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BACKGROUND <br />"So You Think You're Immune from Welfare Reform: The <br />Impact on Orange County," was the topic of the 1997 Human <br />Services Advisory Commission (HSAC) forum. The goal of the <br />forum was to give community agencies an opportunity to provide <br />feedback that will be incorporated into Orange County's Plan for <br />Welfare Reform. The plan will be submitted to the State this <br />fiscal year for funding. The forum participants discussed <br />possible ways human services agencies and the community can <br />support families affected by Welfare Reform. <br />OVERVIEW <br />North Carolina State Senator Howard Lee elaborated on the "hot <br />off the press" welfare legislation. He said that Work First, which <br />is showing clear signs of success, was not scrapped in favor of <br />some completely new program with new goals. He spoke <br />strongly in favor of increasing training opportunities within <br />Orange County. He mentioned that the reform will undoubtedly <br />increase state and county bureaucracy and that he recommended <br />that Orange County not become a pilot county. <br />0 <br />North Carolina State Representative Verla Insko opened the <br />"By the year 2000, <br />forum with a description of the welfare reform compromise <br />every able- bodied <br />between the State Senate and House. The compromise allowed <br />counties to either continue Work First with new flexibility, or <br />welfare recipient in <br />pilot the House plan with restrictions that assure accountability. <br />North Carolina <br />The new legislation laid out the structure of the pilot programs, <br />should be working or <br />the duties of all counties, and the duties of the Department of <br />learning to work. " <br />Health and Human Resources (DHHR) . It also authorized a <br />system of state -wide accountability that relates to 1996's forum <br />topic of service outcomes and measurability. For example, the <br />State may take over a pilot county that for two years fails to meet <br />its welfare reform plan and fails to comply with corrective action. <br />Representative Insko also described the First Step Employment <br />Assistance Program and the new Biometric Imaging System. <br />North Carolina State Senator Howard Lee elaborated on the "hot <br />off the press" welfare legislation. He said that Work First, which <br />is showing clear signs of success, was not scrapped in favor of <br />some completely new program with new goals. He spoke <br />strongly in favor of increasing training opportunities within <br />Orange County. He mentioned that the reform will undoubtedly <br />increase state and county bureaucracy and that he recommended <br />that Orange County not become a pilot county. <br />0 <br />