Dss Board Meeting Minutes

CHOWANCOUNTY

DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

100 WEST FREEMASON CIRCLE

EDENTON, NORTH CAROLINA 27932

(252) 482-7441: PHONE (252) 482-7041: FAX

DSS BOARD MEETING MINUTES

JULY 11, 2017

Attendees were: Ms. Janet P. Hines (DSS Board Chair); Mr. Craig Miller (Vice-Chair); Darnell White;Commissioner Patti Kersey, Dr. Rene’ Smith and Letecia Loadholt (Director)

Call to order – Ms. Janet P. Hines – Board Chair

Approval of May 2017 minutes – Approved as presented

Public Comments – N/A

Energy Program Policy for 2017-2018 – Ms. Cheri Blount, Income Maintenance Supervisor presented the proposed energy policy for upcoming fiscal year for the Crisis Intervention Program (CIP) and Low Income Energy Heating Assistance Program (LIEHAP). The board unanimously approved the policy and it was signed by Board Chair, Janet Hines and DSS Director, Letecia Loadholt.

Board Chair Appointment – Commissioner Patti Kersey nominated Mr. Craig Miller for the position of Board Chair and Dr. Rene’ Smith seconded the motion. Ms. Darnell White nominated Dr. Rene’ Smith as the Vice-Chair and Mr. Craig Miller seconded and the board unanimously approved Mr. Craig Miller as the Social Services Board Chair and Dr. Rene’ Smith as the Vice-Chair effective August 1, 2017.

August Board Meeting – The DSS Board meeting has been rescheduled for Tuesday, August 1, 2017 at 8:00 a.m. in the conference room at DSS. The meeting reschedule is due to DSS Director being out on medical leave.

HB 630 – The board was informed that HB 630 – Rylan’s Law was signed into effect on June 21, 2017 by Governor Roy Cooper. The board was informed that the law makes regionalization optional in counties and includes that DSS agencies’ will enter a contract with the State to administer public programs and there will be repercussions for counties that under perform by standards set by State and Federal programs.

Director’s Report– Ms. Loadholt informed the board of the following:

Follow up on the appointment of vacant seat on the DSS board. One applicant has been received by the Clerk to the Board and presented to the Social Services for review. All board members were in favor that the applicant should be brought before the commissioners at the July 17th meeting and hopefully approved.
A meeting was held on June 30, 2017 with Elizabeth Everette Sudbidy Policy Manager, from Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) and the local child care providers for Chowan County to speak about subsidized funding.
Informed of the status of the older youth in extended foster care.
The Director has been accepted into the fellowship program for the Leading By Results training being offered at UNC-Chapel Hill, School of Government. There will be two one week sessions, the first session is October 2 – 6, 2017 and the second is November 6 – 10, 2017. The Director will also be attending a Human Resource Training September 20 – 22, 2017 in Raleigh.
Informed of new procedures for job vacancies. The agency will now receive and screen applications directly at the agency. However, the agency will still continue to post the positions using the NC Works Career Center as required by Statute.
The agency standards will be revised to include language on the travel procedures and new changes from the County regarding travel.
The county has volunteered to participate in an economic improvement project geared around showing techniques that work and are effective in keeping applications and recertifications timely.
The DSS portion for the preliminary County Audit will begin on July 18-20, 2017.

CLOSED/EXECUTIVE SESSION: Mr. Craig Miller made a motion to go into closed session and Dr. Rene’ Smith seconded the motion.

Mr. Craig Miller made a motion to come out of executive session and Ms. Darnell White seconded the motion.

Adjourn – Mr. Craig Miller made the motion to adjourn and Commissioner Patti Kersey seconded the motion.