Agenda - 02-04-2014 - 6a - Laserfiche WebLink

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7 1 Chair Jacobs said this was discussed at agenda review, and one idea was to do some press 2 releases that profile people using the services. He said this would make it more personal. He said this 3 could also be shared with congressional leaders, such as Congressman Price, to show the human costs of 4 the sequestration. 5 Commissioner Pelissier said it would be good to talk about the numbers of people affected in each 6 of the different social service areas. She said many people do not realize how many residents are actually 7 in need of assistance. 8 Commissioner Pelissier asked how many people are on the waiting list for childcare subsidies. 9 Nancy Coston said there are still several hundred waiting. 10 Commissioner Pelissier asked why the Board had to approve the monies, since this was allocated in 11 the budget. She prefers, in future, that the money is allocated, and staff and social services are allowed to 12 use their best judgment in utilizing the funds. 13 Clarence Grier said when the reserve was set up, the money was not earmarked for any specific 14 purpose or department. He said this is why specifics are needed. 15 Commissioner McKee said he recently spoke to Nancy Coston and Dr. Bridger of the Orange 16 County Health Department about these issues. He said the health department did not get hit as hard as 17 DSS with budget cuts. He expressed appreciation to Nancy Coston for bringing this information forward. 18 He said that is why this money was put in reserve during the last budget cycle, and he encouraged Nancy 19 Coston not to be shy in asking for more if necessary. 20 Commissioner Dorosin said he supports the transfer of this money. He said this is an opportune 21 moment, as the budget season is beginning, to create some sort of anti-poverty program that can be a 22 priority over the next few years. He said the County is being reactive to a crisis of need, and there needs to 23 be a comprehensive poverty program in Orange County in order to change this. He said this is an 24 opportunity to be engaged and innovative and anticipate some of these challenges at the front end. 25 Commissioner Gordon thanked Nancy Coston for the summary. She is glad this fund is available. 26 She said it is important that people know about this, and it is an important story to tell. 27 Commissioner Price asked if the department is anticipating a direr situation this year, as the winter 28 season approaches. 29 Nancy Coston said it does not look like the energy program has a federal cut yet. She said a lot of 30 that program is determined by the weather, and there is no way to know how much will be needed. She 31 said the cost of utilities has increased, and it takes more money to get someone out of a crisis. She said 32 the department is trying to have all of their crisis programs attached to their service programs. She said it 33 has been worse up to this point, but she does not know if it will be worse the rest of the year or not. 34 Commissioner Price asked if this funding request will be enough, or if it is conservative. 35 Nancy Coston said she based her request on what was used last year. She is hopeful that this will 36 get them through. She said federal funds can only be used if the weather is threatening the health of 37 people. 38 Chair Jacobs said he is glad to hear that the directors of the Health Department and DSS are 39 encouraged to get in touch with the manager when there is a need that needs to be addressed. He said 40 the money was set aside with the understanding that it would be needed to fill in the holes in the social 41 safety net. 42 Nancy Coston said if there is another shut down scare it will cost more money because of the chaos 43 that follows. She said disruption of benefits has an immediate impact. 44 Chair Jacobs said the County has dedicated staff to address the programs for poverty that are at 45 their disposal; however, if the poverty level is not being impacted, the Board needs to be more assertive in 46 their strategies. He suggested that the people in charge of the retreat agenda and the budget proposals 47 should begin to look at this. 48 Commissioner McKee suggested that the manager should contact the faith community to help get 49 this information out to the public. 50 51 A motion was made by Commissioner Price, seconded by Commissioner McKee to approve Budget 52 Amendment#3-A to transfer $100,000 from the Social Justice Reserve Fund to the Department of Social 53 Services for General Assistance for client payments. With approval of this allocation, a balance of$150,000 54 will remain in the Social Justice Reserve Fund for FY 2013-14.