October 20PERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS October 20, 2008
MEMBERS PRESENT OTHERS PRESENT
Johnny Myrl Lunsford, Chairman Heidi N. York, County Manager
Jimmy B. Clayton, Vice-Chairman C. Ronald Aycock, County Attorney
Kyle W. Puryear Faye T. Fuller, Clerk to the Board
Larry H. Bowes Brenda B. Reaves, Deputy Clerk to the Board
Larry E. Yarborough, Jr.
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The Board of Commissioners for the County of Person, North Carolina, met in
regular session on Monday, October 20, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. in the Commissioners’
meeting room in the Person County Office Building.
Chairman Lunsford called the meeting to order. Commissioner Clayton led in
prayer and Commissioner Bowes led the Pledge of Allegiance.
DISCUSSION/ADJUSTMENT/APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
A motion was made by Commissioner Puryear, seconded by Commissioner
Bowes and carried to approve the agenda as presented.
INFORMAL COMMENTS:
Jim Senter, 41 Pot Luck Farm Road – Spoke in opposition to the Bio-Agro
Defense Lab proposed to be built in Butner – Lab presents a threat.
Katherine Span – Urged the Board to adopt a Resolution in opposition to the
Bio-Agro Defense Lab to protect the community.
Amanda Garrett – Register of Deeds - Thanked the Board and Manager for the
excellent job done in relocation of the Register of Deeds and Tax offices.
David (last name inaudible) – Information from the N. C. Department of
Commerce has been misleading taxpayers as to what benefits from the Bio-Agro Defense
Lab will be to the citizens.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
A motion was made by Commissioner Bowes, seconded by Commissioner
Puryear and carried to approve the minutes of the October 6, 2008 meeting.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS:
A motion was made by Commissioner Clayton, seconded by Commissioner
Yarborough and carried to approve the following Administrative Reports: Emergency
Services, Inspections Department and Public Library. Commissioner Yarborough stated
he would like to see a longer range trend report on building permits and inspections.
October 20, 2008 1
COMMENTS ON BIO AND AGRO-DEFENSE LAB:
Ms. Joanne Howerton – Lewis Winstead Loop Road appeared before the Board
and asked that they vote against the bio-lab due to possibility of diseases for which cures
are unknown at this time. She stated that the North Carolina and National Grange is
opposed to the facility.
A motion was made by Commissioner Yarborough and seconded by
Commissioner Puryear to allow comments on the Bio-Agro Defense Facility.
Commissioner Yarborough stated he was neither for nor against the facility. He
said he did not feel there was no upside in Person County getting involved in the fight
between Granville County, the State of North Carolina, and the Department of Homeland
Security. Any action taken by this Board will have no influence on the Department of
Homeland Security. However, it may have some effect on the opinion of the members of
the NC Department of Commerce and Person County does count on the NC Department
of Commerce to help create jobs in the county.
A SUBSTITUTE MOTION was made by Commissioner Clayton, seconded by
Commissioner Bowes to oppose the Bio-Agro Defense Lab using his former Resolution.
Commissioner Puryear raised a point of order that no copy of the resolution was
included in the packet. He said he did not think it was appropriate to vote on a matter
without having the document to review.
The Substitute Motion failed by a 3/2 vote. Those voting in favor of the
Substitute Motion were Commissioners Clayton and Bowes. Those opposing the
Substitute Motion were Commissioners Yarborough, Puryear and Lunsford.
REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF THE 2009-2011 PERSON COUNTY WORK
FIRST PLAN:
DSS Director Beverly Warren appeared before the Board to request approval of
the County’s 2009-2011 Work First Program. She explained that the plan was reviewed
and revised by the Work First Planning Committee appointed by the Commissioners on
September 2, 2008.
A motion was made by Commissioner Puryear, seconded by Commissioner
Yarborough and carried to approve the 2009-2011 Person County Work First Plan as
presented.
October 20, 2008 2
Person County
Work First County Plan
For 2010-2011
Submission Date of Original Plan:
October 31, 2008
Contact Person: Beverly Warren, Director
Person County Department of Social Services
PO Box 770
Roxboro, NC 27573
Telephone: (336) 503-1131
Fax: (336) 597-9339
Table of Contents
Section Page Number
Cover Sheet 1
Table of Contents 2
I. Conditions Within the County 3
II. Planning Process 5
III. Outcomes and Goals for the County 6
IV. Plans to Achieve the Outcomes and Goals 12
V. Administration 17
VI. Emergency Assistance 22
VII. Services to Low Income Families (under 200% of Poverty) 23
VIII. Services to Non-Custodial Parents 24
IX. Exemption from the Work Requirement 24
X. Innovative County Strategies 24
XI. Special Issues 26
XII - XVI. Criteria – Electing Counties 27
XVII. Certification 28
Memorandum of Understanding with Employment
Security Commission
Attached
I. Conditions within the County
A. Current Realities for Low Income Families
• The 2006 estimated population of Person County is 37,341 with a labor force of 19,558. There are
14,085 households in the county and the annual median income is $37,159.00. According to the
Economic Development Office, the county’s textile jobs that were lost have been replaced with other
areas. The outlook for the next three years for jobs is good, with new business projects coming and
other local businesses expanding. There are jobs available and soon to be created for people with a
October 20, 2008 3
high school diploma and good work habits, but the outlook for jobs for people with poor work
histories, low skills, lack of education, and other barriers is not good.
• 12.7% of the County’s population receives Food and Nutrition Services (Food Stamps) and 18%
receive Medicaid.
• The unemployment rate in Person County was 8.6% as of July 2008, according to statistics from the
Employment Security Commission. The unemployment rate rose steadily for several years, from an
annual average of 4.4% in 2000 to a high of 7.7% in 2003. For 2007, the annual average was 6.5%.
This has had a major impact on Work First clients, especially people with poor work histories and no
high school diploma.
• Person County is a rural county with little public transportation. Out of town travel is costly due to
rising gas prices and lack of inter-county commuter transportation. The Person Area Rural Transport
System (PATS) is the only form of public transportation within Person County. PATS provides
transportation for participants. Due to the rising gas prices, PATS fees for transportation have
increased, making this service unaffordable for most. Department of Social Services provides
assistance to Work First clients as part of their employment plan. DSS has a mini-van used exclusively
by Work First staff, and staff also uses other agency vehicles when needed. Gas vouchers and
reimbursement for travel expenses for gas or rides with other people are also offered.
• Child Care is available at 12 registered centers and 27 homes. DSS staff and the Parent Specialist at the
Partnership for Children work with participants to identify safe and affordable care. Child Care funds
are available to help with the cost of care. DSS rarely has a waiting list for these funds. Before and
after school care is available countywide, and during the summer, parents may receive assistance with
childcare at a few school locations based on the countywide need. The Recreation Department runs a
summer camp for children, but Child Care funds cannot be used for this program. There is little
childcare available for sick children as well as limited slots for second and third shifts or weekend care.
The county has an Infant and Toddler Center but infant care is currently at a premium as the need for
infant care has increased.
• Even though there are several public and subsidized housing projects in the county, there is a shortage
of safe and affordable housing in the county. Low-income families find themselves waiting an average
of three months for available subsidize apartments. The families may have to wait for up to a one year
period for housing assistance through Section 8. Often, Work First clients have had to move in with
family members and friends in order to keep a roof over their heads. While families generally are not
literally ‘homeless’ some find it necessary to move from place to place regularly.
• Several industries have closed within the last few years and others have experienced many layoffs.
The employees at these plants have been absorbed into the workforces at other places, thereby filling
jobs that may have gone to Work First clients had there been no shutdowns.
• Services addressing substance abuse and mental health problems are available locally, even with the
dismantling of the Mental Health system on the state level. However, there have been frequent
changes in providers and local staff available for clients. The Qualified Professional in Substance
Abuse (QPSA) position, which coordinates the identification and treatment needs for recipients of
Work First and which is co-located within the DSS one day a week, was vacant for almost 10 months.
