Orange County NC Website
aoaw <br /> in JTPA, (3) educational background of the participants, OD background <br /> statistics of the participants, (5) job placement of the participants and <br /> comparison of salaries for the first and second year AFDC participants, race <br /> and gender of the participants. The data presented was compared with Durham <br /> County. <br /> Insko expressed concern that not everyone who participate gets a job <br /> and that the AFDC recipients are not being adequately served by the program. <br /> Recommendations were outlined as stated in the report:. She feels <br /> that Orange County should receive regular reports on they number of <br /> participants along with other statistics. An assessment needs to be made to <br /> determine if JTPA is actually reducing the number of people on AFDC. She <br /> suggested the PIC (Private Industrial Council) ask for more program and <br /> population data so they can do a more thorough job at evaluating the program <br /> and establishing goals for JTPA. PIC has the authority to ask for a waiver of <br /> the support programs that have been deleted which would allow more money for <br /> child care and transportation. Also they could request more nontraditional <br /> training programs. <br /> Insko pointed out that this consortium is the only one in the nation <br /> that has a private sector liaison. The unique feature of the program is the <br /> involvement of the Chamber of Commerce in endorsing the program. She cited <br /> several barriers to effectiveness: <br /> (1) funding formula is not appropriate - it is based on <br /> unemployment while the charge is to serve welfare recipients. <br /> (2) improved coordination at the state level, <br /> (3) PIC at the State level is not representative of the female <br /> population, and <br /> (4) requirement of a high skill level by the employer. <br /> Commissioner Marshall asked about the outreach of the program and <br /> Bob Ferguson, Director of the Administrative Office for JTPA, indicated that <br /> every available resource is utilized. He indicated that there are inequities <br /> to those who are served because of the demands of the employers. Referrals of <br /> both male and females are made but the employer makes the final decision. He <br /> summarized the application process when the program was initiated and <br /> improvements that have been made since the beginning of the program. Goals <br /> and objections are being formulated and the concerns and issues listed in the <br /> Commission for Women report will be reviewed. The required percentage rate <br /> for AFDC participation within the consortium is 5.3%. There are certain state <br /> and federal requirements that must be met which cause some prob:_ems. Funds <br /> are not received in a timely fashion and the funding formula doer not address <br /> the disadvantaged population. The funding level is not known frorl one year to <br /> the next. The coordination between JTPA and other local agenc:Les has been <br /> addressed by the State. <br /> Sophie Shiffman of the Employment Security Commission, <br /> indicated that all AFDC recipients are screened and referred accordingly. <br /> Many are referred to JTPA and some have completed the training and are <br /> employed. <br /> Social Services Director Tom Ward indicated the bigger;t problem is <br /> transportation of the participants to and from training. Most AFI)C recipients <br /> do not have transportation. <br /> Ferguson noted that following training, the on-the-job-training <br /> program pays part of the trainees' salary to the employer for a maximum of 44 <br /> weeks. The training programs are planned in accordance with the labor market. <br />