DSS Board Meeting Minutes
CALDWELL COUNTY SOCIAL SERVICES BOARD
MEETING MINUTES
March 30, 2010
I. Call to Order
The Caldwell County Department of Social Services Board met on Tuesday, March 30, 2010 in the City/County Chambers at the Alden E. Starnes County Office Plaza in Lenoir, North Carolina for their regular monthly meeting. The Board Chair, Fran Fox, called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. Other Board members in attendance were Kaeti Groome, Ron Roukema, Alden Starnes, and Mattie Patterson.
II. Approval of the Agenda
The Chair called for approval of the agenda. Ron Roukema made the motion the agenda be approved as written. The motion was seconded by Alden Starnes and was approved unanimously.
III. Approval of Minutes
The Chair then called for approval of the February 23, 2010 Board minutes. Ron Roukema made the motion the minutes be approved as written, seconded by Kaeti Groome. The minutes were approved unanimously.
IV. Recognitions
- A. Employee of the Month for February 2010
Mitch Laws, Child Support Supervisor, came before the Board stating it was his pleasure to introduce Crystal Price as the February 2010 Employee of the Month. He stated Ms. Price is an employee who always has a smile on her face. She has a positive, can do attitude and is a true team player that always goes the extra mile. She is enthusiastic and professional at all times. Mr. Laws concluded Ms. Price does a great job for the Child Support Team and the agency.
B. Employee of the Month for March 2010
Child Welfare Supervisor, Peter West, was next to address the Board introducing the March 2010 Employee of the Month, Shanda Woody. Ms. Woody is a Child Protective Services Social Worker "who is highly engaged and committed to the mission, vision and values of the agency." Ms. Woody volunteers to help team mates with difficult tasks and cases and "fixes problems instead of fixing blame." Mr. West went on to state Ms. Woody goes the extra mile in ensuring the safety of the children of Caldwell County and we are very lucky to have such a caring, committed and compassionate social worker.
C. Retirement of Charlotte Deal
Sandra McDonald, Food and Nutrition Services Supervisor, came before the Board stating it is with mixed emotions she inform them of the retirement of long time employee, Charlotte Deal. Ms. Deal began employment with Caldwell County on November 1, 1974 and has spent most of her time in the Food and Nutrition Services unit. She has worked under four different directors in three different buildings.
Ms. McDonald continued it has been an honor to work with Ms. Deal and she is really going to be missed. Ms. Deal takes with her thirty-five years of knowledge which will be hard to replace. Ms. Deal stated "it has been a short thirty-five years and I would like to say thanks to each and everyone for efforts made in the employees behalf. Board Chair, Fran Fox, told Ms. Deal she was very happy for her and she would be missed also stating "you have earned it and enjoy it!"
V. Reports and Announcements
A. Financial Report
Business Officer, Linda Laws, presented the Board with the Financial Report stating we are still maintaining within the budget with three months remaining in the current fiscal year. She stated the demand is still increasing but feels we will end the fiscal year in spending no more county dollars than were allocated. She added we are about to expense out all of our funding and we will be glad to begin a new year. Chair, Fran Fox, stated it is overwhelming to see so many children in our care. Ms. Laws responded it has been a very challenging year.
B. Personnel Report
Director, Joyce Edwards, gave the personnel report stating the agency currently has seven positions being recruited for. There have been seven positions that have been filled since the last meeting. She stated "there is a lot of interviewing going on."
C. Food and Nutrition Services Update
Sandra McDonald, Food and Nutrition Services Supervisor, informed the Board of a change in policy that will allow more citizens to become eligible for services. The change will become effective on July 1, 2010. She stated at this point we have not received the policy but have received the federal funding. Federal dollars will fund two additional temporary caseworker positions for nineteen months each. She stated there is an anticipated 30% increase in the number of cases due to these changes totaling approximately 1900 plus new cases. That will put the total number of Food and Nutrition cases over 8300. This will be in addition to the growth we are currently seeing. Ms. McDonald stated we have a participation rate of 119% based on the 2000 census. Ms. McDonald concluded we expect to see a big increase after July.