Even though there has been a screener available, the contact from the on-site QPSA is far more
effective in communicating the needs of clients.
• Person County’s high school graduation rate of 75.3% exceeds the State average of 69.9%, and the
dropout rate is 5.29%.
B. County Plan Issues
1. Characteristics of the current Work First cases:
• In August 2008, there were 156 Work First cases with 22 of those being Benefit Diversion cases.
• 74 cases were ‘child-only’, with a grandparent being the primary caregiver in most of those cases.
• 69 cases contained one parent and 13 were two-parent cases.
• 95 cases have 1 child per case; 45 cases have 2 children; 13 cases have 3 children.
• 15 cases have countable income, with 7 of those having unearned income rather than wages.
• The average monthly payment is $216.00.
• 9 cases include an incapacitated parent.
October 20, 2008 4
• 35% of the children included in cases are 3 years old or less so that child care will be needed if the
parent finds a job.
• 41% of the adults are under age 25.
• Reasons for applying for Work First are diverse with some families moving to North Carolina from
another state; some moving here from within the state; domestic violence; loss of job; loss of other
income; having a new baby; and separation from spouse or boyfriend being the most common.
• Of the adults in the current caseload, 47% have a high school diploma or GED; 42% do not have
either; and 11% have some level of post-high school training. .
2. Key Issues Identified and Addressed in the Planning Process
• Many Work First cases have more than one absent parent which creates multiple child support cases.
In the current IV-D caseload, there are 174 total Work First cases. 100 cases have child support
orders, and 58 of those cases have had a support payment in the preceding six months. Because of
regulations, the State of North Carolina retains child support paid to be used to repay public funds
expended for the Work First grant, so in those 58 cases, the amount collected was, on average, less
than the Work First payment. In the current IV-D caseload there are 74 Work First cases that do not
have a court order for support and other cases do not have an open child support case for a variety of
reasons, such as death, incarceration, disability, good cause and so forth.
• Since 42% of the current recipients do not have either a GED or a High School diploma, assisting them
with completing one or the other is a high priority in providing more job opportunities and a greater
chance of securing a higher-paying job. Good resources are available locally for WF participants to
work independently in a computer lab, classroom setting, or parent group toward completion of a
GED, but attendance is poor even with DSS efforts to remove all barriers. Comparatively, attendance
is the main reason for High School dropouts (53.2%) in the State.
• The High School drop out rate in Person County is 5.29%, slightly about the state average of 5.24%,
necessitating collaboration with the public schools and provision of supportive services to teenage
Work First parents to assist with the successful completion of their secondary education.
• Transportation for job opportunities outside the county is limited, unreliable and unaffordable.
• The local unemployment rate remains high, and the low-skilled, less educated Work First participants
with other identified barriers compete with an available workforce that is more qualified, able and
experienced.
• Lack of motivation, appropriate behavior, and good decision making practices are a problem at many
levels with some Work First participants who do not meet participation requirements.
II. Planning Process
A. Planning Committee
Beverly Warren, Director, Person County Department of Social Services
Angeline Brown, Person County DSS Board Member
Judith Casseday, Person Industries
Sylvester Clay, Faith Community
Janet Clayton, Person County Health Department
Jimmy Clayton, Person County Commissioner
Shavonne Davis, Work First Recipient
Annette Hampton, Safe Haven
Roy Holler, owner, McDonald’s
Russell Knop, Person Counseling Center
Theresa Long, Adecco
Gerald Lunsford, Person Area Transport System (PATS)
Wanda Rogers, Person Industries
Roxie Russell, Employment Security Commission
Debbie Smith, Person County Board of Education
Angela Webb, Piedmont Community College
Vickie Winters, Vocational Rehabilitation
October 20, 2008 5
Heidi York, County Manager
DSS Advisory Staff:
Judi Akers, Services Program Manager
Jill Coleman, Work First Income Maintenance Caseworker
Gean Gentry, Income Maintenance Program Manager
Barnabas Jay, Social Worker
Grethel Miranda, Employment Services Social Worker
Ginger Moore, Work First Income Maintenance Caseworker
Pam Wood, Work First Employment Services Supervisor
B. Public Comment
The public comment period was from September 26, 2008 through October3, 2008. Copies of the
Plan were available at the Person County Department of Social Services, the County Manager’s Office and
on Person County’s website. Additionally, the Commissioners offer a public comment period at the
beginning of each Commissioners’ Meeting and did so on October 20th when the Plan was presented to
them. No comments were received.
C. Planning Development
The Person County Work First Planning Committee was appointed by the Person County Board of
Commissioners on September 2, 2008. The people appointed represent a cross-section of the county and
the agencies and organizations that the Work First program staff has worked with over the years. Their
knowledge of programs and resources available in the county has made them a strong resource for our
clients. The planning meeting was held on September 19, 2008 and 19 people, including DSS staff,
attended. A review of Work First activity in the county over a period of years was discussed. An analysis
of the characteristics of the current clients was presented to familiarize the committee with the population
being served. The Plan, which had been sent in advance, was reviewed and comments from the Committee
were incorporated. Additionally, an upcoming Work First Demonstration Grant was described which is
called ‘Work First Benefits’, and it will change the way Work First monthly checks are issued. WFB
works the way ‘Pay After Performance’ works now for able-bodied two-parent families. All families
subject to work activities will receive their check only if they complete their weekly hours for an entire
month. The monthly check will be issued and will be for the preceding month, much as salaries are paid
after work is done. There was discussion and questions from the attendees about mutual concerns and
problems and the issues facing clients, especially the WFB demonstration grant. The key issues to be
addressed in the plan were identified and there was a discussion about strategies for solutions and
resources, including two new initiatives described by the representative from Orange-Person-Chatham
Mental Health which will benefit those with substance abuse problems. After the Planning Committee met,
the DSS resource staff met to review the ideas presented and follow up on them.
The Plan was approved by the Person County Board of Social Services at their meeting on
September 24, 2008 and was adopted by the Person County Board of Commissioners on October 20, 2008.
III. Outcomes and Goals for the County
A. Statewide Work First Goals
1. Employment.
• Active participants must be involved in a minimum of 35 hours per week of work-related
activities, if determined able to participate, including job readiness, job search, vocational training
at Community Colleges, work experience, education, community service or employment
immediately upon approval of becoming active with Work First Family Assistance. Program
activities are reviewed every two weeks and reported monthly.
• Referrals are made to Employment Security Commission (ESC), Mental Health, Vocational
Rehabilitation, Safe Haven, Piedmont Community College, Person County Re-entry Partnership,
Person Industries or other agencies as determined appropriate. Counselors from the programs at
October 20, 2008 6
these agencies make a joint decision concerning treatment or continued active participation in job
search/job readiness, education, training, and employment activities. Decisions are incorporated
into the Mutual Responsibility Agreement, Part II (MRA). All active cases are staffed monthly.
• Employment Services staff provides referrals, services, coordination and follow-up services to
participants placed or seeking services through temporary agencies as well as ESC and other
employment and training providers.
• Financial counseling is available to assist participants transitioning from a monthly welfare check,
Food Stamps, Medicaid, subsidized child care and subsidized housing to weekly and bi-weekly
pay checks which must cover many of the former public assistance areas.
• Budgeting, money management, employee benefits counseling, life skills, and other services are
provided on an on-going basis.
• Individual counseling is provided to assist newly employed workers in dealing with changing
attitudes, expectations, and family dynamics.
• Opportunities for funding are pursued to maintain a job developer to organize and manage paid
and unpaid work experience sites, complete job assessments, and facilitate appropriate placement
for participants. The job developer organizes, tracks, and provides follow-up services for Work
Experience placements and helps the participant plan to successfully carry out their Work
Experience responsibilities.
