DSS Board Minutes 101711 - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES October 17, 2011 2 loss camp this summer. Another youth went to New York to attend a summer scholars program. A 17-year old foster youth spent part of her summer showing horses, and another foster youth went swimming with dolphins this summer in the Florida Keys. Other trips have included visits to universities. Ms. Kunkle thanked Social Services for all the support staff members provide to ensure the foster youth in the program can participate. The Second Family Foundation also provides tutoring and other ongoing support to the youth in the program. Claire Millar asked how long the Foundation works with each child. Ms. Kunkel responded that the goal is to stay with foster youth all the way through college. Pat Garavaglia asked how the teens are selected to participate. Ms. Kunkel responded that Social Services staff members refer based on age and level of care. The Foundation then decides whether a child is a good match for the program. Ms. Kunkel also explained a new project with Orange County. This project will do a twenty-year look-back at former foster children in Orange County. The project will ask what worked well, what did not work well, and what was missing when youth were in foster care. The project seeks to identify effective services for foster children. Arthrell Sanders asked how many children are in the study. Ms. Kunkel replied that they have identified 400 former foster children who meet the criteria. She also added that the information may not be statistically valid but should still provide descriptive information that will be useful. 3. Job Classification Nancy Coston explained that Orange County is reviewing one-third of county positions each year. This year the Human Resources Department is reviewing most of the positions in the agency. Staff members are currently working to fill out questionnaires. Ms. Coston suggested she send her questionnaire to the Board for approval with next month’s agenda. The Board agreed. 4. Holiday Plan Nancy Coston informed the Board that the agency is working on holiday ideas. Few community members attended the kick-off meeting. She added she has emailed Eric Montross to see if he is interested in being involved but has not heard back. Ms. Coston also talked to Claire Millar about whether PORCH would be interested in participating. Ms. Millar agreed to discuss PORCH’s involvement. Sharron Hinton informed the Board that the agency is having difficulty coordinating with the Marine Corps Toys for Tots office in Raleigh this year due to a personnel change. This may result in the loss of some sponsors. The agency is working with the UNC Pan-Hellenic Council and the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City schools to collect toys. The county is also supporting “Jeans for Joy” during the month of December which will allow employees to donate money to the holiday program to dress down. The holiday program is also listed on the United Way Combined Giving campaign. Ms. Hinton reiterated that there is still a need for money. Pat Garavaglia, on behalf of FRIENDS of DSS, offered to help pick up toys at area churches. Arthrell Sanders noted that they had issues last year getting churches to participate in caroling because so many do other things during the holidays. Ms. Coston stated that the agency is looking for a way to make donating as easy as possible.