HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 11-02-2006-5kORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: November 2, 2006
Action Agenda
Item No. _~_~
SUBJECT: Work First Block Grant focal Plan
DEPARTMENT: Social Services PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
ATTACHMENT(S): (Under Separate Cover) INFORMATION CONTACT:
Work First Plan Nancy Coston, 245-2802
Gwen Price, 245-2885
PURPOSE:' To consider approval of the two-year Work First Plan for 2007-2009.
BACKGROUND: Work First is North Carolina's cash assistance and employment services
program for low-income families with children and is funded by the federal Temporary
Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant, state, and county funds. North Carolina
General Statutes require counties to submit their strategies for meeting the state and federal
goals through a county plan.
A local stakeholders group was appointed by the Commissioners in. August and this group has
met during the last few months to make recommendations about the needs of Work First
clients and low-income families in Orange County. A draft of the plan was approved by the
stakeholders and was advertised for public comment. This plan will become effective October
2007. The Social Services Board has reviewed and approved the plan.
The Work First planning meetings provided an opportunity for the community to review the
progress being made and to address issues related to low-income families with children in
Orange County. Based on this input, goals and strategies for improving the community
response to these families were developed. Four workgroups met to discuss employment,
transportation, mental health (including substance abuse and domestic violence) and family
well-being. Each workgroup developed strategies to address these issues and all of the
strategies were incorporated into the plan. Some of the strategies discussed included
enhancing on-the-job training programs and incentives for participants seeking employment;
providing extensive assessment and intensive case management services for participants with
multiple barriers; developing additional transportation options for participants in rural areas;
and developing comprehensive interagency plans for participants with mental health issues or
other disabilities.
If approved by the Board of County Commissioners, the plan would be submitted to the
Division of Social Services for review and approval. Plans do not receive final approval until
the General Assembly has an opportunity for input into the process.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact in approving the plan although the plan
does specify priorities for current or future funds available through Work First.
RECOMMENDATIONS: The Manager recommends that the Board approve the plan.
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Orange County
Department of Social Services
work First Co Plan
®ct®ber 1, 2007-Septe ber 30, 2009
Nancy Coston, Director
PO Bog 8181
Hillsborough, NC 27278
919-732-8181
ncoston(a~,co.orange.nc.us
Gwendolyn Price
PO Bog 8181
Hillsborough, NC 27278
919-732-8181
price(a7co.oran~e.nc.us
4
Public Comment Period:
October 2 through October 16, 2006
Work First is North Carolina's program to achninister the federal Temporary Assistance
for Needy Families block grant. A planning committee consisting of representatives from
local government, public,. private and neighborhood organizations, and Work First
participants designed the attached plan to administer Work First in Orange County from
October 2007 to September 2009.
The public may review and comment on this draft plan prior to its submission to the
Board of County Commissioners. Public comments will be received from October 2,
2006 through October l6, 2006. Following approval by the Board, the plan must then be
submitted to the North Carolina Division of Social Services, which will in turn present
the collective State Plan to the North Carolina General Assembly.
Written comments on the draft plan will be accepted through October 16, 2006. Please
submit your comments by e-mail, mail, or in person at the Social Services reception area
office or fax to:
Nancy Coston, ]Director
1'O Box 8181
Hillsborough, NC 27278
919-732-8181 (phone)
919-644-3005 (fax)
ncoston(a,co.oran~e.nc.us
Gwendolyn Price
PO Box 8181
Hillsborough, NC 27278
919-732-8181 (phone)
919-644-3005 (fax)
price(~co.oran~e.nc.us
TABLE OF CONTENTSI. CONDITIONS WITHIN THE COUNTY .......................................................7
WORK FIItST CASELOAD DATA ..........................................................................................................10
WORK FIRST PROFILE ..........................................................................................................................10
LENGTH OF TIME ON WORK FII2ST ..................................................................................................10
H. PLANNING PROCESS ......................:..................................................................................................11
A. PLANNING COMMITTEE ...................................................................................................................11
B. PUBLIC COMMENT ...........................................................................................................................11
C. PLANNING PROCESS .........................................................................................................................12
III.OUTCOMES AND GOALS FOR THE COUNTY ...........................................................................12
A. STATEWIDE WORK FIRST GOALS ........................................................................................:................12
1. Employment ..................................................:.............................:...............................................12
2. Meeting Federal Par°ticipation Rates .........................................................................................12
3. Providing Employment Services ....................................................................:...........................13
4. Benefit Diversion ........................................................................................................................13
5. Staying Off Welfare ....................................................................................................................13
6. Job Retention ..............................................................................................................................13
B. COUNTY DEVELOPED OUTCOME GOALS ...............................................................................................13
IV. PLANS TO ACHIEVE THE OUTCOMES AND GOALS ...............................................................14
ACTIVITIES AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES ...................................................................................................14
EMPLOYMENT STRATEGIES AND RECOMNIENDATIONS ..............................................................................14
V. ADMINISTRATION ...........................................................................................................................17
A. AUTHORITY ...................................................................................................................:.................17
B. ORGANIZATION ................................................................................................................................17
C. FIRST STOP ......................................................................................................................................18
D. CHILD CARE ....................................................................................................................................18
E. TRANSPORTATION ...........................................................................................................................19
F. SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES .........................................................................................................20
G. FAMILY VIOLENCE OPTION .............................................................................................................20
H. IVIAINTENANCE OF EFFORT (MOE) ......................................:...........................................................20
I. CHILD WELFARE SERVICES .............................................................................................................21
VI. EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE ............................................................................................................21
VII. SERVICES TO LOW-INCOME FAMII.IES ...................................................................................22
VIII. SERVICES TO NON-CUSTODIAL PARENTS ............................................................................22
IX. EXEMPTION FROM THE WORK REQUII2.EMENT ................................................:...................22
X. INNOVATIVE COUNTY STRATEGIES ...........................................................................................22
TRANSPORTATION INITIATIVE ...................................................................................................................22
FAITH TEAM INVOLVEMENT ......................................................................................................................23
INTENSIVE TEEN SUPPORT PROJECT ..........................................................................................................23
FINANCIAL EDUCATION AND COUNSELING .......................................:.......................................................23
THE CENTER FOR EMPLOYMENT TRAINING (CET) ...................................................................................23
ORANGE EN'T'ERPRISES (OE) .....................................................................................................................23
ORANGE COUNTY SKILLS DEVELOPMENT/JOBLINK CENTER ....................................................................24
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IMPROVED ACCESS FOR HISPANIC FAMILIES .............................................................................................24
XI. SPECIAL ISSUES ..........................................................................................................................25
AP~El\ L11~ ..............................................................................................................................27
ATTACHMENT 1: MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ORANGE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL
SERVICES AND EMPLOYMENT SECURITY COMMISSION .............................................................................28
ATTACHMENT 2: DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES ECONOMIC SERVICES ORGANIZATIONAL CHART...31
ATTACHMENT 3: ORANGE COUNTY WORK FIRST PLANNING COMMITTEE MEMEERSHII' LIST .................32
ATTACI3IVIENT 4: MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT ORANGE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
AND THE ORANGE-PERSON-CHATHAM AREA MENTAL HEALTH, DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND
SUBSTANCE ABUSE AUTHORITY ...............................................................................................................37
ATTACHEMENT 4: MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT ORANGE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
AND ORANGE-PERSON-CHATHAM AREA MENTAL HEALTH, DEVELOPMENTAL DISABII..ITIES AND SUBSTANCE
ABUSE AUTHORTTY ..............................................................................................................................33
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Work First Block Grant Plan
I. Conditions within the County
Orange County
Orange County has a total area of 401.51 square miles, with 399.84 square miles of land
area. Hillsborough, North Carolina is the county seat and Chapel Hill is the largest
town. Orange County has a population of 122,474. The racial breakdown of the
population for the county based on projections for 2000 is 78% Caucasian, 13.8% Black,
4.5% Hispanic, and 4.1% Asian and Other. The Hispanic population growth in Orange
County is noteworthy. This population group has nearly doubled since 1997, now
including about 5,273 people.
