Orange County NC Website
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9 <br />face serious challenges with high costs, inadequate supplies, and competition with <br />university students for limited housing stock. <br />Transportation to and from work, childcare transportation, and access to childcare <br />continue to be key issues for low-income families. Lack of transportation is a major <br />barrier in assisting families' transition from dependency to independence. The market <br />rate for a five star childcare center for an infant exceeds $13,000 per year, which does not <br />include Smart Start Enhancement Funds. Many families need help paying the cost of <br />quality childcare. Without childcare assistance, low-income families will not be able to <br />pay 50% of their income for childcare. After school care and care during holidays and <br />inclement weather days present major hardships for families. <br />In April 2006, the Workforce Development Workgroup held two focus group outreach <br />meetings with Orange County residents. These residents were unemployed, <br />underemployed, or actively seeking jobs. They were asked their views on becoming <br />gainfully employed and to provide potential solutions to those obstacles. <br />The meetings highlighted several identified barriers faced by this population. The <br />following are some of the barriers mentioned. <br />Barriers: <br />• Child care (5:30 pick-up is too early if you are commuting) <br />• Lack of full time opportunities-especially jobs with benefits and livable wages <br />• Lack of feedback/communication once a resume or application is submitted <br />• Transportation, lack of car and expense <br />• Jobs that require training- how to live and support family during training <br />• Lack of direct work experience in field <br />• No internships unless you are a student <br />• Criminal record <br />• Lack of education <br />• Intense competition for best jobs <br />• Unhealthy coping habits/substance abuse <br />Highlighted solutions from the group were: <br />• Nightlflexible hour daycare <br />• Educating employers about advantages of hiring older/more experienced workers <br />• Internships for non-student workers <br />• Provide job specific training or on the job training <br />• Identify and make readily available all resources available to job seekers <br />• Encourage business owners to consider employing unemployed persons first <br />• Provide training that is short term with flexible hours <br />• Company supported educational opportunities <br />• Provide employers with incentives for allowing flexible hours <br />• Educating employers regarding the benefits of providing child care incentives <br />