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ORANGE COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br />Meeting Date: June 5, 2001 <br />Action Agenda <br />Item No.. 8- ~ <br />SUBJECT: Le al Services Contract Renewal for Child and Adult Protective Services <br />DEPARTMENT: Social Services PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No <br />ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br />Contract Denise C. Shaffer, ext 24fi <br />TELEPHONE NUMBERS: <br />Hillsborough 732-8181 <br />Chapel Hill 968-4501 <br />Durham 688-7331 <br />Mebane 336-227-2031 <br />PURPOSE: To consider approval of the Legal Services Contract which is necessary in orcier <br />for the Department of Social Services (DSS) to cany out its duties providing protective services <br />for children and adults in Orange County. <br />BACKGROUND: Ms. Carol Holcomb, with Northen Blue, LLP, has provided consultation .and <br />representation for children and adult services for over 10 years. She has comprehensive <br />knowledge of juvenile law and Guardianship proceedings and litigates court hearings with skill. <br />She remains on-call after hours to assist staff when the agency must assume emergency <br />custody of children at night and on weekends. Orange County is known for its timely and <br />efficient court proceedings due to her skill, dedication, and expertise. Her knowledge is valued <br />by the DSS social work staff, the Guardian ad Litem office and the courts. <br />Competent legal representation is critical to assure that the most severely abused and <br />neglected children and frail elderly receive the protection provided for them under North <br />Carolina law. DSS legal services must be current on Federal legislation as well as precedent <br />setting case law across the country. The legal representation must also be able to guide and <br />support DSS staff throughout the increasingly adversarial court process. <br />FINANCIAL IMPACT: Funds for this contract are included in the Manages 2001-02 proposed <br />budget. <br />RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve the contract with <br />Northen Blue far legal services. <br />