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MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES September 20, 2021 2 Nancy Coston presented an overview of the Government Alliance for Racial Equity (GARE) work that Orange County is engaged in. Ms. Coston is a co-lead for Orange County GARE with Annette Moore, Director of Human Rights and Relations. Ms. Coston discussed the concepts of racial equity, institutional, and structural racism. GARE is focused on a local lens and achieving results on a community level. Ms. Coston shared the planning process of the work to include: indicators, outcomes, actions, and performance measures. She explained there are several GARE subcommittees—1. Racial Equity Tool 2. Evaluation and Accountability 3. Community Engagement 4. Training 5. Racial Equity Index—Data. Ms. Coston chairs the data work group; Human Services Program Manager, Lindsey Shewmaker, is involved in this work group as well. The framework in process of development has been intentionally slow and deliberate. Lindsey Shewmaker provided an overview of the data work. This work includes a collaborative partnership with SAS. The ultimate goal is to use this data to drive decision making of how to invest local dollars to make an impact in the community. Board member, Oscar Fleming, asked where this type of data work has been done before. Lindsey Shewmaker shared some of this work has been completed in New York City and SAS was involved in this data project, as well. Tamara Dempsey-Tanner shared some data set information that exists in North Carolina through the State Center for Health Statistics. This data has drivers of inequity and she can share the link. Nancy Coston shared there are Community Engagement Sessions happening; these sessions will be shared with board members to choose if they want to participate. There will be one hosted by the Health Department Director this Wednesday, 9/22. Ms. Coston shared it is critically important to make sure GARE is engaging the right people and she can take any suggestions for this engagement work back to that subcommittee chairperson. 3. Child Welfare Program Updates Crystal Mitchell gave updates on some of the new funding available and policy and legal changes in child welfare. The agency received supplemental CARES Act funding based on the population of children in foster care. The purpose is to ensure safety, permanency, and well-being of children and families involved in the child welfare system during the pandemic. Funds are being used to purchase car seats, pack and plays, children’s bedding, kids’ disposable masks, child safety kits, medication lock boxes, and supervised visitation materials. NCDHHS released an additional allocation for counties to provide a one-time unrestricted payment to young adults who were in foster care at age 14 or older and have not yet reached age 27. Eligible young adults ages 18-20 will receive $2,500 and ages 21-26 will receive $5,000. Staff have until 9/30/21 to locate all eligible youth and process the appropriate financial paperwork. Staff has identified 19 young adults who are now 18-20 and 21 young adults who are now 21-26 for these funds so far. Crystal Mitchell provided an overview of the Expedite Child Safety and Permanency bill that passed recently in the General Assembly. Most of the bill provisions are already required federally so there is little impact to staff. 4. Economic Services Updates Lindsey Shewmaker updated the Board on items in economic services program areas. Staff are preparing for implementation of energy programs this Fall and Winter including a Recovery Act funded water program. Unfortunately hiring has been difficult and there are staff shortages in most program areas currently.