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21 <br /> • UNC Hospital continues to request a part-time economic services supervisor to work <br /> on-site at the hospital assisting with Medicaid applications. This position is currently a <br /> temporary position, but it is expected to continue for the foreseeable future. As a result, <br /> Social Services recommends establishing a permanent part-time position to work at <br /> UNC Hospital 15 hours per week. The County's costs are reimbursed through the <br /> hospital contract. <br /> • Social Services received notification of a grant award in the amount of$540,000 for <br /> federal fiscal year 2016-17 to expand the Food and Nutrition Employment and Training <br /> program in Orange County. This $340,000 dollar increase requires a match that can be <br /> met this year with existing funds, and also allows Social Services to help more <br /> individuals acquire jobs that pay the County living wage of$13.15 per hour through <br /> subsidized employment. <br /> There are some unique challenges related to creating positions for subsidized employees, and <br /> the proposed plan created with Human Resources and Finance will address those issues but <br /> require minor changes to procedures. Social Services proposes to place most of the <br /> subsidized employment program participants into six-month temporary positions based on the <br /> individual's skill sets and available job placement sites. Most of these sites are in county <br /> government, other government agencies or non-profits, but some are in local businesses. <br /> There will be some special circumstances warranting additional time in subsidized employment <br /> beyond the six-month period (for example, individuals with serious barriers such as former <br /> foster youth). These individuals will be placed in trainee appointments and will be provided <br /> benefits. The Social Services Director would indicate the length of the appointment to the <br /> individual as well as to Human Resources and Finance. This would assure that these <br /> employees receive appropriate benefits while maintaining the flexibility needed to operate an <br /> effective subsidized employment program, particularly for individuals with substantial barriers. <br /> The number of participants involved would be dictated by the funding available for <br /> this program component. <br /> These positions and programs support the economic self-sufficiency goal by providing <br /> opportunities for low-income individuals to receive additional training and job placement <br /> services and to increase their wages. <br /> A motion was made by Commissioner Price, seconded by Commissioner McKee to: <br /> 1) Create four (4) permanent part-time benefited positions at 20 hours per week funded by <br /> Second Family Foundation; <br /> 2) Create one (1) permanent part-time non-benefited position at 15 hours per week funded <br /> by UNC Hospital; <br /> 3) Allow the Social Services Director flexibility to create temporary positions and varying limited <br /> time trainee appointments for subsidized employment positions for work program participants <br /> using existing and expanded work program funding; and <br /> 4) Accept additional federal funds by approving Budget Amendment#3-A. <br /> VOTE: Ayes, 6; Nays, 1 (Commissioner Jacobs) <br /> c. Financial Policy for Outside Agency Funding- DEFERRED <br />