Minutes 05-24-2011 - Laserfiche WebLink

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quality/best-practice criteria. CCSA also has a long history of ineeting program goals and producing strong outcomes on an ongoing basis. In Orange County, an estimated 63% of children under the age of six and 73% of children 6-12 live in homes where all parents work, resulting in a significant need for child care. - Child care is a basic need that helps families sustain their participation in the workforce, reduce dependency on public assistance, and become more financially stable. - High-quality child care also provides children with the dependable, nurturing relationships and safe, stimulating environments that are critical to building strong brains and supporting optimal child development. CCSA's services support those families who face the greatest challenges to self-sufficiency, stability, and access to quality care for their children. In FY 10: - 64% of families served by CCSA had incomes below $35,000/year - 74% were eligible for child care subsidy assistance - 19% were Latino - 56% were single parents Additionally, child care businesses are supported by CCSA's services through free marketing and referrals to their programs, sustaining local employment and providing local revenue to the County. As the single, state-designated service provider for Orange County, CCSA provides key support to families being served by other County departments. CCSA conducts quarterly workshops for Orange County DSS/Work First and provides child care referrals to a significant number of County clients. Of families using our counselor-based services in FY 10: - 24% were referred by Orange County Department of Social Services - 22% were currently receiving subsidy assistance from Orange County DSS - 4% were referred by the County Health Department In this time of extreme funding cuts from all directions, support from the County is even more critical: - Less than 25% of the need for child care referral services is being funded overall and - Orange County Government funding makes up one-third of all of CCSA's funding for services in Orange County - It is important to note that CCSA's funding is program and county specific; the loss of Orange County funds cannot be replaced with other agency funds/resources With the proposed County funding cut, CCSA will not be able to maintain existing levels of service to Orange County, significantly impacting those families most at-risk and in need of child care assistance, including low-income and Spanish-speaking families. We respectfully requested that the County Commissioners reconsider the County Manager's recommendation and continue to fund CCSA for its work with Orange County families seeking child care." Bill Waddell is President of Orange Grove Volunteer Fire Department. He said that their budget is controlled by the Board of County Commissioners. He said that the Manager has recommended that the fire department not get an increase in their fire tax. He said that the roof needs to be replaced. They would like to put on a metal roof to prevent dampness to the building. Secondly, they need more 800 megahertz radios. The firefighters need these for safety and there are not enough to equip all firefighters. If this is denied, the items will be funded out of reserves, increasing the risk for some future financial problem. He pleaded with the Board to give this fire department the increase.