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- Foster parents can become mentors for the birth family regarding appropriate <br />parenting <br />Collaboration Between Work First and Child Welfare Programs <br />- Work First is a program that provides families with financial aid and employment <br />services to help them become self sufficient <br />- Related services and benefits include childcare, employment counseling, and <br />transportation <br />- Work First and Child Welfare staff share information, case planning, and <br />resources with one another regarding families that they share <br />- Work First services can help child welfare workers provide follow up services with <br />families once safety issues have been resolved <br />- By sharing information, the number of times that families have to repeat the <br />same information is reduced <br />- By involving Work First in a preventative effort, the number of children needing <br />CPS and placement services will be reduced and some recidivism will be <br />prevented <br />Current Status <br />Update: <br />- Structured intake began in July, 2003 <br />- Began using forensic and family assessment approaches effective July 2004 <br />- Protocols with law enforcement agencies are being revised to reflect MRS <br />- In-home services not significantly different from current Orange County practice <br />- Child and Family Team Meetings to be implemented during FY 04-05 beginning <br />with the team meeting that occurs when a child enters custody <br />- Shared parenting is being phased in <br />- Agency planning committee is developing strategies for Work First/Child Welfare <br />collaboration <br />- Number of reports accepted since dual approach began: 239 <br />0 105 forensic <br />0 134 family assessment <br />4. Public Assistance Workload <br />Gwen Price went over the Work First Caseload Data. The caseload is on a slight <br />increase because of some of the economic conditions. <br />Work First Profile: <br />- Average age of adults - 30 years with two children <br />- 95% are women <br />- 50% high school diploma <br />- Average payment $220 <br />- 47% of participants live in northern Orange (Hillsborough, Efland, Cedar Grove) <br />- 53% of participants live in southern Orange (Chapel Hill, Carrboro) <br />Length of Time on Work First: <br />- 0-6 months - 50% <br />- 7-12 months - 16% <br />- 13-24 months - 14% <br />