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ORANGE COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br />Meeting Date: April 20, 2010 <br />Action Agen~ _ <br />Item No. <br />SUBJECT: Grant Application for Workforce Investment Act Youth Proposal <br />DEPARTMENT: Social Services PUBLIC HEARING: (YIN) No <br />ATTACHMENT(S): <br />INFORMATION CONTACT: <br />Nancy Coston, 245-2802 <br />Sharron Hinton, 245-2840 <br />PURPOSE: To authorize the submittal of a grant application to operate the Workforce <br />Investment Act (WIA) Title I Youth Program in Orange County. <br />BACKGROUND: The Regional Partnership Local Workforce Development Area oversees all <br />WIA activities for Orange, Alamance and Randolph counties. Every three years, the Regional <br />Partnership Local Workforce Development Area solicits proposals to implement ayear-round <br />Youth Program for low-income youth ages 16-21. Beginning with FY 2010-2011, funds of <br />approximately $200,000 are anticipated to operate an Orange County program annually for the <br />next three years. Presently, Joint Orange-Chatham Community Action (JOCCA) receives WIA <br />funding to operate both the Youth Program and Skills Development Center in Orange County. <br />The target population for this program includes youth who have not completed their high school <br />diploma or obtained a GED. Programs are designed to offer a unique opportunity to provide a <br />mix of services designed to address the academic and vocational needs of at-risk youth. To be <br />eligible for WIA-funded youth services, youth must be aged 16 through 21, low-income, and <br />meet at least six specified barriers to employment. Targeted activities include tutoring, study <br />skills training, dropout prevention activities, occupational skills training, Career Readiness <br />Certificate, summer employment opportunities, paid and/or unpaid work experience, leadership <br />development activities, supportive services, comprehensive counseling and guidance, academic <br />enrichment activities (with an emphasis on career/vocational exploration), promoting strong <br />work ethic, adult mentoring and follow-up services (for twelve months). <br />Since the Department of Social Services (DSS) operates the Skills Development/Joblink Center <br />and maintains collaborative partnerships with numerous agencies, staff are interested in <br />pursuing the WIA youth program funds. All program operations will be provided through the <br />receipt of grant funds. The grant application does not require any local match dollars. <br />