The per capita income for the county is $34,182. The median family income is $42,372,
ranked ninth in the state. Fifty one percent of adults in Orange County have a college
education, the highest percentage in the state of North Carolina. The state average of
adults with college education is 22.5%. In Orange County, 87.6% of the population has
a high school education compared to 78% for North Carolina.
Workforce by Industry (4th Qtr 2005)
Workforce Average Weekly Earnings
Number Percent County State
Agriculture/Forestry/Fishing &
Huntin 192 0.3% $516.00 $494.00
Construction: 2,094 3.26% $626.00 $652.00
Finance/Insurance/
Real Estate: 1,886 3.20% $1,782.00 $1,678.00
Government: 28,242 48.20% $887.00 $786.00
Manufacturing: 1,494 2.50% $765.00 $795.00
Retail Trade: 6,371 10.90% $438.00 $440.00
Wholesale Trade: 817 1.40% $1,013.00 $945.00
Professional & Technical
Services: 2,946 5.0% $924.00 $995.00
Health Care & Social
Assistance: 10,220 17.40% $827.00 $676.00
Accommodation & Food Service 5,027 8.60% $275.00 $243.00
Total Workforce: 58,592 100.00%
(Source: North Carolina Department of Commerce, Economic Policy and Research Division. County
Profile. Available online:
http: //cmedis. commerce.state. nc. us/countyprofiles/countyprofile. asp?county=Orange
Orange County has had 22 businesses either close or lay-off workers within the past 16
months. The unemployment rate has decreased 14% from July 2005-July 2006. The
unemployment rate in July 2005 was 4.4 decreasing to 3.8% in July 2006. Government
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(county, state, and municipalities) jobs account for 48% of the county's workforce. The
current economy with budget shortfalls and major deficits for government has a major
impact on job development and placement.
Business Closings and Permanent Layoffs
Orange County March 2005- July 2006
Company City Product Number
Affected Effective Date Closing/
Layoff
Guiton's Sandwich Shop Chapel Hill Sandwich shop unknown May, 2005 Closing
North Carolina Sports & Chapel Hill Sport bar 11 July, 2005 Closing
Grill
The Potted Plant Chapel Hill Garden store 12 June, 2005 Closing
Honda Specialist Carrboro Auto repair unknown November, 2005 Closing
(aka. Tech Auto)
Steinway Gallery Chapel Hill Framing gallery 3 October, 2005 Closing
Carolina Theatre Chapel Hill Movie theater unknown July, 2005 Closing
Women's Workout Club Chapel Hill Exercise facility 43 May, 2005 Closing
Bounds Dance Studio Chapel Hill Dance studio 7 June, 2005 Closing
Heritage Radiology Chapel Hill Medical management 5 July, 2005 Closing
Associates services
St. Mary Catholic School Hillsborough School unknown May, 2005 Closing
UNC Health Care Chapel Hiil Hospital 40 June, 2005 Layoff
Gardendance Hillsborough Garden statuary 3 June, 2006 Closing
Southern Solutions Hillsborough Produce unknown March, 2006 Closing
Produce
General Nutrition Center Hillsborough Vitamin unknown May, 2006 Closing
supplements
Traditions Chapel Hill Bridal shop unknown June, 2006 Closing
Shoes at the Square Chapel Hill Shoe store 8 July, 2006 Closing
Riggsbee-Hinson Furniture Carrboro Furniture store 2 March, 2006 Closing
Company
Pace Gift Shop Chapel Hill Gift shop 9 January, 2006 ,Closing
Critic's Choice Hillsborough Video rentals 4 May, 2006 Closing
John G. McCormick PA Chapel Hill Law office 6 July, 2006 Closing
Chandler Soil Consultants Chapel Hill Consulting firm 1 July, 2006 Closing
(Source: Employment Security Commission of North Carolina)
The high cost of home ownership and the lack of safe, affordable rental housing continue
to be a major issue for low-income families in Orange County.. The average cost of a
home in Orange County is $212,050 and the median cost is $320,000. Rental households
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face serious challenges with high costs, inadequate supplies, and competition with
university students for limited housing stock.
Transportation to and from work, childcare transportation, and access to childcare
continue to be key issues for low-income families. Lack of transportation is a major
barrier in assisting families' transition from dependency to independence. The market
rate for a five star childcare center for an infant exceeds $13,000 per year, which does not
include Smart Start Enhancement Funds. Many families need help paying the cost of
quality childcare. Without childcare assistance, low-income families will not be able to
pay 50% of their income for childcare. After school care and care during holidays and
inclement weather days present major hardships for families.
In April 2006, the Workforce Development Workgroup held two focus group outreach
meetings with Orange County residents. These residents were unemployed,
underemployed, or actively seeking jobs. They were asked their views on becoming
gainfully employed and to provide potential solutions to those obstacles.
The meetings highlighted several identified barriers faced by this population. The
following are some of the barriers mentioned.
Barriers:
• Child care (5:30 pick-up is too early if you are commuting)
• Lack of full time opportunities-especially jobs with benefits and livable wages
• Lack of feedback/communication once a resume or application is submitted
• Transportation, lack of car and expense
• Jobs that require training- how to live and support family during training
• Lack of direct work experience in field
• No internships unless you are a student
• Criminal record
• Lack of education
• Intense competition for best jobs
• Unhealthy coping habits/substance abuse
Highlighted solutions from the group were:
• Nightlflexible hour daycare
• Educating employers about advantages of hiring older/more experienced workers
• Internships for non-student workers
• Provide job specific training or on the job training
• Identify and make readily available all resources available to job seekers
• Encourage business owners to consider employing unemployed persons first
• Provide training that is short term with flexible hours
• Company supported educational opportunities
• Provide employers with incentives for allowing flexible hours
• Educating employers regarding the benefits of providing child care incentives
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The information gathered from the group provided an in depth view and understanding of
family service needs to enable them to be more self-sufficient.
Orange County's current Work First population faces major obstacles in obtaining and
retaining employment: Work First participants are competing for jobs with a highly
skilled workforce. Unskilled and semi-skilled workers without a high school diploma
and a recent connection to the workforce are unable to obtain jobs that provide a living
wage. Barriers such as substance abuse, criminal records, and chronic physical and
mental health problems have no quick fix. Frequently, individuals have faced more than
one of these barriers. They are able to resolve them as a result of participant
commitment, adequate resources, and over time.