• Encouragement and support is given to any organizations that are providing family and/or
financial literacy programs.
• Maintenance of multiple GED computer labs will help participants with different learning abilities
select the educational environment that best serves them.
• The development of a “Life Skills Coach” resource using previous, successful Work First
participants and/or other experienced community people to work individually with participants to
help them carry out their MRA goals, adjust to a job placement, and manage their family and
financial responsibilities is a best practice project to pursue.
2. Meeting Federal Participation Rates
• Work First Family Assistance staff notifies Employment Services staff immediately of Work First
Applications and provide information about the employability of new participants. Prior to
approval of an application Work First Family Assistance staff notifies Employment Services Staff.
• All Work First applicants are scheduled during the Intake interview to attend a Work First
Employment Services orientation for a thorough explanation of the Employment Services program
requirements, community resources available, and the consequences for non-compliance with the
program. Orientation attendees write a Mutual Responsibility Agreement planning their
individual goals for scheduling 35 hours per week of work or work-related activities. Initial
assessments on work history, abilities/skills, barriers, education, household composition and
support are completed to assist the Social Worker with expediting appropriate services and or
referrals once the application is approved. Any applicants who have good cause for missing
orientation after application have an individual orientation or may schedule for the next orientation
available.
• Participants coded as F (incapacitated) or I (needed in the home to look after an incapacitated
person) have a modified MRA that is monitored monthly. Participants must provide an updated
medical form filled out by appropriate medical provider every three months to monitor progress
toward employment.
• Participants coded S (single custodial parent of a child under age six months exempted from active
participation) receive an explanation of their option to remain as S code or come off S code and
work toward employment. The social worker or income maintenance caseworker clarifies the
effect on the time clocks. Orientation is scheduled the last month of exempt status to ensure client
can start participating in activities the month after exemption status ends.
• Progress towards goals, attendance, and quality of participation is assessed every two weeks with
the social worker and other employment and training providers if indicated on the MRA II.
• Employment Services staff use the Employment Services Management Report available from the
State to monitor participation rates and to ensure that all data entered into the State system is
correct. These reports are checked monthly to identify problem areas. Use of reports from the
October 20, 2008 7
State XPTR program and queries from the Data Warehouse Program are used to monitor accurate
keying for the Client Participation Record (DSS-6908). Particular focus includes the Numerator
and Denominator reports.
• Employment Services staff meet weekly to discuss the progress of cases and to monitor effective
social work practice with each case. Staff from both parts of Work First meet at least monthly as
well to share updated information about current cases.
• As staffs in either Work First Family Assistance or Employment Services learn of information
which would affect the status of a case, they communicate either by telephone, by e-mail, or in
writing to ensure that any action needed is taken promptly.
• Participants who are identified as having medical, mental or substance abuse problems, which
impact their ability to get and keep a job, are referred to the appropriate agency for services. For
people with long term, severe problems, Employment Services social work staff assist with and/or
follow up on an application for Supplemental Security Income (SSI)/Social Security disability.
• Participants whose medical problems are less severe are assessed to determine if there is an area in
which they can work and achieve success. People whose disabilities are short-term are regularly
followed and documented to expediently assist with services when they are able to go to work.
• Emphasis on establishing work experience sites for immediate placement of participants
(particularly with an assessed barrier) is crucial to the success of participation and development of
good work skills and habits.
• A Life Skills Coach can support and educate the participant on planning to successfully meet their
daily work activity requirements, retaining a job, and managing family responsibilities.
• The above stated strategies apply to all approved Two-Parent households.
Participation Rates for the Past Twelve Months
Aug
2007
Sept
2007
Oct
2007
Nov
2007
Dec
2007
Jan
2008
Feb
2008
Mar
2008
Apr
2008
May
2008
Jun
2008
July
2008
26% 17% 27% 20% 16% 7% 39% 27% 19% 31% 29% 29%
3. Providing Employment Services
• The DSS Work First staff has identified a number of resources to assist in providing needed
education, training, and employment services to place participants in full-time employment.
• The Work First Employment Services social workers use assessment reports to assist with
matching knowledge, skills and abilities of participants to available jobs as people who can be
matched to a job in an area in which they already have an interest and experience increase the
likelihood of job retention.
• All applicants are referred to Work First Employment Services (WFES) at the time of the
application. Adult heads of households are assessed for job readiness by review of agency records
and a screening interview. The Mutual Responsibility Agreement (MRA), Part II, is prepared with
the participant, indicating required activities and hours of participation. Available assessment
tools are used to assist in the preparation of the MRA II. If the available tools are not sufficient,
the Work First staff can design their own. Childcare referrals are made for participants in need of
childcare referral and application takes place at orientation. Applicants have the option of
utilizing transportation services provided by Community Social Services Assistants (CSSA’s).
• Participants identified as having a substance abuse problem are referred to the Qualified
Professional for Substance Abuse for assessment, evaluation and recommendations.
• When identified as a domestic violence victim, participants are immediately referred to Safe
Haven (our local Domestic Violence agency) to assist them in receiving services to enable them to
work.
• After initial assessment, clients identified as needing Job Readiness training are referred to classes
taught at Piedmont Community College, DSS, or local agencies. A participant identified as
needing a GED is referred to Piedmont Community College for testing and then to the appropriate
classroom settings. These class hours may be used towards hourly requirements. Countable work
activities are scheduled to compliment class schedule to ensure participation.
• Clients who appear to have medical or mental problems or other work rehabilitation needs are
referred to Vocational Rehabilitation and/or Person Industries as appropriate for assessment and
evaluation lasting up to three months to determine what their capabilities are, to allow for job
October 20, 2008 8
sampling and job coaching, and to work toward job placement. Person County DSS has a contract
with Person Industries for payment of services to non-VR eligible clients. There is frequent
contact between Employment social workers and the CSSA’s to intervene early in case of
transportation or child care problems while attending PI.
• The Employment Services staff maintains information about services, assistance, and programs to
assist low-income workers.
• At times, adult Work First clients say that they either cannot start a job or they have to miss work
because of problems that their children are having at school. In order to help address this area,
Work First staff, both in Income Maintenance and in Employment Services, talk to clients at
assessment, reviews, and other contacts to identify any school problems and to refer the child to
the appropriate person in the school system for help in addressing the problem.
• Work First staff utilizes, as appropriate, the policy dealing with suspending the 24-month State
clock in situations involving family violence and post-secondary education.
• To serve teen parents, social workers meet with significant school personnel, family members and
most importantly, the participant to identify support services needed and a plan of action to assist
with the successful completion of a High School Diploma.
• Orientations and newsletters serve as a method of educating applicants regarding WFES
requirements and supportive services (such as transportation and Child Care Subsidy) to begin the
process of assessing work interest, experience and barriers and to write a Mutual Responsibility
Agreement. A bonus to orientations are the visits from staff representing the Human Resources
Center Career Readiness Program and The Person Industries Work Experience Program to inform
participants of the services they offer and the availability of applications to distribute to parents to
enroll all children ages birth to pre-kindergarten in the Dolly Parton Imagination Library in the
county.
• CSSA’s plan a weekly schedule to transport participants to local and out-of-county job fairs,
employers, and ESC Offices helping them search, apply for, and interview for jobs. Their
frequent contact with participants in the field is a valuable means for social workers to verify and
document the activities of, to identify particular needs of, plan services for, and establish rapport
and communication with participants on a regular basis.
• Planning, organization, tracking, and follow-up services by CSSA’s support the work experience
placements and life skills training sessions and thus, result in strengthening the participant’s
ability to succeed with Work First participation and eventual employment.
4. Staying off Welfare
• The Employment Services staff assists the participant in developing a plan for transportation
and child care which includes provision for backups for each in the event the primary method is
interrupted.
