2-24-2025 - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES February 24,2025 An overview was provided by Director Shewmaker for the Economic Services and Public Assistance programs. The budget requests a time-limited Human Services Specialist I (HSS 1) and an extension on two time-limited HSS I positions working in Medicaid. Ms. Shewmaker shared the Food and Nutrition Services employment program rebranded and is now called More Than a Job. Director Shewmaker discussed continuing outside agency contracts next year. She shared we may make some changes with our IFC contract to reallocate some emergency assistance funds to a direct payment to OWASA. The driver for this decision is to maximize efficiency and reaching more indvidivals in distribution of these funds. IFC will continue to get support with their feeding programs and less money for their emergency assistance. Ann Wilkerson asked if Meals on Wheels is this through IFC. Director Shewmaker responded it is not. Rebekah Rapoza pointed out to the Board that any line item change of greater than $5,000 is highlighted with an explanation on page 8 of the budget book. Ann Wilkerson asked if there has been any discussion as how to supplement certain programs if federal funding is cut. Director Shewmaker explained it has not. She further shared there are millions of dollars in Medicaid, FNS, and Child Care. Currently, there is a county wide hiring freeze, contract freeze, and travel and training freeze that isn't already funded. All DSS positions are exempt from the hiring freeze thus far. Director Shewmaker reviewed performance and workload measures explaining they are a combination of state and county performance measures. Board members were given an opportunity to ask questions about the data. There were no questions. Oscar Fleming stated he appreciated the outcome measures section as it indicates quality work. He asked in the future for us to focus on tying measures into the financial picture and make sure all stated outcomes are measurable. Director Shewmaker thanked him for the feedback and will incorporate the suggestions for next year. Director Shewmaker provided an overview of the remaining budget process with dates to include: 3/21/25: Budget meeting with County Manager; 5/6: County Manager presentation of budget to BOCC; 5/15: outside agency budget work session; 5/22: Human Services departments' budget work session; 6/17: Final Budget Adoption by BOCC. Board members thanked Director Shewmaker and staff on a job well done with the budget. Chris Barnes made a motion to approve the FY 25-26 budget and recommend to the County Manager. Ann Wilkerson seconded the motion. The motion carried without dissent. 3. Director's Report Lindsey Shewmaker shared we have three items on the 3/18 BOCC meeting agenda—Medicaid Expansion, CCPT, and Prevent Child Abuse Proclamation. She also shared the Drakeford opened today; we have four staff and one state staff housed there. Sharron Hinton, Human Services Manager, stated DSS is excited to be there and it is a beautiful facility. Director Shewmaker stated with the grand opening delayed by weather we may consider a Board meeting there in the future. Board members are in favor of this. Chris Barnes asked if cold weather cot shelters were open last week. Director Shewmaker provided an update and also shared DSS's recent role (three staff deployed) with a warming center that opened at Passmore Center due to a mass car crash on the interstate during winter weather. 3