HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 11-20-2017 - 8-g - Approval of NACo Rural Impact Community Challenge Resolution
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: November 14, 2017
Action Agenda
Item No. 8-g
SUBJECT: Approval of NACo Rural Impact Community Challenge Resolution
DEPARTMENT: Health
ATTACHMENT(S):
Rural Impact Community Challenge
Resolution
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dr. Dorothy Cilenti, 919-245-2412
Rebecca Crawford, 919-245-2414
Meredith McMonigle, 919-245-2071
PURPOSE: To approve a NACo Rural Impact Community Challenge resolution in a national
effort to combat rural child poverty.
BACKGROUND: The backbone staff of the Family Success Alliance requests the BOCC
consider a resolution in support the Rural Impact County Challenge, a national initiative to help
advance counties’ efforts to reduce the number of rural children and families living in poverty
sponsored by the National Association of Counties (NACo). The Rural Impact County Challenge
(RICC) seeks to recognize and support counties making a real difference in the lives of children
in rural communities.
The Family Success Alliance aligns with the vision of the Rural Impact County Challenge. This
Call to Action asks counties to develop or refine an actionable plan that can be used to achieve
local and state-level impacts. While it is not required to participate, county elected officials can
adopt a resolution pledging to work with local, state, and federal entities (e.g., schools, health
and social service providers, and state and federal policymakers), children and families, and
other key stakeholders. Actionable items include:
• Convene or draw on a diverse team of leaders and decision makers from multiple
agencies committed to reducing the number of children and families in rural areas living in
poverty
• Develop a plan with measurable outcomes that improves access, participation, and/or
impact of evidence-based and other promising practices in one or more of the following
areas: early childhood education, nutrition, workforce development, and health and
human services.
• Implement research-based approaches that advance the plan.
• Create a process to track progress using data and information systems, and to report on
successes.
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The Family Success Alliance (FSA) was formed in 2014 in response to significant disparities in
opportunities for children in Orange County. It is designed as a place-based initiative to build a
pipeline of success from cradle-to-college/career. FSA uses a “collective impact” approach to
bring together community members, local government agencies, non-profits, and other
community leaders to close the opportunity gap and eliminate intergenerational poverty in two
zones where families are struggling to make ends meet.
An Advisory Council was formed with 25 members representing zone parents, directors of area
nonprofits, local elected officials, local government agency heads (e.g., social services, housing,
health), local funders, and leadership from both school districts to guide the work of the Family
Success Alliance. The Health Department serves as the backbone catalyst for this collaboration.
Examples of Programs launched under the direction of FSA include a summer Ready for K
camp in partnership with both school districts, a peer coaching navigator team working directly
with families and external data collection and evaluation of these programs through a
partnership with UNC.
Recognizing the critical role local officials play in supporting innovation and change, staff
believes this resolution serves as an important opportunity to catalyze ongoing program
refinement and build recognition of the collaborative work of FSA.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with consideration of the
resolution.
SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goals are applicable
to this agenda item:
• GOAL: FOSTER A COMMUNITY CULTURE THAT REJECTS OPPRESSION AND
INEQUITY
The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race or color;
religious or philosophical beliefs; sex, gender or sexual orientation; national origin or
ethnic background; age; military service; disability; and familial, residential or economic
status.
• GOAL: ENSURE ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY
The creation and preservation of infrastructure, policies, programs and funding necessary
for residents to provide shelter, food, clothing and medical care for themselves and their
dependents.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve and authorize the
Chair to sign the NACo Rural Impact Community Challenge resolution.
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RES-2017-075
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, small towns and rural communities are home to millions of Americans and are a
vibrant part of our nation’s economy; and
WHEREAS, in 2014, approximately 1.4 million children in rural areas were poor and over 700,000
children lived in rural families with cash incomes that fell below half of the poverty line; and
WHEREAS, high rates of poverty have persisted for generations, including over 300 rural counties
with poverty rates of over 20 percent in every Census since 1980; and
WHEREAS, investing in poor children and their families not only reduces poverty in the near term,
but also improves children’s education, health, and earnings outcomes later in life; and
WHEREAS, rural and tribal communities face distinct challenges, including limited access to critical
services, fewer job prospects, and in some places, relative lack of institutional capacity; and
WHEREAS, no matter where they live, all families aspire for the cornerstones of economic
security: a well-paying job, child care, a college education, health care, a home, and retirement; and
WHEREAS, Orange County and all counties recognize that a child’s zip code should not determine
her destiny, and that every child should have the opportunity to succeed; and
WHEREAS, Orange County formed The Family Success Alliance (FSA) in 2014 in response to
significant disparities in opportunities for children in Orange County, in both rural and urban areas.
It is designed as a place-based initiative to build a pipeline of success from cradle-to-college/career.
FSA uses a “collective impact” approach to bring together community members, local government
agencies, non-profits, and other community leaders to close the opportunity gap and eliminate
intergenerational poverty in two zones where families are struggling to make ends meet.; and
WHEREAS, through The Rural Impact County Challenge, the National Association of Counties and
the White House Rural Council are encouraging public, private and nonprofit leaders to reduce the
number of children living in poverty in rural areas;
NOW, THEREFORE, LET IT BE RESOLVED, THAT we, the Orange County Board of
Commissioners, do hereby sign on to the Call to Action to reduce the number of children living in
poverty, commit to sharing lessons learned with other counties in my state and across the country to
support a national initiative and encourage all county officials, employees and residents to participate
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in The Rural Impact County Challenge. We resolve to utilize the resources available through The Rural
Impact County Challenge to:
• Convene or draw on a diverse team of leaders and decision makers from multiple agencies
committed to reducing the number of children and families in rural areas living in poverty.
• Develop a plan with measurable outcomes that improves access, participation, and/or
impact of evidence-based and other promising practices in one or more of the following
areas: early childhood education, nutrition, workforce development, and health and human
services.
• Implement research-based approaches that advance the plan.
• Create a process to track progress using data and information systems, and to report on
successes.
ADOPTED AND APPROVED this _____ day of _____________, 2017.
______________________________________
Mark Dorosin, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners
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