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MINUTES <br /> ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES <br /> October 17,2022 <br /> The agency is working on salary adjustments for staff to be more competitive with other counties. <br /> There are currently 7 vacancies in child welfare and 24 overall. <br /> Nancy Coston discussed statewide work on increasing placement options for children in care. Staff <br /> have discussed increasing support for kinship care, including financial support. There are also <br /> conversations with some of the private providers about contracting for space. The current <br /> contingency plan is to rent a hotel suite and identify staff teams of two to supervise. There are also <br /> efforts to lower the time for kids in custody and work on developing capacity for a visitation center <br /> that would allow for overnight and supervised family visits with the potential for overnight stays for <br /> kids in care if needed in an emergency. <br /> 4. Holiday Programs <br /> Sharron Hinton informed the Board that the Toy Chest will be held 12/14-12/16 from 9a-6p for <br /> children birth through age 12. Parents will be able to schedule appointments. Families will receive <br /> food cards in addition to toys. <br /> Social workers have worked with their families to complete wish lists and sponsors are being <br /> matched for the sponsorship program. <br /> 5. Director's Report <br /> The recent tropical storm caused staff to prepare to activate for sheltering. <br /> The position for the SOAR worker was moved to the Housing Department. <br /> VII. Announcements <br /> Jamezetta Bedford moved to adjourn the meeting at 4:56 pm. Jane Garrett seconded the motion. The motion <br /> was carried without dissent. <br /> Submitted by: <br /> Nancy Coston, DSS Director <br /> Ann Wilkerson, Vice-Chair <br /> 2 <br />