A profile of our Work First caseload is described below:
Work First Caseload Data
Cases with an adult recipient 166
Child-only cases 157
Total cases 323
Total recipients 697
Work First Profile
• 95% are women, 5% are men
• 50% are under age 30, 50% are over
• 50% have high school diploma
• 56% live in Northern Orange
• 44% live in Southern Orange
• On average families have one child
• Average payment $215
Length of Time on Work First
• 0-6 months - 47%
• 7-12 months - 16%
• 13-24 months - 13%
• 25-36 months - 7%
• 37-48 months - 4%
• 49-60 months - 2%
• Over 60 months-11
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II. Planning Process
A. Planning Committee
The full listing of participants can be found in Attachment 3. Organizations and
individuals represented on the planning committee include:
Board of Social Services
Caring Family Network
Child Care Services Association
Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools
Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of
Commerce
Communities in Schools
Durham Tech
Dispute: Settlement Center
Economic Development Commission
Educational Opportunity Center
Employers
Employment Security Commission
Habitat for Humanity
Horizons
HR Consulting
Interfaith Council
Joint Orange-Chatham Community
Action Agency
OC Friends of the CFW
OC Housing & Community
Development
Orange County Department of Social
Services
Orange County Health Department
Orange-Person-Chatham Mental Health
Orange Community Housing & Land
Trust
Orange County Health Department
Orange County JobLink
Orange County Literacy Council
Orange County Assistant Manager
Orange County Child Support
Orange County Schools
Orange County Public Transportation
Orange Enterprises, Inc.
Regional Partnership Workforce
Development Board
Teen Parent Expansion Program
The Women's Center
Town of Chapel Hill
Town of Chapel Hill Department of
Housing
UNC Health Care
UNC-CH
WF Participants
S. Public Comment
The Orange County Work First Plan was available at several locations in the
county for public comment from October 2 through October 16, 2006. The plan
was available at the Orange County Public Libraries, Government Services
Center, Skills Development Center, Southern Human Services Center, Orange
County Department of Social Services and all pla~uling partners. Notification was
made to the public that the plan was available for public comment by advertising
in the News of Orange, the Chapel Hill News and The Herald Sun. The plan was
also available on the Internet at http://www.co.orange.nc.us/socsvcs/wfplan.htm
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C. Planning Process
Orange County Board of Social Services submitted recommendations for the
planning committee to the Orange County Board of County Commissioners on
July 17, 2006.On August 22, 2006, the Board appointed 73 members to the Work
First Block Grant Planning Committee. Four work group meetings with
community leaders and Work First participants were held on September 14, 2006,
September 18 & 19, 2006 and September 25, 2006. Recommendations from the
four work group meetings were shared with the planning committee on September
27, 2006.
More than 50 people representing a wide variety of community organizations
attended the first meeting on September 8, 2006 at the Southern Human Services
Center in Chapel Hill. The first meeting provided an overview of changes in
Work First policy and the impact of the Deficit Reduction Act. Sherry Bradsher,
Director for NC Division of Social Services, presented on the changes. DSS staff
presented an overview of Work First in Orange County along with barriers, issues
and concerns facing Work First participants. Committee members signed up for a
choice of four work groups exploring strategies and opportunities in the area of
employment, transportation, mental health, substance abuse, domestic violence,
and family well-being.
On September 27, 2006 with more than 50 people attending, committee members
heard presentations from the four work group meetings. These strategies and
recommendations were approved as the plan to achieve the county's outcomes
and goals.
III.Outcomes and Goals for the County
A. Statewide Work First Goals
The North Carolina Division of Social Services, in consultation with the
county department of social services and county board of commissioners,
established acceptable levels of performance for Orange County in meeting
the following six Work First goals:
1. Emnloyment. Self-sufficiency will be realized primarily through the
employment of Work First clients.
The 2005-06 goal for Orange County is 100 people entering employment.
2. Meeting Federal Participation Rates. Active participation in federal
countable work activities will lead to full time employment.
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3. 3. Providing Employment Services. Active participation in intensive
employment services for all families in order to meet the participation rate and
to ensure families are served adequately before the end of five years.
The 2005-06 goal for Orange County is to provide services to 80% of all parent caseload
and 100% of the 2 parent caseload.
4. Benefit Diversion. The most successful outcome possible is for an applicant
to avoid the need to become a recipient.
The 2005-06 goal for Orange County is to provide benefzt diversion se~°vices
for 129 cases.
5. Staving Off Welfare. Efforts to' reduce welfare rolls, help adults fmd jobs,
and increase self-sufficiency are undernuned when families return to welfare.
Families leaving Work First because of a job are tracked to determine if they
rettiu~n to cash assistance.
The 2005-06 goal for Orange County is 90% of the caseload still wo~°king
after 12 months.
6. Job Retention. Families who leave Work First for employment and continue
to be employed 6 to 12 months after leaving the program show evidence of
keeping their income and increased job stability, which impacts a family's
well being. This measure will be based on the number of responsible adults
that leave Work First Family Assistance for employment who are still
employed at 6 and 12 month intervals following termination.
The goal for Orange County is to have 60% of the caseload still working at 6
months and 50% at 12 months.
B. County Developed Outcome Goals
The Work First Planning Committee recommended to the County Commissioners
that the following outcome goals be adopted. The Department of Social Services
shall continue to uphold its mission to provide quality services to the citizens of
Orange County. Specifically, the Department of Social Services should do so by
seeking to assist Work First participants in obtaining and maintaining
employment, meeting federal and state goals pertaining to employment and job
retention, and helping families meet the basic physical, social, educational, health,
and economic needs of children and adults who comprise Work First families.
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IV. Plans to Achieve'the Outcomes and Goals
Activities and Supportive Services
A. Activities
Employment Strategies and Recommendations
Outcome: Develop opportunities for Work First participants to improve their
employability through subsidized and unsubsidized employment, on-the job
training, work experience, job searches, job readiness and community services.
a. Build relationships with employers
b. Educate employers on tax incentives and on-the job training
• c. Develop a relationship with local employers to offer mock interview
sessions with Work First participants
d. Develop job readiness skill building program that addresses behavior,
communication, job seeking and job retention
e. Utilize former Work First participants as mentors and provide
opportunities for them to share their employment success stories
f. Implement on-the job training program
g. Establish an incentive program for participants to encourage job
placement
h. Match skills and interest of participants with available job openings or
entrepreneurship
i. Develop more training opportunities for skill building to participants
through work experience
j. Develop more work experience sites
k. Create a mechanism for screening and assessing clients knowledge, skills
and abilities
1. Provide retention services for six months
a. Build partnerships with Chamber of Commerce, Department of Labor, Job
Link Center and Employment Security Commission working with TANF
eligible families
S. Supportive Services
Outcome: Provide training programs that will increase the employability of Work
First Participants and their ability to locate and maintain employment.
a. Develop a structured employment preparation program leading to a
certificate of completion
b. Offer vocational skills training to Work First participants
c. Continue faith community partnering program
d. Collaborate with Wheels for Work and driver's training program
e. Collaborate with community agencies and make referrals as appropriate
f. Develop job coaching and mentoring programs for hard to place
participants
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g. Provide intensive employment services for the hardest to serve
participants which include vocational assessment, job placement, and
follow-up
h. Offer incentives for participants working on a General Equivalency
Diploma (GED) and encourage employers to hire participants working on
their diploma
i. Ensure participants have an awareness of transportation resources
j. Advocate for the needs of participants through public forums and poverty
forums in an effort to gain community support on issues
k. Research early drop-off childcare issue. Explore using other centers
Outcome: Improve access to transportation for employment, vocational training
and child care for Work First Families.
