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1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: June 21, 2016 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 5-c <br /> SUBJECT: Renewal of Contract with Holcomb and Cabe, L.L.P. to Provide Legal Services <br /> to the Department of Social Services <br /> DEPARTMENT: Social Services <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> Contract with Attachments Nancy Coston, (919) 245-2802 <br /> PURPOSE: To consider renewal of a contract for legal representation for the Department of <br /> Social Services. <br /> BACKGROUND: The Department of Social Services (DSS) requires extensive legal <br /> representation particularly related to child welfare cases. All actions related to agency custody <br /> of children, protection orders, adoptions, adult protective service orders and guardianships <br /> require court hearings. There is an increased emphasis on assuring all child welfare cases are <br /> handled as quickly as possible to assure that children live with permanent safe families. <br /> Attorney Carol Holcomb has provided consultation and representation for children and adult <br /> services at Social Services for over 20 years. In 2013 Ms. Holcomb left the firm of Northen <br /> Blue, L.L.C. to start her own firm, Holcomb and Cabe, L.L.P. Ms. Holcomb has comprehensive <br /> knowledge of juvenile law and guardianship proceedings and litigates court hearings with skill. <br /> Ms. Holcomb remains on-call after hours to assist staff when the agency must assume <br /> emergency custody of children at night and on weekends. Ms. Holcomb's knowledge and <br /> expertise are valued by the DSS social work staff, the Guardian ad Litem office and the courts. <br /> Social Services files petitions with the court for custody of an average of five children per month <br /> and participates in all court reviews for children in custody. There are additional court actions <br /> necessary to terminate parental rights and pursue adoption, to handle adult guardianship cases, <br /> and to handle the increasing numbers of appeals of child welfare court actions. <br /> The Social Services Board has reviewed this contract and recommends that the Board of <br /> Commissioners approve this contract with Holcomb and Cabe, L.L.P. at the rate of $165 per <br /> hour. Almost all the services in this contract will be provided directly by Ms. Holcomb. <br /> Additional costs for expert witnesses are also reimbursed through this contract. <br />