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ORANGE COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br />Meeting Date: June 7, 2005 <br />Action Ager~ <br />Item No. <br />SUBJECT: Contract Renewal with Orange Enterprises far Supportive Employment <br />Services <br />DEPARTMENT: Social Services <br />PUBLIC HEARING: (YIN) No <br />ATTACHMENT(S): <br />Contract <br />INFORMATION CONTACT: <br />Nancy Coston, 245-2800 <br />Gwen Price, 245-2800 <br />TELEPHONE NUMBERS: <br />Hillsborough 732-8181 <br />Chapel Hill 968-4501 <br />Durham 688-7331 <br />Mebane 336-227-2031 <br />PURPOSE: To consider renewal/continuation of the contract with Orange Enterprises for <br />services to Work First clients with significant barriers to employment. <br />BACKGROUND: Orange County has experienced a 58% reduction in the number of families <br />receiving Work First Cash Assistance. The remaining adult participants have multiple barriers <br />to economic independence and require intensive services to transition them into employment. <br />One of the strategies recommended by the Welfare Reform Task Force was to contract with <br />Orange Enterprises to complete a vocational assessment, provide work adjustment services, <br />place participants in employment, and provide job retention services. Orange County entered <br />into a contractual agreement with Orange Enterprises effective April 2001. <br />Social Services has utilized a contract with Orange Enterprises to address the needs of the <br />hardest to serve Work First families. Services include comprehensive evaluations and <br />supportive employment and follow-up. This has been an effective strategy for some of the <br />clients who have difficulty securing employment. In FY2004-2005, vocational assessments <br />were provided to five participants with intensive services being provided. The five participants <br />are receiving supportive services after having obtained employment. <br />The Social Services Board has reviewed the contract and recommends that the Board approve <br />a contract in the amount of $20,000 far FY2005-2006. <br />FINANCIAL IMPACT: The contract amount of $20,000 is paid with County funds in Social <br />Services that serve as the required Maintenance of Effort under the County Work First Black <br />Grant program. <br />