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MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES February 24, 2014 3 source used for those positions has ended. All the expenses and revenue have been removed from the budget. There was a supervisor over those eight staff whose position is still in the budget. Earl McKee asked whether these positions are funded above and beyond the funding percentage for schools. Ms. Coston responded that her understanding is that the costs are shared by Medicaid reimbursement and funds from the schools out of their percent allocation set by the Commissioners. The Medicaid funding source that is used for approximately fifty percent of the positions is no longer available. If the school system wanted to keep the school social workers, the schools would have to go from paying half the cost to paying the full cost. The schools may have difficulty coming up with the difference without requesting additional funding from the county. There is a new Medicaid case management funding source but it does not appear it can be used for this purpose. Commissioner McKee noted that he understands there may be a funding request for additional money from Orange County Schools related to this which will trigger additional funding to the Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools under the current arrangement. Ms. Coston informed the Board that funding was reinstated for an unfunded child welfare position using the new Medicaid funds. This position will help with prevention. There is additional revenue related to NC FAST included in the budget. Reimbursement will increase for most Medicaid administration costs from 50% to 75%. There is also additional revenue in Food and Nutrition Services. The total revenue increase will be approximately $700,000 next year. The agency had to submit a plan to the state to use these additional funds to successfully manage cases. Orange County’s plan includes four time-limited positions through the end of next fiscal year, overtime funds, and funds to purchase additional equipment related to NC FAST. The state estimates included a $476,000 cut to child care subsidy. The agency put in a county request of $400,000 in additional dollars to support child care subsidy. Ms. Coston explained that the Manager’s Office may have some reservations about the additional child care subsidy dollars requested. Ms. Coston also gave the Board a packet containing data, information about programs, line items, and a list of proposed contracts. Pat Garavaglia asked for clarification about the percent of procedural denials. Lindsey Shewmaker responded that that is the percentage of cases that terminated for reasons other than eligibility. Staff continue to work on ways to keep families connected to services as part of Work Support Strategies but have not made large improvements at this point. Earl McKee asked what part transportation plays in families’ inability to stay connected to benefits. Ms. Coston responded that there are certainly transportation issues for some families. Ms. Coston talked briefly about NC FAST and issues that are occurring. Needs related to NC FAST are reflected in the budget. She noted there were some smaller reductions in block grants but most of those could be absorbed by the increased revenue. Earl McKee asked whether more space is needed at the Skills Development Center location. He had understood there might be some available space in that area. Sharron Hinton responded that the agency is interested in expanding some of the offerings at that location including adding an adult employment program if funds are received through WIA. Ms. Coston added that this is a competitive grant for which the agency is considering applying. Ms. Garavalgia shared kudos on the adolescent pregnancy prevention program and the good work that program is doing. Ms. Coston added that this program is in danger again of being unfunded.