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ORANGE COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br />Meeting Date: June 17, 2003 <br />Action Agenda <br />Item No. ~_ <br />SUBJECT• Contract with Orange Enterprises <br />DEPARTMENT: Social Services PUBLIC HEARING: (YIN) No <br />ATTACHMENT(S): <br />Contract <br />INFORMATION CONTACT: <br />Nancy Coston, 968-2000 <br />Gwen Price, 245-2800 <br />TELEPHONE NUMBERS: <br />Hillsborough 732-8181 <br />Chapel Hill 968-4501 <br />Durham 688-7331 <br />Mebane 336-227-2031 <br />PURPOSE: To consider renewal/continuation of the contract with Orange Enterprises for <br />services to Work First clients with significant barriers. <br />BACKGROUND: Orange County has experienced a 58% reduction in the number of families <br />receiving Work First Cash Assistance. The remaining adult participants have multiple barriers <br />to independence and require intensive services to transition them into employment. One of the <br />strategies recommended by the Welfare Reform Task Force was to contract with Orange <br />Enterprises to complete a vocational assessment, provide work adjustment services, place <br />participants in employment, and provide job retention services. Orange County entered into a <br />contractual agreement with Orange Enterprises effective April 2001. <br />Social Services has utilized a contract with Orange Enterprises to address the needs of the <br />hardest to serve Work First families. Services include comprehensive evaluations and <br />supportive employment and follow-up. This has been an effective strategy for some of the <br />clients who have difficulty securing employment. In Fiscal Year 2002-2003, vocational <br />assessments were provided to 11 participants with intensive services being provided to six <br />participants. Five participants are receiving supportive services after having obtained <br />employment. <br />The Social Services Board has reviewed the contract and recommends that the Board approve <br />a contract in the amount of $25,000 for Fiscal Year 2003-2004. <br />FINANCIAL IMPACT: The costs will be paid as part of the Work First Block Grant. <br />RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board accept the <br />recommendation of the Social Services Board and approve a contract with Orange <br />Enterprises for $25,000 in Fiscal Year 2003-2004. <br />