• Employment Services staff assists clients with post-employment budgeting, transportation funds
as needed, support with handling difficult situations at work, finding a better job, child care
subsidy, and referral to other services as needs are identified.
• Through the use of our 200% funds, short term services are offered to former clients who are
identified as at risk for losing their jobs. Examples of services provided are car repairs and
maintenance and insurance payments, travel reimbursement, rides provided by the local
transportation system, gas vouchers or our CSSA’s.
• DSS staff identifies and assists with services and skills training needed for advancement in jobs.
• Staff is committed to work toward the development of local financial literacy sessions for
participants, Benefit Diversion, and 200% cases to help adults transition from public assistance
to earnings and benefits from employment. In working with our population, staff has observed
the difficulties, both financially and emotionally, that people experience when they become
independent of governmental assistance.
5. Job Retention. Families who leave Work First for employment and continue to be employed 6 to 12
months after leaving the program show evidence of keeping their income and increased job stability, which
impacts a family’s well being. This measure is based on the number of responsible adults that leave Work
First Assistance.
October 20, 2008 9
• Employment Services Staff are encouraged to have contact with former clients within 3-6
months after leaving the program to identify any problems and develop a corrective plan to meet
needs. This includes identifying and helping to arrange, if needed, area resources to eliminate
the problem.
• In follow-up contact with clients and from contacts with Work First staff from other areas, staff
seeks ways to provide incentives for former Work First participants to assist them in
maintaining employment.
6. Benefit Diversion. The most successful outcome possible is for an applicant to avoid the need to
become a recipient. Financial Intake workers are exploring Benefit Diversion with all applicants,
since Benefit Diversion can, in some situations, better meet the family’s needs. It also removes the
family from ongoing assistance status and does not count as months of assistance on the time clocks.
B. County Developed Outcome Goals
In addition to goals set by the state, Person County DSS will focus on areas that we see as
beneficial to the participants served as well as to the program itself:
• Increasing the number of General Equivalency Degrees earned. Piedmont Community
College, the Person County Partnership for Children, and Person County DSS have developed
GED Labs at different sites and times to address different learning styles, environmental needs,
and self-discipline issues for Work First Participants. We see an increasing need for GEDs for
better employment opportunities and therefore plan to continue these labs. DSS staff identifies
barriers affecting attendance to develop new resources needed to assure successful completion of a
GED.
• Increasing the number of paid and unpaid Work Experience sites across the county. This
will have a positive impact on the All Families Participation Rate and give the participants a better
chance to improve their skills and employability.
• Providing comprehensive Vocational/Social/Familial Evaluations at WFFA approval for
efficacy of movement toward employment. Evaluations from trained and experienced staff at an
accredited work rehabilitation program can assist the Social Workers with early identification of
participant strengths and weaknesses in regards to work abilities. Mutual Responsibility
Agreements can incorporate recommendations from the evaluator concentrating immediately on
work activities that can promptly lead to successful employment.
• Improving the follow-up services currently being provided to participants who have gone to
work and left the program. More frequent contact and supportive services will improve the
chances of the participant staying employed.
Success in all of the above can be measured and seen through improvement of our county’s Participation
Rate. The first two goals are measured by looking at the number of GEDs earned and the number of paid
and unpaid Work Experience Sites established. Shorter periods of need for WFFA should assess the
effectiveness of initial evaluations in regards to moving participants into jobs quicker. Follow-up and
retention services make a difference in the outcome of the State Goals of Job Retention and Staying off
Welfare.
IV. Plans to Achieve the Outcomes and Goals
A. Activities
The following agencies, programs and services are among those available within the county to
assist families and individuals. Most services are provided at the agency sites. Periodically, workshops are
held at various sites in the community to increase accessibility of the information for all individuals. The
resources offered by these agencies assist clients not only with their job readiness skills but by also
providing family life skills, education, and support. Various agencies have collaborated to provide adult
GED education, work experience coordination, comprehensive work evaluations, and follow-up services.
The agencies are as listed below:
October 20, 2008 10
Child Care Resource and Referral
Information, training and support services for parents, child care providers, businesses and
industries as related to child care needs for children of all ages
Child Care training and educational programs and speakers
Emergency child care funds
Christian Help Center
Clothing closet and cash assistance (for specific work-related clothing needs)
Emergency Food and Shelter Assistance
Child Day Care Subsidy at DSS
Community Child Protection Team
Community resource identification, advocacy, and case reviews
Community Corrections Center
General Equivalency Diploma
Human Resource Development Program
Substance Abuse Counseling
Cooperative Extension
Educational programs such as time management, stress management, nutrition
“Bucs” program to teach money management
4-H YES Program
DARE Program
Substance abuse counseling through the schools and the Sheriff’s Department
Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
Assessment and evaluation for physical and mental disabilities
Education and training
Job development, placement and follow-up
Job training/job coaching
Supported employment
Transitions services from school to work
Employment Security Commission
Employment counseling
Jobs Information System (JIS) job listings
Labor Market Information
Job Link Career Center
Job Connector
Career Resource Center
On-line Job Search
Work related fax machine
Work related phone
Resume software
Workforce Investment Act (WIA)
Early Intervention and Family Services Learning Center
Day Care for developmental and special needs children and for typically developmental children
Person County Food Pantries
Food assistance to needy families
Guardian Ad-Litem Program
Health Department
Adult Health Screenings
Baby Love Program
Child Service Coordination Social Worker or Nurse to work with children under age 3 at risk for
physical or developmental delay
Community Services Team providing support to day care centers and homes
Family Planning services including choices of birth control and physical examinations
Health Check/Health Choice outreach to assist families with medical appointments for children
Immunizations tracking for infants and children
Lead Screening Program for children age 1 year for elevated blood levels
October 20, 2008 11
Maternity Care Coordinator services to pregnant and postpartum teen parents and women during
baby’s first year
Maternity Care services for pregnant women
Maternity Outreach Worker (MOW)
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program for pregnant women and for children
under age 5
Learning Connections
Resource and educational programs for families and child care providers
Person Area Transportation System
Regular routes for in-county transportation for work and day care rides
In and out-of-county routes for medical appointments
Person County Recreation, Arts, and Parks
Summer youth enrichment programs
Summer Day Care Camps
Person County Partnership for Children
Provide Smart Start funding and monitor service delivery for a variety of programs and services
for children under age 6 (preschool age) offered by other agencies in the county including DSS,
Health Department, Cooperative Extension, and so forth.
Adults and Children in Education (A GED program for adults held at the Head
Start/More at Four Preschool site which includes Motheread/Fatheread, Life Skills, and
Parenting classes in the curriculum.)
Community Services Team (Registered Nurse, Child and Family Therapist, and Early Childhood
Specialist)
Dolly Parton Imagination Library
Smart Start Child Care Subsidy
Parents as Teachers and Motheread/Fatheread
Dancing with Diversity
Partners in Literacy
More at Four
Person County Schools
Before and after School Day Care and summer care
Challenge Program- for students needing additional nurturing
Drop-Out Prevention counseling/Mentoring
GED referrals to PCC for students who drop out of the public school system
Head Start for children ages three through four
Person County Learning Academy – for students in middle and high schools who do not function
well in a larger school setting
Pre-K class for four year olds with educational needs
Pre-school class for children ages 3-5 with developmental delays
Save Our Students for at-risk students
Occupational course of study
Technical Preparation – advanced certifications for students in career and technical education
Child and Family Support Team Initiative
Futures for kids
Huskins/Dual Enrollment with Piedmont Community College
Mental Health Services
Triumph offers a comprehensive array of services including: diagnostic
assessment, person centered planning, community support, psychiatric
services, outpatient therapy, intensive in-home program, substance abuse
services, psycho-social rehab, assertive community treatment teams, and
well/illness management recovery group.
