2-24-2025 - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES February 24,2025 1. Enhance and expand treatment and placement options for youth with complex behavioral health, substance use, and mental health needs. 2. Increase inpatient substance abuse/mental health treatment facilities for parents and children to be co-located. 3. Provide widespread community education about preventable child death and near fatalities due to drug exposure, unsafe sleeping arrangements for infants, and unsecured firearms. Ms. Mann highlighted community outreach efforts in 2024 to include handing out gun locks and medication lock boxes at community events. Also, DSS gives fentanyl strips to families. Jane Garrett asked if social workers handle fentanyl strips and Ms. Mann explained they only provide them to clients for their use. Ann Wilkerson asked if CPS provides cribs and Ms. Mann stated we do as well as have a conversation about safe sleep with every family we serve through child welfare. Oscar Fleming added the Health Department and Orange County Partnership for Young Children support safe sleep and crib access too. Lindsey Shewmaker stated we provide fentanyl strips and naloxone as part of a harm reduction effort strategy; she advised there is a vending machine with these items located in the lobby at Southern Human Services Center. Chris Barnes made a motion to approve the 2024 CCPT Annual Report. Ann Wilkerson seconded the motion. The motion carried without dissent. The CCPT annual report goes before the Board of County Commissioners on 3/18/25. 2. Presentation of the FY2025-26 DSS Budget Lindsey Shewmaker, Director, presented the FY 2025-26 budget for the Board beginning with the FY 25-26 budget drivers. Rebekah Rapoza, Fiscal Operations Manager, reviewed the overall department wide budget. Jane Garrett asked where the additional revenue comes from and Ms. Rapoza explained the majority comes from Economic Services. Next, Ms. Rapoza reviewed the summary of budget changes—revenue, operations, and capital changes. She noted personnel information is not currently loaded by county finance at the time of this presentation. Lindsey Shewmaker shared the Administrative Services Programmatic Highlights which included a time-limited to permanent position; increased funds for IT-Laserfiche, ending the lease on Europa; and mandated vs. non mandated travel. Director Shewmaker pointed out we want to make sure travel for mandated programs don't get cut. Jane Garrett asked if social worker have mandated training hours each year? Crystal Mitchell, Human Services Manager, explained both Children's and Adults' Services social workers do have mandated training. An overview was provided for the Child and Family Services and Subsidy sections. Director Shewmaker noted we will ask for additional funds incrementally over the next several years for our In Home Aide program as we currently have 20 individuals on a wait list. Additionally we are asking for increased funds for guardianship services and contracts; about $5,000 in additional funding. Ann Wilkerson asked if foster parent training is offered monthly? Crystal Mitchell explained training for new foster parents is offered in the Spring and Fall. Ongoing training is offered throughout the year and we would like to offer more onsite/local training in FY 25-26. Jane Garret asked if we thought increasing foster care training funds would lead to permanency sooner and Director Shewmaker explained the primary purpose of training is to try and keep placements stable. Jane Garrett asked for more information about adoption subsidy and vendor amounts. Crystal Mitchell shared the adoption assistance eligibility process and if a child is found eligible the subsidy amount is based on the foster care room and board rates determined by the General Assembly. If a child is eligible for vendor payments, the max that can be spent or reimbursed in a FY is $2400. Oscar Fleming asked if there was any word on federal funding changes for child care subsidy. Director Shewmaker reported she has not heard much about child care subsidy funding at this time. 2