Minutes - 20011107 - Laserfiche WebLink

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The Board considered establishing two new permanent full-time child protection social workers and one child protection supervisor to be funded at 100 percent under the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. John Link noted that the County Commissioners approved some eight months ago, four new positions in the Child Protective Services. There were four other positions that were delayed until the new DSS Director was hired. He supports this recommendation to establish two new permanent full-time child protection social workers and one child protection supervisor to be funded at 100 percent under the Federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. Commissioner Gordan clarified that this funding is long-term and Jahn Link indicated that this is a federal funding source that is supposed to be long-term. Commissioner Jacobs asked about the startup costs and DSS Director Nancy Colton said that these start-up costs would be funded by federal monies. In answer to a question from Commissioner Jacobs, John Link said that it is a state and federal mandate to carry out child protection services. He would not recommend cutting the position if the federal funding were cut because it is a legal mandate. Nancy Colton pointed out that this was not competitive grant funding, but an allocation that has been available to Orange County all along. Commissioner Jacobs asked about the mandated services of other departments. He would like to be consistent in what is asked of staff and how positions should be treated. John Link said that not all positions are created alike because there are certain basic and core functions that the County must provide (i.e., EMS, Child Protective Services, etc.}. He said that there was not one policy that should be implemented uniformly across all County departments. Chair Halkiotis suggested setting up a small group to work with the Manager and staff and look at this for the future. Commissioner Gordan pointed out that these are important positions having to do with the safety of children. She hopes that it can be worked out so that we can go forward with these positions. If we have to wait, let us not wait too long. Commissioner Brown said that we have looked at these positions since the last budget. They are so valuable and needed and she does not want to hesitate any longer to make these positions available to Social Services. She fully supports these positions. The issue of state and federal funding of positions is a separate issue that does need to be addressed. However, these positions should be approved right now. A motion was made by Commissioner Gordan, seconded by Commissioner Brawn to approve establishing the proposed three new positions (one Child Protective Service Social Work Supervisor and two Child Protective Services Social Workers) in the child welfare program at Social Services effective November 1, 2001, and approved the use of the remaining funds to prepare office space and acquire needed equipment. VOTE: AYES, 3; NO, 1 {Commissioner Jacobs -supports the nature of the position, but he thinks we need to work out the consistency of our approach, procedures, and policies before we take an action) b. Child Care Scholarship Fund The Board considered approving a childcare scholarship fund promotion and fundraising plan, and awarding $40,000 in County funds to the Orange County Partnership for Young Children for child care scholarships for law-income working families. John Link said that the $40,000 would address at least 15 families over the remainder of the year. He made reference to the series of steps an page four of the agenda abstract. Commissioner Gordon asked John Link about the $40,000. He said that these were funds approved under the miscellaneous code by the County Commissioners for this purpose. Commissioner Jacobs said that under the recommendations, there is a reference to development of a plan and asked who was going to do this and the time frame. Michele Rivest with the Orange County Partnership for Young Children said that they have been operating in the County for eight years. This would be the beginning of a collaborative plan to address the needs of working parents by broadening the partnerships. They hope to have a much more comprehensive way to address this issue.