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• Utilize Work First funds to provide financial reimbursement of no less than $20 each week 28 <br />for participants actively participating in work experience <br />• Develop a mentoring program for participants <br />• Screen and train community volunteers to participate in the mentoring program <br />• Collaborate with the faith community in Orange County <br />• Provide job readiness training <br />• Refer hard -to -place recipients (include people with a criminal record, chemical addiction, <br />chronic physical and mental health problems, and/or extremely poor life skills) to agencies <br />such as Orange Enterprises, CaraMore Community, Club NOVA, IFC, etc. to employ <br />methods used in serving persons with disabilities; e.g., job coaching, job shadowing, enclave <br />employment, mobile crews, etc. <br />• Coordinate and refer participants with disabilities to Vocational Rehabilitation <br />Long Term Strategies for Employment and Training. <br />• Develop a steering committee to explore a Self- Employment Track <br />• Collaborate with the faith community to develop an Adopt -a Work First - Family Program <br />• Involve the business community in teaching money management skills to Work First <br />participants <br />• Assist non - drivers in getting a drivers license <br />• Work with phone companies to provide services to Work First participants such as: free <br />extended area service for Work First families whose jobs or child care services are beyond <br />their local area, a waiver of deposits for Work First recipients through their transitional year, <br />and/or a limited free calls <br />• Make a one time lump sum scholarship available to families when they transition off <br />assistance and into employment <br />• Create a temporary employment agency that would provide benefits for trainees and new <br />workers while they are gaining seniority and permanent job status <br />The goal for our community is to provide employment that pays a living wage; i.e., a wage that <br />allows the employed person to provide the essential elements of well being for all the individuals <br />for whom they are responsible. <br />• Advocate for living wage jobs for all people employed in Orange County <br />• Develop an ombudsman service that employers can call to get assistance in handling <br />problems with any Work First employee as an incentive to the employer <br />• Establish an information/referral clearing house for mandatory recipients so they have one <br />place to call to find sick child care, emergency transportation, etc. <br />• Study short and long term costs and benefits of economic development. Does an industry pay <br />for itself in taxes or does it cost more in taxes than it pays to county? Look at impact of <br />attracting new residents with children, etc. <br />B. Support Services Outcome Goals <br />Statewide Goals <br />1. Avoiding welfare through diversion assistance for 6 families. <br />2. Increasing child support orders and collections by 10 %. <br />27 <br />