D. Celebration of Life
Community Alternatives Program Supervisor, Will Wakefield, was next to address the Board regarding the fortieth annual Celebration of Life. This year's event will be held on Friday, May 14, 2010 at the Caldwell County Fairgrounds in Lenoir, North Carolina beginning at 8:30 a.m. Once again there will be informational booths, entertainment, door prizes and a catered meal. Celebration of Life is held annually for all Caldwell County citizens over the age of sixty in recognition of this population's service to the county. The Department of Social Services coordinates with other agencies in the county and funds are raised through sponsors and businesses. One way money is raised is through the "Lunch Buddy." By purchasing a five dollar "lunch box" tag you are paying for one person's lunch. The tags can be purchased in honor or memory of someone as well. Mr. Wakefield stated this is a wonderful event with an average of six hundred persons attending each year. He formally invited the Board members to attend and informed them more information would come in April.
E. Children's Charity Cup Golf Tournament
Child Welfare Supervisor, Peter West, informed the Board it was time for the 2nd Annual Children's Charity Cup Golf Tournament. Proceeds will help raise the start up funds for the new Child Advocacy Center in Caldwell County. The tournament will be held on April 23, 2010 at Cedar Rock Country Club in Lenoir, North Carolina. Registration will begin at 11:00 a.m. with lunch being served at 11:30 a.m. Mr. West stated we are very excited. This event is a great time to meet folks in the community. He personally invited the Board members to attend stating it "would be nice to have a DSS Board team." The tournament is the last event of several planned for National Victims Week which begins on Monday, April 19th. All registrations need to be mailed to DSS to the attention of Peter West. Check will need to be made payable to Caldwell County DSS with Caldwell County Child Advocacy Center written on the memo line. Director Edwards thanked Mr. West stating he has done a great job in coordinating the tournament.
F. Community Support for Foster Children
Valerie Ackerman, Foster Home Licensing Social Worker, spoke to the Board regarding support for our foster children from the community. We have received many generous donations of quilts and blankets for our children in care. A new donator to the agency is Project Linus, a non-profit organization who provides quilts and blankets to children who have been abused. They made a delivery to the agency in March thirty blankets made from an assortment of materials. All the blankets and quilts have been made by hand. There have been countless quilts and blankets donated in the past several years from Loving Stitches Ministry of Mt. Herman Baptist Church in Hudson, N.C. Ms. Ackerman stated the blankets mean a lot to the children and are a nurturing piece of love. As the children come into care the blankets provide them with comfort and something of their very own.
Another form of support comes from Caldwell People, a group made up of anonymous donors who provide monetary support to the agency to be used for children in Foster Care. The money is used to assist foster children with clothing, items needed for school and other miscellaneous expenses which meet the criteria of the group.
Ms. Ackerman concluded we are very fortunate to have these many supporters and very thankful for all they do to help the children of Caldwell County.
G. Child Abuse Prevention Month
Child Welfare Supervisor, Jack Daulton, informed the Board we will be celebrating Child Abuse Prevention in the month of April. There are several events taking place to recognize child abuse prevention including a TV spot on recognizing and reporting child abuse. The Annual Blue Ribbon Breakfast will be held on April 30, 2010 at the agency and one special person will be selected as the Blue Ribbon Award winner. Mr. Daulton stated he would also make presentations throughout the month and anyone interested in having a presentation made should contact him. He reminder everyone to wear their blue ribbons in the month of April as a reminder of child abuse prevention.
Director Edwards concluded staff have been especially busy, however, as a staff we all feel these extra events are important to the agency and the community.
V. Board Governance
The April Social Services Board meeting will be held at the Department of Social Services on April 27, 2010 due to early voting in the City/County Chambers.
VI. Scheduled Public Comment
No one was scheduled to speak to the Board for the public comment period.
VII. Closed Session
Pursuant to N.C.G.S. 143-318.11(a)(1) and (2) (3) the motion was made by Ron Roukema for the Board to enter into closed session to discuss a confidential personnel matter. The motion was seconded by Mattie Patterson and passed unanimously.
VIII. Adjourn
With no further business, Ron Roukema made the motion to adjourn. Mattie Patterson seconded the motion and the meeting adjourned at 3:50 p.m.
Frances Fox, Chair
Joyce P. Edwards, Secretary