a. Identify current van pooling routes within Orange County
b. Utilize van pooling for participants living and working in same proximity
c. Explore other transportation systems traveling to Orange County such as
Caswell, Person and Chatham
d. Collect information on existing transportation systems such as Triangle
Transit Authority, Orange Public Transportation and Chapel Hill Transit
e. Contract for Work First drivers for improved access
f. Assist in marketing efforts for Triangle Transit Authority, Orange Public
Transportation and Chapel Hill Transit
g. Advocate for expanded resources for rural services
h. Enhance mass transit efforts by connecting short routes with longer routes
(connecting Orange Public Transportation with Triangle Transit Authority
i. Enhance the car donation program
j. Encourage financial education for Work First participants receiving car
donations or assist in purchasing a car
k. Assist Work First participants with down payment when financially
possible
Outcome: Develop intervention strategies that empower and strengthen families
through the acquisition of basic necessities such as housing, nutrition, health,
child care, support networks, relationship building, life skill and communication
skill building, financial literacy and engaging involvement from non-custodial
parents.
a. Expand our job readiness model to include role playing, health and
literacy, family plaru~ing, budgeting, conflict resolution, credit counseling
and self assessment
b. Provide client information about educational resources which include
literacy council, computer training, general equivalency diploma, finances,
nutrition and father read, mother read and baby read programs
c. Utilize resources in the community that exist by utilizing in home visit
groups with the Health Department and Cooperative Extension Service
d. Follow up to ensure clients are aware and educated on the importance of
establishing paternity and child support payments
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e. Ensure staff are aware of gender specific issues as related to self esteem
and the ability to set goals
f. Provide all Work First participants with a small personal hygiene bag
during job readiness training
g. Expand and network more in the faith-based community
h. Utilize resources in the community that provide work adjustment services
such as job coaching and job mentoring
Outcome: Increase employability and sustainability for participants with mental
health, substance abuse and domestic violence issues through treatment planning
and supportive services.
a. .Conduct thorough family assessments
b. Provide domestic violence, mental health and substance abuse screenings
and referrals for counseling when appropriate
c. Develop an upfront process for obtaining driver licenses, state
identifications and criminal record checks needed for employment
d. Identify Work First participants receiving services from other community
agencies as well as Child Protective Services to build a strong
collaborative network and develop a combined treatment plan
e. Develop a comprehensive treatment plan for Work First participants being
served by multiple agencies through a collective team approach
f. Improve relationship with Vocational Rehabilitation to assist families in
improving employment opportunities
g. Ensure Work First participants are aware of their rights and
responsibilities
h. Work with Work First participants to find their own advocates for
disability related paperwork
Outcome: Provide individualized case management services that ensure the
safety and development of children.
a. Connect Families To Parenting
^ Explore the possibility of teaching parenting skills that relate to the
support of a child throughout elementary and secondary school
years
^ Encourage parents to become comfortable working within the
school system to address problems that may arise and to become
an advocate for their child's need
a. b. Child care
^ Encourage parents to become a partner with their childcare
provider, in an attempt to put parents in the role of a school
involved parent
^ Explore the possibility of faith-based teams becoming involved as
mentors in this regard
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^ Identify family mentoring programs that may be currently
available and determine gaps in services
^ Provide resources to cover the cost of care while participants are
looking for work
^ Identify a strategy to help parents with~the cost associated with
outstanding balances on parent fees
^ Offer scholarships for school age children
^ Continue current subsidy programs
^ Advocate for an additional subsidy for low-income families
^ Develop individualized plans for parents with special child care
needs
^ Ensure the DSS Board monitors the progress of the community on
the child care recommendations
b. c. Other supportive services
^ Expand services to teens which include pregnancy prevention and
parenting
^ Provide emergency assistance for Work First eligible families
(200% FPL)
^ Provide short-term diversion assistance for up to three months
V. Administration
A. Authority
Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted unauinlously on
August 22, 2006 to remain a standard county. The Orange County
Department of Social Services will have the authority for administration of the
Work First Program.
B. Organization
A copy of the Orange County DSS organizational chart has been attached to
this document (Attachment 2). The Program Manager has primary oversight
for the Work First Program. The Program Manager reports to the Economic
Services Director. The main office for the Department of Social Services is
located at 300 W. Tryon Street in Hillsborough, the county seat. Services are
also available through our satellite office at 2501 Homestead Road in Chapel
Hill. A number of employment and training agencies, including Work First
and Employment Services, are co-located at the Orange County Skills
Development/JobLink Center.
A generic intake worker interviews Work First applicants when they appear at
either the Hillsborough or the Southern Orange Social Services office in
Chapel Hill. Their circumstances are assessed to determine whether diversion
assistance is appropriate or an application for ongoing assistance should be
18
initiated. The intake worker also assesses other needs such as Food Stamps,
Medicaid, etc. When an application is taken, it is assigned to a Processing
worker who determines eligibility, continues the Work First process, and
responds to any other needs that arise. During the interview process a non-
exempt Work First applicant is scheduled for orientation and work
preparation. Work First Cash Assistance and Employment Services are
consolidated into one unit to further enhance the agency's ability to meet
performance ,goals. Work First Employment Services social workers work
with non-exempt individuals during the processing period and provide the
appropriate supportive services needed to help families make the transition
from welfare to work.
The Skills Development/JobLink Center is a broad-based skills training and
employment assistance program accessible to Work First participants and
other Orange County citizens. Co-located in the Center are staff from Durham
Technical Community College, Employment Security Commission, Orange
County Literacy Council, Joint Orange Chatham Community Action Agency
(JOCCA), Good Work, OC Disability Awareness Council, Educational
Opportunity Center, Veteran Services, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation,
and Work First. The Center staff provide job training, career interest
assessments, job readiness, job search, workforce investment act,
unemployment insurance benefits, and job placement services. The
Department of Social Services is the lead agency with oversight for the
Center.
C. First Stop
First Stop is designed to assist applicants and Work First recipients in
becoming employed. All non-exempt Work First applicants and recipients are
required to register with the Employment Security Commission, follow
through on job referrals, and attend work preparation workshops.
First Stop registration is conducted at the Employment Security Commission
office in Hillsborough and the Skills Development/JobLink Center in Chapel
Hill. A copy of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Employment
Security Commission and the Orange County Department of Social Services
is attached (Attachment 1). Orange County has entered into a contract with
the Employment Security Commission to provide a continuum of services
including job search and job preparedness at the Skills Development/JobLink
Center.
D. Child Care
Orange County Social Services provides day care subsidy payments to eligible
families as defined by federal, state and local policy. When insufficient funds
19
are available to meet demand, a waiting list is implemented. The following
policy outlines the priority for payments when a waiting list is in place.
1. Child Protective Services (CPS) active cases to support protection plan.
2. Children in OCDSS custody (Foster Care) to support employment of
caretaker or other need.
3. Children placed with relatives to avoid foster care placement when CPS
case is active, to support employment or other need category (These are
children who qualify for Child Welfare Services child care in order to
prevent foster care.)
4. Work First Family Assistance (WFFA) recipients employed at least 30
hours per week.
5. WFFA recipients participating in Work First Employment Services
(WFES) approved activities or training.
6. Teen parents who need child care to complete High School Education or
its equivalency.
7. To support employment. Priority is given to those employed full-time.
8. To support education or training leading to employment.
9. Children who need child care for their Developmental Needs.
Orange County is currently serving families through and including number 6.
State regulations require that certain funds be set aside each year to serve children
with Special Needs. Once these set aside funds are expended, children with special
needs are placed on the waiting list in the appropriate category.
