Work First Plan Approved 01-20-1998-9a

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Planning - The 1997 Task Force. 17 Based on the foundation of the 1996 report and the direction of the North Carolina General Assembly, more than 30 members of the original Task Force reconvened in October, 1997 to develop outcome goals, identify barriers and recommend strategies to overcome the barriers and achieve the outcomes. Task Force members represent both the public and private sectors and included educators, clergy, business leaders, private non - profit managers and staff, retirees, community activists, human service professionals, and public assistance recipients (Attachment I). Local agencies involved in planning for the Work First program include: the Orange County Departments of Health, Housing, and Aging, the Human Relations Commission, the Orange - Person- Chatham Mental Health Association, the Orange County Partnership for Young Children, Day Care Services Association, Orange Enterprises, Adolescents in Need, Habitat for Humanity, Family Resource Centers, Women's Center, Family Financial Counseling, Consumer Credit Counseling, faith congregations, Chambers of Commerce, JOCCA, IFC, OCIM, Salvation Army, Vocational Rehabilitation, and many others as well as many individual programs within each of these agencies. Once again the Task Force divided into four sub - committees: Diversion and Emergency Assistance, Employment and Training, Support Services, and Special Populations. The remainder of this report reflects the work of the 1997 Task Force in combination with regulations and procedures provided by the NC Department of Health and Human Services. The Work First Plan was available for public comment and review beginning December 19, 1997. After the review period a focus group was convened to obtain additional feedback and support from the community. The Plan was available for review at all of the following locations: • All Public Libraries, • Department of Social Services (Hillsborough and Chapel Hill offices), • County Managers Office, • All Family Resource Centers, • Orange County Home Page, • Chapel Hill Town Hall, and • Carrboro Town Hall. V. OUTCOMES AND GOALS FOR ORANGE COUNTY A. Statewide Work First Goals Based on state -wide goals set by the North Carolina General Statutes, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services defines the following goals for Orange County. The goals expressed as a per cent will be translated into exact numbers as of July 1, 1998. 16