Baltimore County Department of Social Services Board met June 18.
Here is the minutes provided by the Board:
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Justin Jackson, Sheri Lumsden, Vice Chair; Gregg Powell, Chair; and Orrester Shaw. Attending by phone: Dr. Stefanie Bronson, Donald Gabriel and Dr. Rosalyn Wiley.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Dr. Karen Bethea and Lisa Simon Jablon.
OTHERS PRESENT: Gregory Branch, Director; Mark Millspaugh, Deputy Director; and Kathy Wynn, Executive Secretaty to the Director.
I. Reading and Approval of the Minutes
Motion: To approve the minutes of May 21, 2018 as presented.
Motion by: Orrester Shaw
Second by: Dr. Bronson
Decision: Unanimous Approval
II. Director's Report
Office of Housing
Ms. Parham, Executive Director of the Office of Housing, presented at the last meeting that the Office of Housing was applying for MAINSTREAM vouchers. That application, due Wednesday, will be submitted today. One hundred minimum vouchers and 400 maximum were requested in the proposal. These vouchers are targeted to individuals with disabilities transitioning into independent living.
Ms. Parham received recognition for her work to promote Housing programs and initiatives throughout the State of Maryland. Ms. Parham serves as the Co-Chair of the Baltimore Metropolitan Baltimore Regional Housing Preservation task force. She works with the Brookings Institute to study Regional Housing patterns and develop strategic plans to address systemic issues.
Expenditures for the annual HAP budget are almost at $60,000,000. We are on target to stay within budget.
The budget submitted for next fiscal year was requested at a higher amount. This request is in line with what actual expenses have been.
FY2020 Budget Requests
The deadline to submit 2020 initial budget requests on the State side has passed and the Department submitted its proposed budget within the allotted spending guidelines. Two items were requested above the target amount:
o Request to fully fund the DSS Law Office - these services historically have been an informal partnership between state and local jurisdictions. DSS attorneys are Assistant County Attorneys that work under the County Attorney in Baltimore County's Office of Law. We do not receive full State funding for the county attorneys who work in our office or for their support staff to cover the cost of this office. An additional $171,000 to cover the full cost of the law office was requested.
o Office modernization -Renovations for this building are being funded solely by the County. We have requested that the State provide $60,000 for additional renovation work in our district offices (Dundalk, Catonsville, Reisterstown and Essex). The focus of these renovations is to enhance the customer experience and improve worker safety. Baltimore County Government is providing funding for a software program for the department called Q-Flow, used in Baltimore City and Prince Georges County. Q-Flow allows for quick and easy sorting of clients, providing the ability to monitor and identify any bottlenecks.
The State will review this request and we will be scheduled to present the budget to Department of Health and Human Services (DHS) Secretary Padilla in late summer/early fall. Once this process has been done and notification received that the budget has been accepted, it is submitted to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), then to the Governor. A Power Point presentation of the FY20 budget will be provided to the Board once DHS has submitted to DBM.
Camp Connect
Camp Connect is being held this week for Maryland foster youth. Counselors are there today with campers arriving tomorrow. An estimated 40 kids will attend this year's camp with most being return campers.
They will be coming from nine jurisdictions. We have a number of returning counselors, some of them being graduates of the foster care program. Secretary Padilla is scheduled to attend Wednesday. Deputy Secretary Walters will attend the talent show on Thursday. Dr. Bronson and Dr. Wiley are also attending the talent show on Thursday. Support from Frederick and Washington counties has been secured to assist in wrapping gifts on Thursday when the camp store closes. Nurses from the Department of Health (DOH) will be assisting with medication distribution and basic first aid. Campers leave Sunday.
The manager for comedian and actress Tiffany Haddish was contacted regarding her availability to attend the talent show at Camp Connect this yem·. She was unable to attend this year due to filming a movie. A sponsor would be needed for next year to cover the cost of travel expenses.
Tuition for Foster Youth
Mr. Gabriel inquired if social workers were aware of the state law regarding free tuition for community colleges. Mr. Millspaugh explained that foster youth are eligible for free tuition at any state two year or four year institution for credit and non-credit courses. During this past legislative Session the benefit was expanded for foster youth to include apprenticeship programs. In Baltimore County, our partner who delivers workforce services is CCBC. Our FIA clients are made aware of available courses and paricipate in activities on the Catonsville and Essex campuses. Mr. Millspaugh will follow up to ensure the team is aware of this new law.
III. Old Business
A tour of the first floor remains on the agenda as tentative for the September Board meeting. Renovations are scheduled to be completed by that time.
At the June meeting, Mr. Gabriel asked if the department could honor Mr. Kamenetz by renaming a street sign within the building. Building renovations will provide opportunities, to honor the County Executive.
IV. New Business
Mr. Millspaugh is working on a presentation for the July board meeting on Partnering for Success.
Mr. Jackson attended the grand opening of the Life Center of America located on Harford Road, 21234.
Life Center's mission is to provide the highest quality mental health care to all ages, races, and economic backgrounds. Their website ishttps://www.tlcbaltimore.org if members are interested in viewing some of the programs offered.
V. Remarks of the Chairperson
If a board member knows of a corporation or individual that might be interested in sponsoring expenses mentioned in the Camp Connect report, please forward the information to Dr. Branch or Mr. Millspaugh.
The next meeting of the Board will be July 16, 2018.
VI. Adjournment
Motion: To adjourn the meeting at 5:00 p.m.
Motion by: Mr. Shaw
Second by: Dr. Bronson
Decision: nanimous Approval
Gregory Wm. Branch, M.D., MBA, CPE, F ACP Director
http://resources.baltimorecountymd.gov/Documents/Social%20Services/advisoryboard/dssminutes201806.pdf
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