E. Transportation
Ongoing communication exists between DSS and Orange Public
Transportation, the local transportation agency. DSS staff members serve on
the local transportation board and articulate the needs of Work First
participants during transportation planning sessions. In addition, DSS has an
agreement with OPT for the services of a transportation mobility manager to
develop individual transportation plans.
As a result of the collaboration, local transportation routes have been
expanded to meet the needs of some Work First participants and the Wheels
for Work Program was developed. The Wheels For Work Program matches
donated vehicles with low income working families, and .assists low income
working families with car repairs. The program was developed in
collaboration with the Orange County Commission for Women, Orange
Public Transportation, Triangle Residential Options for Substance Abusers
(TROSA), and Orange County DSS.
20
There is no cost to riders using the Chapel Hill Transit System. Work First
participants living and working on the bus line take advantage of this service.
For Work First families living outside of the Chapel Hill Transit System,
transportation continues to be a major barrier.
Work First participants with access to personal vehicles receive a mileage
reimbursement. Others carpool, vanpool, utilize Orange Public
Transportation or Triangle Transit Authority. NC Department of
Transportation grant funds are used to meet the various transportation needs
of former Work First participants.
F. Substance Abuse Services
Orange Person Chatham (OPC) Area Mental Health Authority received
funding to continue the on-site Qualified Substance Abuse Professional
(ASAP) position in Orange County. OPC Mental Health will continue to
provide substance abuse services to Work First families through contract
services. As part of mental health reform, OPC Mental Health Authority
contracted with Caring Family Network (CFN) to perform the initial screening
and assessment of Work First participants. A representative from CFN will be
on site two days per week and will be available by telephone.
Orange County DSS works closely with UNC-Hospitals, Horizons, and
Sunrise staff for residential and outpatient treatment services for Work First
participants. A copy of the Memorandum of Agreement between OPC Area
Mental Health and Orange County Department of Social Services is attached
(Attachment 4).
G. Family Violence Option
Orange County DSS has a contract with the Family Violence Prevention
Center of Orange County to provide full assessments of domestic violence,
counseling and support group sessions, and coordinate any needed services
such as emergency housing, transportation, and legal services.
H. Maintenance of Effort (MOE)
Orange County will utilize Maintenance of Effort funds to support activities
that will lead to employment and self-sufficiency. Some of the services and
programs earmarked for funding are:
• Salaries and fringe benefits for Work First Cash and Employment staff,
and some emergency assistance staff
• Professional services contracts with vendors and community service
agencies that serve Work First families
• New initiatives identified during the year by the Block Grant Planning
Committee
21
Participant expenses related to education, training, job readiness, job
retention, and other expenses directly related to participants obtaining and
retaining employment
Emergency assistance services
Day care services for eligible children aimed at employment and
employment preparation
I. Child Welfare Services
Economic Services and Child Welfare Units will collaborate to ensure the
safety and well-being of children. Orange County will spend over $394,830
of the Work First Block Grant for Child Welfare Services.
VI. Emergency Assistance
Orange County will provide emergency assistance to families based on the
following criteria:
• The family has a child who lives with a relative as defined for Work First
Cash Assistance.
• Total gross income does not exceed 200% of the poverty level.
• Family members meet the citizenship requirements as outlined in Work
First Cash Assistance.
• Assistance for medical care will be provided with maintenance of effort
dollars.
• Meet the income and asset limits. (The asset limit is $3,000 in resources
that can be readily converted to cash in five days.)
• Be in an emergency situation.
• Not have received Work First-EA within the past 6 consecutive months.
An emergency situation includes but is not limited to:
• Homelessness or in immediate danger of becoming homeless,
• Utility disconnection received,
• Loss of employment,
• Catastrophic illness,
• Loss of supporting family member,
• Natural disaster, or
• A child at risk of being deprived of the basic necessities.
TANF-EA is used for non-recurring, short-term needs.
Services provided include housing, food, and utility assistance. Benefits will be
in response to a specific episode of need and will not meet the federal definition
of assistance.
22
VII. Services to Low-Income Families
Orange County DSS will provide services to low-income employed families at or
below 200% of poverty. Services may include transportation or transportation
related expenses, work attire, tools, shelter cost, or utility assistance, domestic
violence services, and any other employment retention assistance.
VIII. Services to Non-Custodial Parents
Orange County Department of Social Services is committed to providing
assistance in the development of an initiative to serve non-custodial parents. We
recognize that the need for child support in Work First families is critical to them
becoming and remaining self-sufficient. There are 323 Work First families at any
one time. Of this number there are about 300 non-custodial parents, generally
fathers. Of the 300 non-custodial parents, there are 157 child-only cases with
both parents absent. Orange County, will implement anon-custodial parent
program to improve the employment skills and enhance parental responsibility for
the emotional and financial well being of children.
Program participants must be anon-custodial parent of a Work First child with
income at or below 200% of poverty, and a US citizen or an eligible alien.
Program participants will be identified through Child Support Enforcement. The
program's initial focus will be on fathers.
The fatherhood initiative will enable non-custodial fathers of Work First children
to take more responsibility for their children. The Work First Block Grant
Planning Corrunittee believes that with county and nonprofit agency partnerships,
this program will help to improve the lives of Work First non-custodial parents,
their children, and custodial parents.
IX. Exemption from the Work Requirement
Orange County will continue to exempt all single parents with children under the
age of one for a lifetime limit of 12 months. Individuals with children under the
age of one who are working 30 hours per week are not eligible for this exemption.
If the single parent loses their job, they may reclaim the exemption for a lifetime
maximum of 12 months.
X. Innovative County Strategies
Transportation Initiative
A transportation coordinator works individually with Work First clients to arrange
transportation for employment or other work-related activities. This position is
funded in collaboration with Orange Public Transportation and Work First. In
addition, this position coordinates the Wheels for Work Car Donation Program.
23
Thirty-six Work First participants and 12 working low-income families received
cars in fiscal year 2005-2006. Transitional Funds from NC Department of
Transportation were used to assist 47 former Work First participants in obtaining
and maintaining transportation resources.
Faith Team Involvement
Orange County has a contract with Morgan and Associates to identify and train
faith-based teams, and match the teams with Work First families. The goal of the
program is to offer support to Work First families as they seek or maintain
employment. Ten churches, some with multiple faith teams, have been matched
with Work First families. Work First families and faith teams have benefited
from the partnership. Families have received assistance in obtaining a driver's
license, obtaining a GED, attending AA meetings, enjoying social events together,
job preparation assistance, transportation assistance, certificates for food, camp
for children, assistance with children's school assignments, and more.
Intensive Teen Support Proiect
This project was designed to expand the case management services to pregnant
and parenting teens. Research studies support that intervention and preventive
services to teens significantly impact school attendance, employability, and out of
wedlock births: The Orange County School System has a social worker to
facilitate a school based support group for teen parents and at risk students
focusing on pregnancy prevention, health and academic and career planning
issues.
Financial Education and Counseling
The DSS has a contract with H. R. Consulting and the Women Center to teach
financial life skills and household management. The goal of the programs is to
assist families in developing the capacity to track and prioritize expenditures and
become independent.
The Center For Employment Training (CET)
Orange County has a contract with CET to provide Work First participants
training in the areas of Automated General and Medical Office Skills, Electronics
Technology, Medical Insurance Billing, and Shipping and Receiving/Warehouse.
CET will place 70% of the Work First participants who complete the programs in
to employment and place 70% of those employed in a training related job utilizing
their skills acquired in their course of study.
