Orange County NC Website
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o Joint Orange Chatham Community Action <br /> - Food and Nutrition Services Employment and Training <br /> NC FAST <br /> - North Carolina Families Accessing Services through Technology (NC FAST) introduces <br /> technological tools that help staff more effectively serve clients <br /> - Implementation begins in September 2012 <br /> - 10-month readiness period begins December 2011 <br /> - EPASS <br /> Members of the DSS Board gave some examples of clients and success stories of <br /> programs. <br /> Nancy Coston said that there is a fatigue factor in the system right now because there are <br /> so many clients and needs and no extra resources. <br /> 6. Discussion <br /> Chair Pelissier asked if there were priorities for Smart Start subsidies. Nancy Coston said <br /> that one of the issues that may become more noticeable is that the Partnership Board has not <br /> tackled this issue in a public meeting and it came through the bidding process. <br /> Frank Clifton said that Gwen Harvey sits on the board and one of the concerns was if the <br /> funds were being spent on those most in need. The board is becoming more involved in those <br /> decisions. <br /> Nancy Coston said that her goal is to try and get the Skills Development Center at the <br /> forefront again and trying to get clients more ready for the workforce. <br /> With EPASS, clients can see if they are eligible for services. There is a link to this from <br /> the DSS website. <br /> Commissioner Yuhasz asked if there was one category that had more need than another. <br /> Nancy Coston said that the staff is at risk for burnout. Another great need is childcare. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs said that the poverty rate in Orange County is going up. He asked <br /> if one of the most effective ways to deal with the poverty was to increase funding in childcare. <br /> Nancy Coston said that this would help as would engaging other businesses and groups to take <br /> on the costs of childcare. <br /> Commissioner Hemminger asked if any other counties run their own childcare. Nancy <br /> Coston said yes and that it was a model that could occur. <br /> Discussion ensued about the possibility of providing childcare in the County. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs asked who monitors elder abuse. Nancy Coston said that DSS <br /> does the Adult Protective Services, which means that if an elder is abused, it is reported to <br /> DSS. If it is pending against a regulated facility, it becomes a dual opportunity because the <br /> State monitors nursing homes. Commissioner Jacobs asked that, as funds are continually cut <br /> for seniors to stay at home and receive care, who would monitor this and what is the fallback <br /> position. Nancy Coston said that the Adult Protective Services is the next crisis. <br /> Chair Pelissier asked what was on the horizon for federal funding for the various services <br /> provided by DSS. Nancy Coston said that the energy program will probably be the first one to <br /> get hit. She thinks the next issue is health reform and what will happen with this. She also <br /> heard that there would be federal funding for childcare, but with everything going on with the <br /> federal government, she does not see that happening. <br />