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- Adolescent Parenting Program successful in helping teen parents to delay <br />second pregnancies and to finish school. Contracts in place with both school <br />systems. <br />- Work First Faith Teams continue to support our families. University Methodist <br />Church recognized for its commitment. <br />- New Fatherhood Program addressing needs of non-custodial fathers to find and <br />keep employment, to pay child support, and to maintain meaningful relationships <br />with their children. <br />- Skills Development Center is now chartered at Level III, the highest level. <br />- Child Welfare Services received a very positive review from the State during its <br />recent Child and Family biennial review. <br />- Complete implementation of Multiple Response System elements. <br />- Increased efforts to prevent child abuse and neglect <br />- Continue to study ways to address day care needs through Day Care Task <br />Force. <br />- Find ways to reduce need for foster care. <br />- Improve options for disabled and elderly adults living in community. Utilize <br />additional CAP/DA slots and Special Assistance In-home Program. <br />- Continue to solicit feedback sessions with staff to identify issues related to staff <br />turnover. <br />- Increase services to persons with limited English proficiency. Currently have <br />eight bilingual staff. <br />- Improve outreach and community understanding of DSS through additional <br />brochures, annual reports, participation in local events, media coverage, and <br />presentations at other agencies. <br />Commissioner Carey asked about the number of children in foster care and it <br />was answered 161. Three years ago it was 110 children. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis made reference to the organizational charts and the <br />eleven vacancies. He asked how this has impacted the service delivery system. Nancy <br />Coston said that there is a lot of focus in trying to fill the positions. She said that it has <br />been a terrible hardship and the workload is overwhelming. <br />Commissioner Gordon asked for more information on the Adolescent Parenting <br />Program. Gwen Price said that there is a coordinator that is trying to keep the children <br />in school. They are coordinating with the schools with issues of absenteeism and school <br />work. <br />Chair Jacobs asked where they stood on emergency assistance and fuel <br />assistance. Nancy Coston said that they have not been successful in negotiating a <br />lower rate with the utility companies. <br />Chair Jacobs asked if the Board of County Commissioners could talk to the <br />legislators about this. Nancy Coston will provide some information. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis suggested inviting representatives from Duke Power, <br />Piedmont Electric, and others to talk about possible assistance to the citizens of Orange <br />County. <br />Chair Jacobs asked about the Daycare Task Force and if they would look at <br />giving incentives to employers or recruiting employers. Nancy Coston said that the first <br />step of the task force was to ask the staff to compile data on where everybody works <br />now that is getting daycare or waiting for daycare. <br />Nancy Coston showed three clips that are being shown on local television <br />stations. These clips were developed using grants. <br />With no further items to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 7:00 p.m. <br />