Orange Enterprises (OE)
Orange Enterprises provides vocational evaluations, facility based work
adjustment, job placement, and follow-up for the hardest to place Work First
participants. During the evaluation period, the participant is paid $5.15 per hour.
The evaluation period is six weeks long. The participant is given many
opportunities to work and improve work habits.
24
Orange County Skills Development/JobLink Center .
On January 11, 1999, the Orange County Skills Development /JobLink Center
located at 503 West Franklin Street, Chapel Hill, North Carolina began providing
a comprehensive array of employment and training services in a holistic manner.
The Center was rechartered in April 2004 as a level III JobLink Center.
Chartering demonstrated the Center's history of collaboration among human
service agencies and the alignment with the ideals associated with the vision of a
one-stop career center. Orange County Department of Social Services is the lead
agency for the Center.
The Skills Development/JobLink Center:
• Offers comprehensive employment and training services to job seekers and
employers.
• Enables citizens to make informed choices about careers and employers can
make informed decisions about workplace needs.
The agencies located in the Center are Orange County Department of Social
Services, Employment Security Commission (ESC), Joint Orange Chatham
Community Action Agency (JOCCA), NC Department of Vocational
Rehabilitation Services (DVR), Durham. Technical Community College (DTCC),
the Orange County Literacy Council (OCLC), Good Work, Educational
Opportunity Center, Horizons' CASAWORKS, and the Orange County Disability
Awareness Council.
A customer entering the Center encounters a unified system of services. A
common intake process is used. The common application connects the customer
to the entire system of workforce development opportunities. All customers are
able to obtain a basic assessment of skills, interests, and aptitudes if they choose.
All people, including special populations such as welfare recipients, persons with
disabilities, dropouts, dislocated workers, and others, have access to services.
This model is predicated heavily on customer choice with services ranging from
self-service to staff assisted service.
Improved Access for Hispanic Families
Orange County Department of Social Services is committed to improving the
accessibility of core services to persons with Limited English Proficiency (LEP).
Ongoing efforts have been made to increase the cultural competency of staff
through workshops, providing county sponsored Spanish language classes, and
developing an LEP procedure handbook. Staff have been working to make
available linguistically appropriate printed documents for clients whenever
possible. The Orange County Department of Social Services has contracts with a
number of interpreters and translators and has developed a Spanish voice mail
system. Regarding staff, the department has worked to recruit bilingual staff and
to enhance current staff members' skills by participating in a. Spanish immersion
program.
25
XI. Special Issues
Orange County's current Work First population faces multiple obstacles in
obtaining and retaining employment. Work First participants are competing for
jobs with a highly skilled workforce. Unskilled and semi-skilled workers without
a high school diploma and a recent connection to the workforce are unable to
obtain jobs that provide a living wage. Barriers such as substance abuse, criminal
records and chronic physical and mental health problems have no quick fix. They
are resolved as a result of participant commitment, adequate resources, and time.
Employment barriers are realities for low-income families in Orange County.
Listed below are typical barriers experienced by low-income families in Orange
County:
• Lack of adequate and affordable transportation,
• Lack of education,
• Limited work experience,
• Lack ofnon-traditional dependent care hours,
• Lack of affordable housing,
• Chemical dependency,
• Lack of resources to handle crises.
Jobs paying a living wage require more skill and education than participants have.
Orange County Work First participants are competing against a highly educated
pool for entry-level positions. Work First participants typically have insufFcienf
financial supports and personal resources to handle problems that occur. Few
participants have aback-up plan for childcare or if their transportation breaks
down.
Orange County's vision and mission statement apply to all citizens in Orange
County. The County has in place a safety net of services for those people who do
not have success through Work First or other programs. The Work First Block
Grant Planning Committee will continue to address issues that affect the success
oflow-income families in Orange County and implement action steps to improve
the well-being of families.
26
XII. CERTIFICATION
The Orange County Board of Social Services actively participated in the piam7ing process
for the Orange County Work First Plan. The Board of Social Services supports the
strategies for meeting the statewide and county outcome goals identified by the
community.
The Orange County Board of County Commissioners certifies that a committee of
Orange County citizens was formed called the Work First Planning Committee. The
Planting Committee identified the needs of the Work First population, and assisted in the
development of the County Plan. The Work First Plan was available for public comment
as designated by the North Carolina General Assembly.
Chairperson
Orange County Board of County Commissioners
27
Appendix
28
Attachment l: Memorandum of Understanding Orange County Department
of Social Services and Employment Security Commission
This MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING is entered into 8~' day of September
2006, by and between the North Carolina Employment Security Commission hereinafter
referred to as "ESC, 601 Valley Forge Road, Hillsborough North Carolina 27278 and the
Orange County Department of Social Services, hereinafter referred to as "DSS", P.O.
Box 8181, Hillsborough, North Carolina 27278.
WITNESSETH
Whereas, there is established in ESC, a program to be called "First. Stop
Employment Assistance" (hereinafter referred to as "First Stop") which is designed to
assist applicants and recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, known as
"Work First", through job registration, job preparedness and community service; and
Whereas, the Work First Program is a program of public assistance to provide
eligible families with short-term assistance to facilitate their movement to self-sufficiency
through employment; and
Whereas, the Work First Program in Orange County shall utilize the registration
process of the First Stop Program; and
Whereas, this Memorandum of Understanding is entered into to define the
responsibilities of DSS and ESC in Orange County in the cooperation of First Stop
subject to the duties and limitations of the agencies established by law.
Now, Therefore, the parties agree as follows:
1. The components of First Stop are: .a. job registration; b. job search; c. job
preparedness; and d. community service.
2. The parties agree that the Employment Security Commission is the presumptive
primary deliverer of job placement services for the Work First Program and is the
primary job placement entity for the Work First Program as provided by G. S. 108A-
29(al) and (a5). The parties agree that the Community College System is the lead
agency for delivery of job training, literacy and adult education programs in the state
as provided in G.S. 115D-1. The parties agreed that Orange County DSS is the
primary deliverer of Work First Diversion Assistance, Work First Family Assistance,
and Work First Employment Services as provided in G.S. 108A-27(b).
3. It is agreed that co-location of County Department of Social Services, ESC
representatives, and other workforce development entities would assist in the
29
effective administration of First Stop. DSS currently contracts with ESC to provide a
job counselor 20 hours per week at the Orange County Skills Development/JobLink
Center at 503 West Franklin Street, Chapel Hill, NC.
4. Applicants and recipients seeking to apply or reapply for Work First and who are not
exempt from the work requirements shall register with ESC. The point of registration
shall be with the ESC Offices located at 601 Valley Forge Road, Hillsborough, NC
and 503 W. Franklin Street, Chapel Hiil, NC
5. ESC shall refer registrants to job openings, make job development contacts for
registrants, review eligibility for unemployment insurance and provide instruction to
registrants for applying for the Federal Earned Income Credit, and information
.regarding The Work Opportunity Tax Credit.
6. ESC shall report to DSS any applicant's or recipient's lack of cooperation in required
or optional First Stop Programs.
7. ESC and DSS may enter a cooperative agreement to provide all components of First
Stop other than the required job registration. The optional components are: a. job
search; b. job preparedness; and c. community service.
8. ESC shall promote the utilization of private employment services in the First Stop
Program. ESC shall encourage private employment services to accept referrals of
Work First participants by ESC.
