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MINUTES <br /> ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES <br /> January 21,2025 <br /> 6. Director's Report <br /> Two years ago, the county started a cold weather cot program run by the Housing Department that <br /> opens on nights when the temperature drops below 32 degrees. Currently, it is located at University <br /> Baptist Church (UBC) and is staffed by temporary staff of the Housing Department. This is an <br /> overnight shelter only and closes every morning. So far this winter, there have been 29 cold <br /> weather cot activation nights, and the church has been struggling to manage folks in a safe manner. <br /> As a result, the County made the decision to open an overflow location, and they are looking for <br /> support to manage and triage folks going to the shelter. Additionally, they are looking for staffing <br /> assistance to add warming centers for daytime because temperatures are not expected to rise <br /> above freezing during the day. <br /> We have around 25 staff members supporting the effort and were primarily focused on the cold <br /> weather cot shelter at UBC last week. Our staff are at UBC from 6p-9p and are asking folks if they'd <br /> like to meet with a social worker for an assessment and resource connection and taking public <br /> assistance applications. This week a temporary overflow shelter was opened at Seymour and our <br /> staff provided support there, too. We have had one staff member volunteer to staff the UBC shelter <br /> overnight. The warming centers opened yesterday and we were unsure what to expect there. <br /> Based on turnout yesterday, it was determined that most of the centers only needed staffing on-call <br /> except Seymour which saw a large volume of folks and will keep staff there. The Town of Chapel <br /> Hill is working on identifying an overflow site they can at least use for the rest of the season and will <br /> also be re-evaluating the plan for next year. <br /> We were also working on a staffing plan for mass care shelter if conditions were met. Ten percent <br /> power outage countywide is criteria to open a disaster shelter where DSS is the primary. Because <br /> the cold weather hasn't met disaster criteria, we are providing support to the Housing Department <br /> through staffing, social work support, and in-home aide services through use of our contracts. We <br /> have moved to an on-call posture for assisting in Northern Orange. <br /> VII. Announcements <br /> Chris Barnes moved to adjourn the meeting at 5:06 pm. Ann Wilkerson seconded the motion. The motion was <br /> carried without dissent. <br /> Submitted by: <br /> Lindsey Shewmaker, DSS Director <br /> Jane Garrett, Chair <br /> 3 <br />