HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 02-08-22; 1 - Realignment of Regional Workforce Development Boards 1
RANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: February 8, 2022
Action Agenda
Item No. 1
SUBJECT: Realignment of Regional Workforce Development Boards
DEPARTMENT: Social services
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Nancy Coston, Social Services, 919-
245-2800
Sharron Hinton, Social Services, 919-
245-2800
PURPOSE: To receive information about the possible realignment of regional workforce
development boards and the potential impact on Orange County.
BACKGROUND: Orange County is currently one of five counties in the Regional Partnership
Workforce Development Board. The other counties are Alamance, Randolph, Montgomery and
Moore. There are currently three Board members appointed by the Board of Commissioners:
Katie Loovis (Chapel Hill Chamber of Commerce), Rhonda Sue Holaday (Summit Design and
Engineering) and Nancy Coston.
The purpose of the Workforce Development Board is to help job seekers with employment,
education, training and support to succeed in the job market while supplying skilled workers for
employers. The Board also provides oversight for the regional allocation of Workforce Innovation
and Opportunity Act funds. These funds provide services to all populations and have a particular
focus on dislocated workers, youth and other job seekers with specific barriers.
In 2013, the Orange County Department of Social Services (DSS) won the competitive bid to
operate the youth program in Orange County. In 2017, after a competitive bid process, DSS
became the operator for all the adult and youth programs and NCWorks Center, and has
continued to provide these services and integrated them with the existing employment and
support services at DSS and Skills Development Center. There are other grants and services,
such as business support, provided by the regional boards, but these are provided directly by the
regional partnership staff.
Recently, the NCWorks Commission began a study to realign existing workforce boards and will
discuss any changes at its upcoming meetings in February and March. The proposal may align
boards within the eight existing prosperity zones. The North Central Zone includes Orange County
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as well as Durham, Wake, Person, Vance, Warren, Franklin, Nash, Edgecombe, Wilson,
Johnston, Harnett, Lee and Chatham counties.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact to this study and any potential impacts of
realignment are unknown.
SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: There is no Orange County Social Justice Goal impact associated
with receiving this information.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: There is no Orange County Environmental Responsibility Goal
impact associated with receiving this information.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board receive information about
the realignment study and provide comments and questions.