Charlottesville                                                               Christine Gough, Chair
                                                                                    Kathryn Gallanosa, Vice Chair

      Social Services                                                              Board Members:
                                                                                   Lisa Brown

       Advisory Board                                                              Rebekah Menning
                                                                                   Cathee Johnson Phillips
                                                                                   Ivy Porpotage
                                                                                   Nikuyah Walker
    City of Charlottesville, City Hall Annex, P.O. Box 911,                        Judith Zeitler
                  Charlottesville, VA 22902



                                                                 MINUTES

                                              Charlottesville Department of Social Services
                                                             Advisory Board

                                                              November 26, 2018

Board Members Present: Lisa Brown, Kathryn Gallanosa, Christine Gough, Rebekah Menning, Mike Signer,
Nikuyah Walker, Judith Zeitler
Board Members Absent: Cathee Johnson Phillips, Ivy Porpotage
Staff Members Present: Diane Kuknyo, and Laura Morris

The meeting was called to order at 12:11 p.m.

Introductions:
The Board welcomed returning member, City Councilor, Mike Signer.

Public Comment:
None

Approval of Meeting Minutes:
The September and October meeting minutes were approved as submitted.

Members’ Report:
Ms. Menning shared that jury selection for the Fields trial starts today and there is a network of volunteers
helping to support survivors.

Chair’s Report:
Ms. Gough shared that she has a new position with the Fluvanna Department of Social Services; but will be able
to remain on the board.

Director’s Report:
Board Opening: Ms. Kuknyo shared that City Council recently appointed LD Perry to the advisory board. She
is waiting for contact information to schedule orientation before the January meeting.

Staff Holiday Luncheon: Ms. Kuknyo invited members to the department’s holiday luncheon that will be held
on December 6th from 12-2 in the S&P basement conference room.

Cultural Competency Team: Ms. Kuknyo shared that the department’s cultural competency workgroup would
like to attend the January board meeting to discuss their upcoming initiatives and ask for board member
feedback.
      Charlottesville                                                    Christine Gough, Chair
                                                                         Kathryn Gallanosa, Vice Chair

      Social Services                                                   Board Members:
                                                                        Lisa Brown

       Advisory Board                                                   Rebekah Menning
                                                                        Cathee Johnson Phillips
                                                                        Ivy Porpotage
                                                                        Nikuyah Walker
    City of Charlottesville, City Hall Annex, P.O. Box 911,             Judith Zeitler
                  Charlottesville, VA 22902

Ms. Kuknyo also shared that the department will be reaching out to City schools to coordinate a training on
child protective services reporting. The schools are the largest reporters and want to make sure they understand
the screening process.

Medicaid Expansion: Ms. Kuknyo shared that as of November 16th the department has received 580
applications for expanded Medicaid. It is estimated that 2,000 city residents will be eligible. Also, 750 parents
receiving SNAP benefits have been identified as “fast track” eligible for expanded Medicaid. They will only
need to answer a couple of questions to determine eligibility versus completing a full application.

New Budget Requests for FY20: Ms. Kuknyo shared that the department has submitted 4 new requests for the
upcoming FY20 budget cycle. The requests are:
    Add 1 new Benefit Programs Supervisor position. Worker positions have been added due to increased
      caseloads and Medicaid expansion; but not at the supervisory level.
    Add 1 new school-based family services specialist position. The department currently has 1 position at
      Clark Elementary and would like to expand to another elementary school. School superintendent, Rosa
      Atkins, supports the request.
    Offer a 3% across the board salary increase to all social services employees. It has become very
      difficult to fill vacancies. The department is competing with employers who can offer higher pay and
      better benefits.
    Add 1 new foster care prevention family services specialist position. The prevention caseload has
      skyrocketed. Current staff are unable to meet the monthly visitation requirement due to the number of
      assigned cases.

Opioid Addiction Listening Session: Ms. Kuknyo shared that the Virginia Department of Social Services
recently held a listening session to discuss the increase in opioid and other drug addictions in the
commonwealth and how it is affecting families. In 2015 opioid-related deaths surpassed deaths caused by
prescription drug overdoses and the trend has continued in 2016 and 2017. Ms. Kuknyo is not sure where it will
lead; but is glad the State is looking at the issue.


The next board meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 28, 2019 in the City Hall Basement Conference
Room.

The meeting was adjourned at 1:29 p.m.

Recorded by:
Laura Morris