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MINUTES <br /> ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES <br /> June 23,2025 <br /> THE ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES MET ON MONDAY: June 23, at the Orange County <br /> Department of Social Services at 113 Mayo Street, Hillsborough, NC 27278. <br /> BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES MEMBERS PRESENT: Oscar Fleming, Ann Wilkerson, and Chris Barnes. <br /> GUEST: None <br /> BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES MEMBERS ABSENT: Earl McKee and Jane Garrett <br /> STAFF PRESENT: Lindsey Shewmaker, Social Services Director; Crystal M. Wiese, Assistant Director; and <br /> Lakecia Robbins, Program Manager <br /> I. Call to Order and Introductions <br /> DSS Vice Chair, Oscar Fleming, called the meeting to order at 4:11 pm. <br /> II. Board Comments <br /> Chris Barnes inquired about the Social Services Institute. Lindsey Shewmaker explained Serena <br /> McPherson is handling registrations for the agency and will be in touch with staff and board members <br /> attending. <br /> III. Public Comments <br /> None. <br /> IV. Agenda Changes <br /> None. <br /> V. Action Items <br /> On a motion by Ann Wilkerson, the Board approved the meeting minutes from May 19, 2025. Chris <br /> Barnes seconded the motion. The motion was carried without dissent. <br /> VI. Items for Discussion and/or Decision <br /> 1. 2025 SAS Child Welfare Data Presentation <br /> Sue Manner with SAS presented the 2025 child welfare analytics project data. The data <br /> encompasses seven years of child welfare data (2018-2024). Mrs. Manner provided an overview of <br /> the population demographics and an explanation on interpreting the statistical test results. <br /> Components of the data analytics included foster care duration, permanency mitigating factors, <br /> family composition, father involvement, sibling group size, number of placements, kinship care, and <br /> exit type. Ann Wilkerson asked why children are staying in custody longer. Crystal Wiese explained <br /> this is an area of needed improvement for the State as well as the County. The Child and Family <br /> Services Review (CFSR) results were recently released and timeliness to permanency is an area to <br /> improve. With the complexity of foster care cases, we are unable to pinpoint one exact reason to <br /> longer times in custody. The top three mitigating factors for children entering custody in Orange <br /> County include substance use, mental health, and domestic violence. Ann Wilkerson asked how <br /> father involvement was measured. Crystal Wiese explained father involvement was defined as a <br /> father participating in an initial service plan within 30 days. Oscar Fleming asked for clarification on <br /> 1 <br />