Agenda - 03-04-1998 - 9g - Laserfiche WebLink

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Child protective services are required by State law and the Orange County Department of Social Services serves as an agent of the State in this essential program area. Investigations must be conducted and services provided to any child/family where a child is at risk of harm, in accordance with State policy and procedures. In Orange County, Child Protective Services Social Workers and Supervisors have workloads that exceed State standards. For Fiscal Year 1997-98, the Board of County Commissioners approved and funded two permanent Child Protective Services Social Worker positions to address the workload in the current budget year. Also for 1997-98 the Board approved establishing two "recruitment" Child Protective Services Social Worker positions on a time limited basis to be funded from lapsed salaries and used to address turnover. The additional State funding for seven new positions along with the positions already approved in 1997- 98 will enable Orange County Social Services to meet State and national standards. From 3uly through December 1997, Orange County Child Protective Services assessed 552 Orange County children for risk of harm. The number of families receiving treatment services varied between 172 and 199. The number of children receiving treatment services varied between 301 and 360. In summary, Social Services, as an agent of the State for child abuse and neglect intake, investigations, and treatment services, has received funding of $195,312 through June 30, 1998 and $390,624 for FY 1998- 99. The purpose of these funds is to enable the Social Services Department to meet State staffing standazds and to increase the level of safety for children who have been reported abused and/or neglected. The County funds required to match State and Federal funds for Fiscal Year 1997-98 (about $34,000) and Fiscal Yeaz 1998-99 (about $80,000) aze available in the budget and no additional County funds aze required. On February 17, 1998 the Orange County Social Services Boazd voted to support the increased funding from the State for the seven new Child Protective Services positions. Recommend~t~n:~° The Manager recommends the Board approve accepting the funding from the NC Division of Social Services and establish the proposed seven new permanent full time Child Protective Services positions to meet State staffing standards and the County's responsibility as an agent of the State in providing child protective services.