DSS Board Minutes 031813 - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES March 18, 2013 2 reform, work support strategies, and NC FAST. Ms. Coston noted that the agency receives a large percentage of revenue from the federal government so the budget issues there have potential for great impact. The Juvenile Crime Prevention Council grant formerly had one staff member assigned. Due to a reduction of administrative funds, that staff member will be reassigned to Economic Services and the work will be absorbed by existing staff in other areas. Veterans Services was eliminated as its own department and included in the Economic Services section. This was largely due to increased focus on performance measures. The Veterans Services Officer will still exist as a position and have the same responsibilities, even though the line item has been moved. Funds for duplicating and other administrative functions at the Skills Development Center have been combined into Central Administration. Pat Garavaglia asked for more information about the high cost of building rent. Ms. Coston replied that the increase was written into the original lease based on a lease-to-purchase option. When the county did not take that option, the lease amount increased. It will increase every five years under the terms of the original agreement. Ms. Garavaglia asked about the number of youth served through the Volunteers for Youth contract. Ms. Coston responded that that contract is part of the Juvenile Justice program. Social Services is responsible for managing the grant but not determining funding for the various providers who receive funds through contracts. Claire Millar asked for clarification about the contract for Inter-Faith Council. Ms. Coston responded that the contract for Inter-Faith Council is for rapid rehousing of homeless families. For the first year, 80% of funding is targeted to women and children living at Project Homestart. Ms. Coston briefly discussed the three grants listed in the revenue summary. The Juvenile Crime Prevention Council, Community Response Grant, and Emergency Solutions Grant are the three grants that are proposed for next year. Ms. Coston discussed the additional funding the agency plans to receive from the Miles Second Family Foundation to support work related activities for foster youth involved in the program. Ms. Coston also reviewed the narratives and performance data for the various budget divisions. In the Public Assistance division she noted that TANF EA funds were reduced because money was transferred to the Economic Services division to support individuals with service plans trying to go to work or increase income. In the Central Administration division Ms. Coston discussed the consolidation of line items from the Skills Development Center. She also noted that funds are included for building and IT improvements related to NC FAST and implementation of the Affordable Care Act. In the Child and Family division Ms. Coston discussed lost revenue and funds budgeted for on-call workers to staff child welfare after hours. The agency is submitting a proposal to pay staff $2 per hour to be on-call when the building is closed. They would be compensated normally for any work required while on-call. Funding for this will come from leaving a position unfunded for the year. The county is working to get data from other counties with similar compensation systems. In the Economic Services division Ms. Coston noted that the Employment and Training Program will be fully operational next year. Positions related to this program are being advertised and will be filled shortly. Ms. Coston also informed the Board that much of the activity in this area for next year is focused on NC FAST. Staff have attended meetings related to the changes coming with the second phase of NC FAST. Orange County will be using NC FAST for