9. ESC shall develop and distribute information to all employers concerning the "No
Fault Referral" as the same as set forth in G.S. 96-9c(2)b(iv) that includes provisions
that an employer's unemployment insurance account will not be charged if an
employer separates an employee within 100 days of hire solely for bona fide inability
to do the work and the employee~was hired through a job order placed ESC.
10. ESC shall distribute information to employers concerning the "Work Opportunity Tax
Credit, which provides a federal tax credit to employers who hire new employees
from seven "Targeted" groups which have historically had difficulty in finding
employment. Recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) are
included in these "Targeted "groups.
11. ESC shall, through its Labor Market Information Division, provide statistical
information on unemployment rates, labor trends by country, licensing requirements,
economic development data,. and career projection data and other data as is necessary.
12. ESC shall serve as the administrator for the Job Service Employer Committee's
(hereinafter JSEC) serving Orange County and shall utilize the ESC designated JSEC
in Orange County to oversee the operation of the First Stop Program and issue
recommendations to improve the First Stop Program.
30
13. It is the desire of the parties that this Memorandum of Understanding not require re-
execution each fiscal year. This Memorandum of Understanding shall be binding
upon the parties for term beginning July 1, 2006 and continue in full force and
effective until amended or terminated by the parties as set forth herein, based upon
Federal and State policy. No funds are committed under this agreement.
14. This Agreement may be modified or amended at any time by DSS or ESC in whole or
in part with the consent of the parties hereto,
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed
in their name by their duly authorized officers, their seals to be hereto affixed the day and
year first above written.
ATTEST:
Pamela Rich, Manager
Employment Security Commission
Nancy Coston, Director
Orange County Department of Social Services
This MOU does not create an obligation to purchase and, therefore, has not been
preaudited.
31
Attachment 2: Department of Social Services Economic Services Organizational
Chart
ECONOMIC SERVICES UNIT
DIRECTOR ~ '
GWEN PRICE ~j
Office Supervisor
Beachy Sanders Family Support Program Manager
Yvette Smith
Lead Worker
Jessica Atkinson ~ ~-
Skills Development Center Human Services Coordinators
Program Integrity
Administrative Assistant II Lakecia Robbins Carol Laing
Gwen Jackson Adene Hackel
Intake Supervisor Intake Supervisor Adult Support Superviso Work First Supervisor MedicaidlFood Stamp Prevention Services
Elizabeth Phillips Louise Moize Cathy Hill Robert Glimore' Peggy Wesley Supervisor
Suzanne Hitt
Lead Worker Lead Worker Lead Worker Lead Worker Lead Worker
Dianna Hodge Virginia Schwartz Cindy Eadey Susan Wilson Terri Totherow
Family Specialist (7)
IMC III (5) IMC III (5) IMC II (4) IMC II 3
~ O IMC III Cada Allison
Linda Bilodeau
Phyllis Mangum
Shidey Long Vacant Angela Bradshaw
Vickie Mebane
Edca Jennin s
g
t Wanda Johnson Laquetta Jones Vemell Johnson
Tonya Johnson ~
IMC 11 (5) Elizabeth Dvmdell
Patdcia Tora
n Beck McCo
Y Y ~ Bemie Ashman
ens
g
D Lorraine Hines
Virginia Honeyblue
Rebecca Kuznicki
Mindy Lawrence JenniterYance
Y IMC 1 J
o Snow Sharonda Paldck
C staff Jackson
ry Yvette Lyons
d Kim Dark Meiba Walker Shandra Torein
Apol Johnson
e Hess
Adela Kristen Graves
Hospital Intake Nichole Blanton
Luc Tho a
y ~ IMC I (1)
Trec Summers
y Social Workers 3
() Melissa Cadavero
Social Worker II (t)
IMC 11 (3) Shannon Tyler Sabdna Clarke
Vacanl Randy Haynes IMC I (2)
Janice Poole IMC II Veteran Services. Teresa Clay Nancy McBroom
Dayka Hester Gisela Zapata Lors Harvin-Ravin Ma Ta for
ry Y
32
Attachment 3: Orange County Work First Planning Committee Membership
List
Oran a Coun Work First Plan nin Committee Membershi Li st
First Name Last Name Agency Address City Zip Code
Orange County
Literacy 118 N. Churton Hillsborough
Kath Alberter Council Street NC 27278
Holmes Child
Althea Austin Care PO Box 1168 Carrboro, NC 27510
Empowerment 109 N. Graham
Delores Baffle Inc. St., Suite 200 Chapel Hill, NC 27516
EI Centro 101 Lloyd
Ben'amin Balderas Latino Street Carrboro, NC 27510
Orange 500 Valley Hillsborough
Kath Bryan Enter rises For a Road NC 27278
519 Smith Level
Kimberl Burney Citizen Rd. Apt. 6 Chapel Hill, .NC 27516
Hillsborough
Chamber of 121 West Hillsborough
Mar aret Cannel) Comm. Margaret St. NC 27278
Orange County 200 E. King Hillsborough
Shirle Carrawa Schools Street NC 27278
600 D. Lakeside Hillsborough
An ela Cla Citizen Drive NC 27278
316 Brooks
Ton Cotton Citizen Street Cha el Hill, NC 27516
Mildred Council Emplo er 110 Emil Rd. Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Piedmont
Community
Linda Cris Colle a PO Box 1197 Roxboro, NC 27573
Regional
Partnership
Workforce ,
Development 8607 High Rock
Cleon Currie Board Road Efland, NC 27243
Orange County
Literacy 503 W. Franklin
Kell Davis Council Street Cha el Hill, NC 27516
500 lJmstead
Michelle Davis Citizen Drive E204 Chapel Hill, NC 27517
33
Orange
Community 104 Jones
Housing & Ferry Rd., Suite
Robert Dowlin Land Trust C Carrboro, NC 27510
3015 NC Hwy. Hillsborough
Cindia Espada Citizen 86 NC 27278
115 Holiday Hillsborough
Andrea Farrior Citizen Park #17 NC 27278
Orange County Hillsborough
Tara Fikes Housing PO Box 8181 NC 27278
Orange County 106 Claris
Valerie Foushee . Commissioner Court Cha el Hill, NC 27514
300 Millstone Hillsborough
Rev. Sharon Freeland OCIM Dr. NC 27278
Fa a Hall JOCCA PO Box 27 Pittsboro, NC 27312
Asst. County 200 S. Cameron Hillsborough
Gwen Harve Mana er Street NC 27278
Orange County
Dispute
Settlement 302 West
Frances Henderson Center Weaver St. Carrboro, NC 27510
County
Manager's Hillsborough
Sharron Hinton Office PO Box 8181 NC 27278
Dir. Of Human
Resource 101 Manning
Services- UNC Dr. Rm. 6017
Norman Klase Health Care EW Cha el Hill, NC 27514
Inter-Faith
Council
Programs 110 W. Main
Kristen Lavergne Director Street Carrboro, NC 27510
Habitat for Hillsborough
Susan Lev Humani PO Box 459 NC 27278
503 W. Franklin
Dina Logan Durham Tech Street Chapel Hill, NC 27516
Board of Social 105 Prince
Karen Long Services Street Carrboro, NC 27510
Orange County 503 W. Franklin
Malinda Marsh JobLink Street Cha el Hill, NC 27516
250 S. Estes
Dawana Martinez Citizen Drive A t. 124 Cha el Hill, NC 27514
34
601 Valley Hillsborough
Jim Modlin ESC Forge Dr. NC 27278
Case Manager-
Central 101 Manning~~
Carolina Health Dr. Rm. 6017
Shemika Moore Network EW Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Inter-Faith 110 W. Main
Chris Moran Council Street Carrboro, NC 27510
Hillsborough
Winnie Morgan OCDSS PO Box 8181 NC 27278
501 Jones
Corrine Mosle Citizen Fer Rd. ~ Carrboro, NC 27510
Chapel Hill
Aaron Nelson Chamber 1045 Estes Dr. Chapel Hill, NC 27515
2102 Woodbury Hillsborough
Keith Norwood Citizen Drive NC 27278
OC Dept. on Hillsborough
Jerry Passmore Ain PO Box 8181 NC 27278
Chapel Hill-
Carrboro City 750 S. Merritt
Neil Pedersen Schools Mill Rd. Cha el Hill; NC 27510
Orange 500 Valley Hillsborough
Antonio Pedroza Enterprises Forge Road NC 27278
Town of Hillsborough
Eric Peterson Hillsborou h PO Box 429 NC 27278
Dir. Of Human
Rights & 110 S. Churton Hillsborough
Milan Pham Relations Street NC 27278
Dir. Of Family
Violence
Prevention
Melissa Radcliff Center PO Box 187 Chapel Hill, NC 27515
Economic
Development 110 E. King Hillsborough
Dianne Reid Commission Street NC 27278
109 N.~Graham
Harve Reid HR Consultin St., Suite 202 Cha el Hill, NC 27516
Chapel Hill-
Carrboro City 750 S. Merritt
Jeff Reilly Schools Mill Road Chapel Hill, NC 27516
Dept. OBGYN
Connie Renz Horizons CB 7579 UNC Cha el Hill, NC 27599
35
Manager of 601 Valley Hillsborough
Pamela Rich ESC Forge Rd. NC 27278
Cedar Grove Cedar Grave,
Wandra Richardson Day Care PO Box 36 NC 27231
OC Partnership 1829 E.
