B06192012 New Hanover County
• Board of Social Services
Meeting Minutes
Multi Purpose Room A
10:00a.m. — 11:00 a.m.
The New Hanover County Board of Social Services met in open session on Tuesday,
June 19. 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. Ms. Bryant moved for approval of the agenda. The motion was
seconded by Ms. Woolley and passed unanimously.
Ms. Bryant led the invocation. Ms. Woolley led the pledge of allegiance.
• Mr. Craig introduced Chris Coudriet. County Manager. Mr. Coudriet introduced Avril
Pinder. Assistant County Manager who will serve as liaison between DSS and the County
Managers office. It was noted Veterans Services will be merging with DSS. Ms.
Woolley asked if there will he money associated with the merger. Mr. Coudriet
explained no money would be taken away from the Department of Social Services
budget.
CONSENT AGENDA
Mr. Craig asked for a motion to approve the consent agenda. Mr. Barfield moved to
approve the minutes. The motion was seconded by Ms. Woolley and passed
unanimously.
INFORMATION AGENDA
Stephanie Monteath introduced new employees, employees marking 5 year increment
service awards and explained the three vacating positions are already in the process of
being filled.
Ms. Woolley and Mr. Craig noted that many of the Significant Service Delivery
Indicators numbers are up. Ms. Marino noted there has been an increase in reports of
elder abuse.
Director Nesmith and Ms. McNamee discussed the potential impacts of health care
reform. Director Nesmith feels using web based programs will help the agency facilitate
timely services for the folks coming in for health insurance and food and nutrition
services.
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• There is an issue with adults who are placed in assisted living facilities. The state has
audited all homes that have residents with a mental health diagnosis and notified those
with more than 50% of their population with mental health diagnoses to relocate these
residents to appropriate facilities or lose Medicaid funding.
County Manager Coudriet asked about health care reform's eligibility requirements and
the potential impact fiscally. Director Nesmith explained a major challenge is uninsured
people using the Emergency Room for every day health concerns as opposed to seeing a
doctor that would charge a regular fee. Mr. Coudriet asked if the State would still
administer programs if the healthcare movement is passed and the amount of people
receiving assistance potentially doubles. Mr. Coudriet asked the agency to be cognizant
of the potential impact expected in 2014. Ms. McNamee reiterated the benefits of using
web based applications, mail in applications. generic intake and changing policy. Mr.
Nesmith explained the important part is processing web based and mail in applications
timely in order to be able to pull down Federal dollars. As well. programs like
Northwoods document management should tie everything together.
Ms. Woolley asked if the revenue item for childcare would be spent by the end of the
year. Ms. Graham clarified the line items and assured it would be spent; however, any
money that isn't spent goes hack to the County's general fund. Ms. Graham reviewed
the FY 2012/2013 budget items.
STRATEGIC ACTION AGENDA
4110
Collection of Program Integrity Claims
J.D. Limberger from County Finance and John Ranalli of Program Integrity presented a
power point presentation about Program Integrity claims. New Hanover County ranks 5`h
overall in gross collections for North Carolina. Mr. Limberger would like to improve
collections for the Work First program.
Select 5`h Board Member
Mr. Craig noted there were five applicants for the Board vacancy. Mr. Craig expressed
having a Hispanic applicant would round out the hoard to really represent New Hanover
County's community. Ms. Woolley felt like a person representing the Hispanic
community would be a very nice addition to the Board. Mr. Riley inquired as to whether
Mr. Craig and Director Nesmith worked with Frankie Roberts previously. Ms. Bryant
noted that someone with previous DSS Board experience would be a benefit as he would
know what to expect. It was decided that it would be a conflict of interest for Mr. Eby to
serve as DSS has a contract with WAVE Transit for which he serves as Director.
Michelle Dickens received no votes.
Albert Eby received no votes
Carmen Constable received one vote
Frankie Roberts received three votes
Alice Boykins-Fennell received no votes
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Frankie Roberts was voted in as 5th member receiving a majority of the votes. Chairman
Craig was not allowed to vote.
BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS
There were no comments from the Board.
NEXT MEETING OBJECTIVES
Swear in 5th Board Member
Select Officers of the Board of Social Service
Select Calendar for Board Meetings
Northwoods Update
ADDITIONAL ITEMS
Director Nesmith's annual performance appraisal will be prepared by July's Board
meeting.
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 hoard
by consensus adjourned at 11 :08 AM
Respectfully submitted,
LaVaughn Nesmith,
Secretary to the Board
. -�
John E. Craig.
Chairman
LN: sem
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