NS -Grant - Work First Block Grant Local Plan

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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: November 2, 2006 Action Agenda Item No. SUBJECT: Work First Block Grant Local Plan DEPARTMENT: Social Services PUBLIC HEARING: (Y /N) No ATTACHMENT(S): (Under Separate Cover) Work First Plan INFORMATION CONTACT: Nancy Coston, 245 -2802 Gwen Price, 245 -2885 PURPOSE:' To consider approval of the two -year Work First Plan for 2007 -2009. BACKGROUND: Work First is North Carolina's cash assistance and employment services program for low- income families with children and is funded by the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant, state, and county funds. North Carolina General Statutes require counties to submit their strategies for meeting the state and federal goals through a county plan. A local stakeholders group was appointed by the Commissioners in August and this group has met during the last few months to make recommendations about the needs of Work First clients and low- income families in Orange County. A draft of the plan was approved by the stakeholders and was advertised for public comment. This plan will become effective October 2007. The Social Services Board has reviewed and approved the plan. The Work First planning meetings provided an opportunity for the community to review the progress being made and to address issues related to low- income families with children in Orange County. Based on this input, goals and strategies for improving the community response to these families were developed. Four workgroups met to discuss employment, transportation, mental health (including substance abuse and domestic violence) and family well- being. Each workgroup developed strategies to address these issues and all of the strategies were incorporated into the plan. Some of the strategies discussed included enhancing on- the -job training programs and incentives for participants seeking employment; providing extensive assessment and intensive case management services for participants with multiple barriers; developing additional transportation options for participants in rural areas; and developing comprehensive interagency plans for participants with mental health issues or other disabilities.