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<br />will be added to encourage and strengthen participation. Participants would earn points <br />for: <br />• Weekly contact with case manager. <br />• Participating in work related activities; training, work experience, employment. <br />• Meeting the hours outlined in the mutual responsibility agreement. <br />• Submitting reports and time cards weekly. <br />• Having a driver's license. <br />• Good driving record. _ <br />• No criminal record. <br />Incentives to be used are gift cards for work experience assignments, clothing <br />allowances, and a car allowance. Eighty participants will participate in the work <br />experience incentive and 30 participants will receive a clothing allowance. The clothing <br />allowance is a separate incentive outside of the standard assistance with clothes for an <br />interview and new job. Work First participants receiving the car allowance would have <br />met all of the program requirements and would have retained employment for 60 days. <br />The program would assist 15 participants with car ownership. <br />Enhanced Service Delivery <br />Subsidized employment and on-the job training enhances service delivery options. <br />Research indicates that recipients who obtain good jobs with higher wages and employer <br />provided benefits are more likely to sustain employment. <br />Through the development of this initiative, we will be building relationships and <br />partnerships with employers that would be valuable for labor market information such as <br />job listings, relevant training opportunities, work supports and career counseling. <br />Staff development and training will occur as we look at the provision of a stronger pre- <br />employment and post-employment services delivery process. <br />Work First participants will be empowered as they are guided in focusing on outcomes <br />and reinforced in that behavior by work incentives and job coaching. <br />Implementation Timeframe <br />Orange County will begin implementation 30 days after notification of grant approval. <br />Partners will meet to work out protocols for successful coordination and outcome <br />measures. <br />Involvement of Community Partners <br />Orange County is in the process of building strong working relationships with employers <br />in both the private and public sectors. Our partnerships will focus on issues such as work <br />force needs and coordinating information on available jobs. The DSS will expand <br />Orange County DSS <br />7 <br />