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6 <br />average. In the late 1980's, the County School System made a concerted effort <br />to reduce the drop -out rate. In 1989 -90, the drop -out rate was down to 3.78% <br />county -wide, a total of 88 students. This represented a drop of thirty students <br />from the previous year.. These lowered rates were the result of a <br />comprehensive intervention strategy in both the County School Systems, <br />particularly the Orange County Schools which traditionally had one of the <br />highest rates of high school drop -outs in the state2. <br />Historically, northern Orange County depended upon the traditional North <br />Carolina industries: textiles, furniture and tobacco for their employment. <br />Opportunities in these areas are rapidly decreasing as the nature of industry <br />in the County becomes much more technologically driven. The type of <br />changes that ultimately will occur in most North Carolina counties are <br />occurring rapidly in Orange County now. Thus, the plight of the poorly <br />educated person is deteriorating rapidly even as the general economy of the <br />area advances. Economic progress of the area forces prices up, particularly <br />housing costs. There will be more low - income families requiring public <br />assistance unless job skills are upgraded rapidly, so more individuals can <br />compete successfully for the available, more skilled, jobs. <br />B. Based on your analysis, how does your area propose to enable and empower families to move <br />from poverty to self - sufficiency? Who will benefit from your proposed plan of action? How <br />will the target group(s) benefit? Why was this target group(s) chosen as the focus of your OFF <br />Initiative? <br />Q:Why do you go to school and work? <br />A: "Because I need the money to help my family:' (older male) <br />Throughout this proposal, there are statements made by young males from <br />Orange County. Since the beginning of the planning process, they have <br />helped to guide the development of Orange County's OFF Program. The <br />community involvement subcommittee of the OFF Planning Committee <br />developed a comprehensive strategy of surveys and focus groups to gather <br />ideas and thoughts directly from the young males who may be future <br />participants in the OFF Program. Quotes from their surveys have been <br />included throughout the proposal. Focus groups were conducted in public <br />schools and community agencies throughout the county. <br />The results of the survey demonstrate clearly that the OFF program must <br />focus on improving the educational attainments of middle grade males as <br />well as increasing their self- esteem and their understanding of their potential <br />to participate in the economic life of the community. For older males, OFF <br />staff will develop programs to enhance their job skills and facilitate more <br />active participation in the economic and social life of their families. Male <br />participants in the Opportunities for Families Fund (OFF) Program will come <br />ZStatistics developed by Orange County School System <br />6/19/91 The Orange County OFF Draft TWO Proposal <br />