Agenda - 12-03-2001-6a - Laserfiche WebLink

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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: December 3, 2001 Action Agen a Item No. •a SUBJECT: Status ofEmeroancy Assistance Fonda for Low-Inmme Families DEPARTMENT: Social Services PUBLIC NEARING: (YIN) No ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Interim Report on Emergency Assistance Nancy CAStgn, e#. 2800 Programs TELEPHONE NUMBERB: Hillebomugh ]32A181 Chapel Hill 968-0501 Durbam 888-7331 Mebane 336-22]-2031 PURPOSE: To repodthe status and wnsider appropriating $30,000 in additional County funds to help address emergency nestle of low-inwme families. BACKGROUND: Social Services, [hrou9h its emergency assistance progrems, provitles a safety net forfamilies expedendnB Crises. Requests for assistance have been much higher this year (almost Iwlce as many plants were seen In October of this year compared to last) antl at the current rate of spentling the county funtls budgeletl for amergendes ($85,265) will be exheustetl tludng December or January. The informatbn fromthe nonprofit agencies that also provide emergency services shows increased demand mnsis[ent with the experience at SorJal Services. Stafr recommsntls[h~t the BOeM allocate an etldl8onal $30,000 to help address [his en[icipe[etl shortell. Of Mese funtls, $3,000 will be placetl in a speaal Pontl br securing utility deposits. The County would guarantee, rather man to pay a tleposit, and thus woultl inwr an expense only if the family fails to make their regular utility payments. The County Manager, Social Services staff and the Soclel Services Boem (which sets [he policies for the emergency programs), have all+aken ac[ionsbatltlress these needs. Some of these actions Intlude changing me agency's policy antl procetlures to insure that more of these wsls are coveretl whhin the existing Work First Black Grant, meeting wkh local milRy suppliers and nonprofas to identify opportunities b improve Ne community response to these needs, and data analysis to identify trentls antl issues that warrant ongoing changes in the agency s policy of provitling emergency assistance. An in[sdm report from this meeting is a6achetl and the full report will be available In December. Even wRh implementation of the proposed changes, there would be a need for additional footle for this year. The funtls being requested wouM maintain the e9ency'a response at the torten[ level antl does riot provide for any further increase in demantl.