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ORANGE COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br />Meeting Date: June 29, 2000 <br />Action Agenda <br />Item No. _5--C. <br />SUBJECT: Resolution of Commendation -Commission for Women Transportation Crisis <br />Assistance Program ~- <br />DEPARTMENT: Human Rights and Relations PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No <br />ATTACHMENT(S): <br />INFORMATION CONTACT: <br />Annette Moore, ext 2254 <br />Resolution <br />TELEPHONE NUMBERS: <br />Hillsborough 732-8181 <br />Chapel Hill 968-4501 <br />Durham fi88-7331 <br />Mebane 336-227-2031 <br />PURPOSE: To consider a resolution commending the Commission for Women Transportation <br />Crisis Assistance Program. <br />BACKGROUND: During the FY 1999-2000, the Orange County Commission for Women <br />(hereinafter the CFW) began to explore the assistance available to low income working families <br />facing financial disaster due to a temporary health or employment emergency. In their <br />exploration, the CFW teamed that while there was support for families needing assistance with <br />food, clothing and shelter, there was little assistance to aid low-income families with necessary <br />transportation. The need for transportation assistance is attributed to the complexities of car <br />ownership, maintenance and the lack of adequate public transportation. <br />Welfare reform efforts across the nation have revealed that transportation is a major barrier in <br />moving people "from welfare to work." Many states have begun to make efforts to resolve the <br />transportation problem by focusing on improving public transportation or making affordable <br />automobiles available to low-income families. In response to the fact that 80% of Work First <br />participants did not have reliable transportation, Govemor Hunt convened 500 community <br />leaders from across the state in the Work First Transportation Forum. The Govemor then <br />directed the North Carolina Department of Transportation to develop a statewide transportation <br />plan, and various plans were formed in different counties. While most of the plans were <br />targeted at individuals leaving welfare, some also included aid to the working class poor. <br />FINANCIAL IMPACT: None. <br />RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board adopt the resolution <br />commending the Transportation Crisis Assistance Program. <br />