Agenda - 10-20-1998 - 9a - Laserfiche WebLink

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I. Background Orange County has a long history of collaboration among human services agencies. As a result of that history, in March 1995 the Orange County Board of County Commissioners appointed a board to study issues specifically related to skills development for county citizens. The Skills Development Program Board membership was representative of the many agencies in the County that serve those in need of developing skills for the workplace, as well as employers throughout the County. In December 1995, the group presented a report titled "A Blueprint for Self- Sufficiency: Creating Opportunity for All Orange County Citizens" to the County Commissioners. The report recommended the following actions: • A holistic approach to coordinating skills development and job search services to the citizens of Orange County; • A "one- stop" information center for skills development and employment services; • Establishment of formal linkages between currently existing transportation and other services, and skills development opportunities; • Permanent, consistently available spaces for training; • Training developed to better match emerging jobs and include, but go beyond, the basic "Three R's" of education; • Coping -world of work skills training; • Incentives for employers; and • A marketing plan for making citizens and employers aware of skills development opportunities. During calendar year 1996, the County purchased a vacant building at 503 West Franklin Street in Chapel Hill that could be used to co- locate several agencies to better serve the skills development and employment needs of citizens. The County Manager's Office brought together the partner agencies to begin the planning process for co- location and integration of service delivery; Orange County Department of Social Services, the Employment Security Commission (ESC), Joint Orange Chatham Community Action Agency (JOCCA), NC Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VR), Durham Technical Community College (DTCC), Orange County Literacy Council (OCLC), and the two public school systems. On April 25, 1997, a charette was held at the site bringing together agency representatives, architects, advisory committee members, county commissioners, and interested citizens in a facilitated daylong workshop to develop a structural and functional vision for the Center. The partner agencies, along with staff from the County Manager's office, and the Executive Director of the Workforce Development Board are known as the Management Team. The Management Team, with the support of the Orange County Commissioners, has developed a vision statement, a mission, and strategic plan/objectives for the Center. As planning has continued, the community has shown great support for the concept of the Skills Development Center. Members of the Management Team have made presentations to civic clubs, churches, and meetings of non - profit directors.