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them money or getting them out cfa crisis, and not help them prepare <br /> themselves better how to deal with another crisis, that will most surely come <br /> in the future. Because of that, we feel that in keeping with the spirit of the <br /> New Focus in Cabarrus County, it is our duty to prepare families for the <br /> coming crisis situations, by providing them with financial counseling any time <br /> that they apply for our cash assistance programs. These include Work First or <br /> EA. This counseling will include not only budgetary counseling, but advice <br /> on how to set up checking and savings accounts, information about IDA's, as <br /> well as how to shop economically. We will investigate setting up a standard <br /> curriculum for this budgetary counseling so as to ensure that each person <br /> receiving it is getting adequate help. <br />b. Who will carry these services out: We are presently exploring possibilities <br /> for this service. United Family Services and Cabarrus County Community <br /> Development Corporation both provide financial counseling. It is our hope to <br /> use business people in the local churches to volunteer their time to assist. <br /> Smart shopping and food preparation is presently being done by the NC <br /> Cooperative Extension Agency through the services of their Expanded Food <br /> and Nutrition Educational Program (EFNEP). We plan to provide some <br /> training to DSS staff'to provide some assistance, when necessary, and called <br /> upon to do so. <br /> c. Where will they take place: Most of this counseling will take place at the <br /> department or the partnering agencies, such as UFS and CCCDC. Local <br /> churches may be utilized .for some of this, for both mentoring and the use of <br /> kitchen facilities with EFNEP. <br /> d Measurement of outcomes: We will track internally the numbers of those ' <br /> referred for financial counseling. <br /> <br />5. Improving }Fork First Eligibility Criteria <br /> <br />a. Actiyities/support services that will enable us to meet this goal: Through <br /> working with families during the duration of the Work First program, the <br /> Employment and Eligibility staffs have been able to assess what rules have <br /> appeared detrimental and/or unfair to families and have provided, in many <br /> cases, a hindrance to self-sufficiency. This is contrary to the goals and <br /> objectives of Work First. We recommend changes that would support self- <br /> sufficiency, which is, in many cases, as modification or updating of rules. <br />b. Who will carry these services out: Employment and Eligibility staff <br />involved in Work First will carry these updated and enhanced eligibility rules <br />out. <br />c. Where will they tak~ place: This will primarily take place at the department. <br />d. Measures of outcomes: The primary measure of outcomes/'or this goal will <br /> be a continued decrease from public ass/stance and an increase in <br /> employment. <br /> <br />6. Improving Transportation Resources <br /> <br />14 <br /> <br /> <br />