DSS Board Minutes 052013 - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES May 20, 2013 2 Jonathan Yeomans presented reviewed the agency’s readiness activities for phases 2 and 6. Elizabeth Phillips gave the Board a handout on universal workers and discussed the universal worker concept and explained to the Board how the agency plans to train current staff to fit this model. Louise Moize gave the Board a handout depicting the new work flow process the agency is working toward implementing. Ms. Coston added that Orange, Johnston, and Chatham counties are pilots for the next phase of NC FAST. Claire Millar asked whether state cuts would impact Food and Nutrition Services benefits. Ms. Coston explained that there is no state or county funds in the benefits so as long as the state plan does not change, eligibility for benefits will not be impacted. 2. Medicaid Transportation Serena McPherson shared the results of the monitoring in Medicaid Transportation. The monitoring was successful and no corrective action is required. She discussed the procedures and policies in the program. Nancy Coston reminded the Board that Serena McPherson has been helping with this as a short term fix. Initially the state planned to release an RFP to manage the program. The state has decided to wait to see if counties can reduce service costs to match the lowest bid. If so, there will be no changes to the current system. Claire Millar asked how many clients are served by the program. Ms. McPherson responded that there are 280 eligible clients and approximately 80-90 are served per month. 3. Budget and Contract Updates Nancy Coston updated the Board on the status of the budget and contracts. She explained that there have been conversations with the county about the legal contract due to Carol Holcomb’s retirement in the next few years. The agreement between Carol Holcomb and the agency involves a transition period over the next three years. For the next two years she will be providing all legal services. In the third year, the agency will hire a staff attorney who will be trained by Ms. Holcomb. Ms. Coston reviewed items in the proposed budget already approved by the Board. She reminded the Board that funding for three time-limited positions were approved by the Commissioners and are included in the budget. She also noted that the agency will manage the pretrial release program beginning next year. Ms. Coston discussed some of the cuts projected for next fiscal year. There is a large reduction in the TANF block grant that will impact child welfare staff. She also noted that the agency is still waiting to hear whether Clair Millar has been reappointed to the Social Services Board. The Board reviewed the outside agency proposals including those recommended in the Manager’s budget. Pat Garavaglia asked questions related to the drug testing bill. Ms. Coston replied that she would follow up with information on the bill. 4. Director’s Report