I.
Conditions within the County
Avery
County
is a small rural
county located in the northern mountains of
Western North Carolina
.
In 2000, the population was 17,167.
There are 3,416 children under the age of 18.
There is a low minority population of 6%. (Attachments
1, 1A, 1B)
Most
of the entry-level jobs in
Avery
County
range from $6.00-$7.00 per hour.
(Attachment 2) A large
number of jobs do not provide benefits.
In some cases, the employee must pay the insurance premium in order
to have medical coverage for themselves.
34.4% of all families earn less than the NC Self Sufficiency
Standard. (Attachment 3)
The
economic situation in
Avery
County
continues to be
fair. The unemployment rate
for 2003 was 4.3% but is lower than the neighboring counties.
(Attachment 4) Christmas
tree growers make up the largest industry in
Avery
County
.
Hispanics continue to provide the labor force for this industry.
The next largest industry is travel/tourism which is year round.
There is only one textile mill in the county.
There
is a great demand for Certified Nursing Assistants as there is a large
Community Alternative Program in the County.
Avery Health Care Systems, Life Care of Banner Elk, Toe River
Health Department, and three private agencies, all employ in-home aides.
Wages for Home Health Aides range from $7.60 to $9.11.
Avery
County Government has 197 employees with good insurance and retirement
benefits. There are two
correctional facilities located in
Avery
County
which provide 400 state jobs with good salaries and
benefits. Finally,
Avery
County
has
approximately 300 small businesses which vary regarding pay plans and
benefits. At least for the
present,
Avery
County
has a good
economy with fewer jobs available but there is still a demand for entry
level jobs. From September of
2001-August 2002,
Avery
County
’s unemployment
rate has been lower than the unemployment rate in
North Carolina
.
We
have been successful in maintaining the Work First caseload of 35.
(Attachment 5) We
continue to look for ways to enable families to remain self-sufficient.
This will be accomplished through supportive services, i.e., food
stamps, health choice, child support, child care, earned income tax
credit, emergency assistance, employment services, etc.
We will be collaborating more with other agencies and developing a
plan of action so all agencies can work together better.
Education
and training enables participants to find better paying jobs with
benefits. We have not been as
successful in this area as we had hoped.
We encourage Work First participants to get a GED and/or
participate in advanced training. We
offer incentives to obtain a GED and make sure Work First families and
at-risk families have opportunities to further their education.
We will work cooperatively with JobLink agencies to accomplish this
goal. We will be offering the
CASAS Life Skills Appraisal as part of the assessment process.
Another
focus will be to continue to help at-risk families under 200% of poverty.
This will be a prevention aspect not only to prevent long-term
welfare dependency but also to provide supportive services to working
families.
II.
Planning Process
A.
Planning Committee
The Avery County
Work First Committee was appointed by the Avery County Commissioners and
was composed of the following members and affiliations:
Jane Galloway, Toe River Health Department; Sharon Smith Wise,
Avery County Schools – Even Start; Phyllis Forbes, Avery County
Commissioners and DSS Board; Linda Cuthbertson, Avery Transportation;
Alesia Calloway, Community Employment Case Manager; Marie Gwyn, DSS
Director; Susie Smith, ACADA; Janet Millsaps, RAM; Melissa Phillips, ESC;
Rebecca Kenyon, Workforce Investment Act; David Rash, Vocational
Rehabilitation; Marnie Werth, WAMY; Kim Vance, Avery Health Care; Angela
Hicks, Former Participant and Mary Penfield, Former Participant.
B.
Public Comment
The public was
notified by an ad placed in the Avery Journal Times and Avery Post that
the 2005-2007 Work First Plan was available for review at Avery County DSS
and at www.averydss.com from
10/20/04
through
10/27/04
. In addition, the Planning
Committee will have an opportunity to review the Plan and make comments
during this time.
C.
Planning Process
The first Work
First Planning Committee meeting was held on
October 5, 2004
. This meeting provided an
overview of the Work First Program including pertinent data, performance
measures, an update on the Work First Program, collaborations and a
discussion of barriers and gaps in service.
Suggestions from committee members were incorporated into the plan.
III.
Outcome and Goals for the County
A.
Statewide
Work First Goals
1.
