NS -Grant - Work First Block Grant Local Plan

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25 XI. Special Issues Orange County's current Work First population faces multiple obstacles in obtaining and retaining employment. Work First participants are competing for jobs with a highly skilled workforce. Unskilled and semi - skilled workers without a high school diploma and a recent connection to the workforce are unable to obtain jobs that provide a living wage. Barriers such as substance abuse, criminal records and chronic physical and mental health problems have no quick fix. They are resolved as a result of participant commitment, adequate resources, and time. Employment barriers are realities for low- income families in Orange County. Listed below are typical barriers experienced by low- income families in Orange County: • Lack of adequate and affordable transportation, • Lack of education, • Limited work experience, • Lack of non - traditional dependent care hours, • Lack of affordable housing, • Chemical dependency, • Lack of resources to handle crises. Jobs paying a living wage require more skill and education than participants have. Orange County Work First participants are competing against a highly educated pool for entry-level positions. Work First participants typically have insufficient financial supports and personal resources to handle problems that occur. Few participants have a back -up plan for childcare or if their transportation breaks down. Orange County's vision and mission statement apply to all citizens in Orange County. The County has in place a safety net of services for those people who do not have success through Work First or other programs. The Work First Block Grant Planning Committee will continue to address issues that affect the success of low- income families in Orange County and implement action steps to improve the well -being of families.