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MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES August 21, 2023 2 Sharron Hinton, Human Services Program Manager, provided an overview of her Division. She shared the agency has been involved in several community events. Staff participated in the National Night Out event in Hillsborough on 8/1/23. Another community highlight included DSS co- sponsoring a Back to School event in the Gateway housing community. Ms. Hinton shared backpacks were provided for children, facepainting, snow cones, popcorn, books, car seat checks, free and reduced lunch applications, and other safety demonstrations. Other partners included the Orange County Library, Orange County Health Department, Orange County Schools, Alliance Health, Hillsborough Police Department, and SafeKids. Ms. Hinton stated OCDSS and OCHD are currently working closely to create an intake/assessment tool for the neighborhood and ultimately the desire is to replicate the work in other areas of the County. Oscar Fleming shared he would be interested in speaking with Ms. Hinton further about ways UNC-CH students could assist with this effort. The next event at Gateway will be a Trunk or Treat in October. Ms. Hinton also shared Orange Works is supporting unhoused couples and individuals who have unmet hygiene needs. The agency has established a procedure to provide hygiene items and clothing; these items are donated by Friends of DSS. Staff will complete an assessment and connect individuals to resources. In the Veteran’s Program, Ms. Hinton announced a social worker has been hired. His name is Jeff McNeill and a community reception is being planned to introduce him to the community. Ann Wilkerson asked where he will be located. Ms. Hinton stated he will have hours at DSS in Hillsborough, the local senior centers, and Europa in Chapel Hill. In regards to employment and career programs, Ms. Hinton shared a hiring event was held last week at Orange Works. She stated these types of events will be held on an ongoing basis. Durham Tech Community College is back onsite providing GED and HRD courses in Hillsborough and Chapel Hill. Oscar Fleming asked if childcare vouchers get promoted at hiring events; Ms. Hinton confirmed they do. Ms. Hinton summarized the annual backpack program supported by Friends of DSS. She shared there were 173 backpack requests made by OCDSS social workers. In addition, backpacks were given out at the Gateway back to school event. Hillsborough Police Department collected school supplies and those were used to stuff the Gateway backpacks. 3. Youth Coordinator Sharon Hinton explained this is an existing position we repurposed to meet a need. This position will be a coordinator in regards to youth services in the county. The person in this position will conduct a needs assessment for youth services and identify gaps. She shared the position will be responsible for collaboration with non-profits, schools, and other government agencies. Additionally, it was shared this position will be the DSS representative for Racial Equity work in the county, administrative responsibilities of JCPC, and coordination of a potential tutoring program. Ms. Hinton expects the position to be posted in the next week or soon thereafter. Oscar Fleming asked about the qualifications for the position. Ms. Hinton shared a bachelor's degree with at least five years of progressive experience. Anne Wilkerson and Jane Garrett questioned how a potential tutoring program would work and the location of those services. Ms. Hinton explained the potential tutoring program needs further planning and exploration but the vision is for it to be offered at Orange Works and other areas in the community to eliminate transportation barriers. 4. Other Updates