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5 <br /> Work First Planning Process <br /> Introduction <br /> On August 28, 1997, the General Assembly approved Senate Bill 352, Part XII, Welfare <br /> Reform Initiatives. This legislation requires the county board of commissioners to <br /> appoint a committee to identify the needs of the Work First population, and to review and <br /> assist in developing the County Plan to respond to the needs. <br /> Under Work First, families on welfare are required to make the transition from welfare to <br /> work. Work First represents a fundamental shift in welfare policies on the national, state <br /> and county level. Through Work First, families can receive short-term training, child <br /> care and other services to help them break the cycle of dependency. <br /> The Orange County Board of County Commissioners, concerned about the implications <br /> of Welfare Reform on citizens, appointed a Human Services Reform Task Force that <br /> began on January 16, 1996 with the following charge: <br /> "Convene public and private sector stakeholders and present recommendations <br /> to the Board on: measureable outcomes in human services, human service <br /> priorities, an acceptable safety net for adults and families with children, current <br /> resources available to meet the needs, and gaps in the resources to support the <br /> needs." <br /> This proactive move by the Board and the work completed by the Task Force enabled <br /> Orange County to have a strong structure for the development of the County Work First <br /> Plan. <br /> Planning Process <br /> On October 17, 1997,the Welfare Reform Task Force convened to identify county <br /> specific outcomes, develop objectives for achieving outcomes, develop strategies for <br /> achieving state goals, and develop the County Work First Plan. This 30 member Task <br /> Force represent both the public and private sectors and included educators, area board <br /> designee, clergy, business leaders, private non-profit managers, retirees, community <br /> activists, human service professionals, and public assistance recipients. <br /> The Task Force divided into four subcommittees: Employment and Training, Support <br /> Services, Diversion and Emergency Assistance, and Special Populations. During October <br /> and November,the subcommittees met to develop a County Work First Plan. At the full <br /> Task Force meetings the subcommittees reported and received feedback on the work that <br /> had been done. The Plan includes county outcomes,the utilization of public and private <br /> resources to assist in moving families to self-sufficiency, and strategies for meeting child <br /> care, transportation, housing, employment, and the health needs of Work First families. <br /> 1 <br />