2-20-2023 - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES February 20, 2023 2 posted notices in the office lobbies. Jane Garrett asked if there were differences in the number of households receiving FNS pre-COVID to current. Ms. Shewmaker shared DSS saw a spike in the number of FNS cases during COVID. Ms. Shewmaker reported there will be a Food Security Summit on 3/2/23 and 3/3/23 hosted by State partners. DSS will attend this summit along with other local food partners. In regards to Medicaid, the PHE will be discontinued in May or a couple of months thereafter. All rules are being reapplied for Medicaid eligibility. DSS staff are responsible for evaluating cases every 12 months. There will be 22,000+ cases in Orange County needing evaluation by 5/31/24. Ms. Shewmaker pointed out the workload impacts due to the end of the PHE. 2. Budget Nancy Coston presented the proposed FY 2023-2024 DSS Budget. This year’s budget is a $1,000,000 plus increase from last year. There are requests for nine new full-time employees in Economic Services and two new part-time positions in Child Welfare. All positions come with some revenue. Ms. Coston reviewed significant changes including the ending of ARPA funding which has assisted with childcare and food costs, Community Response Program revenue loss, leases for Gateway apartment and Family Time house rentals, and possible WIOA program changes with a total of $1.8 million in new positions and programs. DSS is responsible for $125,000,000 in funding that does not show in the County budget for FNS, Medicaid, energy programs, and childcare. Performance and workload measures were shared for various program areas. Crystal Mitchell shared an overview of child welfare with Nancy Coston commenting on the behavioral health impact with adults and children. Pat Garavaglia commented on the increase in Adult Protective Services reports. Ms. Coston stated she is monitoring staffing and utilizing contract for guardianship with adults. Lindsey Shewmaker provided an overview of Economic Services, Public Assistance, as well childcare subsidy. Ann Wilkerson asked if this is the first time North Carolina has opted into Medicaid expansion. Ms. Shewmaker explained Medicaid expansion was part of the Affordable Care Act but North Carolina has not opted in. This is the first time the State has been this far in discussion and many people are thinking it is going to happen. In regards to childcare subsidy data, Jane Garrett asked what is meant by unduplicated. Ms. Coston explained that is in reference to how many different children were served. Ms. Coston shared childcare rates in Orange County increased. Ann Wilkerson asked if energy funds are reimbursed. Ms. Coston shared they are 100% federal funds. Sharron Hinton provided an overview of Juvenile Crime Prevention Council (JCPC). She informed the Board this is pass through money that DSS receives from the State and gives to agencies in the community. Nancy Coston pointed out other areas in the budget book that Board members may want to review. Ms. Coston summarized she thinks there are some good things in our budget. For example, we are trying to help families normalize following the pandemic, the possibility of Medicaid expansion, and the work we are doing in our child welfare program. Ms. Coston did point out an area of concern is that DSS could possibly lose either the WIOA adult or youth program. She and Ms. Hinton are meeting with Capital Area Workforce on Monday. Jamezetta Bedford made a motion to adopt the DSS budget. Jane Garrett seconded the motion. The motion was carried without dissent. Ms. Coston explained the budget will now go to the County