for Young Franklin Street,
Michelle Rivest Children Suite 12000 Cha el Hill, NC 27501
DSS Board 2136 N.
Joe Robbins Member Lakeshore Dr. Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Town of Chapel 838 Airport
Karen Rose Hill Road Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Vice President
of Human
Resources- 101 Manning
UNC Health Dr. Rm. 6017
Bill Rotella Care EW Chapel Hill, NC 27514
DSS Board 3515 Borland
Harold Russell Member Rd. Efland, NC 27243
Child Care
Services
Sue Russell. Association PO Box 664 Cha el Hill, NC 27514
Sandra Sanchez JOCCA PO Box 27 Pittsboro, NC 27312
Communities in
Sheila Sholes-Ross Schools PO Box 9454 Chapel Hill, NC 27515
100 B .Lakeside Hillsborough
Sherrie Smith Citizen Dr. NC 27278
Child Support Hillsborough
Janet S arks Enforcement PO Box 8181 NC 27278
Dir. of Women's
Jamie Stone Center PO Box 1057 Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Orange County
Health 300 W. Tryon Hillsborough
Rosema Summers Department St. NC 27278
554 North Nash Hillsborough
Sharon Tate Little Treasures Street NC ~ 27278
Orange County 300 W. Tryon Hillsborough
AI Ter Trans ortation St. NC 27278
100 Europa
Jud Truit OPC Drive Suite 490 Chapel Hill, NC 27517
Chapel Hill
Dept. of 317 Caldwell St.
Tina Vau hn Housing Ext. Cha el Hill, NC 27514
36
Case Manager- Orange County
Central Health Dept.
Carolina Health 300 W. Tryon Hillsborough
Libertad Villalba Network St. NC 27278
Board of Social 2102 Magnolia Hillsborough
Rosetta Wash Services Lane NC 27278
NC Vocational 548 Smith Level
In rid Weber Rehabilitation Road Carrboro, NC 27510
Orange County 200 E. King Hillsborough
Donna Williams Schools Street NC 27278
Commission
Caroline Wood for Women 8816 Old NC 86 Chapel Hill, NC 27516
Catherine Woolrid a Citizen PO Box 9438 Cha el Hill, NC 27514
37
Attachment 4: Memorandum of Agreement Orange County Department of
Social Services And The Orange-Person-Chatham Area Mental Health,
Developmental Disabilities And Substance Abuse Authority
I. INTENT: This Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) is entered into and by
the Orange County Department of Social Services and the Orange-Person-
Chatham Mental Health/Developmental Disabilities/Substance Abuse Authority
hereinafter referred to as "Area Program". The Woric First Program provides
short-term assistance to eligible families to facilitate their movement to self-
su~ciency through employment. The objective of this agreement is to reduce
substance related barriers to employment of current Work First recipients,
applicants, and Work First and Food Stamp applicants convicted of a Class H or I
substance abuse felony offenses. The Memorandum of Agreement establishes the
responsibilities of the above referenced agencies in meeting the objective.
II. Responsibilities Under the Memorandum of Agreement. The
responsibilities of each Agency are as follows:.
A. Area Program/Contractor:
1. Representation on the committee responsible for developing the Work First
County Plan.
2. Contract the QSAP responsibilities to Caring Family Network (CFN).
3. Caring Family Network (CFN) will provide at least one day per week on site-
assessment and referral to recipients in need of substance abuse services based
on a schedule agreed to by County Departments of Social Services and the
Area Program.
4. Share in the responsibility for initial screening of recipients and applicants.
5. Provide substance abuse prevention and/or medically necessary services for
the recipients' children.
38
6. Develop a care coordination plan for the recipient while receiving substance
abuse services.
7. Ensure that childcare and transportation are not barriers to accessing substance
abuse services.
8. Authorize the appropriate level of care of recipients identified as requiring
substance abuse services.
B. Orange County Department of Social Services:
1. Representation on the Area Program committee that develops the Work First
Substance Abuse Plan.
2. Provide office space for Qualified Substance Abuse Professional.
3. Initial screening of recipients and applicants.
4. Develop a case coordination plan for the recipient while receiving substance
abuse services.
5. Primary responsibility for childcare and transportation for recipients receiving
substance abuse services.
6. Ensure that childcare and transportation are not barriers to accessing substance
abuse services.
Joint Responsibilities:
1. Develop a plan for current Work First recipients, applicant, and Work First
and Food Stamp applicants convicted of Class H or I substance abuse felony
offenses to access substances abuse, mental health and developmental
disabilities services.
2. Utilize the screening tool identified by DMH/DD/SAS and the Substance Use
Disorder Diagnostic Schedule (SURDS) IV assessment tool. These
standardized tools are to be used by all programs receiving funds to
implement this initiative.
3. Utilize the standardized consent form to facilitate confidentiality as provided
by the State Division of Social Services.
4. Annual cross training of staff.
5. Develop a reporting system ofnon-compliance by recipients pursuant to the
requirements of the Work First Substance Abuse Program.
III. LIAISON: For the Orange County Department of Social Services, Gwen
Price, Director of Economic Services, will serve as liaison under these MOA. For
the Orange-Person-Chatham Area Mental Health/Departmental
Disabilities/Substance Abuse Authority Tom Velivil, Director, Provider Services,
will serve as liaison under MOA.
TV. MOA AMENDMENT: This MOA may be amended at any time with the
concurrence of both agencies.
39
Judy Truitt, Director
Orange-Person-Chatham Area Program
Nancy Coston, Director
Orange County Department Of Social Services
Date Date