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TO: ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FROM; FRIENDS OF ORANGE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES DATE; 1 December 1994 Re: Need for DSS Volunteer Coordinator For the first time Friends of the Department of Social Services has had to say "NO" to the Department of Social Services. "NO" that is in a big way. Oh, we have said "no" very occasionally before because the request was inappropriate, although more often we have approved the request on a one-time basis and questioned the request in a friendly manner, but in one that will not bring us that same request again. But this time was different. We knew that we were turning down help to meet a critical need; we knew also that we were beginning to identify other needs that we would like to address, could not, and would not be able to address in the future. We feel very badly, and, because we do feel so badly, our Executive Committee, with the approval of our Board, has discussed the issue at length and agreed to ask that you, the Board of County Commissioners, agree to fund a Volunteer Coordinator for the Department of Social Services in the 1995-96 Orange County Budget . To review, our organization is divided into three distinct committees, each one with its specific purpose. Our first detailed and evaluative reports have been compiled this fall , after two year ' s experience, and are enclosed for your perusal . Our FINANCE/DISBURSEMENT Committee is the one that makes emergency funds available on an immediate basis to fill gaps when no other funds are available. Surprisingly, the demand on these funds has been far less than we had predicted. The need is not less than we had thought . What has been so satisfying is that with the good faith of FRIENDS behind them, credit is now extended to DSS clients that was not extended before. Not only is the need met on the spot, but often the funds to pay off the credit are later available from federal and state programs that have been applied for . Often too, the DSS client can pay off the credit from their own pay checks at a future date. Our second committee is RESOURCES. Resources too has been a great success. We reach out to a generous community and recycle furniture, appliances, household goods and children' s clothing, through the social workers, to families with needs, as they relocate, establish households from homelessness, or reunite with children in foster care. We obtain donated supplies for now client-friendly waiting rooms, including diapers, snacks, furniture, toys and books as well as nutritional snacks for classes and events without end.