Orange County NC Website
MINUTES <br /> ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES <br /> October 19,2020 <br /> volunteer activities. Ms. Garrett highlighted her interest in joining the Social Services Board. The <br /> remaining Board Members introduced themselves and staff present made introductions. <br /> Tamara Dempsey-Tanner stated the Board needs to elect a Chair and Vice Chair. Pat Garavaglia <br /> made a motion that Tamara Dempsey-Tanner remain Chair. Jamezetta Bedford seconded the <br /> motion. The motion was carried without dissent. <br /> The Board discussed naming a new vice chair. Susie Enoch shared she will need to leave the <br /> Board after December due to personal health issues. Tamara Dempsey-Tanner nominated Pat <br /> Garavaglia for vice chair. Jamezetta Bedford seconded the motion. Pat Garavaglia stated she was <br /> willing to assume temporary vice chair responsibility but requested this be revisited in the future. <br /> There was no dissent to Pat Garavaglia being named as vice chair. <br /> 2. Holiday Programs <br /> Sharron Hinton provided an overview of the Holiday Program for 2020. Sponsorship of children <br /> identified in the Child Welfare, Employment Services, Adolescent Parenting Program, and Child <br /> Care programs will occur. Additionally, the gift sponsorship program will serve adults served by our <br /> Adult Services team. The program will occur similar to years prior; however, we are trying to serve <br /> more individuals this year since the Toy Chest program will be altered due to COVID-19 response. <br /> Sponsorship letters will be going out this week. Sponsors are being asked to spend $200-250 per <br /> child and $75-100 for adults. Wish lists are due this Friday. Sponsors will be asked to drop off gifts <br /> at OCDSS (Commons and SHSC) on December 12 and December 13. <br /> Toy Chest will be held December 191" and 201". On the 191", the hours will be 10a-6p; on the 201n <br /> the hours will be 10a-7p. We have 8,000 families eligible to shop; we are planning based on an <br /> estimated 25% of this population attending. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, parents/guardians will <br /> not be able to shop for their child's toys this year. Instead, OCDSS will pack a box that will consist <br /> of a toy, book, and food. The toy will be selected for the child's age and gender. A food box will be <br /> provided to families. OCDSS will be assembling 1500 food boxes. Families will be assigned a time <br /> slot to arrive at OCDSS based on the first letter of their last name. This will be an event in which <br /> individuals park and remain in their car; staff will bring the items to parked car. <br /> Tamara Dempsey-Tanner asked if there will still be volunteer opportunities. Food box assembly will <br /> occur prior to Toy Chest and Orange County employee volunteers are being solicited. Pat <br /> Garavaglia asked how we plan to handle bicycles this year. OCDSS anticipates the number of <br /> bicycle donations to be down; however, donated bicycles will be utilized for the Sponsorship <br /> program. Pat Garavaglia asked if there will be still be Toys for Tots collection boxes in the <br /> community. Sharron Hinton stated Toys for Tots is still running this year and boxes will be in the <br /> community. Gift cards and monetary donations are accepted if an individual is uncomfortable <br /> shopping. OCDSS finance has a protocol to track these donations. <br /> 3. Ongoing Recovery Work <br /> Crystal Mitchell stated the social work staff continue to assist with the County's COVID-19 shelter <br /> when there is a need. The shelter is activated when there is a COVID-19 positive individual <br /> experiencing homelessness or there is an individual who cannot isolate properly due to living in a <br /> 2 <br />