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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 02-15-1994-IX-A ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Action Agenda Item No. ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: February 15, 1994 SUBJECT: Communities in Schools Request ------------------------------ ---------------------------------- DEPARTMENT: County Manager PUBLIC HEARING YES: NO: X ------------------------------- ---------------------------------- ATTACHMBNT(S) : INFORMATION CONTACT: John Link Extension 2300 TELEPHONE NUMBER- Hillsborough - 732-8181 Chapel Hill - 968-4501 Mebane - 227-2031 Durham - 688-7331 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- PURPOSE: To request interim funding for FY 1993-94 in the amount of $10,000 for the start-up of the Orange County Communities in Schools (CIS) Project. BACKGROUND: In December 1993, Scott Gardner, Chair of the CIS Board of Directors provided the Board with an update of the Orange County CIS project. Mr. Gardner reported that the CIS initiative began in June 1992 with representatives from Orange County and Chapel Hill/Carrboro City Schools, community agencies, local governments, and the business community. A great deal of work and effort has been undertaken by this group to focus on the needs of students with low academic performance and those with barriers to success. CIS of Orange County is a non-profit, non-partisan, community based organization charged with addressing the multiple needs of youth at the highest risk of educational, social, and economic failure. It focuses on the underlying problems of students, including physical and mental health, low self worth, inadequate life skills, and workforce preparedness. CIS will be a process which brings existing public and private resources and people into the schools where they most benefit students in need. CIS builds a strong working partnership between the public and private sectors of the community; the school system; human services agencies; units of government and the court systems; the corporate sector; higher education; churches; and civic organizations. The CIS Board of Directors, in conjunction with the school systems, is currently involved in the site selection process. At least one middle school will be selected as a pilot site for fall 1994 program implementation. Also, the Board of Directors is in the process of recruiting for the CIS Program Coordinator. The Program Coordinator will be hired effective April 1, 1994 to oversee the planning, administration and implementation of the project. Funding proposals for FY 1994-95 are presently being prepared for submission to local governments (Orange County, Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Hillsborough) , local school foundations, and other private foundations. However, before these applications are approved, additional funding is requested for the start-up of this initiative. This interim funding is being requested to cover program expenses from April 1994 through June 1994. This allocation will provide funding for salary and benefits of the Program Coordinator ($9,000) as well as office rental space and operating expenses ($1,000) during this three month period. A non-departmental funding request for FY 1994-95 will also be submitted during the county's budget process. RFCOIMNDATION(3) : The Manager recommends that the Board approve this request for interim funding with the appropriation coming from the Board of Commissioner' s contingency fund.