Agenda - 06-27-2002 - 8h - Laserfiche WebLink

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1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: June 27, 2002 Action Agenda Item No. SUBJECT: Contract with Employment Security Commission DEPARTMENT: Social Services PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) FNo ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Nancy Coston , ext 2800 Contract (under separate cover) TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Hillsborough 732-8181 Chapel Hill 968.4501 Durham 688-7331 Mebane 336-227-2031 PURPOSE: To request approval of a continued contract with Employment Security for services to Work First clients and other residents at the Skills Development/JobLink Center. BACKGROUND: The Department of Social Services (DSS) has had a contract with Employment Security since July 1, 1998. Assisting families make the transition from welfare to work is crucial for a successful Work First program. The Employment Security Commission is the state authority for job development and placement. The purpose of this contract is to assist Work First participants to gain employment by providing job development and placement services. Services provided under this contract have been instrumental in assisting the County meet and exceed the Work First employment goals for the past three years. For example, the goal for participants entering employment for Orange County is 114, and 157 participants have already entered employment this year. The contract for Fiscal Year 2002-2003 pays for 50% of a counselor to be located at the Skills Development Center to assist Work First participants. Employment Security will pay the remaining costs for a full-time permanent position. This would allow for full-time coverage by Employment Security Commission at the Skills Development/JobLink Center. The presence of a full time ESC counselor on-site in the Hillsborough DSS office is not as critical as coverage for the Skills Center because Employment Security Commission office has relocated to Hillsborough. Individuals in the southern portion of the County are in need of improved access to services offered by the Employment Security Commission. Services that will be provided through this contract include: providing labor market information to employers and job seekers, completing first stop registration for Work First participants, assisting Work First participants to locate employment through referrals and job development, and maintaining data on employments obtained and job development activities. The revision to this contract with ESC is efficient and will allow for better access to services for citizens throughout the County.