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1 <br /> RANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: February 8, 2022 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 1 <br /> SUBJECT: Realignment of Regional Workforce Development Boards <br /> DEPARTMENT: Social services <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> Nancy Coston, Social Services, 919- <br /> 245-2800 <br /> Sharron Hinton, Social Services, 919- <br /> 245-2800 <br /> PURPOSE: To receive information about the possible realignment of regional workforce <br /> development boards and the potential impact on Orange County. <br /> BACKGROUND: Orange County is currently one of five counties in the Regional Partnership <br /> Workforce Development Board. The other counties are Alamance, Randolph, Montgomery and <br /> Moore. There are currently three Board members appointed by the Board of Commissioners: <br /> Katie Loovis (Chapel Hill Chamber of Commerce), Rhonda Sue Holaday (Summit Design and <br /> Engineering) and Nancy Coston. <br /> The purpose of the Workforce Development Board is to help job seekers with employment, <br /> education, training and support to succeed in the job market while supplying skilled workers for <br /> employers. The Board also provides oversight for the regional allocation of Workforce Innovation <br /> and Opportunity Act funds. These funds provide services to all populations and have a particular <br /> focus on dislocated workers, youth and other job seekers with specific barriers. <br /> In 2013, the Orange County Department of Social Services (DSS) won the competitive bid to <br /> operate the youth program in Orange County. In 2017, after a competitive bid process, DSS <br /> became the operator for all the adult and youth programs and NCWorks Center, and has <br /> continued to provide these services and integrated them with the existing employment and <br /> support services at DSS and Skills Development Center. There are other grants and services, <br /> such as business support, provided by the regional boards, but these are provided directly by the <br /> regional partnership staff. <br /> Recently, the NCWorks Commission began a study to realign existing workforce boards and will <br /> discuss any changes at its upcoming meetings in February and March. The proposal may align <br /> boards within the eight existing prosperity zones. The North Central Zone includes Orange County <br />