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2 <br /> eligibility requirements. Not only will this require considerable effort between now and January, <br /> but the tracking will also be needed each month for all of the impacted clients. <br /> Although DSS is not required to provide employment and training activities for these <br /> participants, the agency is planning to expand the voluntary program as an avenue for them to <br /> meet the requirements. Many of the activities planned for the expansion at Hillsborough <br /> Commons should meet the requirements, and the agency is also looking at expanding work <br /> experience at both County agencies and businesses in the community. There will also be work <br /> with Durham Technical Community College to identify courses that are appropriate for these <br /> participants. The agency will be working on transportation and other support services needed to <br /> help the participants to continue receiving benefits while seeking additional employment skills. <br /> The goal for DSS is to develop strategies to assure that no recipients lose FNS benefits due to <br /> the new regulations. This will obviously require concentrated efforts by staff to identify those <br /> who may not meet the requirements and to connect them with appropriate activities. The <br /> agency will need additional staff resources to manage this, particularly in the next six months. <br /> Although the agency has sufficient unutilized permanent salaries to provide temporary staff for <br /> the next few months, this may not be sufficient to meet this demand for the rest of this year. If it <br /> appears that additional resources are needed to meet this demand, the DSS Director will <br /> present a request to the County Manager in January or February for consideration to use social <br /> justice funding for this purpose. <br /> FINANCIAL IMPACT: If the funds already allocated in the DSS budget are sufficient to support <br /> the staff needed for this issue, there will be no additional County funds requested to meet this <br /> need. If the needs cannot be met, additional County funds will be needed to allow staff to meet <br /> with all of the impacted clients. <br /> SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goal is applicable to <br /> this agenda item: <br /> • GOAL: ENSURE ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY <br /> The creation and preservation of infrastructure, policies, programs and funding necessary <br /> for residents to provide shelter, food, clothing and medical care for themselves and their <br /> dependents. <br /> This issue relates to the County's goal of ensuring economic self-sufficiency since these <br /> changes could result in people losing access to food. <br /> RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board receive the information <br /> about the changes in the Food and Nutrition program and provide input and guidance to the <br /> Department of Social Services on plans for serving the impacted clients. <br />