HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 12-02-2002-8kORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: December 2, 2002
Action Agenda
Item No. ~~(
SUBJECT: Work First Block Grant Local Plan
DEPARTMENT: Social Services PUBLIC HEARING: (YIN) No
ATTACHMENT(S):
Work First Plan
(Under Separate Cover)
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Nancy Coston, ext. 2802
Gwen Price, ext. 2885
TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
Hillsborough 732-8181
Chapel Hill 968-4501
Durham 688-7331
Mebane 336-227-2031
PURPOSE: To consider approval of the two-year Work First Plan.
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 and 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 BOCC 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 approved by the stakeholders
has been submitted to the Division of Social Services and has been advertised for public
comment. This plan will become effective October 2003. The Social Services Board has
actively participated with the stakeholders group and has 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. The members of the group were very diligent in
their work on the issues. The stakeholders' group was led by Dee Gamble, Chair of the Social
Services Board, who focused on issues related to family well-being and Dianne Reid,
Economic Development Director, who focused on employment and training issues. The work
of various subcommittees was then combined into the document that was approved by the
entire stakeholders group.
There were several key themes in the work of the stakeholders. For example, the
Employment and Training Group recommended such strategies as developing a stronger
partnership with employers to identify common goals and possible incentives to them for
working with specific families. Another area would be to continue current training efforts and
expand in areas such as coaching or mentoring with particular emphasis on increasing the
employability of persons with the most barriers.
The Family Well Being Group examined a broad array of issues impacting low-income families
and children and developed several objectives aimed at meeting the basic needs of families
and for assuring safety and development of children. The specific strategies that related to
these needs involve most of the service providers in Orange County and require continued
efforts from all agencies. Many of the same issues being addressed by other local groups
relate to the Work First goals (housing, day care, mental health, transportation, etc.).
The stakeholders group felt that the discussions and work of the group was worthwhile and
has decided to continue to meet to address the issues identified during the planning process.
These meetings will also focus on specific steps or actions that can be taken and will develop
some short-term goals.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with approving the plan
although the plan does specify priorities for current or future funds available through Work
First.
RECOMMENDATION: The Manager recommends that the Board approve the plan.