Employment – Self-sufficiency will be realized
primarily through the employment of Work First Clients.
Avery
County
’s goal is 12.
2.
Meeting
Federal Participation Rates – The all Families Participation Rate is 50%.
The Two-Parent Participation Rate is 90%.
3.
Providing
Employment Services –
The goal for
Avery
County
is 80% for all
families and 100% for 2 parent families.
4.
Benefit
Diversion
– The goal is 19.
5.
Staying
off Welfare
– 90% of participants stay off welfare after going to work.
6.
Job
Retention
– 60% of the Work First Families who leave Work First for employment
will continue to be working in 6 months and 50% of the Work First Families
who leave Work First for employment will be employed after 12 months.
Avery
County
has been successful in achieving most of the Work First Goals established
by the State in past years. A
history of the decline in the Work First caseload and current status of
the 35 remaining cases effective
10/14/2004
is attached. (Attachment 5)
Our focus is to re-invest TANF dollars to provide Child Welfare
Services, to focus on at-risk families under 200% of poverty, provide
retention services, and provide supportive services to current and former
participants.
B.
County
Developed Goals
Avery
County
will adopt the following goals as suggested by the Work First Planning
Committee:
1.
DSS
will maintain a close working relationship between DSS and other agencies.
DSS Community Employment Case Manager will find out what agencies
are involved with Work First Participants and continue to work together
with other agencies to develop a plan for each participant so everyone is
committed to the same goals. The
Work First Committee felt this was important because each program has its
own rules and regulations. Also,
when a Work First participant is terminated, then the participant will be
referred to other programs for follow-up.
(See attachment 6) Community Employment Case Manager will document
services that were offered by completing the referral sheet.
This will offer each participant an opportunity to be served by
other programs once they have been terminated from Work First.
2.
Transportation
continues to be a problem. However,
Work First Employment Case Manager has been able to address this barrier
by arranging for a down payment on a vehicle, mileage reimbursement and
contracting with Avery Transportation Authority.
3.
Child
only cases will be assessed for services to maintain children in the home
and/or promote permanence and safety.
(Attachment 7)
4.
Work
First participants who do not have a GED will be given an opportunity to
take the CASAS Life Skills Appraisal to determine their grade level as
part of the assessment process. This
will be used to encourage them to get a GED and if possible allow them to
accomplish this while they are doing job search activities.
Rewards will be provided to those who accomplish this goal.
This will be measured by documentation in the record.
We have seen an increase in participants who have completed their
GED since adopting this policy.
IV.
Plans to Achieve the Outcomes and Goals
A.
Activities
(1)
Employment or putting adults to work
From the initial
application, participants are encouraged and expected to find work.
In many cases, the participant may find work prior to being
approved for the program. We
work closely with ESC/JobLink Agencies to achieve this goal.
Even though the unemployment rate is higher than it was 2 years
ago, there are entry level jobs available.
(2)
Meeting
Federal Participation Rate
This
is an area that we need to improve. We
have such a small number of cases that it is difficult to meet the
participation rate when we have some participants that are unable to
obtain the required countable hours. Participants
are referred to work, job ready activities, or work experience.
We will offer Job Ready classes in cooperation with other JobLink
agencies.
(3)
Providing
Employment Services
Our
focus is to provide employment services.
Our Community Employment Case Manager finds the jobs that are
available and refers participants to jobs once the barriers have been
eliminated. We will focus on a
plan of action for all mandatory participants.
We do utilize work experience as a pre-requisite to employment when
the participant cannot find a paid job.
(4)
Benefit
Diversion
We
make great use of the Benefit Diversion.
This prevents applicants from being approved for the on going
program and prevents long term dependency. When Benefit Diversion is
utilized then applicants can remain self-sufficient and return to
employment quickly.
(5)
Staying
off Welfare
Avery
County
has achieved
this goal by providing EA services and an array of Supportive Employment
Services like car repair, insurance, mileage, etc.
We try to offer extensive supportive services and refer
participants to other programs like WIA and WAMY when terminated.
(6)
Job
Retention
We
will continue to offer follow-up services to promote job retention and
prevent welfare dependency.
V.
Administration
A.