Freedom House Recovery Center provides a full range of recovery based
services and supports for individuals with an array of needs. Their
services include detoxification, facility based crisis services, short and
long-term residential rehabilitation, intensive outpatient, diagnostic
October 20, 2008 12
assessments, and community support.
Carolina Behavioral Care is a multi-disciplinary clinic providing a full
range of psychiatric and mental health services. Their services include
psychiatric services, substance abuse services, counseling and
psychotherapy services, psychological testing services, and child and
adolescent services.
Person County Library
Adult reading program
Children’s Story Time
Gallery available for meetings/classes
Theme Boxes
Person Family Medical Center
Dental Services
Medical and health care services
Person Industries
Job evaluation
Job assessment
Job training
Job coaching
Job sampling
Work Experience Coordination
Work Experience Site
Employment and Training Program
Person Industries provides employment and training services including assessment, job
readiness training, job coaching, and job sampling to Non-Vocational Rehabilitation
eligible participants. They offer job development and job placement to participants who
demonstrate that they are ready to work. Person Industries will present written goal plans
and monthly progress notes for each participant to the WFES social worker. They will
provide individual programming for up to 3 months. Person Industries will make
available Worker’s Compensation Insurance and Liability Insurance coverage to the
participants during their in-house programming period. They will also arrange monthly
staffing with WFES staff and program participants.
Piedmont Community College
Adult Basic Skills
Bridges to Success, a job training program for occupational training for youth aged 16 and up
General Equivalency Degree
Human Resource Development
Job Retention classes
Job Readiness classes
Skills Training
EMERGE
Career Start
Job Search on the Internet
Workforce Investment Act (WIA)
Career Exploration
Keyboarding for the Job Seeker
Computer Skills Training for the Job Seeker
Computer Empowerment
Key Train
Career Readiness Certificate
Pregnancy Support Center
Counseling services
Referrals to other resources
PROPEL – training in job related computer skills
October 20, 2008 13
Probation and Parole (Adult and DJJ)
Safe Haven
Counseling and other services for victims of domestic violence
Work Experience Site
Jumble Store
Very Important Parent (VIP)
VIP offers in-home parenting services and support groups for families.
B. Supportive Services
The Work First Employment staff works with the client in evaluating and assessing needs that
must be met to obtain or maintain employment. Once identified, the worker provides or identifies
resources in the community to address these needs. Some of the services available include:
• Referring for Child Day Care Subsidy to help families with the cost of day care services while
performing Work First Activities and/or working.
• Assisting with the arrangement and payment of transportation through the issuing of gas
vouchers, provision of monthly reimbursement checks, the use of the Community Social Services
Assistants, transportation provided through Person Area Transportation System or other
transportation resources as appropriate.
• Maximizing the transportation time staff spends with participants by discussing and providing
one page handouts on relevant work topics (e.g. punctuality, appearance for an interview, decision
making, how to apply for a job, etc...) at an optimal teachable moment.
• Assuring clients are well equipped for the job by assisting in the purchase of small items
required on the job such as uniforms, tool sets, etc.
• Working with Safe Haven to provide funding needed to help families escape an environment
of domestic violence to one of safety.
• Providing support and educational resources to help families transition from public
governmental assistance to independent family income and benefits.
• Operating a computer lab at the agency to help participants write a resume and interview
follow-up letters, search for available jobs for which they qualify, and complete applications for
jobs.
Piedmont Community College staff administers pre-tests to determine which of the three GED
sites are conducive to client’s successful completion of GED program. PCC provides day and evening
classes to allow clients to learn in a classroom environment. Person County Department of Social Services
and Piedmont Community College offers computer labs available for client’s independent work during day
and evening hours. Day classes are offered at the local Head Start pre-school through Partnership for
Children twice a week during the school year. Participation in this program allows parents to interact with
their children in the Motheread/Fatheread program (supporting literacy) and to learn life and parenting
skills taught by local community agencies.
The Workforce Development Center (Human Resources Development/WIA Program) has
developed a life skills course as a part of their Career Readiness Program covering important topics such as
job readiness, communication, effective parenting, good health and nutrition, problem solving, money
management and stress management to help participants prepare for the challenges of full time
employment.
Social Services has contracted with Person Industries to provide staff from an accredited work
rehabilitation facility to perform comprehensive evaluations with a follow up report including
recommendations for WF participants. This evaluation process will give the WF participant an opportunity
to identify their interest, attributes, family roles, and barriers, and Social Services staff information to build
upon their strengths. Doing so will provide the partners with the power to move forward in the right
direction.
October 20, 2008 14
V. Administration
A. Authority
Person County is a Standard County, and as such, authority for the administration of the Work
First program rests with the Department of Social Services.
B. Organization
Person County DSS houses Work First Family Assistance in the Income Maintenance section and
Work First Employment Services in the Services section. Each section has a Program Manager and the two
areas each have a supervisor. All agency programs are located in the same building and all staff members
have access to email and voice mail to aid in communication. Information about specific areas follows:
1. Intake for Work First is handled in the Income Maintenance area with a primary intake worker
and backups assigned each day. After the Intake worker initiates an application, it is assigned to a
processing worker to complete the determination of eligibility. During the processing period, adult
applicants who will be included in the payment are required to attend an Orientation session with
Employment Services within 12 days of the date of application unless they are exempt from participation,
and to register with First Stop at the Employment Security Commission.
2. Emergency assistance is handled through Service Intake for short-term assistance with a
number of emergencies, such as food, utility cutoffs, transportation, to name a few. There is also a required
Emergency Assistance program, funded with TANF monies, which is described in Section VI. Clients are
referred to Service Intake by any staff who identifies a need for assistance.
3. Employability assessments are completed by the two Work First Employment Services Social
Workers; they are initiated at orientation and completed at the first two week visit. This is an opportunity
for the client, as well as the social worker, to look objectively at the strengths as well as barriers to
employment and to develop a plan to address any identified need. Some of the issues addressed during this
assessment include the client’s attitude towards work, any emotional or physical problems, past work
history, as well as educational goals achieved. Possible barriers to work such as lack of transportation, the
need for child care during working hours, any past or present court involvement, child support needs, or
any other areas that may be identified during the assessment are addressed.
4. Employment Services are provided by our Work First Employment Services Social Workers.
These professionals work with and refer participants to existing resources and work with agencies in the
community to develop other resources when needs arise. Objectives that the staff hopes to achieve include:
• Arranging for more Job Readiness meetings with Work First participants to address areas
where skills need to be improved as well as provide a means for people in similar situations to
come together for support. Role-playing can be used as a tool to address such issues as how
to dress for an interview and other ways of presenting yourself in a positive light to
prospective employers.
• Working closely with Employment Security Commission in the Job Link Career Center and
having staff located at their office for at least a half a day the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each
month.
• Referring clients to established unpaid work experience sites.
• Participating in community development of resources relevant to the Work First goals and
plans.
• Preparing WF participants for the transition from public assistant to work (budgeting, health
insurance, transportation expenses, childcare, housing, 200% retention services).
• Educating other agencies and the public on WF policy and goals.
5. To support the work of the social work staff, Person County Department of Social Services has
two Community Social Services Assistants (CSSAs) who devote 100% of their time to the Work First
Program. These workers’ office space is located in the same area as the social work staff, which improves
communication of the accomplishments as well as problems encountered in working with the clients.
These workers assist participants by providing transportation to prospective job sites, schools and other
October 20, 2008 15
training sites, Employment Security Commission and private employment agencies for job search and
completing applications and to meet child care needs. In addition, the CSSAs work with the participants to
provide assistance in identifying possible job sites as well as being available to assist in conducting in-
house sponsored training and orientations. While transporting participants, CSSA’s discuss life skills
topics with them. They are a valuable means of having weekly contact with recipients, enhancing the
ability of the program to verify and assess the activities and progress of individual cases.
