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John K. Eller IV <br />Director <br />DATE: <br />TO: <br />FROM: <br />RE: <br />CABARRUSCOUNTY <br />Department of Social Services <br />8-14-07 <br />John Day, County Manager <br />John K. Eller, DSS Director <br />Funding for Work First Demonstration Grant for FY 07-08 <br />Rita C. Williford <br />Board Chair <br />We received notice on 8-13-07 that our request for funding for continuing the Work First <br />Demonstration Grant was approved and we have been awarded $78,815.00 for this fiscal year. <br />We were originally given this grant through the State to help counties increase their federal <br />participation rates for Work First Employment Services. North Carolina has not been meeting <br />this rate and failure to do so can result in penalties to the State which could impact TANF child <br />welfare funding. <br />We used this grant last year to hire a temporary staff social worker to reduce caseloads and give <br />staff more time to intensively work with the participants in this program. In addition, we <br />provided for drop-in child care for interviews and short-term training, which would provide <br />needed child care, but not drain our regulaz child care subsidy program. We also used funds for <br />some limited transportation assistance, and educational supplies. One of the most significant <br />uses of this funding was to have clients who were determined to be "ill or incapacitated" by their <br />physician complete a Functional Capacity Evaluation through certain rehabilitation facilities. <br />This let us and their physician know whether or not they had work capacity, and if so, how much <br />and what type. It resulted in a significant number of clients who would otherwise not participate <br />and count against us, either begin to participate, seek disability through social security, or <br />withdraw from the program. <br />This has been a slow process due to scheduling and completion of these assessments, and in <br />changing a mindset that a statement from a physician always means that one does not have to <br />cooperate. However, we have been moving in the direction of gradually raising our participation <br />rate. In June, we had the 14`h highest participation rate in the state at 57.69%. <br />We are requesting that this be placed on the agenda for the September meeting of the Boazd of <br />Commissioners for their consideration to re-fund this grant for FY 07-08. As you may recall, the <br />$78,815.00 is available to us, but the way we will draw down the money is to claim <br />reimbursement as the County incurs expenses to this account. <br />Thank you, and please let me know if you have any questions. <br />1303 Cannon Blvd • Kannapolis, North Carolina 25083 • State Courier#: OS-09-02 • 704.920.1400 • Fax 704.920.1401 <br />www.ca ba rruscou ntv.us/Socia I <br />F-I~ <br />Striving to improve the quality of life in the community for all citizens. <br />