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ORANGE COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br />Meeting Date: October 19, 2004 <br />Action Agenda <br />Item No. __ <br />SUBJECT: Work First County Plan for 2005-2007 <br />DEPARTMENT: Social Services PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No <br />ATTACHMENT(S): <br />Summary of Proposed Work First Plan <br />Recommendations <br />INFORMATION CONTACT: <br />Nancy Coston, Ext. 2800 <br />Gwen Price, Ext. 2885 <br />TELEPHONE NUMBERS: <br />Hillsborough 732-8181 <br />PURPOSE: Ta approve the proposed Work First Plan for 2005-2007 as developed by the <br />planning committee appointed by the Board of Commissioners. <br />BACKGROUND: Work First is North Carolina's cash assistance and support program for low- <br />income families and is funded by the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families <br />(TANF) block grant, state, and county funds, In December 1997, Orange County's first Work <br />First Block Grant Plan was submitted to the NC Division of Social Services outlining the <br />county's strategies for the implementation of Work First. The plan was last updated in 2002 <br />and must be updated every two year. The plan for 2005-2007 is to be submitted to State <br />Division of Social Services by November 1, 2004, <br />On August 17, 2004, the Board of Commissioners appointed a planning committee to develop <br />the new plan, The committee, chaired by Dianne Reid, met several times to discuss the <br />current initiatives and to make recommendations far needed changes, Based on the input <br />from the planning committee, the plan has been revised and submitted for the required public <br />comment period, Although Orange County has developed effective ways to address some of <br />the identified needs, there are still significant barriers for families trying to become financially <br />self-sufficient, The attached document outlines the needs and strategies discussed by the <br />planning committee and the entire plan has been available to the committee and the public„ <br />FINANCIAL IMPACT: The plan itself has no financial impact on Orange County. However, <br />since Orange County currently spends all of its available Work First funding, implementing any <br />new recommendations could require additional funds, <br />RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve the plan as <br />proposed by the planning committee, <br />