Authority
The authority for
administration of the Work First Program will continue to be Avery County
DSS as designed by the Avery County Commissioners.
On
9/7/2004
the Board of Commissioners of Avery County voted to request a Standard
Status for the plan.
B.
Organization
Avery County DSS,
Employment Security Commission, Mayland Community College/Workforce
Investment Act are co-located in the County Administration/JobLink
building. Avery DSS is very
involved in the Avery JobLink Management Team which meets monthly.
Other agencies involved in the JobLink Management Team are
Vocational Rehabilitation,
Avery
County
Schools
, Cooperative Extension, Avery Transportation, and WAMY Community Action.
JobLink Management Team promotes employment, education, and
training to all JobLink customers. Cross-training
is provided monthly to all staff co-located and linked partners.
Avery
DSS has one Work First Caseworker classified as a Community Employment
Case Manager who does both employment and eligibility functions.
Our Community Employment Case Manager does a good job of meeting
both financial and service needs.
(1)
Intake
– The Community Employment Case Manager takes applications and processes
them for TANF including child only cases and Benefit Diversion.
If the Work First Case Manager is not available, there is a
back-up procedure in place.
(2)
Emergency
Assistance – All Income Maintenance Caseworkers except for
Food Stamp IMCs take applications for EA.
We have an automated tracking system in place for this.
(3)
Employability
Assessment – The Work First Case Manager completes the Employability
Assessment and discusses the MRA and Plan of Action.
During the employability assessment the barriers are addressed and
a plan of action is determined.
(4)
Employment
Services – The Work First Case Manager approves participants for job
search activities, work experience, and/or sends them out on job
interviews. The WF worker
alleviates barriers that prohibit the participant from working.
(5)
Other
Supportive Services – The WF Worker offers supportive services such as
car repair, insurance, mileage, proper attire, equipment necessary for the
job. Supportive Services are
provided to current or former Work First participants who are working
under 200% of poverty but in need of supportive services.
(6)
Eligibility
Determination – The Work First Case Manager also determines eligibility
for WF program and does all required maintenance of the caseload.
C.
First Stop
We have an
agreement between our agency and ESC to provide the First Stop Employment
Assistance Program (attachment). We
will not be contracting for additional services.
D.
Child Care
Work
First participants receive priority for child care.
Work First funds are used until participants can be reached on the
subsidy waiting list. The
priority is: (1) Child Protective Services (2) Employment (3)
Education/Training
(4)
Seeking Employment (5) Developmental Delays (6) Child Welfare Services
E.
Transportation
Transportation
was identified as the number one barrier for Work First Participants.
We have an agreement with the Avery Transportation Authority to
transport Work First Participants on a case by case basis and as can be
arranged. The Avery
Transportation Authority can transport in the Newland area if between
8:00-4:30
.
They do not have flexible hours or manpower to deviate from their
normal hours.
We
have no private transportation resources such as taxi or bus service.
We do pay mileage costs for current and former Work First
participants. We assist with
down payments for vehicles and car payments when needed.
F.
Substance Abuse Services
We
collaborate very closely with a substance abuse counselor at First Things
First or New River Behavioral Health Care.
The Work First Case manager administers a quick assessment on all
applicants and current recipients at the time of review.
If there is an indication of substance abuse, then the recipient
will be referred to a qualified substance abuse counselor.
If treatment is indicated, then the counselor will oversee the
treatment and keep DSS informed. We
do have a local agreement with New River Behavioral Health Care and First
Things First. The duties of
our qualified substance abuse professionals are to assess participants for
substance abuse problems, recommend treatment, and in some cases provide
treatment.
G.
Family Violence Option
DSS Director and
Work First Case Manager have met with ACADA (Avery Citizens Against
Domestic Abuse) to discuss case referrals.
If domestic violence is identified as a problem, then DSS will pay
ADACA to do an assessment to see if a waiver of the work requirement is
warranted. All participants
are referred to ACADA for services, counseling is provided, and relocation
services including household starter kits.
Any victims in the shelter or victims under 200% of poverty are
referred to DSS for assistance
H.
