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MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES February 20, 2012 3 Commissioner on the Work Force Development Board and is being apprised of the issues. One of the Board Members is the recipient of the Work Force Development Board funds which makes the situation more political. Ms. Coston added this will be an item on the joint meeting agenda. 4. Smart Start Proposal Denise Shaffer informed the Board that the agency is submitting a proposal to administer Smart Start funds. She noted she was unsure whether Child Care Services Association would apply for the funds. There has been some discussion about Social Services’ spending level at this point in the year. Spending for child care is difficult because funds come and go quickly and Social Services does not want to remove children from child care once they beginning receiving subsidy. Statewide, 40% of counties are spending at less than 90% at this point in the year. Most of these counties exhaust all child care funding annually. However, the social services’ waiting list will be cleared shortly. Nancy Coston added that Social Services did not start spending Smart Start funds until the Smart Start Board decided on the criteria for subsidy assistance. 5. Joint BOCC Meeting The Joint Meeting with the Board of County Commissioners is scheduled for March 15th at 5:00 PM at the Government Services Center in Hillsborough. There are several items about which the Commissioners have asked for information. Some of the items for potential discussion at the meeting include poverty statistics, workload data, Work Support Strategies, NC FAST, success stories, and other hot topics. Albert Williams asked what happens to information that citizens provide to determine eligibility. Lindsey Shewmaker responded that information is shared with the state but is kept confidential. One of the hot topics is the letter to the County Commissioners Association on SB 433. Pat Garavaglia asked what the Board should do about the legislation and suggested writing a letter opposing the bill to Representative Hackney. Ms. Coston noted that the agenda for the joint meeting is extensive so much of the information will be contained in handouts. Claire Millar asked whether there will be less money available for nonprofits. Valerie Foushee responded that most funding for this year is likely to hold steady based on initial remarks from the County Manager. Ms. Coston added that staff morale is really low based on a lack of raises, decreased health insurance benefits, and new policies that seem more punitive like the new timekeeping system. 6. Director’s Report Orange County was selected as a pilot for Phase 2 of NC FAST. Guardianships can no longer be done by mental health after the merger. Mental health guardianships will going to social services between now and April 1, 2012.