HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 11-14-1995 - IX-B 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Action Agenda
Item No.
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: November 14, 1995
SUBJECT: Automated Information and Referral Update and Funding
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DEPARTMENT: County Manager PUBLIC HEARING YES: NO: X
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ATTACHMENT(S) : INFORMATION CONTACT: Albert Kittrell
Report TELEPHONE NUMBER-
Hillsborough -732-8181
Chapel Hill -968-4501
Mebane -227-2031
Durham -688-7331
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PURPOSE: To receive an update on the automated information and
referral project and review funding for the project.
BACKGROUND: On August 20, 1995 the Board entered into an agreement
with the United Way of Greater Orange County to
develop a county-wide automated I&R system and provide
ongoing administration. Collaboration with Orange
County staff, Orange County Partnership for Young
Children and county nonprofit agencies was encouraged.
The Partnership for Young Children (Smart Start)
contributed $50,000 for start up and ongoing
adminstration of the I&R project for fiscal year 1995-
96. The County allocated $25,000 to the project from
CIP funds designated for the automation of private non-
profit human services agencies in an effort to improve
the overall human services delivery system.
Development of the I&R system began in August with the
convening of a project team. The project team
established January 1996 as the target date for
completion. Currently, the I&R project is on schedule
while receiving input from potential users and the
community.
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On September 15, 1995 the project team voted in
favor of the I&R software system application
called IRis. The Human Services Smart Agency at the
UNC School of Social Work has contracted with the
United Way to provide technical assistance, devise cost
proposal which include hardware, and software. Start-up
costs for the project were more than anticipated. The
I&R project requests a one time county contribution of
$15,000 to defray the cost of start up. The additional
amount would increase the I&R Project budget to $90,000
with $50,000 from the Partnership for Young Children and
$40,000 from the County.
The total projected I&R Budget for the second year
July 1, 1996 to June 30, 1997 will decrease $28,000 to
a total of $61,000. Computer hardware and software
will not be purchased during the second year. Orange
County, United Way, and the Partnership For Young
Children will be requested to contribute approximately
$20,000 each for the FY 1996-97 budget.
Representatives from the United Way and the Partnership
for Young Children will present the report and request.
RECONMNDATION(S) : The Manager recommends that the Board
receive the update as information and
allocate $15,000 designated in the
1995-96 CIP for Human Services
Automation to the Automated
Information and Referral Project.
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INFORMATION AND REFERRAL SERVICE
UPDATE
An information and referral service is a free telephone service which is designed to link people in
need of services with the appropriate agency(s) or program(s) that best meets their needs. It
serves as a convenient and confidential service which provides citizens with up-to-date
information about community resources.
HISTORY
Since 1986,the Orange County Manager's Office and the Commissioner's Office has
produced an "Information and Referral Guide for Orange County", also known as the "Orange
Book". In 1994, the Orange County Public Library assumed responsibility for updating and
distributing the "Orange Book".
In an effort to enhance coordination among human service agencies through automation,
the County created several initiatives which included; researching existing automated I&R
systems to create a computerized I&R service in Orange County. The Orange County Partnership
for Young Children also identified a need for an information and referral service for Orange
County families. United Way of Greater Orange County agreed to serve as the administrator for a
newly, and much-needed, information and referral service in Orange County. As a result, a
collaborative partnership was created among Orange County Government, the O.C. Partnership
for Young Children, and United Way of Greater Orange County to develop an automated I&R
service for citizens in Orange County.
PRESENT
On August 18, 1995, an information and referral project team convened to discuss and
endorse policies and guidelines for a new I&R service in Orange County. The I&R project team
consists of representatives from: non-profits, county government, schools, business community,
and local townships. In addition, a citizen advisory group has been created to provide community
input and feedback for a new I&R service. United Way of Greater Orange has also contracted
with the UNC School of Social Work's Human Services Smart Agency to assist with technical
set-up for the I&R system.
Presently,the target date for a pilot I&R system is January 1996. The new I&R service
will be a call-in and dial-in(modem-accessible)information and referral service. Both service
providers and citizens will be able to directly access community resources via modem(dial-in)or
by calling the United Way office and speaking directly with an I&R operator.
FUZ'U E
In the future,Durham,Wake, and Orange counties plan to unite to form a regional
information and referral service to serve the entire Triangle area. The Internet is also part of
secondary planning to provide worldwide access.
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To provide a free and confidential telephone information and referral service that
directs Orange County citizens to the appropriate human service agency(s) to
address their service needs as quickly and as easily as possible.
To develop an information and referral system that allows citizens and service
providers to share and access information about available services and programs
throughout the Triangle (Wake, Durham, and Orange counties) and;
To provide worldwide access to inquirers regarding services and programs
available in Orange County and throughout the Triangle.
.........:......•..•.•........::::.•.•.•:.
1) Determine appropriate hardware and software needs for a user-friendly
automated I&R system;
2) Develop phone system which includes; free county-wide access, phone linkage
capability with agencies, and adequate number of phone lines and phone
equipment;
3) Establish I&R policy for training I&R staff, volunteers, and agency staff;
4) Identify marketing and promotional strategies for public awareness;
5) Develop I&R code of ethics and confidentiality standards;
6) Determine I&R staff size (i.e. number of professionals & volunteers).
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Housing and Community OPC Mental Health Adolescents In Need
Development
Orange County Public Orange County Child O.C. Manager's Office
Library Support Enforcement
Orange County The Human Coalition for Battered
Department on Aging Rights\Relations Women
Department
O.C. Department of Chapel Hill Department Communities in Schools
Social Services on Aging
Orange County Health Pine Knoll Family Dispute Settlement
Department Resource Center Center
Orange County Hearth Family Resource Habitat for Humanity
Cooperative Extension Center
Service
Orange Congregations In Home Health Agency
Mission
Day Care Services KidScope
Association
Child Care Networks Triangle Hospice
O.C. Partnership for Sheaffer House
Young Children
Chapel Hill Public Orange Community
Library Housing
Carrboro Public Library Orange Enterprises
Orange County Parks Orange-Chatham
and Recreation Alternative
Chapel Hill Training and O.C. Rape Crisis
Outreach
United Way of Greater Planned Parenthood
Orange
Interfaith Council Volunteers for Youth
JOCCA Family Support Network
Piedmont Health Orange County Schools
Services
Trinity Court Resource Chapel Hill- Carrboro
Center Schools
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Town of Carrboro UNC Hospital -
Pediatrics clinics
Town of Chapel Hill Employee Assistance
Programs
Town of Hillsborough Employment Security
Commission
Hargraves Community Women's Center
Center
Cedar Grove Resource Chamber of Commerce
Center
Area Churches
Visitors' Bureau
Orange County Fire
Department
Orange County Sheriff
Department
UNC Student Services
UNC Benefits Office
UNC School of Social
Work
Efland-Cheeks
Community Center
Note: In addition to the Mis network version and single user versions, Ms also has a read-only version which
allows for the production of an unlimited number of copies of the resource file . As a result, many of the
agencies listed above will initially have a read-only copy in order to provide direct access to the I&R system to a
greater number of agencies.