Maintenance of Effort (MOE)
The following
activities are funded with our Maintenance of Efforts Funds:
§
Work First Administration
§
Work First Community Employment Case Manager
§
Work First Services
§
Work First Cash (Emergency Assistance)
§
Work First Transportation
§
Work First Participation Expense
§
Certain Child Welfare Services
§
Fraud Worker doing Work First Activities
I.
Child Welfare Services
$102,000.00
is earmarked for Child Welfare Services from our Work First Block Grant.
VI.
Emergency Assistance
Avery
County
spent $39,658.88 on EA during fiscal year 2003-2004, helped 210 families,
averaging $188.85 per family which provided rent, mortgage payments,
utilities and other emergency services
We will continue
with the Emergency Assistance program using the following guidelines.
§
Minor related child under 18 in the home or through 19 if
expected to graduate by 19
§
Total gross income at or below 200% of poverty
§
Family members must meet citizenship requirements
§
Provided once per year up to $400
§
Pay one month’s rent, mortgage payment, utilities, car
repair, etc. for a short term benefit to deal with a specific episode of
need
§
Only short-term assistance may be provided (non-recurring,
short-term benefits designed to deal with a specific episode of need, not
intended to meet recurring or on-going needs and not intending beyond 4
months.)
VII.
Services for Families with Income at or Below 200%
Poverty
We will provide
services to low-income families who need support to maintain
self-sufficiency and avoid becoming Work First recipients as well as
supporting former Work First participants to help them maintain
employment.
We will provide
employment related services such as car repair, car insurance, mileage
assistance, work related expense, etc.
Priority will be given to Work First parents who are mandatory.
We anticipate having sufficient funds to serve current and former
Work First families. If
necessary, funds will be ear marked for current Work First parents who are
mandated for employment services. Other
requirements are the same as Emergency Assistance and include the
following:
§
Minor related child under 18 in the home or through 19 if
expected to graduate by 19
§
Total gross income at or below 200% of poverty
§
Family members must meet citizenship requirements
§
Maximum amount allowed per family per year –
One
time work related expense - $500
Transportation
– Car repair - $1,500
Mileage reimburse $1,200
Participation
expenses - $500
VIII.
Services for Non-Custodial Parents of Work First
Recipient Children
Avery
County
will not provide services for non-custodial parents of Work First
recipients’ children using Work First Block Grant funds.
Non-custodial parents who are not working or paying child support
will be referred to other programs, i.e., VR, WIA, ESC, etc. on an as
needed basis.
IX.
Exemption from the Work Requirement
Avery
County
will exempt single custodial parents of children under age one from the
work requirement for one year. This
is a one-time exemption. This
has a lifetime limit of 12 months.
X.
Innovative
County
Strategies
(1)
DSS continues to be co-located with ESC and
Mayland
Community College
who administers the Workforce Investment Act in the JobLink/County
Administration Building. This
partnership has enabled us to offer more services to our participants and
network with agencies that offer employment and training services.
The cooperation among core and linked JobLink agencies has been
invaluable. Cross training is
offered monthly which keeps us updated on all services available and how
to help our participants access these services.
(2)
Work
First Case Manager will coordinate more closely with other agencies, i.e.,
VR, RAM, WAMY, WIA, ESC, etc. When
assessing clients, Work First worker will find out what agencies are
involved. In this way, a
staffing can be held to develop an action plan.
This will enable everyone to be on the same plan for the client.
Also, whenever the participant is terminated from the Work First
program, the caseworker will refer the client to other programs that might
be able to offer services, i.e., Total Family Development with WAMY,
Workforce Investment Act, etc.
(3)
In
an effort to promote the GED, either the Work First Case Manager or
another JobLink partner will test the participant to determine the
participant’s math and reading grade level.
This will enable the caseworker to realistically refer the
participant for a GED while doing job search or try to build in a plan to
achieve a GED. Rewards will be
provided to participants. In
some cases participants will be referred to another agency that can
support them in obtaining a GED or provide additional training.
We have seen an increase in the number of participants earning a
GED since we adopted rewards for passing specific tests.
XIV.
Certification
As
verified by the following signature, the Avery County Work First Plan for
2005-2007 was reviewed and approved by the Avery Board of
County
Commissioners
on
November 1, 2004
.
_______________________________
Chairman,
Avery County Board of Commissioners