6. Eligibility determinations are completed by Work First Income Maintenance Caseworkers for
both applications and reviews. There are two caseloads, including cases transferred to Transitional
Medicaid due to earnings.
C. First Stop
Person County Department of Social Services and the Employment Security Commission have
signed a Memorandum of Understanding designating the local ESC as the site for Work First
applicants/recipients to register for employment. DSS has a long-standing relationship with ESC related to
registration and employment referrals for public assistance and Food Stamps. The local ESC office is
staffed with a well-trained and motivated group of people who have been very helpful to DSS staff over the
years. DSS and ESC have worked out procedures for referrals and feedback through frequent
communication and problem-solving. Our Job Link site is located at ESC and one of the Employment
Services Social Workers spends one morning every other week there. ESC is centrally located in a recently
constructed facility that is easily accessible to clients and which has ample space for job search activities.
D. Child Care
Safe, affordable, and reliable child care is a critical element in enabling Work First participants to
become self-sufficient. Person County has 39 licensed child care facilities. Childcare is provided in
centers, child care homes, public preschool programs, and public school facilities (for school age children
only). 69% of the centers and 48% of the child care homes have a quality star rating at 3 or above with 5
stars as the highest rate. Child care is available for children ages birth to 12 years old. Child care homes
offer 2nd and 3rd shift care to approximately 80 children. Around 40 children can be served on the
weekends in homes that offer third shift care. Earl Bradsher and Early Intervention have DPI programs to
serve 242 children with developmental and/or special needs for ages 3 to 5 (pre-kindergarten age).
Infant/toddler care is the most difficult to find and sick care is not provided due to the stringent licensing
regulations. The Department of Social Services administers the State and Smart Start Subsidy Programs to
assist families with the cost of care. It is rare to have a waiting list for subsidy, meaning that most of the
time eligible families can receive help when child care is needed. State Subsidy will also help families who
select child care out of the county near the parent’s place of employment. All child care facilities must
receive approval from the Division of Child Development for payment from the Subsidy Programs.
Work First Staff refers participants to DSS Child Care Staff to apply for assistance with the cost of
care and also stresses the necessity of having a plan in place for backup care. Referrals are made to Child
Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R), a Smart Start funded agency,
which helps educate parents in choosing quality child care and in locating care. Work First Employment
Services staff can take parents to visit day care centers and homes to help facilitate choosing quality day
care. They also work with parents to develop specific backup plans for inclement weather, emergencies,
and sick child care.
The priorities for child care funds are as follows:
1. Children in the custody of the agency who are in foster care and need child care in
order for the foster parent to work or attend school.
2. Children who are part of a Child Protective Services case who can safely remain in
their current living situation if child care service is provided.
3. Teen parents attending school.
4. Children of participants in the Work First Employment Services.
5. Children of parents working full-time.
6. Children in need of general child welfare services.
7. Children of parents working part-time.
8. Children of parents in training for employment.
Policy requires that priority be given to children with special needs so the agency sets aside a certain
portion of the total funding for subsidy to serve these children so that parents do not have to worry about
staying home to meet their needs.
October 20, 2008 16
E. Transportation
Work First Employment Services staff assesses the transportation needs, resources, and backup
plans of each active participant and works with the client to develop a transportation plan. There is some
funding available through the TANF block grant to help current recipients with transportation costs,
whether for carpooling, reimbursement for gas expenses or up front gas vouchers, as well as helping with
some one-time expenses such as insurance or repairs. There is funding available through the Rural
Operating Assistance Program (ROAP) to help former TANF clients maintain their jobs by assisting with
transportation expenses.
Locally, there is limited public transportation available. There are three taxi companies that some
clients occasionally use. The main resource for transportation for many people is the Person Area
Transportation System (PATS) which is operated by Person County government and has a local
transportation coordinator as its director. There are some fixed routes, and fees are charged by the distance
from the central office. Parents are required to use their own child safety seats on the PATS vans.
Employment Services staff makes referrals to PATS and review the monthly bill for accuracy of payment
for authorized services.
The Department of Social Services has a 7-passenger van that is used exclusively by the Work
First program. The van runs a regular route weekly taking people to work, on job searches, and to classes at
Piedmont Community College and Human Resource Development Center. Staff also uses other agency
vehicles daily to transport clients. CSSA’s occasionally work before and/or after office hours to provide
temporary transportation services to recipients starting a new job.
F. Substance Abuse Services
Work First applicants and recipients are evaluated by Income Maintenance Caseworkers or
Employment Services staff to determine if they appear to have a substance abuse problem. Screening tools
required by the State, the AUDIT and DAST, are used during interviews. If the scores indicate a substance
abuse problem or if behavioral indicators identify a potential problem, the client is referred to a Qualified
Professional for Substance Abuse (QPSA) for further assessment. If this assessment indicates that further
evaluation is needed, or if treatment is warranted, the QPSA assists with the arrangements. Substance
abuse treatment services may include detoxification, inpatient substance abuse treatment, standard
outpatient treatment, Intensive Outpatient (IOP) and drug testing for those in treatment, referral to a 12-step
group, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, referral to a halfway house, or other resources that can be
identified. Additionally, the role of the QPSA has been expanded to include evaluations in Child Welfare
cases.
Due to the State-level changes in the administration of the Mental Health providers in Local
Management Entities, local services are contracted to private companies. The QPSA position is included in
that contract. In the event of a disruption in the contracting process, the local LME will assist with a
solution to the screening and assessment process.
The goal of referral and treatment is to provide the client with access to services to assist with the
fight against an addiction which blocks the ability to become and remain self-sufficient. The well-being of
the entire family is compromised by addiction. DSS and staff at the Mental Health Center work closely to
monitor clients who are referred for services and to ensure compliance. Procedures are in place to
communicate regularly about clients in treatment and the QPSA maintains close contact with both the local
DSS and Mental Health staff.
G. Family Violence Option
In Person County, Safe Haven provides domestic violence (DV) services. The Work First
Supervisor has attended Domestic Violence Training from the Division of Social Services, Family Support
and Child Welfare Services obtaining resource materials for use by the Work First Staff. Work First staff is
encouraged to attend Domestic Violence training to learn to identify and better serve victims. Procedures
were worked out for referring applicants/recipients to Safe Haven for screening if domestic violence was
identified as a problem and for feedback from Safe Haven. Safe Haven also makes referrals to DSS for
Domestic Violence Funding particularly for families whose employment may be disrupted from DV issues.
A plan for expending TANF/DV Funds is approved by the DSS Director and Safe Haven Director. The
Safe Haven Director can use all the DV funding available to Person County DSS as there is a growing
need. Currently Person County has one local shelter. People are also referred to shelters in other counties
October 20, 2008 17
as needed. DSS has maintained close contact with Safe Haven when domestic violence services were
identified as a need in specific cases. DSS staff is skilled at identifying a DV problem and working with
victims who are in denial.
H. Maintenance of Effort (MOE):
Activities Funded with Maintenance of Effort Funds
• Work First (Cash) activities
• Take and process applications for Work First
• Maintain active cases by completing changes and reviews
• Contract with Person Industries for assessment of Work First clients with barriers who are non-
Vocational Rehabilitation eligible needing job sampling, coaching activities, and
placement
• Work expense funding available for WFES participants and 200% eligible parents to assist with
transportation, training, and equipment costs for starting a new job or retaining a job
• Child Protective Services Intake & Screening
• Child Protective Services Investigative Assessment
• CPS Case Management Services
• Foster Care for Children Case Management Services
• Individual & Family Adjustment Services – Counseling to enable individuals to
recognize, understand, and cope with problems and conflicts in areas such as household
management, consumer affairs, school-related problems, utilizing community resources,
as well as other services provided by the agency.
• Service Intake (child-related)
I. Child Welfare Services
Person County has budgeted $271,537 of the Work First Block Grant to use for Child Welfare
Services.
