RICHMOND COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT NOPIO : 127 Caroline Street a d D: ROIES Rockingham, North Carolina 28379" Phone: 1-910-997-8300 North Carolina Facsimile: 1-940-997-8336 Health Dept Public Health Cheryl Speight, Health. Director Holly Haire, Deputy Health Director Theressa Smith, Interim Social Services Director RICHMOND COUNTY HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES DATE: September 17, 2024 TIME: 7:00pm LOCATION: Large Classroom and Webinar BOARD ATTENDANCE: Dennis Holloway, Chairperson Cassandra Byers, Daymark Behavioral Health Pat Solomon, public member Thad Ussery, public member Jon Marks, Pharmacist Dr. William Cleveland, Dentist Aletha Lanier, retired Nurse Dr. John Stevenson, retired Physician Evonne Moore, Social Worker Paul Smart, retired Engineer Dr. Rick Watkins, County Commissioner NON-BOARD ATTENDANCE: Cheryl Speight, Health Director Theressa Smith, Interim Social Services Director Jacqueline Welch, Aging Services Director Linda Taylor, Economics Manager Sheila Brosier, Administrative Assistant 1. CALL TO ORDER: Dennis Holloway called the meeting to order at 7:00pm. 2. INVOCATION: Mr. Holloway delivered the invocation for the meeting. 3. CONSENT AGENDA: Mr. Holloway asked for a motion to approve the meeting agenda. Motion Offered By: Thad Ussery Motion Seconded By: Aletha Lanier Motion Carried: Yes Health & Human Services Advisory Board Meeting - September 17, 2024 Page 1 MEETING MINUTES: Mr. Holloway asked for a motion to approve the July 16, 2024, meeting minutes. Motion Offered By: Dr. Stevenson Motion Seconded By: Evonne Moore Motion Carried: Yes 4. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None. 5. COMMITTEE REPORTS: A. Cheryl Speight, Health Director, discussed the Public Health Administrative Report. The Health Department partnered with researchers at East Carolina University to conduct a study on relationship experiences of pregnant or parenting adolescent females between 14-19 years of age. The study consists of a 15 minute secure online survey and all answers are confidential and anonymous. Eligible participants will receive a gift valued at $10.00. Results of the study will help to better understand adolescent relationships. The Health Department is operating extended evening hours on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays each month to accommodate patients who may not be able to make appointments during the day due to work schedules, childcare, etc. This service is funded from a new grant, "Supporting Women's Health Services" and serves to improve the overall health of women, reduce infant sickness and death, and strengthen families and communities. Patients are scheduling appointments during the evening hours, and we expect patient traffic to increase over time. The Health and Social Services Departments are planning its annual Spooktacular event to be held on October 31St from 3:00pm-5:00pm. This event includes various vendors who provide information on health and wellness, and trick or treat trail for the children. Staff decorate the halls and judges will select the best hall and costume. This is the third year and previous events were well attended. B. Theressa Smith, Interim Social Services Director, discussed the Social Services Administrative Report. Child Support collections are on track to meet the target goal of$6,217,270.22 for this fiscal year. A 28-day trial test with Clear location service is being implemented to explore ways to collect child support. The number of children in foster care is stable; however, there has been an increase in the number of children under the age of three. Currently, there are 92 children in foster care with 19 under the age of three. Residents are still applying for CIP funds and an additional allotment of funds was received. Social Services staff are excited to partner with the Health Department in hosting the Spooktacular event. DSS staff are also gearing up to plan new fundraising ideas to support events for the holidays for foster children and seniors in the adult group homes. Health & Human Services Advisory Board Meeting - September 17, 2024 Page 2 C. Jacqueline Welch, Aging Services Director, provided the Aging Services Administrative Report. Ms. Welch announced the addition of a new In-Home Aide worker who was recently hired with Aging Services. The congregate meal sites and home delivered meal program are operating as normal. September is observed as Senior Center Month and recognized in Richmond County by a proclamation signed by the Board of County Commissioners. Kudos to the Senior Center Directors and staff who work diligently to continue ongoing activities, special events and field trips for our aging population. Ms. Welch highlighted some ofthe upcoming events that can be found in their monthly newsletter. She gave kudos to Sharon Morrison and Lirosia Wall for the work they do in assisting seniors with obtaining services. The Home and Housing Improvement Program is ongoing and there are 77 client on the waiting list. 6. OLD BUSINESS: At the July meeting, Ms. Speight opened a discussion with the board to solicit their support for the Drug Endangered Family Taskforce (DEFT) and its initiatives with tracking substance affected infants and endeavors to increase testing on both mothers and newborn infants simultaneously. A motion was passed by the board to submit a letter of support to DEFT for its continued efforts. A letter of support was written on behalf of the board and signed by the board Chairperson. 7. NEW BUSINESS: A. Subsidized Child Care Local Policy - Linda Taylor, DSS Economics Manager Richmond County currently has 209 children on the day care waiting list. Linda Taylor explained the state requires each county to have a policy that identifies how its childcare waiting list will be handled. The waiting list provides a means of allocating services when the Child Care Subsidy Program is faced with limited funding. To qualify for the childcare subsidy program, a family must meet both the situational and financial criteria. Eligible parents are those who are receiving child protective services; involved in an open child welfare services case; have children with special needs; are participating in the Work First Family Assistance Program; foster care parents who are employed; teen parents in high school or parents pursuing a post-secondary education; and families who find themselves without a fixed permanent nighttime residence. Most families, including those receiving Work First Family Assistance, are required to pay a percentage oft their child care costs based upon their gross monthly income. Families exempt from parent fees for the Subsidized Child Care Assistance Program include those involved with Child Protective Services, Child Welfare Services, and Foster Care. These exemptions ensure that vulnerable populations can access vital childcare services without financial burden, supporting the well-being and stability of children in these challenging situations. Health & Human Services Advisory Board Meeting - September 17, 2024 Page 3 Once a local plan is established, it must be submitted to the Subsidized Policy Unit for approval. In addition, the Health & Human Services Advisory board Chair, Health Director, and DSS Director are required to sign the policy. The policy was forwarded to the board with the advance materials for review. Mr. Holloway asked for a motion to approve the Subsidized Child Care Local Policy for Richmond County. Motion Offered By: Paul Smart Motion Seconded By: Pat Solomon Motion Carried: Yes 8. INFORMAL DISCUSSION: Cheryl Speight announced her retirement after 32 years of service with the Health Department. Theressa Smith announced she is appointed to serve as Interim Social Services Director after the resignation of Robby Hall. 9. ADJOURNMENT: Mr. Holloway asked for a motion to adjourn and the meeting adjourned at 8:10pm. Motion Offered By: Thad Ussery Motion Seconded By: Evonne Moore Motion Carried: Yes NEXT MEETING: The next meeting will be held in person in the large classroom at the Health Department. DATE: November 19, 2024 TIME: 7:00pm LOCATION: Richmond County Health Department de / 5 liurfi L Dennis Holloway, Chairperson Cheryl Speight, Health Director Health & Human Services Advisory Board Richmond County Health Department Health & Human Services Advisory Board Meeting September 17, 2024 Page 4