COUNT nty of Hoke  Micka' T.S Stanton DIRECTOR  Services  TELEPHONE (910)875-8725 FAX (910)848-7766  Deparhnns  RAPG NE: 28376-0340 AOLISHED  THEI HOKE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES BOARD  September 30, 2024  A meeting oft the Hoke County Department of Social Services (the "Board") was held at 4:00 p.m. on September 30, 2024 in the Commissioners Room located in the County Administrtion Building (Pratt Building) at 2271 N. Main St., Raeford, NC, pursuant to notice duly given. The following Board Members(BM), constituting a  quorum, were present:  Harry Southerland, Chair Linda Revels Allen Thomas, Jr. Carl A. Pévia, via phone  :  Also present representing the Department were Terry Stanton, Director ofthe Hoke County Department of Social Services; Deidra Hadley, Personnel Tech I; LaShonda White, Office Assistant V; Diane Simmons, Program Administrator over Income Maintenance and Child Support, Nickkia McIntyre, Social Worker Supervisor; Tammy Brewer, Family Support Services Supervisor; Erica Sampson, Social Worker Program Manager; Sheryl Thompson, Child Support Supervisor; All ofChild Support Staff and Jose Coker (via phone), Department ofSocial Services Attorney.  Chair Southerland called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. and welcomed the Board to this month's meeting. Thereafter, BM Thomas gavet thei invocation. Chair Southerland stated that Puppy Creek Fire Department will be collecting items to take to  Buncombe County which was affected by Hurricane Helene.  Chair Southerland asked forj public comments. There were none.  Chair Southerland asked foramotion to approve the consent agenda. BMI Revels made ai motion to approve. the consent agenda items (a) the August 26, 2024 Minutes which was seconded by BM' Thomas and BMI Pevia made a motion to approve location of (b) the next meeting date ofMonday, October 28, 2024 at] Dept. of Social Service which  was seconded by BM Thomas. The vote was unanimous.  Chair Southerland asked for the Child Care update from Ms. Tammy Brewer. Ms. Brewer updated the Board on expenditures for August service month. Ms. Brewer reported the total amount spent inj preliminary expenditures was $245,463. The amount spent in Smart Start was $14,563. The amount spent inl Non-Smart was $230,900. She stated the current spending Coefficient is 121% (one hundred and twenty-one percent). The Unexpended balance in Non-Smart. Start is $1,609,734 and Unexpended balancei in  An Equal Opportunity Employer    COUNT ounty of Hoke Departments/Rpg4: Services E RAPFO NE283764340 LISHE  Micka T.Stanton DIRECTOR  TELEPHONE (910)875-8725 FAX (910)848-7766  Smart Start is $99,678. Ms. Brewer stated that the State Rep. sent ai recommendation. The recommendation was that anyone over 96% should start a waiting list. Our waiting list started on September 9,2024. We currently have 15 children on the list. We had to update our Waiting List Policy and it was approved by DCDEE (Division of Child Development and Early Education). The main changes were insufficient funds, insufficient child care providers or insufficient staff were reasons to start a waiting list. Also, wel have aj priority list 1. Care to: support Child Protective Services (CPS),2. Children in Foster Care (FC) to support the Foster parent who is working or in school or the child has a developmental need, 3. Care to support Child Welfare Services (CWS) with a services referral, 4. Mandatory Work First Family Assistance participants with a signed Mutual Responsibility Agreement (MRA-B), 5. Fort teens parents aged 19 and under who are still in middle or high school or attending a Community College to obtain their General Education Development (GED) or Adult High School Diploma (AHS) or 6. Special needs and families experiencing homelessness. Chair Southerland asked fora a motion to approve the Waiting List for Child Care Policy, which was seconded by BM Thomas. The vote was unanimous. Chair Southerland asked ift the Board had any other  questions. There were none.  Chair Southerland asked for Child Support Presentation. Ms. Diane Simmons stated that the month of August is Child Support Awareness. Gov. Cooper signed a Proclamation in August 2023, as "Child Support Awareness Month" govemor.nc.gov). Ms. Simmons also stated she would like for the Board of County Commissioners to sign aj proclamation next year as well to recognize August as "Child Support Awareness Month" for Hoke County. Ms. Simmons called out each worker ini the Child Support Unit. They recently attended a Conference in New Bern, NC. At the conference they received A Certificate of] Excellence Silver Medal Award for Largest Increase in Self- Assessment & Establishment 2024. The Child Support Unit was at 61.10% in 2022-2023 buti in 2023-2024 they went to 82.11% which is above the State level recommendation. This increase was due to the Unit increasing their training, getting monthly reports done, improving their process and taking responsibility. Director Stanton Thanked the Child Support Unit for their hard work. Ms. Sheryl Thompson thanked her staff and their dedication to the work they do and getting it done above the State level. Attorney Coker recognized Child Support for their court performance and how well their cases are done and completed for court. BM Thomas, Peyia and Revels gave congratulations to Child Support on their award and what they do for the citizens ofHoke Co. Chair Southerland also gave a Big Congratulations to Child Support on their award and the work they do. Chair Southerland asked ifthel Board had any questions. There were none.  Chair Southerland asked for DSS Board Appointment. Director Stanton stated he has only received 1 application for the DSS Board and it was from Mrs. Chason. Chair Southerland stated he spoke with Mrs. Chason and she stated she wanted to continue to serve on the Board. Chair Southerland asked for a motion to] Re-appoint Mrs. Chason to  An Equal Opportunity Employer    COUMT gunty of Hoke  Micka T. Stanton DIRECTOR  Services  TELEPHONE (910)875-8725 FAX (910).848-7766  Deparh  RAPRO NE2B364340 ABLISHE  the Board. BM Thomas motioned to Re-appoint Mrs. Chason to the Board, which was  seconded by) BM Revels. The vote was unanimous.  Chair Southerland asked for the Director's Presentation. Director Stanton directed the Board toi the MOU. Director Stanton directed the Board to look at? #8 on thel MOU Work First. Had a few issues in Food and Nutrition, had several workers that came from another county and they needed to bet trained in how) Hoke County does things. The Family Fun Day hasn'ts set ai rescheduled date yet but will keep you informed once the new date has been set. BM: Revels asked Director Stanton to discuss Vacancies. Director Stanton stated that the vacancies have come down from 14 last month to 8 this month. Chair Southerland asked ift the Board has any other questions. There were none.  Chair Southerland asked for ai motion to adjourn until Monday, November 25, 2024. BM Revels Thomas ai motion to adjourn which was secondedi by BMI Revels. The  vote was unanimous.  Harry Southerland, Chair  Micka T. Stanton, Secretary  Date  An Equal Opportunify Employer