MINUTES Athens County Children Services Board Monday, January 23, 2006 The January meeting of the Athens County Children Services (ACCS) Board was called to order at 5:21 p.m. by Board Chair Ted Foster. Other members present were Karen Carlson, Gloria Devol, Bob Young, Linda Batey, and Robert Troxel. Members absent were, David Lusty (excused) and Margaret Frey(excused). ACCS staff present: Andrea Reik, Sheila Shafer, Barbara Manzi, Bonnie Carroll, Laura Somers, and Laura Bobo. I. Motion to approve the Board Minutes for December 2005. (Motion by Gloria Devol/Seconded by Linda Batey) Approved. II. Motion to approve bills for December 2005. (Motion by Gloria Devol/Seconded by Karen Carlson) Approved. III. Public Comment None IV. Election of Officers for 2006. Ted Foster opened the floor for nominations for Chair. Ted Foster was nominated. (Motion by Gloria Devol/Seconded by Linda Batey) Approved. Calista Strickmaker was nominated for Secretary. (Motion by Linda Batey/Seconded by Karen Carlson) Approved. Marnie Frey was nominated for Vice Chair. (Motion by Calista Strickmaker/Seconded by Karen Carlson) Approved. V. Interim Executive Director s Report Andrea Reik A. Agency Update Welcome to Robert Troxel, ACCS newest Board member. Andrea discussed the lengthy process of updating the agency personnel manual. Her goal is to have the manual updated and present the manual to the ACCS Board for approval in the fall. The manual revisions will reflect changes in current law as well as changes in agency practice. Distributed the 2004 Annual Report which is also on the agency website. The 2005 Annual Report will be out in April of 2006. Andrea reported that the ACCS Board minutes are now available on the agency web site. Andrea made a request that ACCS become a corporate member of Well Works. The joining of Well Works as a corporate member is in line with the current agency policy. Motion made for the agency to join Well Works as a corporate member. (Motion by Gloria Devol/Seconded by Karen Carlson) Approved. The Board was updated on the response to concerns of foster parent Todd Wolfe. Mr. and Mrs. Wolfe received a letter from the agency.
B. 2006 Agency Goals Andrea distributed the 2006 agency goals and will have more discussion at the February Board meeting. She requested input from ACCS Board members regarding these goals. C. Financial Update- Barbara Manzi, Director of Operations. The agency is still finishing up with the expenses for 2005. Barbara Manzi will have information regarding the 2005 balance endings in February. ACCS needs to have an adequate cash balance available at all times to cover agency expenses. VI. Board Committee Report Ted Foster reported that he is structuring the Board to have three standing committees; Finance, Building and Ground, and Personnel. An Executive Committee will be established and consist of the Chair members of the three committees. Board members were asked to sign up for their preferences for committee assignments. A. Salary and Compensation Committee None B. Search Committee- None C. Finance Committee- Met on January 3, 2006 VII. Program Report- Sheila Shafer, Program Supervisor A. Program Update Sheila Shafer distributed a hand out and gave an explanation of the Kinship Permanency Incentive Program which has been developed by the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services. B. Adoption Subsidies Request for a youth for $1318/month maintenance payment through the Title IV-E Adoption Assistance Program until the age 21. ACCS Special Services subsidy not to exceed $1200/year and is dependent on the availability of agency funds. Nonrecurring Adoption Related Expenses to cover fees incurred in legalizing this adoption, including legal and court fees, up to $2,000 as ODJFS rules permit. (Case # 133411) Motion to approve Adoption Subsidy Request. (Motion by Calista Strickmaker/Seconded by Linda Batey)- Approved. Athens County Children Services Board Meeting Minutes January 23, 2006 Page 2
VIII. Old Business A. Board Evaluation Process- Was not discussed. B. Contract with Athens County Sheriff s Office. Andrea recommended that the agency not enter into a contract with the Athens County Sheriff Department for the Family Violence Investigator. Motion made that the ACCS Board will not enter into contract with the Athens County Sheriff s Office for the Family Violence Investigator in 2006. (Motion by Karen Carlson /Seconded by Gloria Devol) Approved. IX. New Business A. Mileage Reimbursement The federal mileage reimbursement rate was set at $.44.5 on January 1, 2006. Current ACCS policy sets the mileage reimbursement rate at the federal rate. Motion was made that the agency mileage reimbursement rate be raised to the Federal rate of.445 cents per mile, effective January 1, 2006. (Motion by Bob Young /Seconded by Linda Batey ) Approved. B. Staff Satisfaction Survey Andrea distributed the results to the Staff Satisfaction Survey that was completed in early November. This is a joint project with Andrea and the Employer/Employee Relationship Committee (EERC). A solution based focus group will be held monthly to address areas needing improvement. The first meeting is January 23, 2006 C. Staff Salary Increases The Interim Director would like a recommendation on the staff salary increase in February, approval in March and new salaries effective in April 2006. A committee will be assigned to work with Andrea to review the agency budget and consider salary increases. D. Personnel I. Family and Children First Council Administrator Motion to make the intermittent, part-time Family and Children First (FCFC) Administrative Assistant position a permanent, part-time FCFC Administrative Assistant position. (Motion by Calista Strickmaker /Seconded by Karen Carlson) Approved. Recommendation is to hire Patricia Strickland for the position. Athens County Children Services Board Meeting Minutes January 23, 2006 Page 3
II. Nelsonville Family Center Aide Motion for the Nelsonville Family Center Aide position to be upgraded to a range 5 Case Aide with the pay of $8.77 an hour. (Motion by Gloria Devol /Seconded by Karen Carlson) Approved. III. Temporary Help Me Grow Service Coordinator Andrea requested that the Board create a temporary Service Coordinator position for Help Me Grow due to a staff member on medical leave. Motion was made to create temporary Help Me Grow Service Coordinator position. (Motion by Linda Batey/Seconded by Gloria Devol) - Approved IV. Resignation of Nancy Hardman, January 27, 2006 and Cassie Dillenger, March 17, 2006. X. Executive Session Executive Session The Board entered into Executive Session for purpose of discussing the Executive Director s contract 7:15 pm. Roll Call: Karen Carlson Yes Gloria Devol Yes Bob Troxel Yes Calista Strickmaker Yes Linda Batey Yes David Lusty N/A Marnie Frey N/A Bob Young Yes All present voted to come out of Executive Session at 7:45 p.m. Motion to approve employee agreement (Executive Director Contract) as is, with an increase of 2% effective January 1, 2006 and after review by the Athens County Prosecutor and Clemans and Nelson. Andrea will be evaluated in November of 2006. (Motion by Karen Carlson/Seconded by Linda Batey) Approved. X. Board Chair s Comments: Ted Foster Board members will be polled regarding the best meeting times and days and will be notified. XI. Meeting Adjourned at 8:15 p.m. Athens County Children Services Board Meeting Minutes January 23, 2006 Page 4
The next meeting will be held on February 22, 2006, at 7:00 p.m. at 14 Stonybrook Drive, Athens, Ohio. Ted Foster, Chairperson Date Calista Strickmaker, Secretary Date Athens County Children Services Board Meeting Minutes January 23, 2006 Page 5