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MAIN APPLICATION problems, child care, financial insecurity, etc.) in addition to Compass Center services. Being a leader in referral best practices and quality control has been of particular focus to us in the last year, and after an assessment and restructuring of these services we have created greater staff support and service consistency. Last year we served 712 individuals in this program and already in fiscal year we have served 500. In order to keep up with demand and maintain quality services we are hoping to use some of these grant funds to support a restructuring of some staff roles including having a dedicated Johnson Service Corps. intern overseeing the program as an Information and Referral Specialist, The Community Education component of our program addresses the need for youth and adult training and community education around issues of interpersonal violence prevention and response by delivering trainings and workshops to build skills and knowledge, disseminating information through various channels. Start Strong, our teen dating violence and bullying prevention program, is a two - session program delivered to 6th and 8th grade students during health class in Chapel Hill - Carrboro City Schools. We also offer professional domestic violence education events to a wide array of community members including law enforcement, attorneys, medical providers, other non- profit service providers, faith leaders, and civic organizations. Our staff and volunteers provide information at many community events and perform other outreach activities to educate our community about issues related to domestic violence, adolescent health, and employment concerns. The Civic Engagement component of our program includes coordinating community education events and activity calendars for Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Equal Pay Day, and Women's History Month. c) Describe the local need or problem to be addressed in relation to the Consolidated Plan or other community priorities (i.e. Council /Board Goals). Cite local data to support the need for this program and the population being served. In Orange County between 2009 and 2013, Female- headed households with children under 18 had the highest poverty rate in Orange County at 35.6 %, compared with 7.9% for married - couple households with children under 18 (US. Census Bureau QuickFacts American Community Survey). Single, low- income women "frequently experience a lack of informational support and have difficulty connecting with others" who can provide them with knowledge and community resources (Campbell- Grossman, Hudson, Keating - Lefler & Fleck, 2005). Many of these women are not aware of the resources available in their communities, and this lack of informational, emotional, and financial support can lead to high levels of stress and feelings of depression (Campbell- Grossman et al., 2005). In addition, women in our community are more likely than men to live in poverty, be paid substandard wages, lack basic education or have the least opportunity for advancement, and be the sole caretakers of children (Orange County Commission for Women, 2012). According to the Triangle Community Foundation, civic engagement refers to "individual or collective actions designed to identify and address issues of public concern." There are many types of civic engagement, including volunteerism, community group involvement, and electoral and other political participation. There is a need for increased involvement in these activities in order to change the underlying policies, cultural beliefs, and systems that prevent women from being fully engaged in their communities as decision - makers and leaders. This is why we are committed to engaging the community during Women's History Month, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and Equal Pay Day. As an agency that values self- sufficiency, and works with clients who are survivors of domestic violence, education is very important to us. We believe that education is the key to stopping on- Main Application 1/24/2016 2:59:42 PM Page 34 of 58