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MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES May 15, 2023 2 3. Child Care Subsidy Nancy Coston and Tina Clark presented on the child care subsidy program to the Board. Ms. Coston explained OCDSS has met with several groups in the community to address how to increase the number of four year olds in Pre-K or quality childcare. There was a particular concern that Northern Orange County had many four year olds not in childcare. OCDSS has paid parent fees to try and increase the numbers. Transportation does continue to be a barrier for some parents in Orange County. Nancy Coston shared we are only spending 80% of our federal dollars but this is in line with a statewide trend. Director Coston explained we are running data on all four year olds receiving Medicaid and then completing outreach to any family whose four year old is not receiving childcare subsidy. Tina Clark explained the Pre-K programs located in Orange County schools and Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools. She shared the Pre-K day ends at 2:30pm in Orange County and transportation is not offered to another site for those children. Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools have the majority of their Pre-K slots full. There are some slots open that end at 2:30pm. Ms. Clark explained our child care subsidy program can cover the part time childcare needed for children to receive a full day of care. It was explained we are trying to extend the day at the school where the child attends Pre-K and there are active conversations with our external stakeholders about this. Another strategy we will explore includes mapping of where our childcare providers are located and where kids not being served are located. Ann Wilkerson commented parents typically don’t want their children transported from one location to another. Nancy Coston shared there has been some preliminary conversation with the County’s on-demand transportation service to assist parents riding with their child to the childcare program. Oscar Fleming reported he is on the Board of Orange County Partnership for Young Children as well as NCInCK. He commented NCInCK is a good model to look at this issue as well. Director Coston agreed and stated it fits into the model of trying to mobilize services for children. Ann Wilkerson asked which schools in Orange County offer Pre-K programs. Tina Clark reported Central Elementary and Efland Cheeks Elementary are sites. Nancy Coston explained she will send the Board the childcare report that was shared with Commissioner Richards. Oscar Fleming asked who is responsible for the messaging campaign for Pre-K. Nancy Coston stated she believes all of us as community stakeholders are responsible. We want to make sure we embed Pre-K in the processes for other organizations. 4. Director’s Report Nancy Coston reminded the Board our next meeting will occur on 6/20/23 instead of 6/19/2023 due to the holiday. Oscar Fleming moved to move the meeting to 6/20/23 and Jane Garrett seconded the motion. Nancy Coston thanked Friends of DSS who has been supplying the staff with snacks. She also shared we have received both grants for WIOA; we are currently working on contracts. Sharron Hinton shared there will be a Job Fair at the Sheraton on 6/7/23. Oscar Fleming asked if there is a need for employees; Sharron Hinton confirmed there is still a need. The job fair will target employers who are currently hiring and they have to agree to be a part of our database in order for us to track who is hired from the event. Jane Garrett asked if any employers hire on site; Sharron Hinton commented there are employers who do this. Sharron Hinton also shared the 2nd Annual Latino Fair will be offered on 5/20/23 at the Seymour Center in Chapel Hill. Crystal Mitchell shared our annual Foster Parent Appreciation Event will be held on 5/20/23 at KidZu in Chapel Hill from 5:30-7:30pm.