Orange County NC Website
DocuSign Envelope ID: E9DE81F9-0070-4074-8F70-93DABC24ACE1 L A - continued <br /> Provider's Outside Agency Application <br /> MAIN APPLICATION <br /> problems, child care, financial insecurity, etc.) in addition to Compass Center services. Being a <br /> leader in referral best practices and quality control has been of particular focus to us in the last <br /> year, and after an assessment and restructuring of these services we have created greater staff <br /> support and service consistency. Last year we served 712 individuals in this program and already in <br /> fiscal year we have served 500. In order to keep up with demand and maintain quality services we <br /> are hoping to use some of these grant funds to support a restructuring of some staff roles including <br /> having a dedicated Johnson Service Corps. intern overseeing the program as an Information and <br /> Referral Specialist. <br /> The Community Education component of our program addresses the need for youth and adult <br /> training and community education around issues of interpersonal violence prevention and response <br /> by delivering trainings and workshops to build skills and knowledge, disseminating information <br /> through various channels. Start Strong, our teen dating violence and bullying prevention program, is <br /> a two-session program delivered to 6th and 81" grade students during health class in Chapel Hill- <br /> Carrboro City Schools. We also offer professional domestic violence education events to a wide <br /> array of community members including law enforcement, attorneys, medical providers, other non- <br /> profit service providers, faith leaders, and civic organizations. Our staff and volunteers provide <br /> information at many community events and perform other outreach activities to educate our <br /> community about issues related to domestic violence, adolescent health, and employment <br /> concerns. <br /> The Civic Engagement component of our program includes coordinating community education <br /> events and activity calendars for Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Equal Pay Day, and <br /> Women's History Month. <br /> c) Describe the local need or problem to be addressed in relation to the Consolidated Plan or <br /> other community priorities (i.e. Council/Board Goals). Cite local data to support the need <br /> for this program and the population being served. <br /> In Orange County between 2009 and 2013, Female-headed households with children under 18 had <br /> the highest poverty rate in Orange County at 35.6%, compared with 7.9% for married-couple <br /> households with children under 18 (US. Census Bureau Quick Facts American Community Survey). <br /> Single, low-income women "frequently experience a lack of informational support and have difficulty <br /> connecting with others" who can provide them with knowledge and community resources <br /> (Campbell-Grossman, Hudson, Keating-Lefler & Fleck, 2005). Many of these women are not aware <br /> of the resources available in their communities, and this lack of informational, emotional, and <br /> financial support can lead to high levels of stress and feelings of depression (Campbell-Grossman <br /> et al., 2005). In addition, women in our community are more likely than men to live in poverty, be <br /> paid substandard wages, lack basic education or have the least opportunity for advancement, and <br /> be the sole caretakers of children (Orange County Commission for Women, 2012). <br /> According to the Triangle Community Foundation, civic engagement refers to "individual or <br /> collective actions designed to identify and address issues of public concern." There are many types <br /> of civic engagement, including volunteerism, community group involvement, and electoral and other <br /> political participation. There is a need for increased involvement in these activities in order to <br /> change the underlying policies, cultural beliefs, and systems that prevent women from being fully <br /> engaged in their communities as decision-makers and leaders. This is why we are committed to <br /> engaging the community during Women's History Month, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, <br /> and Equal Pay Day. <br /> As an agency that values self-sufficiency, and works with clients who are survivors of domestic <br /> violence, education is very important to us. We believe that education is the key to stopping on- <br /> Main Application 1/24/2016 2:59:42 PM Page 3 4 of 5 8 <br />