith noted that at this time. New Hanover County has not been asked to
participate.
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NEXT MEETING OBJECTIVES
Select 5th Board Member
ADDITIONAL ITEMS
As there were 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. 154A-98, the board
by consensus adjourned at 10:53 AM
Respectfully submitted,
i
LaVaughn Nesmith,
Secretary to the Board
✓John E. Craig, (,,j
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