[PAGE 1]
Stanly County
Health and Human Services Board
Regular Meeting Minutes
Thursday, March 5, 2026 – 6:00 PM
I. Call to Order/ Invocation / Pledge of Allegiance
The Stanly County Consolidated Human Services Board met in regular session on
Thursday, March 5, 2026 in the Health and Human Services Auditorium, Stanly
Commons. Chair Koohestani called the meeting to order, providing the invocation and
leading the Pledge of Allegiance.
Present:
County Commissioner Patty Crump
Board Member Diane Robinson
Board Member Neal Speight
Board Member James Link
Board Member Shaun Morgan
Board Member Kristi Small
Board Member Victoria Ramos
Board Member Wendell Drye
Board Member Seena Koohestani
County Commissioner Trent Hatley
Board Member Sharon Efird
Board Member Jennifer Lehn
II. Swearing In Ceremony - Oath of Office
Seena Koohestani, Consumer of Human Services Member Dr. James Link,
Veterinarian Member
Teri Bowers, Notary Public, administered the Oath of Office to Dr. James Link,
Veterinarian Board Member and Seena Koohestani, Consumer of Human Services
Member, both for their first four year term.

[PAGE 2]
III. Adoption of Agenda
Board Member Link moved to Approve, seconded by Board Member Small and Passed
by a 12 - 0 vote.
Result: Passed
Mover: Board Member Link
Seconder: Board Member Small
Ayes: Patty Crump, Diane Robinson, Neal Speight, James Link, Shaun
Morgan, Kristi Small, Victoria Ramos, Wendell Drye, Seena
Koohestani, Trent Hatley, Sharon Efird, Jennifer Lehn
IV. Scheduled Agenda Items
A. 2025 State of The County Health Report
Presenter: Wendy Growcock
Wendy Growcock, Human Services Program Specialist with the Health Department,
presented the 2025 State of the County Health Report (SOTCH). She reviewed a slide
presentation for the Board explaining the requirements and the community health
assessment cycle. She reviewed morbidity and mortality changes since the last
Community Health Assessment (CHA) including diseases which have declined and
increased in Stanly County, while reviewing emerging issues as well. Also, a new
initiative, Kidney Disease Disparity Initiative, was discussed as the Minority Health
Council is addressing higher kidney disease deaths among black/african amerian
residents, stating presentations are being planned to increase awareness and education
across the county. The Stanly County Suicide Prevention Council was established as a
new initiative as well, which is coordinated by the Health Department with community
partners. She also highlighted an event, Golden Shoe, which encourages outside
activity in local parks, that the Health Department sponsors, which starts March 14th,
ending March 28th. After discussion and questions by the Board, Mrs. Growcock was
thanked for her presentation.
After the presentation, Mrs. Clayton announced that Wendy and her team received the
Health Department Excellence award in the 2025 Community Health Improvement Plan
(CHIP), recognizing all the hard work they accomplished.
V. Consolidated Human Services Updates
A. D.S.S. Updates
1. DSS Board Report - January 2026
Mrs. Dolly Clayton reviewed the DSS Report of Services through January 2026,

[PAGE 3]
included in the Board packet, sharing that revenue was at 41% while expenditures were
57%. There are currently 73 children in foster care, Medicaid recipients were up from
the previous month while FNS recipients had a small drop in numbers. There continues
to be issues with finding placement for foster kids, as there are currently three children
being supervised in the DSS office. Mrs. Clayton states they are still challenged with
filling vacancies and staffing across the department. They continue to work on issues in
FNS with meeting timeliness with applications and recertifications. They are currently
working on a program improvement plan. Also, a request for additional staffing was
denied, but will be revisited at the end of March.
Mrs. Clayton passed out the 2024-25 DSS Annual Report to Board members. She
explained this report is done each year and contains numbers of clients served and
information on the types of services offered. She shared that March is Social Worker
month with this years theme, being Social Workers: Uplift, Defend, Transform. She also
gives each social worker a pin at each department to acknowledge the hard work they
are doing. Mrs. Clayton also had flyers on hand regarding the Pinwheel Planting and
Walk Away Child Abuse events on March 31st to kick off Child Abuse Awareness for the
month of April.
B. Health Department Updates
1. Budget Performance Report
Mrs. Clayton reviewed the Budget Performance Report included in the Board packet,
stating revenues were at 44% while expenditures were 55% through January, 2026.
2. Activity Report
Mrs. Clayton had no specific updates for the report. However, she reminded Board
members of the social media strategy they have deployed highlighting all health
department services. In highlighting the great work by staff, she mentioned Wendy
Growcock and the health education team again for their excellent work on the
Community Health Improvement Plan. One of the nurses, Lindy Seiler, completed the
requirements to be designated as a Certified Public Health Nurse. Also, one of the
management support staff received a promotion to Administrative Office Coordinator.
She states the CMARC and CMHRP programs are still scheduled to end at the end of
June, but the local Health Directors association has requested a six month extension
while they negotiate potential contracts to continue those programs. Also, she shared
that she conducted interviews last month for the Deputy Director position and a
candidate selection is being finalized and could be starting soon. She mentioned the
Health and Human Services Strategic Plan finished up in 2025 and will need to be
updated for 2026-28, which will require input from the Board and Partners. Some other
reminders include the Budget Committee will meet soon; Lunch and Learn about
Chronic Kidney Disease is March 19th at the EE Waddell Center, sponsored by the
Minority Health Counsel; the Golden Shoe event starting March 14th.
Mrs. Clayton shared that she has been asked to be a presenter at the Kelly Spangler

[PAGE 4]
public health social work conference at the end of the month at Guilford Tech
Community College, also, she has been nominated to receive the Hometown Hero
recognition later this month.
VI. Adoption of Consent Agenda
Board Member Ramos moved to Approve, seconded by County Commissioner Crump
and Passed by a 12 - 0 vote.
Result: Passed
Mover: Board Member Ramos
Seconder: County Commissioner Crump
Ayes: Patty Crump, Diane Robinson, Neal Speight, James Link, Shaun
Morgan, Kristi Small, Victoria Ramos, Wendell Drye, Seena
Koohestani, Trent Hatley, Sharon Efird, Jennifer Lehn
A. Minutes
1. Meeting minutes from 2-05-26 regular meeting.
VII. Public Comment
There was no public comment.
VIII. Adjourn
Chair Koohestani declared the meeting adjourned.
______________________________ ______________________________
Seena Koohestani, Chair Teri Bowers, Administrative Assistant