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<br />August ~9, 2005 - Recessed Meeting/Retreat <br /> <br />Page <br /> <br />309 <br /> <br />counties with other jurisdictions and the relationship between the counties <br />and the State. <br /> <br />The Board then heard presentations on health, education and human <br />service issues facing Cabarrus County. Each presentation addressed the <br />following: Overview of the agency's mission with desired outcomes; the <br />changing environment, e.g., economy, population, demographics, etc., and key <br />cross-cutting issues and challenges. <br /> <br />Department of Social Services <br /> <br />Jim Cook, Social <br />Social Services issues. <br />Increased family support <br />intergenerational prosperity; <br />permanence. Further, Mr. Cook <br /> <br />Services Director, presented a report concerning <br />He reviewed the following desired outcomes: <br />and well-being; Increased family and <br />increased family safety; and increased family <br />highlighted the following issues: <br /> <br />. The Changing Environment <br />. Rapidly growing and changing population with greater diversity <br />and an increasing proportion of older persons <br />. Changes in the regional economy as industrial jobs decrease and <br />service, retail jobs increase <br />. Continued lack of coherent national and state health insurance <br />policy <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Increasing demands for local funds and services, <br />increased caseloads form 1995 to 2005 for Medicaid/NC <br />(178%); Food Stamps (84%); Child Day Care (153%), <br />(120%); CAP (40%) <br /> <br />specifically <br />Health Choice <br />Foster Care <br /> <br />. Improving Returns on Investment by developing and attracting more <br />jobs that provide a living wage and employee benefits, access to <br />dental/health care and a continuum of care for older adults. <br /> <br />. Assuring quality services and service providers <br />. Access to safe, affordable child care <br />. Mental health/substance abuse problems and assuring effective <br />local delivery of services. <br /> <br />. Ensuring Quality of Life for All Residents <br />. Education and workforce development challenges <br />. Large scale literacy efforts <br />. Exploring possible legislative action, incentives for <br />employers who will offer skills development to employees during <br />work time <br />. A more employer-friendly OJT (on the job training) program <br /> <br />Kannapolis City Schools <br /> <br />Dr. Jo Anne Byerly, Kannapolis Schools Superintendent, delivered a <br />powerpoint presentation that addressed the five goals of Kannapolis City <br />Schools and issues related to those goals. <br /> <br />. High Student Performance <br />. Increasing Latino Population <br />. Limited English proficient <br />. Other demographic issues, including a high percentage of <br />students who receive free or reduced priced lunches, a high <br />number of Exceptional Children in Kannapolis City Schools <br />. Achievement gap <br />. Graduation rates/High School issues <br /> <br />. Healthy students in safe, orderly and caring schools <br />. Seven Group homes with the students from those homes having <br />extremely specialized needs <br />. Counseling and Mental Health Needs <br />. Alternative School <br />. Chronic health needs, specifically children with asthma, <br />diabetes and other chronic diseases that require specialized <br />medical care. <br /> <br />. Quality teachers, administrators and staff <br /> <br />