NS -Grant - Work First Block Grant Local Plan

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22 VII. Services to Low - Income Families Orange County DSS will provide services to low - income employed families at or below 200% of poverty. Services may include transportation or transportation related expenses, work attire, tools, shelter cost, or utility assistance, domestic violence services, and any other employment retention assistance. VIII. Services to Non - Custodial Parents Orange County Department of Social Services is committed to providing assistance in the development of an initiative to serve non - custodial parents. We recognize that the need for child support in Work First families is critical to them becoming and remaining self - sufficient. There are 323 Work First families at any one time. Of this number there are about 300 non - custodial parents, generally fathers. Of the 300 non - custodial parents, there are 157 child -only cases with both parents absent. Orange County will implement a non - custodial parent program to improve the employment skills and enhance parental responsibility for the emotional and financial well being of children. Program participants must be a non - custodial parent of a Work First child with income at or below 200% of poverty, and a US citizen or an eligible alien. Program participants will be identified through Child Support Enforcement. The program's initial focus will be on fathers. The fatherhood initiative will enable non - custodial fathers of Work First children to take more responsibility for their children. The Work First Block Grant Planning Committee believes that with county and nonprofit agency partnerships, this program will help to improve the lives of Work First non - custodial parents, their children, and custodial parents. IX. Exemption from the Work Requirement Orange County will continue to exempt all single parents with children under the age of one for a lifetime limit of 12 months. Individuals with children under the age of one who are working 30 hours per week are not eligible for this exemption. If the single parent loses their job, they may reclaim the exemption for a lifetime maximum of 12 months. X. Innovative County Strategies Transportation Initiative A transportation coordinator works individually with Work First clients to arrange transportation for employment or other work - related activities. This position is funded in collaboration with Orange Public Transportation and Work First. In addition, this position coordinates the Wheels for Work Car Donation Program.