Orange County NC Website
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57 <br />A past practice in Orange County has.been to create departments <br />that fit a particular goal. In each case, these functions have been <br />successful within their roles. What is not certain is whether their <br />status as independently operating departments is necessary or best <br />use of the talent within each department. There is some overlap <br />among staff positions and responsibilities with other county <br />departments. <br />Human Iaights and l~.elations - A five member staff consisting of <br />a director (attorney), two civil rights specialists (one attorney and <br />one MPA), a translator and an administrative assistant comprise <br />the office. They have two advisory boards that they work with <br />closely. However, outreach ~is the main source of their client base <br />and most of their work once completed results in referring cases to <br />non-profits or other agencies for direct legal assistance. It is <br />certain their role is important to those served. The issue is that <br />their role is fairly self-directed or led by advisory board input. <br />Housing -This department of county government has a diversified <br />mission dealing with various elements of providing housing <br />options for residents of Orange County. The main focus is upon <br />federally funded opportunities to expand availability of housing <br />options and provide subsidies where available. County funding <br />does support the effort and its mission by associated input from <br />external task forces has been expanded into `homelessness' in a <br />staff support role. Further study of departmental functions could <br />lead to closer collaboration and coordination with other county <br />departments. <br />Child Support Enforcement -This department has a successful <br />record of achieving enforcement collection actions against those <br />individuals responsible for fmancial support of children in Orange <br />County. Elsewhere in NC this function usually falls within the <br />parameters of DSS. The service is also a contracted function in <br />some NC counties. The department has a relatively small staff and <br />6 <br />