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MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES March 21, 2022 2 the Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) is paying parent fees through June 2022. Ms. Clark explained once her staff receive a call from a parent inquiring about subsidy assistance, the process is started within 5-7 business days. There is currently no waiting list. The longest wait list DSS has maintained in the past two years has been limited to 2-3 months. Jamezetta Bedford asked if there are enough spaces at daycare centers. Ms. Clark stated there are and we are also able to use daycares located in other counties. Commissioner Bedford also asked if the subsidy can cover Pre-K slots. Ms. Clark advised subsidy can cover extended time for Pre-K children. 3. Youth Enhancement Funds (YEF) Sharron Hinton, Human Services Program Manager, provided an overview of YEF funds. She informed the Board we have seen an increase in YEF requests. She explained these funds can be used to cover a variety of activities to include sports and classes such as arts & crafts. There are income guidelines to qualify. Ms. Hinton explained we have reached out to social workers in the school systems to help us promote use of these funds. Nancy Coston, Director, remarked we are also partnering with Family Success Alliance to reach families who can benefit from this resource. Ann Wilkerson asked if there is a specific time frame to use these funds. Ms. Hinton explained these funds are available throughout the year. 4. Outside Agency Update Pat Garavaglia, Board Chair, shared she and Oscar Fleming reviewed a total of 15 outside agency applications. Ms. Garavaglia commented it would be good to be in a meeting with the agencies to ask questions before scoring their applications. Mr. Fleming offered the process could be improved with some minor changes such as definition clarity. Nancy Coston stated she and Sharron Hinton met with the agencies and the County Manager. She shared there is an interest in allowing Board Members to be a part of this process next year. Ms. Coston further stated the County is open to feedback about the process. Mr. Fleming asked where things stand with decision- making. Ms. Coston explained the decision is with the County Manager and will be a part of her recommended budget to the Board of County Commissioners in early May. 5. Director’s Report Nancy Coston informed the Board the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) voted to move forward with the 203 South Greensboro building. In other building updates, Southern Human Services Center (SHSC) will undergo construction to replace the heating and air unit. Ms. Coston stated the work will occur in two 14 week phases for a total 28 week project. This will require DSS staff located at SHSC to be relocated. The intention is to develop a plan, which would allow the Economic Services Intake unit to remain at SHSC in order to minimize disruption to service access. There is planning needed to determine where child welfare staff will relocate. Ms. Coston will present the DSS budget this week to the County Manager. There are two funding streams we have learned of after initial budget development, which will be added. This includes 100% funding for Food and Nutrition Services time-limited positions and ARPA money for Adult Services.