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Day Care Committee
January 12, 2005
Attendance:
Nicki Griffin Franklin Co. DSS
Denise Hill Guilford Co. DSS
Terry Keene Johnston Co. DSS
Annette Johnson Onslow Co. DSS
Wanda Smith Durham County
Sherry Young DCD
Annie Brame DCD
Regina Watkins DCD
Vickie Jackson Wayne Co. DSS
Fay Lewis DCD
Beverly Mercer Pasquotank Co. DSS
Betty Hamby Craven Co. DSS
Kathy Snethen Orange Co. DSS
Elizabeth Schulz New Hanover Co. DSS
Lisa Worley Pender Co. DSS
Cathy Dillard Vance Co. DSS
Connie McAdams CCN/Chatham Co.
Heather Thomas Randolph Co. DSS
Sandra Tillman Moore Co. DSS
Amy Pike Buncombe Child Care Services
Aliesa Bowman Iredell Co. DSS
Liz White Forsyth Co. DSS
Richie Lewis Harnett Co. DSS
Christine Clinton Harnett Co. DSS
Rhona Caballero Bladen Co. DSS
Tonja Hester Robeson Co. DSS
Linda Leggett Robeson Co. DSS
Carla Bass Robeson Co. DSS
Amie Barham Franklin Co. DSS
Karen Wilson Franklin Co. DSS
Lu Anne Suggs Richmond Co. DSS
Gay Humphrey Lenoir Co. DSS
Susan Moore Lenoir Co. DSS
Liona Allison Alamance Co. DSS
Gloria Cook Wake Co. DSS
Amy Johnson Mecklenburg Co. DSS
Felicia Arline Mecklenburg Co. DSS
Algernon McKenzie Columbus Co. DSS
Al Wentzy Northampton Co. DSS
Jeannine Cormier Davidson County
Della Sweat Cumberland Co. DSS
Richard Everett Cumberland Co. DSS
Mary Smith Guilford Co. DSS
John Eller Swain Co. DSS
Kay Galloway CCRI/Mecklenburg Co.
Patti Stowe CCRI/Mecklenburg Co.
Shari Bryant DCD
Nancy
Guy DCD
The January 12, 2005 the meeting was called to order by co-chair, Nikki Griffin. Ms. Griffin asked if there were additions or deletions to be added to the agenda. It was noted that reversions needed to be added to the agenda. Minutes of the December 8, 2004 meeting were approved with no changes.
Review of Expenditure and Waiting List Reports
Shari Bryant presented the expenditure report and stated that the 97% spending co-efficient was the same as in the previous month for non Smart Start funding. Smart Start went from a 102% to 103% and spending is still on target. There were no comments or questions.
Nancy Guy stated that the waiting list review numbers have been collected and the results will be reported and distributed. She stated that DCD will begin providing an additional monthly report to break out the number of children and amount of subsidy expenditures for children served in the More at Four Program. She reported that thus far there has been $936,746 spent in subsidy funds for 1,528 children this year. This is inclusive of all subsidy funding that ran through DSS and LPA for children served in More at Four Programs. Ms. Guy stated that she will run this report as a regular report and will provide it after the formatting has been improved.
Division Report
Subsidy Services for School Age Children
Nancy Guy reported that NC 4-H served 1,100 children last summer in 104 programs with quality/ accessibility funding. Ms. Guy stated that DCD is examining the possibility of using quality set aside funding to serve school-age children this summer as they did last year. She asked the committee if this is something they want to discuss for this summer. After discussion a motion was made to accept the use of these funds for this summer and move on as soon as possible. The motion was seconded and carried. Discussion points included:
• the short period of time to enroll children which made it difficult;
• locations and sites approved were so close together that programs were competing for the same children;
• determine if zip codes could be used by 4-H to ensure diverse locations;
• parents had other children enrolled in programs not participating;
• April would be the best time to look at slots and provide notification;
• the programs should continue until school goes back into session;
• provider meetings held by the contractor should be attended by DSS and DCD staff;
• funds should be used as additional funds for new children and used as replacement funds; and
• the subsidy rates paid by counties to providers was sometimes higher than the “cost of care rate” received through the grant.
Audit Issues
Ms. Guy discussed the process for resolving audit findings related to subsidy services. She stated that the results of DSS audits are sent to the DHHS Controller's Office. If there is an audit finding related to child care subsidy services, the finding is shared with DCD in order for the agency to respond to the finding. If there are questions about the finding, the Program Compliance Consultant assigned to the county visits the agency to review the finding with DSS staff. Ms. Guy stated that these visits can help to resolve audit findings such as when it is determined that the auditor did not examine all relevant materials. Ms. Guy encouraged DSS staff to talk with the auditors while they were in the agency and to be sure they are making all the records and supporting documents available to the auditor during the agency review.
Legislative and Policy Update
Ms. Guy informed the committee that the Legislature will convene in a couple of weeks and that DCD recently earned that the a legislative committee in the House that was addressing children's services issues included the need for more subsidy funding. A second recommendation was the need for 2 nd and 3 rd shift care. A discussion around the need for additional child care for second and third shift followed. Nancy also reported that the Division's idea for a flat rate proposal could not be submitted as a legislative proposal at this time due to insufficient fiscal data.
Ms. Guy stated that DCD is contracting with NC State University to do a new market rate survey. Ms. Guy revealed that current DCD reports show that 76% of children enrolled in licensed child care programs are enrolled in 3 – 5 star rated programs which is much higher than when the last market rate survey was done. She stated that new subsidy fact sheets for each county have been distributed and asked that if counties are having a problem opening the file to please let DCD know. Ms. Guy also stated that they are finishing the policy on sliding fee scales and scholarship programs and are in the process of preparing the revisions for the Subsidy Policy Manual and are developing new training materials for use in February.
Ms. Griffin stated that two counties have asked questions in regard to eligibility for subsidy services for families during job search while receiving Benefit Diversion. Nancy Guy answered that the current policy doesn't allow individuals to receive child care to seek employment unless the individual is a Work First participant or an individual who is already receiving child care subsidy services.
Denise asked if the income eligibility criteria will go up in October. Nancy responded that the income guidelines will increase in October 2005.
Waiting List Survey Results
Regina Watkins reported the results of the October/November 2004 waiting list survey. She stated that all 100 counties responded and 37 counties sent in results. In conclusion, 98% of the respondents indicated they still need child care subsidy. The category of families/friends/relatives increased in number as the type of care most frequently used while families are on the waiting list.
NC FAST Update
Nancy Guy gave a report on the NC Fast Project and stated that a team of DHHS representatives, including DCD, is interviewing candidates for the project manager position. She also reported that about 300 recruitment packets will be shared with local DSS/LPAs in order to recruit program staff from all different program areas.
Scheduled meetings in upcoming months are: February 9, March 9, April 13 th and June 8 th . February, March and April meetings have been scheduled at the Albert Coates Building in Raleigh .
The meeting was adjourned.
