Agenda - 08-22-2006-5g - Laserfiche WebLink

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Commissioners and reported to the NC Division of Social Services by August 31, 2006. Each county will then develop a Work First Block Grant Plan to be adopted by the County Commissioners. The plan must be approved by the Board of County Commissioners and be submitted to the Division of Social Services by October 31, 2006. The Social Services Board voted on June 19, 2006 to recommend to the Board of Commissioners that Orange County request a standard designation, The Social Services Board believes that there is sufficient flexibility as a standard county to design services and innovative strategies far transitioning families from welfare to work, A list of recommended appointees for the planning committee is attached, Representation on the committee includes individuals from several disciplines within the community as well as Work First participants, The reauthorization of Temporary Assistance far Needy Families through the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (DRA) signed into law by the President on February 8, 2006 authorizes the Work First Program until September 30, 2010. Several changes in the law will impact services and the ability to meet program goals: • Elimination of post-secondary education as a countable activity far meeting the required 20 or 30 hours of participation per week, • Changes in the base year for caseload redaction credit to October 2005. Over the past ten years, this credit has enabled North Carolina to meet the participation rate requirements. Work First caseload reduction statewide is 73%; Orange County's reduction is 58%, • Some parents not receiving assistance may be included in the participation rate. North Carolina, like many other states, may struggle to meet the participation rate with the new calculations, Failure to meet the rate would result in financial penalties for the State, The NC Division of Social Services has formed a workgroup to study these issues and make recommendations for changes at the State level that could help counties meet the goals. Orange County Social Services Director Nancy Caston is participating on the workgroup, FINANCIAL IMPACT: The County would receive the Work First County Black Grant under either designation, There would be no financial impact of continuing as a standard county, RECOMMENDATION: The Manager recommends that the Board approve the standard program designation status for Work First for the County and appoint the members to the planning committee.