COUNT Gounty of Hoke 6 Micka T.Stanton Departmen!ot pgial TELEPHONE DIRECTOR Services a a (910) 875-8725 RAEFO) RDNE: 2833 5-0340 FAX (910) 848-7766 OIEED HOKE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES WILL COLLECT INPUT FROM CITIZENS AND PARTNERS TO IMPROVE EFFICIENCY AND DELIVERY OF SERVICES. MINUTES FOR MEETING OF THE HOKE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES BOARD March 24, 2025 A meeting ofthe Hoke County Department of Social Services (the "Board") was held at 4:00 p.m. on February 24, 2025 in the Commissioners Room located in the County Administration 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: Harry Southerland, Chair Carl A. Pevia Virginia Chason Linda Revels Allen Thomas, Jr. Also present representing the Department were Terry Stanton, Director oft the Hoke County Department of Social Services; Diane Simmons, Program Administrator; Deidra Hadley, Personnel Tech II; Barbara Mena, Administrative Officer; Tammy Brewer, Family Support Services Supervisor; Jessuita Williams, Income Maintenance Caseworker II; and Jonathan Charleston, Department of Social Services Attorney. Vice-Chair Pevia called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. and welcomed the Board to this month' S meeting. Thereafter, Vice-Chair Pevia gave the invocation. Vice-Chair Pevia asked for public comments. There were none. Vice-Chair Pevia asked for a motion to approve the consent agenda. BM Revels made a motion to approve the consent agenda item (a) the February 24, 2025 Minutes which was seconded by BM Chason and BM Revels made a motion to approve the consent agenda item (b) the next meeting date ofMonday, April 28, 2025 which was seconded by BM Thomas the vote was unanimous. Vice-Chair Pevia asked for the Child Care update from Ms. Tammy Brewer. Ms. Brewer updated the Board on expenditures for February service month. Ms. Brewer An Equal Opportunity Employer e COUNT Gointy of Hoke Micka T. Stanton Departmen! gal Services TELEPHONE DIRECTOR a à (910) 875-8725 RAPFG 1G2 & 6340 (910) FAX 848-7766 TETES reported the total amount spent in preliminary expenditures was $167,391. The amount spent in Smart Start was $12,085. The amount spent in Non-Smart was $155,306. She stated the current spending Coefficient is 90% (ninety percent). The Unexpended balance in Non-Smart Start is $685,087 and Unexpended balance in Smart Start is $55,605.I stated at our last meeting we had sent out letters to all oft the 71 children on the waiting list and only 19 oft those have responded. Since then we have added 2 newborns to the list. Our spending is still down and we currently have 15 on the waiting list as ofMarch 20, 2025. We have sent letters to those families as well. Vice-Chair Pevia stated only 19 oft the 71 have responded to the letters. Ms. Brewer stated that's correct but they do have 30 days to respond to the letter. Wesent out the letters in February. Vice-Chair Pevia asked, do we know why they are not responding to the letters? Ms. Brewer stated most of them are new clients. Ms. Brewer stated she has transferred some of the Non-Smart funds over. to_Smart Start. We also got another allocation of funds in the amount of $200,507. Vice-Chair Pevia asked ift the Board had any other questions. There were none. Vice-Chair Pevia asked for Discussion and Approval of] Recommended FY 2025 Budget. Director Stanton went over each page of the Proposed Budget with the Board. BM Revels asked ift there were any major changes to Medicaid Expansion. Director Stanton stated we haven'ti received anything as ofs yet. We are asking for a new contract with the Sheriff S office to get 2 new part-time deputies at the building. Vice-Chair Pevia asked are these officers off-duty Deputies? Director Stanton stated they could be retired but still have their, certification. Director Stanton stated the other remaining contracts are the same ones we request each year. Attorney Charleston asked ifthe deputies will be armed. Director Stanton stated that Sheriff Virgil recommended they should be. Attorney Charleston stated the County Commissioners will need to approve this for insurance with weapons. BM Thomas stated, I think they are already covered under Sheriff's Department. Director Stanton stated he will check on that with Sheriff Virgil. Director Stanton stated we are asking for 2 new county vehicles, we will surplus 1 of our current vehicles. Vice-Chair Pevia asked how many do we currently have now. Director Stanton stated we have 8 currently and will surplus 1 vehicle and add 2 more for a total of9. Director Stanton stated we requested funds for a Satellite Office. BM Revels asked which unit or department will be at this location? Director Stanton stated we haven't decided yet and it will depend of the location we find. Director Stanton stated we are asking for $15,000 for Adult Services. These funds will assist Adult Services clients with an open case. The funds could be used for those that don't have Medicaid yet and they need to see a dentist or assist with remodeling at their home. Also, Child Welfare is requesting $14,000. These funds could be used to pay a placement to take a child that we are having a hard time finding placement due to their behavior. Both ofthese requests for funds would be all County funds with no reimbursement. Chair Southerland asked if the agency has funds for families that their house has burned down? Director Stanton stated we don't have funds for that specific reason but if they are clients of ours we try to assist them as much as possible. BM Thomas asked if there are funds for people being evicted? Director Stanton stated we don't have funds specific to that but we do have a housing list at the An Equal Opportunity Employer COUNT deonty ofHoke Micka T. Stanton Departmento ocial Services TELEPHONE DIRECTOR Por B340 (910) 875-8725 RAERO) DFNC283 60340 (910) FAX 848-7766 COISHED front to give them if they come into the agency. BM Thomas mentioned that Southeastern does a presentation and I think we could benefit by hearing their presentation and how they help within the community. Director Stanton stated he would get in touch with Southeastern about the presentation. BM Thomas stated we should have a line item in the Budget just for this purpose only. Chair Southerland stated that's a good idea and having these funds for this purpose is much needed. Vice-Chair Pevia asked will the County Commissioners need the criteria for the funds when we present the budget. Director Stanton stated he would put in the budget for Emergency Housing Funds $52,000. Director Stanton stated we are asking for a line item to cover Events we do in the community and things we do in house like Employee ofthe Month, Employee of the Year and Supervisor oft the Quarter. We are requesting $37,500. Vice-Chair Pevia asked for a motion to approve the Budget with the additions. Chair Southerland made a motion to approve the Budget with the additions which was seconded by BM Thomas the vote - was unanimous. Vice-Chair Pevia asked ifthe Board had any other questions. There were none. Vice-Chair Pevia asked for the Director's Presentation. Director Stanton directed everyone to the MOU. Director Stanton discussed vacancies within the agency. Director Stanton mentioned the Building Committee will meet April gth at 1pm in the Commissioners Room. Also, Director Stanton mention that Mrs. Diane Simmons retirement celebration will be April 30th at The Wright Building 1lam - 2pm. Mrs. Simmons introduced the April Employee of the Month, Mrs. Jessuita Williams. Mrs. Simmons read a brief summary of what her colleagues said about Mrs. Williams. The Board members gave remarks and congratulations to Mrs. Williams on this accomplishment. Mrs. Williams gave remarks and Thanked the Board. Vice-Chair asked Mrs. Simmons her opinion on how the Employee of the Month is doing SO far. Mrs. Simmons stated that the nominations are coming in slowly. Ms. Brewer stated that some are trying to do harder as they see what' s in store if you win. Vice-Chair Pevia asked if the Board has any other questions. There were none. Vice-Chair Pevia asked for a motion to adjourn until Monday, April 28, 2025. BM Revels made a motion to adjourn which was seconded by Chair Southerland. The vote was unanimous. Harry Southerland, Chair Micka T. Stanton, Secretary Date An Equal Opportunity Employer