Agenda - 06-25-1991 - Laserfiche WebLink

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SECTION IV. LONG -RANGE IMPACT AND SUSTAINABILITY: A. What are your plans for continuing the OFF initiative beyond the period of the proposed ZSR OFF grant? It is the goal of the program planners that the Orange County OFF Project will become a permanent part of employment services provided in the County. It is the view of the planning committee that all males and females in the community should have access to appropriate vocational education and provision of services necessary to obtain that training. This includes support for the adolescent and their families during the period in which they pursue their vocational training. The goal of the program is for males to have the range of opportunities currently being provided for females through the JOBS program. It is our belief that at some point, federal and state government must realize that any comprehensive approach to breaking the cycle of poverty must serve the male as well as the female members of welfare dependent families. It is the hope of the planners of this project that the Orange County experience, as well as that of similar programs in other communities, will hasten the day when that recognition occurs. Federal and state governments may not come to this realization by the termination of the Z. Smith Reynolds proposal. Therefore, in Orange County, the OFF Advisory Council will take steps to see that the program is continued. The first part of this process is the commitment by the County to assume responsibility for maintaining a level of funding envisioned by the Foundation if the project is successful. This clearly represents a critical and substantial commitment by the County. In addition to the commitment of specific funds for this project, it is also important to note that certain changes in County government will occur regardless of specific funding. The OFF Program will strengthen vocational education in the schools and will strengthen the links among the public schools, Durham Technical Community College, and the other job training programs in the County. We hope there will be a substantial change in the philosophy toward vocational education in the public school system that will be integrated into continuing education programs. The co- location of vocational education and job training services in one site will continue long beyond the life of the project. and in itself will help institutionalize the relationships fostered by the grant. There are certain steps being taken by County government, including the development of a common registration form for all County services, that will encourage a comprehensive, family - centered approach to services. This project will instill a new set of attitudes about males in both County government and the private sector. Hopefully, these agencies will soon view 6/19/91 The Orange County OFF Draft TWO Proposal 18 21