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DSS reports LIEAP demand, no audit findings; board approves agenda, minutes and adjourns to Feb. 2
Summary
Duplin County Department of Social Services reported meeting state MOU standards, no audit findings, openings for LIEAP assistance with about 30 applications daily, and ongoing staffing vacancies; the board approved the agenda and Dec. 1 minutes and set the next meeting for Feb. 2.
Annie Murrow, speaking for Duplin County Department of Social Services, told the Consolidated Human Services Board on Jan. 5 that DSS met state performance standards under its memorandum of understanding and is "not in jeopardy" of failing to meet state-set performance measures.
Murrow described the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) operations, saying general applications opened Friday, Jan. 2, and that assistance runs through March 31 or until funds are exhausted. "There are ways that individuals can apply for these funds," she said, noting in-person applications, phone applications and the state online portal (ePASS: epass.nc.gov). She said the office was averaging about 30 applications a day during the first days of the program.
Murrow also reported the single-county audit conducted in November produced no findings or questioned costs for Medicaid or the department's finance unit. She cited staff retention as a priority, noting several employees with two to three years of service and saying retaining roughly 80% of Medicaid staff would help the program "continue to flourish and grow." Murrow described scheduled trainings (CPR, de-escalation and customer service) for staff across units.
During questions, Murrow estimated roughly 14–15 vacancies in DSS. Later in the meeting a commissioner checked records and reported an updated count of 18 current vacancies in the department.
Procedural actions at the meeting: Commissioner Garner moved to approve the meeting agenda (seconded by Commissioner Branch); the board approved the agenda by voice vote. Commissioner Branch moved to approve the Dec. 1 minutes (seconded by Commissioner Edwards); the board approved the minutes by voice vote. Commissioner Garner moved to adjourn the meeting and set the next board meeting for Feb. 2 at 5:30 p.m. (seconded by Commissioner Edwards); the motion carried unanimously.
The board also heard a brief status update on staffing and training; no additional formal actions were taken on staffing or program changes at the Jan. 5 meeting.
