Minutes - 19780323 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

,, ~"~ 3 Mrs. Bullard, Day Care Supervisor, informed the Board .of a waiting list which exist in Day Care Services. This program presently serves 139 children monthly. Awaiting list of 35 children and 25 infants also exist, however, this is due to a lack of space and time lag in placing,. instead of a lack of funds. There are no vacancies in day care using Title XX funds. She stated it usually takes between 30 to 60 days to place a child who is an a waiting list. An additional $18,953 is being requested under Unfinanced Requirements of Title XX for Purchased Services for Day Care. The $18,953 is approximately one month's cost for Day Care. The Director pointed out to the Board that this Social Services Budget has been formulated to show a deficit in Day Care since day care is the only program which does have back up funds (100 percent Title XX monies). Five additional staff workers, at a cost of $5,000 is requested for day care. Mr. Ward added that $50,000 is the maximum 100 percent monies that the County can request, however, these monies cannot be spend until the last quarter of the fiscal year. The total projected budget for day care service is $195,000. The County is in need of a licenced day care center in Northern Orange. The Foster Home Care Program has not changed. The State will partici- pate in sharing a small amount of this cost which will bring the County cost of $36,000 down. The County presently has 61 children in Foster Care, however, all are not supported by the County. Some increase in cost is anticipated in this program. The Social Services Board has cited a need for emergency day care for children who are protective services cases or abused or neglected cases. The Board is proposing, an a trial basis, to use County money from either the Faster Care or General Assistance Fund, to fund 2 or 3 cases per month. The proposed program is not in this budget. The Social Services Board would like to know the Commissioners' feelings about this new program. Mr. Ward added if these 2 or 3 children were placed in foster care, the cost would be $62.50 per child. So an additional $40.00 per month would not mean a great increase and would keep same children from going into Foster care which would cost more, thereby, a saving to the County could be realized. Another County supported program, Aid to the Blind, was pointed out by the Social Services Director. The same amount is being requested this year as last year, $2,431. The other County program is the General Assistance Program. Fifteen thousand ($15,000) is projected for this program with an additional $3,000 requested for the Back to School Frogram, for a total County cost of $18,000. An Abortion Program is funded from the General Assistance Fund with reimbursements from the State. Currently, two abortions are certified each week. Services are received from N. C. Memorial Hospital and the Woman's Pavilion in Durham. The total County cost for providing Social Services Programs for 1978--1979 is $715,718. Commissioner Pinney stated he felt this is a realistic budget in terms of providing programs and serving the needs of the County. Discussion ensued. "- Commissioner Willhoit stated he felt an evaluation should be provided of what percentage of the County population is eligible for Social Services compared to those persons receiving the services. He stated he felt the Department was doing the bare minimum of what is required and this budget does not give a true picture of the County's needs. He added the Social Services Board should provide more public information of programs available. Joanne Carl responded by stating the Board realized inflation was high and there are needs which have not been met, however, the Social Services Board has tried in the past to increase services and "has been knocked dawn". She stated the Board was attempting to provide a better educational image to the County. The image portrayed is due to poor news coverages and mis- quotes.