Agenda - 11-15-2005-6d - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

DRAFT LETTER REPRESENTATIVE PRICE SENATORS DOLE AND BURR NOTE: Letter will be properly addressed and formatted on BOCC stationery for Chair's final review and signature before sending. Dear Congressman Dear Senator RE: House Report.3010 -Appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies for the Fiscal Year Ending September 30, 2006 The package of cuts to human services program will harm thousands of vulnerable children and families in Orange County and dramatically reduce the resources available for us to serve them. We must express our sincere reservations and urge you to vote "No" on measures that would do direct and substantial hazm to the less fortunate. We submit the following examples for your consideration: Child Support Enforcement in Orange County manages nearly 2900 household cases. Of these fewer than 400 receive Work First (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families - TANF) meaning 2,500 households depend in vazying degrees on child support collections to maintain their financial stability and sufficiency.. The proposed reduction in federal financial participation from 66 percent to 50 percent would affect the timeliness and quality of service ranging from establishing paternity to enforcing support obligations, and would actually increase costs in other federal programs. Orange County Social Services has seen the average caseload in the Food Stamp Program per fiscal year nearly double, from 1,471 in 2000-O1 to 2,763 in 2004-05. The average monthly payment to families during September 2005 was $207. If this program were to experience the $844 million cut over five yeazs as proposed by the House, how might local authorities fill this gap? With the rising cost of transportation and utilities, the importance of food stamps in reducing hunger cannot be understated. North Carolina has the ninth highest rate of food insecurity in the nation with 1.3.8 percent of its population struggling to get enough to eat.. The House bill contains a version of TANF re-authorization that is more reshictive for clients and counties alike, while providing minimal increases in Child Care to support the increased requirements. At any time, there are between 300 and 400 children waiting for subsidized care through either Orange County Social Services or Child Care Services in its administration of Smart Start funds.. Without affordable childcare, families are hard pressed to work and contribute to the local economy.