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NCACDSS
EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS COMMITTEE
ANNUAL REPORT
2003-2004
The Employment Programs Committee met six (6) times between August, 2003 and April, 2004. The Committee was well-attended by County Department of Social Services staff members; Program Managers, Work First Supervisors, Children's Services Supervisors, and line staff members. Few Department of Social Services Directors attended meetings other than the Co-Chairs. Various representatives from the Division served as liaison to the Committee throughout the year. At the end of the year our key Division representatives are Sara Anderson-Mims (Work First issues) and David Prince (Food Stamp E & T issues). Sara is relatively new to her position, however, she and her new staff members have worked really hard over the past three (3) months to answer questions, clarify policy issues and be of assistance to committee members. As new staff settle into their positions we feel confident that our positive working relationship will enable us to handle the challenges that lay ahead when Federal TANF Reauthorization is finally approved.
Highlights of Committee work over the past year are as follows:
• From July, 2003 to July, 2004 the statewide Work First caseload fell from 40,411 to 37,448 families. This is a reduction of 2,963 (7.3%). The monthly number of families with adults fell from 18,803 to 16,380 (-2,423 families; 12.9%). The monthly number of child only cases fell from 21,608 to 21,068 (-540 families; 2.5%). In June, 2004 child only families comprised 56% of the statewide Work First caseload and families with adults comprised 44% of the caseload. The number of monthly Benefit Diversions fell during most of the year, from 2,466 in July, 2003 to 1,974 in June, 2004. The trend continues to show a decreasing Work First caseload despite the economy. The committee discussed reasons behind the trend at several meetings.
• Updated the implementation of CAREER START, a demonstration project in labor-surplus counties involving Departments of Social Services, Community Colleges and the Employment Security Commission.
• Reviewed Voter Registration requirements and 1993 National Voting Rights Act rules governing declinations.
• Met with a representative of Vocational Rehabilitation and provided input into development of a new MOA between the State Division of Social Services and Vocational Rehabilitation.
• Reviewed existing and proposed healthy marriage initiatives through a survey of County Departments of Social Services.
• Advocated for increased Department of Social Services participation in Financial Literacy initiatives, tax clinics and EITC efforts. Heard reports from Forsyth County Department of Social Services, IRS representative, and from other Departments of Social Services. Total of EITC claims in North Carolina in 2002 was $1,259,483,124 from 685,095 returns ($1,839 per return processed).
• Discontinued the biannual Work First Applicant Survey, as data had not shown significant deviations.
• Discussed TANF State Plan in context of delay in reauthorization of Federal TANF Program.
• Reviewed Leading By Results, Social Services Consortium Agenda, IDA Program, Mental Health QSAP services, reallocation of Domestic Violence funds, Participation-Rate Countable Activities, and other issues.
As the Committee enters the 2004-2005 year, issues on our agenda will include:
(1) FY 2005-2007 State and County Work First Plans; (2) Participation Rate Issues; (3) Financial Literacy and VITA sites; (4) Division of Social Services – Vocational Rehabilitation MOA; (5) First Stop and Career Start; (6) TANF Reauthorization; and (7) Policy changes.
Wayne Black ; Co-Chair; Surry County Department of Social Services
Marva Scott ; Co-Chair; Columbus County Department of Social Services
