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national levels. He asked if the weekly benefits are a specific amount, and if so, could the <br /> County create some supplemental emergency assistance to help these clients. <br /> Lindsey Shewmaker said the benefits are about $180 a month. <br /> Commissioner Dorosin said Orange County is a rich county, and if the list is whittled <br /> down to 200 or so people the County should be able to assist or subsidize them. He <br /> suggested the possibility of staff coming back to the Board with what it would cost to provide <br /> help for 3 to 6 months. <br /> Bonnie Hammersley said she asked Nancy Coston to present this item to make the <br /> Board aware of this situation. She said the situation will continue to be monitored, and the <br /> Board will remain fully informed of both the positive and the negative. <br /> Commissioner Dorosin said this need could be a line item in the Community Giving <br /> fund. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs asked if this relates to the Work First program. <br /> Nancy Coston said those people in the Work First program are not subject to these <br /> changes. She said Work First has its own requirements. She said keeping up with the work <br /> hours of all clients is a big distraction from doing the more important work of helping clients. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs mentioned that several employers hire Work First participants. <br /> He said it would be beneficial to recruit the private sector, so the burden of support does not <br /> always fall on the government. <br /> Nancy Coston said there have been some wonderful relationships with the private <br /> sector, and she agrees this should continue. She said there have also been some missed <br /> opportunities with funds coming into Orange County in these areas. She said it is crucial to <br /> pursue every avenue that may help the clients. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs asked if the Orange County Economic Development office has <br /> been approached as a partner. <br /> Nancy Coston said this Department has been helpful thus far, but the relationship can <br /> deepen further. <br /> Commissioner Price said she is still concerned about this program, and while DSS is <br /> doing their best it seems like a band-aid effect. She said the client may have a job and some <br /> food but may not have a place to stay or clothes on their back. She said this does not address <br /> breaking the cycle. <br /> Nancy Coston said the group of 1,500 clients are going to have very varied <br /> demographics, with some facing homelessness and others transportation or employment <br /> needs. She said triaging the clients and creating unique plans will be critical. <br /> Chair McKee asked if there is a timeline to move through this evaluation process. <br /> Nancy Coston said this process will take time, and once her staff reviews the initial list <br /> many people will be taken off. She said the total number of clients that will need to be <br /> assessed is not yet known, but there will be some group meetings with these clients as well as <br /> some clients that can complete some self-assessments. She said this whole process will be a <br /> huge task, and clients will be asked to help document their current work status. <br /> Chair McKee suggested that the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) is interested <br /> in not letting clients fall through the cracks. He read the financial impact statement on the <br /> abstract and urged DSS not to wait until the middle of December to come back, but rather to <br /> let the BOCC know the need as soon as possible. <br /> Bonnie Hammersley said the situation would be monitored, and a budget amendment <br /> would be presented to the Board if necessary. <br /> 2. Space Study Work Group Report Update <br />