AG 2001 03 26 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

III. Conditions within Cabarrus County A. A brief description that builds the case for Cabarrus County's plan: Low-income families in Cabarms County presently have the ability to access a wide range of services in the Work First program, which, when taken advantage of, has the ability to give them an increased likelihood of attaining economic independence. The Work Over Welfare (WOW) Program, initiated in 1995, is still in operation. Updated by the General Assembly in 1998, it allows for increased incentives for cooperation, and increased penalties for non-cooperation. In February, 2000, the New Focus was initiated at the department, by which new applicants for Work First are assessed by a social worker prior to application, and in 73% of the cases so far are diverted from the Work First application, and assisted with short-term services .and a job. As of August, 2000, Cabarrus County had a total Work First population of 312. This is down from an August, 1995 total population of 1,013, or a 69.2% decrease. Of this 312 number, 231 are child only cases, with no adult in the home required to participate in employment services. There are presently 81 adult cases, with 36 of these being able-bodied and capable of working. With these reduced numbers in mind, we must concentrate our efforts to do more than employ, we must serve and stabilize living situations. With the changing caseloads in mind, there are several key issues that must be addressed in the 2001-03 Cabarrus County Work First Plan. These are as follows: * Prevention. With the welfare population having significantly decreased in Cabarms County, attention must be given to prevention. This is already being done at application, through the New Focus, but other avenues must be pursued as well, such as enhancing children's performance in school, and increasing the adults' likelihood of success through increased educational incentives. · Responsibility. There is a continued and ever expanding need for families to accept responsibility for their own. This not only includes financial responsibility, but also legal responsibility for the children that they raise and for whom they care. · Support. Those who are working to become economically independent, must be provided any and all supports that can keep them free of welfare dependency. This can include financial help, but also must be expanded to encompass counseling and the educating of outside resources which provide assistance also. Vision Statement: Cabarrus County is in a position, as long as the economy is strong, to end as we know it, cash public assistance as a lifestyle. It is the vision of the department to act immediately upon a person's request, and to address all needs of the family. Only when the entire family's needs are addressed and 3