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MINUTES <br /> ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES <br /> January 20,2026 <br /> THE ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES MET ON MONDAY: January 20th, at the Orange <br /> County Department of Social Services at 113 Mayo Street, Hillsborough, NC 27278. <br /> BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES MEMBERS PRESENT: Oscar Fleming, Chris Barnes, Jamezetta Bedford, <br /> Ann Wilkerson, and Jane Garrett. <br /> GUEST: Carol Conway <br /> BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES MEMBERS ABSENT: None <br /> STAFF PRESENT: Lindsey Shewmaker, Social Services Director; Sharron Hinton, Assistant Director; Crystal <br /> Wiese, Assistant Director; LaXecia Robbins, Economic Services Program Manager; Serena McPherson, <br /> Administrative Officer II; and Rebekah Rapoza, Fiscal Operations Manager <br /> I. Call to Order and Introductions <br /> DSS board chair, Oscar Fleming, called the meeting to order at 4:02 pm. <br /> II. Board Comments <br /> None <br /> III. Public Comments <br /> Ms. Conway provided a brief background on her personal and professional experience with individuals <br /> with intellectual developmental disabilities. Ms. Conway stated she comes before the board to provide <br /> two observations, two recommendations, and one offer. Two observations include there being a weird <br /> lack of accountability for voiced concerns with the social services system and being no avenue of redress <br /> for a "bungled case." Ms. Conway recommended DSS to be careful in foster care and adoption cases <br /> when the identified child is nonverbal and developmentally delayed. She also recommended DSS be <br /> aware of retaliatory calls to CPS and provided examples of other countries making these types of calls <br /> illegal and enacting fines. Ms. Conway offered to provide a 30-minute training on intellectual <br /> developmental disabilities (IDD) to DSS staff. <br /> IV. Agenda Changes <br /> None. <br /> V. Action Items <br /> A motion was made to approve the December 2025 Board Meeting Minutes by Ann Wilkerson. Chris <br /> Barnes seconded the motion. All board members were in favor. <br /> VI. Items for Discussion and/or Decision <br /> 1. FY 2026-27 Budget Process and Overview <br /> Director, Lindsey Shewmaker, provided an overview of where the County is with FY27 budget planning. <br /> In an explanation of budget timelines and the release of State budget estimates, Ms. Shewmaker <br /> recommended the Board meet later in February to review the proposed DSS budget. A motion was <br /> 1 <br />