VI. Emergency Assistance
The Person County Department of Social Services’ Emergency Assistance Program (EA) is
administered by the Service Intake Unit. The funding source is TANF, Temporary Assistance to Needy
Families. EA is used to provide a wide range of short-term assistance to a varied population, which
includes people who are not eligible for Benefit Diversion Assistance or other programs to alleviate their
emergency, or for whom a combination of programs, including EA, will meet the need. By easing the
immediate crisis, long-term dependency may be avoided.
Eligibility Rules
1. Live in NC with the intention of remaining.
2. Be US citizens or qualified aliens in accordance with policy in the Work First manual.
3. Family must include a child who lives with a relative or legal guardian as defined for Work First
Family Assistance (WFFA) and who meets the age limit for WFFA, that is, age 17 or younger, or age
18, attending high school, and expected to graduate by age 19.
4. Be in an emergency situation.
5. Meet the gross income limit of 150% of the federal poverty level using Work First rules to determine
countable income. There is no asset limit.
6. ‘Household’ is defined to include all people living together, unless they are roomers or boarders.
7. A household which has had a sanction applied to a Work First grant within the last three (3) years is
not eligible for help through the Emergency Assistance program.
Definition of Emergency
1. A crisis situation resulting from a catastrophic illness.
October 20, 2008 18
2. Substantial loss of shelter, food, clothing, or household furnishings due to fire, flood, or similar natural
or man-made disaster, or a crime of violence.
3. Emergency situation over which there was no control, which left the family homeless, or in immediate
danger of eviction or foreclosure.
4. Avoidance of destitution of the child or to provide shelter for the child.
5. Emergency situation which could lead to destitution but which did not arise from refusal to accept
employment.
6. Mass emergencies.
7. Loss of a relative who had been responsible for support and/or care of one of the family members.
8. EA cannot be used for a heating or cooling emergency, as there are other funds available.
Verification of Emergency
If the emergency involves an eviction or foreclosure, a written statement from the landlord or
mortgage holder is required. If the emergency is a utility cutoff, the cutoff notice from the utility is the
verification.
Evaluation of Emergencies
1. Evaluate whether or not the situation is actually an emergency or a request to improve the family’s
living standard.
2. Explore with the applicant whether he or a member of the assistance unit will have income that can be
used to meet the emergency.
3. Ask the applicant what steps he has taken to alleviate the emergency.
4. Evaluate whether or not the family has experienced a sudden change that led to a decrease in income.
5. Evaluate whether or not the applicant created the emergency.
6. Explore to see if the applicant has history of being in a crisis situation.
7. Has the emergency placed a child at risk of being deprived of basic necessities?
8. Will providing EA prevent recurrence of the emergency?
9. Are there other community resources which can be used?
10. Are there other alternatives?
Benefits Available
Eligible families can receive a maximum of $250.00 in a 30 consecutive day period within 12
months. If $250.00 plus any other resources available will not resolve the problem, then the household is
not eligible for EA. All payments are made in the form of vendor payments with authorization forms for
county-issued checks.
Types of Assistance
1. Rent or mortgage.
2. Utility bills.
150% of Poverty Level (Effective March 1, 2008)
No. in family 1 2 3 4 5
Max. Inc. $1300 $1750 $2200 $2650 $3100
(For family sizes exceeding 5, see the Federal Poverty Level chart in the Medicaid Manual.)
October 20, 2008 19
VII. Services to Low Income Families (under 200% of poverty)
Person County provides services to families at or below 200% of the poverty level. If the family is a
former Work First recipient and needs services to assist with remaining off public assistance, non-cash-like
services will be offered. Services will also be provided to families involved with Child Protective Services
and non-work first recipients who meet income eligibility criteria (at or below 200% of the poverty level),
and who are in need of transportation assistance and/or retention services. To encourage recipients to work
diligently toward self-sufficiency, an effort will be made to limit these services to four months. A
monetary limit on the amount that will be spent on these services to each family is established per fiscal
year to ascertain that all income eligible applicants are served.
VIII. Services to Non-Custodial Parents
Person County is not currently providing services to non-custodial parents.
IX. Exemption from Work Requirement
In accordance with the amendment by the General Assembly giving counties the flexibility to
make changes in the work requirements for single parents of children under age one, Person County DSS
will adhere to the following plan:
• There is a maximum of six months of exemption per child, not to exceed the lifetime limit of
12 months per individual.
• This exemption is tied to the age of the child, based on the child’s month of birth. The
exemption ends on the last day of the month in which the child becomes six months old. For
example, if a single parent applies for Work First Family Assistance and her child is 3 months
old, she will be eligible, at that time, for only three months of exemption. When the child
turns six months old, WFFA staff will change her Work Registration Code to the appropriate
code, thus ending the 6 months “S” code exemption.
• If a single parent of a child under age one is working and loses that job, he or she may elect to
reclaim the “S” exemption as long as the child is still under six months of age and he or she
has not exhausted the lifetime limit.
• Work First Employment Services staff tracks each case to ensure that the six-month limit is
administered fairly to all who are eligible to claim the exemption.
• For parents eligible for “S” code who lose the exemption in conjunction with imposing a child
support sanction, the parent can reclaim the “S” code once cooperation with child support
takes place and if the child is still less than 6 months of age.
X. Innovative County Strategies
Staffing
In order to open lines of communication in working with Work First clients, a staffing of all Work
First cases in which an adult is included in the payment is conducted monthly. Included in this meeting
may be staff from Child Support, Child Care Subsidy, Work First Employment Services, Child Protective
Services, Qualified Professional in Substance Abuse Program, Work First Income Maintenance
Caseworkers, and Community Social Services Assistants (as available). When a client is involved with
several workers for different reasons, it is recognized that sometimes the client will discuss a Work First
issue or change with one worker and not the others. It may be a situation where one part of the agency staff
receives information of a situation that may affect eligibility and progress toward self-sufficiency, but the
participant is withholding that information and has not discussed the situation with other workers. During
the staffing, the DSS staffs can update each case and work appropriately toward eligibility and self-
sufficiency hopefully keeping the client from experiencing fraudulent situations or unnecessary use of their
time clocks. These sessions have helped staff inform recipients of their Work First case situation and the
choices that they can make to use the program efficiently.
October 20, 2008 20
Specialized Group Approach to Provision of Services
The Social Workers and CSSA’s are identifying the specific needs of the general Work First
caseload and are planning training sessions on specific work related topics to provide pertinent information
to and to practice skills with them while at the same time helping participants set and meet MRA goals. The
staff can assess the strengths to build upon and the weaknesses to address with recipients from their
participation and performance in the sessions. These sessions are a respectful way to build rapport and a
working relationship with the Work First participants as well.
Contracted Work Experience Coordinator
Utilizing Demonstration Grant funding, DSS developed a contract with Person Industries (a
certified work rehabilitation program) to provide a Work Experience Coordinator. The Work Experience
Coordinator established paid and unpaid work experience sites with Person County employers for
placement of Work First participants. This Coordinator built positive relationships with local employers in
order to maintain long lasting partnerships and also directly and frequently supervised participants’
progress and employers’ satisfaction. The final year of Demonstration Grant funding for this strategy ended
May 2009; therefore, Social Services will seek alternative funding sources to continue Work Experience to
help participants who validly state that it is difficult to get a job without skills and employer knowledge of
their work habits.
Pay for Performance (At the time of the Plan writing, this demonstration grant project is in the
process of being implemented and it will be completed prior to the effective date of this plan.)
