Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
said that DSS distributes food stamps and the relationship with the Department on Aging <br /> is very cooperative and collaborative. <br /> Commissioner Gordon asked Nancy Coston to follow up with the Department on <br /> Aging regarding the integrated model. <br /> Willie Best asked about the formerly affluent that have lost their jobs and how <br /> long it takes for them to get into the system. Nancy Coston said that they have to go <br /> through the same process and it is a shock to them to realize how poor they have to be <br /> to get assistance. She said that most of the people on the food and nutrition program <br /> have probably been middle-class and working class who have lost their wage earner or <br /> lost hourly wages and have dropped down. The higher middle-class people are above <br /> the limits, but are getting close and are exhausting unemployment. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs suggested doing a press release on this information. <br /> Frank Clifton suggested calling the Editor of the Chapel Hill Herald in order to get <br /> the information out to the public. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs asked if the DSS Board has talked about the dual service <br /> model and Nancy Coston said that there was a letter written by the DSS Board a few <br /> years ago referencing that discussion. The message then was that there should be <br /> something at both sites— Hillsborough and Chapel Hill. <br /> Joe Robbins said that the board has not directly discussed this topic. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs said that before he makes a decision he would like to hear from <br /> the Board of Health and DSS. <br /> Frank Clifton said that these two boards need to meet periodically to discuss the <br /> common issues and where crossovers exist, because a lot of the clientele is the same. <br /> 7. Closing Remarks <br /> Joe Robbins thanked the County Commissioners again for having them and he <br /> commended his board for its strength. He hopes that the County Commissioners see <br /> that the DSS staff is professional and has empathy for the clients they serve. He said <br /> that the treatment of all clients is individualized. <br /> Chair Foushee said that the next time these two boards meet, Joe Robbins will <br /> not be a part of that and he will be rotating off. She thanked Joe Robbins for his years of <br /> service and leadership. <br /> With no further items to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 6:51 PM. <br /> Valerie Foushee, Chair <br /> Donna S. Baker, CMC <br /> Clerk to the Board <br />