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09/14/99 TUE 10:55 FAX 17049391401 DSS ~005 TO: Bob Edmundson, Food Stamp E & T Pro. am Manager FROM: Jnmes F. Cook, Jr., Director, Cabarrus County Depnrtment of Social Services DATE: September 13, 1999 lh'oposal for Use of 100~ E & T Funds for a Special Project Cabarro9 County has consistently tried to utilize funding in the most creative and efficient ways possible in a continuin$ effort to help fitmilies move ~om welfare to work to self-sufficiency. Our proposal for the 100% E & T ~und9 is no different. We would like to submit this application proposing the use of some contracted stafi~ supportive services, and existiNg staff to provide employment and job retention services to the ABAWD population in om' county. This would be innovative, but also adhere to some principles that have proven to be successful with our State and National ~ward winning Jobzf~r Dads Program. which operated successfully in Cabarrus County for approximately seven years. Our existiNg staff is very f_~miliar and adept at worUlnS with hsrd to serve clients. 'With this expertise, coupled with some additional co,t~'acted staff and supportive services, we f~el that we can have an impact on this ABAWD population, and better ensure that they are employed before their time limit for receiving Food Stamps is exhausted. With this being said, our proposal to your office is as follows: PROJECT NAME: JOBS FORABAFFDs NEED FOR THE SERVICE: At any given time, Cabarrus County has approX~mntely one hundred (100) Food Stamp oUents who Fall into the category of'ABAWDs. Unless they are workin~ the required number of hours, they are llmi~ed to only three (3) consecutive nmnths of ben, fils in a year. Even though they don't receive benefits after this time, they are still non-productive, and require other assistance such ns housing, genmsl usistancc, and are a continual drain on the limited resources of the benevolent orsa~iT-~tions and churches in our eonnty. It is because of this, that we see the need to turn this population around and make them productive working citizens of Cnbarms County. This wilt allow these limited resources to be hotter I~_'1_17-~ in assisting families with youn8 Ghildren, and th~ elderly and disabled who need it. HOW THIS PROJECT W~.L MEET NEEDS: The bottom line with the ABAWD population is that they need to go to work. ConsideriNg the work history and education of iimny ofthem, this is easier said than done. Our phn is to tarset ABAWDs as soon u they are identified. This may be when they apply or when their status changes. We will also target those who are appro,,_e~ing the Ion of Food Stamps, and will provide social work services to counsel, support, and refer them to appropriate resou-ees inside and outside of our egen~. In addition, wc will bye on-site Employment Se~utity $taffto ~ssist them and send the_~ on job interviews immediately or as soon as the social worker deems them job Feady. Once employed, we will utilize om' on-site Sob Retention Specialists who are contracted to us through United Family Services for our Welfare to Work Program. Whey will provide counseling and support Stoups to better ensure