Personnel Committee Minutes

Personnel Committee

Minutes

February 12, 2003

 

 

The NCACDSS Personnel Committee held its regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday, February 12, 2003 in room 1068 of the AlbermarleBuilding.  Members present included Ben Rose, ChowanCounty, Dianne Gallimore, AlamanceCounty, Annie Ward, WilsonCounty, Lori Lancaster, WilsonCounty, Jan-Marie Fesmire, ScotlandCounty, and Co-Chairs Jack Jones, LenoirCounty, and Roy Young, UnionCounty. Patrick McCoy from the Office of State Personnel was present as a quest presenter for this meeting.

 

The meeting was called to order at approximately 11:40 AM. The meeting began with introductions.  The minutes of the previous meeting were distributed to members prior today's meeting.  The minutes were approved on a motion by Annie Ward and a second by Lori Lancaster. The motion passed unanimously.

 

Patrick McCoy from the Office of State Personnel was called on to discuss several issues with the Committee.  The first issue was the Social Worker Trainee Class.  Both this Committee and the NCACDSS Executive Board approved a request to request allowing BSW students to be hired by local Social Services Agencies provided they had completed all of their degree requirements except the Internship. The Office of State Personnel will conduct a Pilot Study with approximately ten Counties to examine the effectiveness of such a change prior to making any Permanent Change.  It was discussed that if approved, students appointed as Trainees under this rule would have to complete all degree requirements within the 12 months trainee period prior to becoming permanent.

 

Patrick McCoy then shared two Attorney General Advisory Opinions with the Committee.  The first one states that because it is the exclusive role of the DSS Board to evaluate the DSS Director and because the DSS Director reports to no one other than the DSS Board, it appears it is inappropriate for the CountyManager to evaluate the CountyDirector of Social Services.  In the second unpublished opinion, it was reported that it was both the Opinion of the Attorney General's Office and, to some extent, the Institute of Government's, that the CountyCommissioners cannot abolish DSS positions by name and title, etc.  They can however, reduce funding.  The Authority for appointing personnel, and in the case of a RIF, Separating personnel is the sole responsibility of the CountyDirector.  In essence, the CountyCommissioners cannot target people or positions. A published Opinion is being sought. In addition, the Committee is working on a sample Reduction-in Force policy along with best practices Manual, etc.

 

Patrick McCoy stated that the Office of State Personnel was planning to rewrite the Personnel Manual and asked for representatives from the CountyDirectors of Social Services Association to work with as a sounding board.  Because of the various topics and sections, a different representative may be needed according to the topic and section being rewritten.  Patrick said a Director or Administrative Officer would be an acceptable appointee when the time comes.

 

In a discussion of other issues, it was noted that the request to gather feedback on the success of the Collaborative should be referred to the association staff.  It was also noted that a request by Collaborative Representative for feedback on Criminal Background Checks for Collaborative students was tabled.

Also, revisions to the PD 118 are on hold at this time.

 

There being no further business to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at approximately 12:45 PM.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

Jack Jones and Roy Young

Co-Chairs, Personnel Committee