1992-01-21 Work Session
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MINUTES OF WORK SESSION, JANUARY 21, 1992'
PAGE 790
ASSEMBLY
The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners held a Work
Session on Tuesday, January 21, 1992, at 3:20 P.M. in Room 501 of
the New Hanover County Administration Building, 320 Chestnut
Street, Wilmington, North Carolina.
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Members present were: Commissioners Jonathan Barfield, Sr.;
Fred Retchin; William H. sutton; Vice-Chairman Robert G. Greer;
Chairman E. L. Mathews, Jr.; County Manager, Allen O'Neal; County
Attorney, Robert W. Pope; and Clerk to the Board, Lucie F. Harrell.
Chairman Mathews called the Work Session to order.
DISCUSSION ON DEVELOPMENT OF AN AUTOMATED PROGRAM FOR THE
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
Director of Social Services, Wayne Morris, and MIS Director,
William Clontz, presented slides and background information on the
development of an automated program for the Department of Social
Services.
The following advantages of an automated program were
presented:
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(l)Income Maintenance Programs (AFDC, Medicaid, Food Stamps,
Low Income Energy Assistance Program, State/County Special
Assistance Program for persons in rest homes; and adoption
assistance and foster care payments): Authorized benefits for
the Income Maintenance Programs for this year will exceed $60
million of which the County must pay $4 million with no
control of these programs on the local level. The Department
of Social Services has processed more than 20,000 cases
annually with the cost of administration absorbed by the
County and Federal Government. Administrative costs for the
current year will be approximately $3.9 million with the
County funding $1.5 million. An automated system would allow
the County to reduce the administrative costs. Graphs were
presented on the increase of case loads for the past five years
in the Income Maintenance Programs.
(2) Social Work Services (Child Protective Services; Adult
Protective Services, crisis Intervention Programs, and Day
Care Services) are rendered on an individual basis with plans
worked out for each individual in order to determine the
services needed. Once the plan is developed, it becomes labor
intensive to see that the program is carried out and needs are
being met, particularly with Child Protective Services. Funds
expended for Social Work Services last year were $5.5 million
including the Day Care and JOBS Program. The County funded
$1.5 million of this figure. with the current drug problem,
it is impossible to predict the amount of services needed in
this area; however, an automated system will be most
beneficial in better monitoring cases and reducing risks for
the County and Department of Social Services. Graphs were
presented on the increase in the Social Work Services.
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The North Carolina Association of County Commissioners has
appointed a Task Force to address the problems being experienced by
Departments of Social Services throughout the state and MIS
Director, William Clontz, has been requested to serve on the Task
Force. This is quite an honor for New Hanover County.
Director Morris stated in summary, he would like to express
appreciation to MIS Director Clontz and his staff for the work and
effort given in developing an automated case management system for
the New Hanover County Department of Social Services.
DISCUSSION OF OTHER DSS ACTIVITIES
Commissioner Barfield commented on leaving abused children in
the home, and inquired as to whether children can be: (1) removed
from the home; (2) placed in a foster home with the parents being
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MINUTES OF WORK SESSION, .JANUARY 21, 1992
PAGE, 7;9.1,
removed from AFDC assistance; and (3) utilization of the AFDC funds
to provide foster care for abused children?
Director Morris stated not all child abuse cases are persons
receiving public assistance; however, removing children from the
home versus an orphanage is debatable. The question to be answered
is whether institutions ever replace the bond between a child and
a parent, or should counseling and/or assistance be provided to the
parent for correcting abusive behavior, allowing the child to
remain home? This is a question that has never been answered.
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Vice-Chairman Greer commented on other services provided by
the Health Department, Southeastern Center, hospital, etc. and
inquired as to whether social security numbers could be used for
clients in order to provide a record of services being rendered by
each agency so that an actual cost per client figure can be
developed. Director Morris stated this type of system could be
developed through automation among the agencies.
Vice-Chairman Greer expressed concern for abuse of the public
assistance system and stated some type of plan must be developed to
curb continual increases in public assistance benefits. Director
Morris stated the proposed automated computer system will allow the
Department of Social Services to detect abuse more readily;
however, medical costs have been responsible for continued
increases. out of $60 million expended for Income Maintenance
Programs, $35 million is for the Medicaid Program.
commissioner Sutton inquired as to how medical costs can be
curbed? Director Morris stated a national health care policy must
be developed and implemented with guaranteed coverage for persons
who cannot afford medical insurance.
Discussion was held on the JOBS Program. Director Morris
stated the JOBS Program is moving as projected with approximately
200 clients. Twenty-five percent of these clients are in the GED
Program, and twenty-five percent are in some form of post secondary
educational/technical program at UNC-W or Cape Fear Community
College. Forty clients have completed the job readiness program
and are now working. The program is not moving as quickly as
desired; however, the economic situation has not provided jobs.
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Discussion was held on the number of clients who have
completed the program, but refuse to keep jobs. Director Morris
stated if clients do not cooperate with the program, benefits can
be reduced. To date, two clients have been penalized.
Chairman Mathews, on behalf of the Board, expressed
appreciation to Director Morris and Director Clontz for an
excellent presentation.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion: Commissioner Retchin MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner
Sutton to adjourn. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Chairman Mathews adjourned the meeting at 4:30 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
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Clerk to the Board
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