00  TELEPHONE (910)875-8725 FAX (910)848-7766  Micka T.S Stanton DIRECTOR  Departmer  Services  RAANGBIO ABLISHED  MINUTES FOR MEETING OF  THE HOKE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL: SERVICES BOARD  April 29, 2024  A meeting oft the Hoke County Department of Social Services (the "Board") was held at 4:00 p.m. on April 29, 2024 in the Commissioners Room located in the County Administrtion Building (Pratt Building) at 227 N. Main St., Raeford, NC, pursuant to notice duly given. The following Board Members ("BM"), constituting a quorum, were  present:  Linda Revels, Chair- Via Phone Harry Southerland Allen Thomas, Jr. Virginia Chason Carl A. Pevia- via Phone  Also present representing the Department were Terry Stanton, Director ofthe Hoke County Department of Social Services; Deidra Hadley, Personnel Tech II; Barbara Mena, Administrative Officer; Tammy Brewer, Family Support Services Supervisor; Nickkia McIntyre, Social Worker Supervisor; Kendra McArn, Social Worker III and Jose  Coker Department of Social Services Attorney.  Vice Chair Southerland called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. and welcomed the Board to this month's meeting. Thereafter, BM Thomas give the invocation. Vice Chair Southerland asked for public comments. There were none. Vice Chair Southerland asked for ai motion to approve the consent agenda. Chair Revels made ai motion to approve the consent agenda consisting of(a) the March 25, 2024 Minutes and Recessed Meeting on April 8, 2024 minutes (b) the next meeting date ofl Monday, May 20, 2024 which was seconded by BM Thomas. The vote was  unanimous.  An Equal Opportunity Employer    COUNT a ntyof Hote  Micka T.Stanton DIRECTOR  $ervices  TELEPHONE (910)875-8725 FAX (910)8 848-7766  Depuay  RALGRE BNE2834340 BIISIED  Vice Chair Southerland asked for the Child Care update from Ms. Tammy Brewer. Ms. Brewer updated the Board on expenditures for March service month. Ms. Brewer reported the total amount spent in preliminary expenditures was $199,828.00. The amount spent in Smart Start was $2,331.00. The amount spent in Non-Smart was $197,497.00. She stated that the current spending Coefficient is 88% (eighty-eight percent). The Unexpended balance in Non-Smart Start is $704,250.00 and Unexpended balance in Smart Start is $6,527.00. Ms. Brewer reported that Child Care still doesn't have a waiting list. Ms. Brewer stated there is 2 more months in this fiscal year to track. Vice Chair Southerland asked ift the Board had any other questions. There were none. Vice Chair Southerland asked for Foster Care Presentation from Ms. Nickkia McIntyre. Ms. McIntyre gave details ofThe Foster Care Department which includes Foster Care, Adoptions and Licenses. In Foster Care we: insure there is no concerns with housing and work with the families on the issues that originally brought the child into care. This could take up to 121 months and ifl longer we work with the Courts until we get ar reasonable Permanency Plan. This could mean reunification with the parent, custody with a relative, an appropriate care taker, adoption or guardianship. Ifaj parent gives up their parental rights, the child will be given services up until they turn 18 years ofa age. Vice Chair Southerland asked, "What do you: mean when you say services"? Ms. McIntyre stated that's most oft the kids have some type of mental health conditions which qualifies the Adoptive Parents to: receive Adoption. Assistance. This allow the children to get treatment up until the age of18. We also have Guardianship Assistance Program for relatives that have custody ofa a child that is related to them. They have to meet certain criteria for these programs.. We have a Licensing Program where we recruit families to be Foster Parents. Chair Revels asked what are the qualifications to become al Foster Parent. Ms. McIntyre explained this process: They have to take 30 hours ofMAPP class, take CPR and First Aid training, the Social Worker does an assessment with the Parents to ensure they have done all the necessary paperwork and training, the Social Worker does a home assessment, the Fire Marshall does al home inspection and once all this is done the paperwork is sent up tol Black Mountain and they give the License to the Foster Parent. BM Southerland asked about Therapeutic Foster Parents. Therapeutic Foster Parents usually come thru private agencies as they must have more skilled training to care for these kids. Chair Revels asked how are we reaching out to get Foster Parents. Ms. McIntyre stated we give out handouts and we are looking toj put something out on the billboard ifit's in our budget. Also, this information is posted on the County Website. Vice Chair Southerland asked ift the Board has any other questions. There were: none. Vice Chair Southerland asked for the Director's Presentation. Director Stanton directed Thel Board to the MOU. Director Stanton explained why 2 items on the MOU numbers were down and how they are being corrected to get the numbers back up. BM Southerland asked about #5 on Child Support. Director Stanton explained this shows the Goal of what should' be collected and what the total collected so far and the amount leftt to collect for the fiscal year. Director Stanton spoke about the Child Support Case and let  An Equal Opportunity Employer    Hos  Micka T. Stanton DIRECTOR  $ervices  TELEPHONE (910)875-8725 FAX (910)848-7766  -  RtCIho BLISHED  the board know that not much has changed and that the State has spoken with him last week and also with Attorney Coker. They are still trying to track down some more information to follow up with this case. Director Stanton gave an update on the remodeling oft the old HATS section. The cubicles will be installed next week. Chair Revels asked for an update on the House. Director Stanton stated we are still working on the purchasing of the house. BM Pevia asked for an update on Vacancies at the Agency. Director Stanton stated, "We are down to 6 vacancies". We got several interviews set up for next week. BM Pevia asked about the agency that was to run the house and wanted to know if they are still going to operate the house. BM Thomas stated that The Board of County Commissioners have several questions about their contract. The Board of Commissioners have put that on hold until the house is] purchased. BM Southerland stated that the County Commissioners Board wants to go back and revisit the contract once the house has been purchased. Vice Chair Southerland asked Director Stanton to give an update on the Budget. Director Stanton stated the Budget was submitted to The County Manager on. April 11, 2024. Vice Chair Southerland asked ift the Board has any other  questions. There were none.  Vice Chair Southerland asked for a motion to adjourn until Monday, May 20, 2024. BMI Pevia made ai motion to adjourn which was seconded by BM Thomas. The  vote was unanimous.  Linda Revels, Chair  Micka T. Stanton, Secretary  Date  An Equal Opportunity Employer