Minutes - 19750911 - Laserfiche WebLink

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~V listed in the Agenda. Commissioner Walkez moved that the board authozize the Social 5ervices Department to implement the new rite and that the $5,400.00 be taken from the Contingency Fund. Commissioner. T.~Thitted seconded the motion. Vote: Aye 5; Nay 0. Chairman Garrett declared the motion passed. Mr. Ward referred to Item #11-B on the Agnnda: (The Social. 'Services Board has approved the Welfare Director's request for eight additional employees. Mr. Ward informed the Board that the request Maas far one additional Typist II position with an annual salary of $6,500.; one additional Supervisory position wtih an annual salary o.f $12.,000.; six Social Worker I positions with an annual salary rate of $8,500.; and two Social Worker I~ positions with an annual salary rate of $10,200. Mr. Ward stated further that the Social Services Depart$4n00w0ouf_orre ui quire $4,000• for travel; $x,000- for Social Security; q p- ment; and 53,500. for Retirement. Of the monies required by the Social 5ervices Department, the County's share would be $27,000.00 based on annual figures far these requested positions. Mr. Ward added that additional space was vitally needed. That staff was having to double up which cut down on efficienty. He recommended the renovation of the upstairs of the Social Services Building. Mr. Ward spoke of the Adoption Service under Title XX. He stated that all monies foz work performed by the Adoption Service was not covered under Title XX. Seventy-five percent was provided through Matching Funds and the County vaould need to provide $5,000. 2t is a mandate under S'^ate Law that the Social Services Pepart~nent provide an .Adoption Service and the Department currently has 85 cases of adoption. Mr. ~Iard spoke of the Chore Service which must be added. to the Administrative Budget. He stated that seventy-five percent of Matching Funds for this service would come from Title XX, but the County's cost would be $5,000. since Chore Service would fall in the Administrative Budget. Mrs. Garrett inquired of Mr. Ward regarding the Court Order Alexandar VS Hill received from Meck.enburg County. She asY.ed if the Social Services Department was prepared to comply with the Court Order. Mr. Ward replied that in the past the Social Services Department had worked by appointments and clients were usually seen within one week. However, if there is an emergency, the clients will be seen as soon as possible. Mr. Ward then asked members of this staff to speak to the issue of the need of additional staff. Mrs. Marilyn Tyroler stated that the Social Services Department realized that this was a sensitive area in the County's Budget this year, however, it was not possible to continue in the present state. Mrs. Tyroler spoke of the heavy caseload workersvere required to under- take. She stated that the recommended load for a worker was 35 cases, however, some of the workers had as many as 110 cases. She spoke of the work required of caseFtorkers. She 'stated that a~warker must work with foster homes, schools, hospitals,- the Courts, Mental_ Health Clinic, as well as with the parents of the abused and neglected children. She spoke of the attempts case workers must make to educate the Community of the Department's services and needs. Mrs. Tyroler stated that case- workers were required to be on call for a full 24 hour period and that most case workers were working 60 hours per week. Sarah West stated that the services which are provided by the local Social Services Department are mandated by State law and must be performed. John Hughes spoke of the "feeling of dedication". He said that he felt more like a policeman than a Social Worker because there was not enough time to work out the problems and in a few weeks the problems would reoccur. He stated that his professional training was not being put to use.