Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Social Services Operations topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Richmond County contracts with Young Williams for child support services as social services and aging programs face waitlists
Summary
Richmond County's interim social services director reported exhausted CIP and LIEAP funds, 96 children in foster care, and long daycare and meal-service waitlists; the county is funding a Young Williams contract to manage child-support operations and aims to increase collections.
Interim Social Services Director Theressa Smith told the advisory board on March 18 that some county support programs are out of funding and demand for services remains high.
"The CIP and LIEAP funds were expended and there are no more funds available for these programs," Smith said, and noted that child support collections are already over 50% of the projected yearly goal. She reported 96 children currently in foster care (three temporarily housed in the building) and 239 children on the waiting list for day care placement.
Jacqueline Welch, Aging Services director, said budget restraints have closed the congregate meal waiting list and that the home-delivered meal waiting list remains high because of a shortage of volunteer drivers and staff; two part-time employees were recently hired and two applicants for in-home aide positions are being interviewed. Welch described planned activities and events at the East Rockingham Senior Center, including a Wellness Wednesday learning series and a Health & Wellness Fair on April 17.
Tammy Pearson, a Young Williams supervisor assigned to Richmond County, described the private vendor contract that supports the county's child-support program. "The firm has hired three full time staff who are paired with mentors for training," Pearson said, and added that Young Williams is funded through a contract with incentives and salary savings from vacant child-support positions. The stated goal is to improve performance and increase collections.
Board business was limited because the meeting lacked a quorum; the minutes from Nov. 19, 2024 will be included on the next meeting agenda. The advisory board adjourned at 8:20 p.m.; the next meeting is set for May 20, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. in the large classroom at the Richmond County Health Department.
