AG 2007 09 17 - Laserfiche WebLink

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