Using the Demonstration Grant funding, DSS implemented a strategy providing monthly WFES
support staff within the agency for collecting documentation of countable work activities and tabulating
properly verified work activity hours for each participant (All Families) to justify the release, or issuance to
the client, of a monthly cash assistance check. A weekly staffing session updated Social Workers on each
participant’s progress and need for services. A monthly report of completed and scheduled hours for each
participant was given to the WFES social workers by the 5th day of the month following the month of
performance in order for the check to be released no later than the fifteenth of each month. The WFES
Social Workers reviewed each case to approve or deny the release of a check. For approval of the check
release, the participant was required to perform and properly verify the scheduled hours for each countable
work activity as recorded on the most recent MRA or verify good cause for not meeting the scheduled
hours. ‘Good Cause’ is defined as a disability or incapacity [physical or mental] of the caretaker as
substantiated by a doctor’s statement, disability of a child or family member substantiated by a doctor
which requires the caretaker to remain at home and provide care, a family crisis or change including, but
not limited to, the death of a spouse, parent, or child, a lack of child care, or other unique circumstances as
determined by the county Board of Social Services or its Designee which prevents the Work First
participant from obtaining or retaining employment. Otherwise, the check was not released. The support
staff carried out the data entry requirements for release of a check and answered participant’s questions
regarding the release of a check or referred participant to the proper social worker if unable to address the
questions. This strategy simulated the work world and taught the participant about employer expectations
and supervision. Hopefully, it offered incentive to participate fully as well.
Payment for successful completion of work activities will be provided to two parent families when
this plan takes effect unless Work First Policy changes to include all families.
Vehicle Maintenance
DSS requested special project funding offered by the Department of Transportation to assist
working parents (eligible 200% services recipients) with maintaining their vehicles for job retention
purposes. This will involve developing a maintenance schedule and budget for each participant. This
project will prepare participants for efficient care of their vehicles which will consequently present better
gas mileage, less need for repairs, extended car life and result in reliable transportation.
Contracted Evaluation Services
Through the Demonstration Grant funding, a contract was established with Person Industries to
provide staff to perform comprehensive evaluations for WF participants in order to build upon the strengths
of and recommendations for each participant identified by staff from an accredited work rehabilitation
October 20, 2008 21
facility. This evaluation process offered the WF participants an opportunity to identify their interest,
attributes, family roles, and barriers. Doing so provided the partners with the power to move forward in the
right direction.
DSS Computer Lab
Computers previously purchased through Demonstration Grant funding provide participants the
opportunity to participate in a supervised and assisted job search and job application environment and/or
work towards obtaining their GED independently.
XI. Special Issues
Person County is a rural county with a large urban county on the southern border. The community
previously has worked with displaced factory workers from a textile mill that closed recently. The
Economic Development Office has announced the interests of other industries in locating to our County
using vacated industrial buildings; however, no firm commitments are made as yet. Even though there are
higher paying jobs available outside the county, with long-distance transportation being a problem for
many Work First participants, it may prove difficult to access those jobs without affordable and reliable
transportation resources.
Many of the adults included in current Work First cases have multiple barriers to becoming self-
sufficient. Of the adults, 42% do not have either a GED or a high school diploma. Others have medical,
mental, criminal or substance abuse problems, which impact their ability to get and keep a job. With these
problems, employers do not consider these adults as good prospects, and therefore, their chance of getting
and keeping a job becomes even more complex. Adding to that difficulty is the problem created by people
who get a reputation for unreliability. In a small town where employers know each other and communicate
regularly, people with poor work ethics can run out of chances for getting jobs due to their past
performances. Although 57% of the current Work First cases have Child Support orders in place, only
about 48% of those have had payments within the past six months. That money, of course, is retained by
the state to repay Work First funds, but the impact of the payment rate would not be good for families after
they leave Work First.
XII. through XVI. Not applicable; for Electing Counties only
XVII. Certification
This Plan was approved by the Person County Board of Commissioners at their meeting on
October 16, 2006.
Date: October 20, 2008
Johnny M. Lunsford, Chairman
Person County Board of Commissioners
October 20, 2008 22
Memorandum of Understanding
First Stop Employment Assistance Program
Pursuant to the provisions of G. S. 108A-29(a2), the undersigned parties hereby acknowledge that
the point of registration in Person County for the First Stop Employment Assistance Program shall be the
office of the Employment Security Commission of North Carolina located as set forth below.
Employment Security Commission
145 Weeks Drive
Roxboro, NC 27573-4529
Employment Security Commission of North Carolina
By: ________________________________________
Roxie Russell, Manager of the Person Office
By: ________________________________________
Beverly Warren, Director, Dept. of Social Services
Date Signed: ________________________________
REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH WELL FEES:
Health Director, Janet Clayton informed the Board that due to additional
mandated water sampling requirements, the Board of Health approved an increase in well
permit fees and a new well repair permit fee to help offset the cost of the sampling
requirement. In accordance with NCGS 130A-39(g), The Board of Health requests the
approval of the Board of Commissioners to implement the proposed new fees as listed
below:
Current Fee Requested Fee
New Well Permit $225.00 $300.00
Replacement Well Permit 125.00 200.00
Well Repair Permit -0- 75.00
A motion was made by Commissioner Yarborough, seconded by Commissioner
Puryear and carried to approve the Environmental Health Well fees as presented by the
Health Director.
October 20, 2008 23
BUDGET AMENDMENT
Upon a motion by Commissioner Yarborough, and a second by Commissioner
Puryear and majority vote, the Board of Commissioners of Person County
does hereby amend the Budget of the General Fund(s) on this, the 20th day of October 2008, as follows:
Dept./Acct No. Department Name Amount
Incr / (Decr)
EXPENDITURES General Fund
Public Safety 10,963
Transfer to General Fund 71,447
Special Revenue Fund
Capital Reserve for Schools 71,447
Airport Fund
Vision 100 Grant 47.9.1 43,067
REVENUES General Fund
Other Revenues 10,963
Fund Balance Appropriated 71,447
Special Revenue Fund
Transfer from General Fund 71,447
Airport Fund
Vision 100 Grant 47.9.1 43,067
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT:
► Sunday, October 26th, the School Bus garage dedication will be held – Chairman
urged Board members to attend
► Attended Board of Education on October 9th relative to ¼ cent sales tax
referendum which will be placed on the November 4th ballot – Informed the
Board of Education that Board of Commissioners were in support of ¼ cent sales
tax.
► Since County is implementing cost cutting measures, Chairman would like to see
Board of Education doing likewise.
October 20, 2008 24
October 20, 2008 25
MANAGER’S REPORT:
► November 17th is Local Government Day – Meeting to be held at the FEMA
Shelter
► Early Voting – There have been 1,645 ballots cast in the first two days
► Airport Commission will meet at 2:00 p.m. today
► Strategic Planning session for Schools to be held on Friday
COMMISSIONER REPORTS/COMMENTS:
Commissioner Puryear – Commented he had received a number of phone calls regarding
how much money the county has saved by renting the Human Services Building. Asked
that the Board direct the County Manager to follow up with feedback on the cost savings.
Commissioner Bowes – The Human Services building was not renovated during the
some of the current Board’s administration. It is an asset to the County.
Commissioner Yarborough –Recommend that schools cut and prepare for lean budget.
Agreed to serve on the Board of Education Strategic Planning Committee. Felt that the
Human Services building was the worst deal this government ever negotiated.
Commissioner Clayton – After reviewing all options, the decision was made to renovate
the existing Wal-Mart building instead of borrowing $10 million to building a facility. It
was intended to save taxpayers money.
Board needs to be aware that there are many watershed issues coming before the
Legislature within the next year.
Chairman Lunsford – The County Manager is planning for a Board retreat soon and all
the issues and concerns expressed by Board members will be discussed at that time.
ADJOURNMENT:
A motion was made by Commissioner Puryear, seconded by Commissioner
Bowes and carried to adjourn the meeting at 9:46 a.m.
_________________________________ _______________________
Faye T. Fuller, CMC Johnny Myrl Lunsford
Clerk to the Board Chairman