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Commissioner Hemminger asked if all of the people applying for food stamps <br /> could be processed in one day and Nancy Coston said no. There is a 30-day window <br /> where staff has to verify recipients' information. The emergency food program can be <br /> expedited in about a week for those who are truly in emergency situations. There is also <br /> some immediate food available for those that have nothing, through the Friends of DSS. <br /> Commissioner Nelson arrived at 6:06 PM. <br /> Yvette Smith talked about Work First clients. She said that DSS has identified 15 <br /> family members with children —those who have been on Work First and those who are <br /> currently on Work First—that will be employed. Southern Seasons has committed to <br /> hire five family members with the commitment to hire more. JOCCA has committed to <br /> five family members. Social Services has identified six slots to utilize family members. <br /> This program is in the federal legislation to be continued past September 301h <br /> Sharron Hinton talked about the Homelessness Prevention Grant and said that <br /> families have to basically be destitute to be viable for these funds. <br /> Nancy Coston said that she is constantly trying to find ways to reassign staff or <br /> duties within the agency. One of the things on the agenda for next year relates to child <br /> care. <br /> Commissioner Gordon arrived at 6:20 p.m. <br /> Tina Weiler said that hopefully in July, DSS will be piloting an EBT card system <br /> for child care, which works similarly to the food and nutrition program. A parent applying <br /> for child care subsidy will receive a card so that the day care center can swipe the card <br /> and would show real time when the child was dropped off. The day care providers will <br /> be housed with the scanning station and will be paid bi-monthly or bi-weekly. <br /> Also, DSS received $599,000 in stimulus funds, but this is not recurring, so this is <br /> basically a loss of$599,000 for next year. <br /> 6. Discussion <br /> Commissioner Jacobs asked about the cutoffs for utilities and if all of the utility <br /> providers in Orange County were working with people or if there were hold outs that <br /> should be contacted. It was answered that there is a very good working relationship with <br /> the utility companies. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs made reference to the Homelessness Grant and asked if it <br /> was a combination of Durham and Orange Counties. Nancy Coston said that the grant <br /> is an Orange County grant, but the homelessness grant does not recognize residency. <br /> She said that they are not trying to bring in people from elsewhere, but the County can <br /> rent an apartment in any county surrounding it. <br /> Commissioner Yuhasz said that there are a number of different agencies with <br /> different eligibility requirements and asked if there was any way to share information <br /> between agencies, especially common information. <br /> Nancy Coston said that the information regarding the school lunch program can <br /> be shared. The information can be shared as long as the individuals give permission. <br /> Commissioner Hemminger asked if the Information Technology problems have <br /> been resolved within DSS. Nancy Coston said that they have the capacity now to <br /> access files and information. <br /> Commissioner Gordon said that she just came from an Advisory Board on Aging <br /> meeting and they were talking about using senior coupons for the lunch program. She <br /> asked what type of relationship DSS has with the Department on Aging. Nancy Coston <br />