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1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: June 7, 2022 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 4-a <br /> SUBJECT: Process for Realignment of Regional Workforce Development Boards <br /> DEPARTMENT: Social Services <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> Orange County Employment Data Nancy Coston, Social Services, 919- <br /> NC Department of Commerce Local 245-2800 <br /> Leaders Letter Sharron Hinton, Social Services, 919- <br /> Workforce Realignment Presentation 245-2800 <br /> Workforce Realignment Next Steps <br /> PURPOSE: To receive a presentation from North Carolina Department of Commerce staff <br /> regarding the realignment of regional workforce development boards, options for Orange County <br /> for future alignment, and the approval process for proposed realignments. <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 Orange County Social Services Director 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 the 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 /> provided directly by the regional partnership staff, including business support. <br /> Recently the NCWorks Commission approved a realignment of counties within workforce boards. <br /> Staff from the Department of Commerce will provide information about the proposed realignment <br />