From:
French, Rick
Sent: 1/6/2021 10:19:09 AM
To:
Clements, Linda <lclements@alexandercountync.gov> Whisnant, Leeanne <lwhisnant@alexandercountync.gov>
Subject:

RE: Technology/Computer Funds & Guardianship Cases


Yes, you can process this invoice as requested on Number 1. Approved. Thanks, Rick

 

From: Clements, Linda <lclements@alexandercountync.gov>
Sent: Wednesday, January 6, 2021 9:07 AM
To: Whisnant, Leeanne <lwhisnant@alexandercountync.gov>; French, Rick <rfrench@alexandercountync.gov>
Subject: Technology/Computer Funds & Guardianship Cases

 

Approval Needed

1.       Last fiscal year, DSS purchased 3 scanners and associated hardware for a total cost of $2,414.87. The ship date was 4/30/2020 but the invoice was not received until this fiscal year.  We tried to pay this invoice with the allotted CPS/APS funds but were unable to do so. That leaves us with a bill that has to be paid from our budgeted funds for technology/equipment. However these funds are on hold per Rick French. We have delayed all other purchases to come from those funds (computers, vehicles, building upgrades) but Finance is really pushing to get this invoice settled. Rick, can we process this invoice from those funds on hold?

Information Only

2.       Adult Guardianship cases and unclaimed bodies. As I reported Monday evening the number of adult guardianship cases in Alexander County has been increasing. One contributing factor is the location of a prison in Alexander County. Often when inmates are released or die, the court has been assigning those cases (guardianship or unclaimed body) to Alexander DSS.  On Christmas Eve a prison inmate died at Frye Hospital from COVID and the body has not been claimed. NC Statute states that DSS must accept and pay for cremation services for any unclaimed bodies (see 2nd attachment regarding the process). I challenged the assumption that incarceration determined residence and Karen Haines located the attached 1st document. We are hoping to prevail and have these cases assigned to the appropriate county but the court has not always been open to our input. If you have any opportunity to advocate on our behalf, that would be great.

 

I hope that we do not have severe weather on Friday!

Thank you for all your support.

 

“Our attitude toward life is the most important choice we make!”

 

Linda Clements

Assistant Director

Alexander County Department of Social Services

604 7th St. SW

Taylorsville, NC 28681

O: 828-352-7667

F: 828-632-1359