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EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS COMMITTEE
December 11, 2002
MINUTES
The NCACDSS Employment Programs Committee met on Wednesday, December 11, 2002 at 11:30 a.m. in Room 864 of the Albemarle Building in Raleigh. The Meeting Attendance Roster is attached.
Wayne Black, Co-Chair, opened the meeting and welcomed members and guests. He noted that Co-Chair Bobby Boyd was unable to attend due to a DSS Board Meeting.
The Minutes of the October 9, 2002 EPC meeting were accepted as presented.
OLD BUSINESS
Update: EITC Initiative
A copy of the November 27, 2002 Dear County Director Letter regarding VITA sites for tax filing and EITC initiative was shared with the Committee. Jane Schwartz stated that notices regarding EITC may be included with Unemployment Insurance checks, Child Support payments and Work First checks.
Susan Parker shared her experience in Wilson County. Mary Williams (IRS) was contacted regarding volunteers and she stated that local groups would need to recruit volunteers. She had no local volunteers to refer. She was not aware of the letter, but she had received several calls from counties. IRS can train local volunteers who are recruited by local groups.
IRS brochures have not come out yet – they may be out in late January.
Bobbi Bales discussed the Forsyth County initiative for assisting with tax preparation and promoting both EITC and financial literacy. They began recruiting volunteers in the summer. Staff assist low income households (whether clients or not) with tax preparation. Times include regular hours and after hours. Staff have assisted for two (2) years. Other community volunteers assist. There is no charge to the filers. There is no fee for electronic filing. The “Tax-Wise” program is loaded on to computers. IRS has furnished tow (2) laptops for mobility. Turnaround time for electronic filing is 7-10 days. They batch and file. Rapid Refund is discouraged because of its cost ($200 - $300). Family income limits for tax filing assistance are $40,000 (families) and $20,000 (single individuals). The volunteers only do simple forms (EZ or 1040). They do not handle returns involving self-employment, capital gains, etc.
A Library site has been set up by VITA. Accounting students from Wake Forest University and Winston-Salem State University volunteer at sites. Forsyth County DSS staff completed 300 tax returns last year.
After further questions and answers regarding tax preparation and EITC, Wayne Black suggested that the Committee discuss this issue further in late spring in conjunction with Committee goals of “Development of Best Practices” and “Promoting Financial Literacy.
Work First Caseload Report
Jane Schwartz shared handouts on statewide Work First caseload changes and the Caseload Data Report showing county caseload changes from 10/02 to 12/02. The caseload increased from 42,246 (11/02) to 42,330 (12/02).
Position Classification Status
Wayne Black updated Committee members on the status of the Classification Study regarding the Community Employment Case Manager (CECM). In preparing for consideration by the State Personnel Commission, the NCACDSS leadership and Office of State Personnel want to feel assured that the classification change would be approved. After some discussion committee members were in agreement that establishment of the CECM at Salary Grade 65 would allow for Work First workers (formerly (IMCW’s) to receive compensation for their level of work, skills and expertise, for the grade to be consistent with other Income Maintenance grades (59-61-63-65-67), and for the integrity of the Social Worker class (63-66-68) to be maintained.
Review of Committee SCOPE OF WORK for FY 2002-2003
The SCOPE OF WORK was reviewed. Committee members agreed to add another item under II. LONG RANGE GOALS OR OBJECTIVES as follows: 5. Advocate for state of the art technology systems that will streamline the administration of employment programs at the local level. Members agreed that, with this addition, the SCOPE OF WORK is approved for this year.
NEW BUSINESS
Food Stamps Employment & Training Initiative
David Prince will report on this initiative at the January meeting.
Work First County Applicant Surveys
Jane Schwartz reported that 50% of the surveys have been returned. If not returned by the following week, Field Rep’s will remind counties to submit their surveys. The Committee will review survey data in January and decide on future survey plans.
State Budget/Organization Plans
Effective November 18 Suzanne Marshall has been appointed to head Program Operations for the Economic Independence Section. She will direct policy for Public Assistance programs and monitoring of Energy and Work First cases. Hank Bowers is Assistant Chief of Economic Independence. He will oversee performance reporting, provide staff supervision, WEBSITE, on-line forms, etc. Robin Register will supervise Automation staff for the Economic Independence Section.
An Organizational Chart should be available by the next month.
TANF Block Grant Extension & Outlook for Reauthorization
Suzanne Marshall reported that the TANF Block Grant has been extended through March, 2003. There may be a visit from President Bush’s representative for Family Initiatives to North Carolina. Suzanne will provide a copy of the U.S. House TANF Reauthorization bill to Wayne Black for sharing with Committee members. David Prince discussed After-School At-Risk programs. Committee members discussed likelihood of TANF reauthorization and possible impact.
The State TANF Plan should be completed by the end of December. Suggestions are still being received. Eleven counties have requested to be Electing for 2003-2005 and their plans are also being reviewed, as well as the other Standard County Plans. The number of cases included in proposed Electing Counties falls below the caseload percentage limit.
No further business was discussed. The meeting was adjourned.
Wayne E. Black, Co-Chair
Employment Programs Committee
Date
NCACDSS EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS COMMITTEE
MEETING ATTENDANCE ROSTER
Date: December 11, 2002
DIRECTOR |
COUNTY DSS |
VOTING DESIGNEE |
SIGN-IN |
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Black, Wayne, Co-Chair |
Yadkin |
Wayne E. Black |
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Boyd, Bobby, Co-Chair |
Catawba |
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Burge, Paul |
Burke |
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Eason, Robert |
Carteret |
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Foard, Harry |
Tyrrell |
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Gunderson, Donn |
Craven |
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Haithcock, Sammy |
Caldwell |
Sharon Johnson |
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Hamilton, Ann |
Forsyth |
Bobbi Bales |
Bobbi Bales |
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Jacobsen, Richard |
Mecklenburg |
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Hudgins, Dan |
Durham |
Rhonda Stevens |
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Marett, Eart |
Johnston |
Terry Keene |
Terry Keene |
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Moore, Larry |
Columbus |
Algernon McKenzie |
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Morrow, Becky |
Robeson |
Sandra Cox |
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Osborne, Glenn |
Wilson |
Susan Parker |
Susan Parker |
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Osborne, Susan |
Alamance |
Linda Allison |
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Sanders, Jim |
Montgomery |
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Shiver, Reta |
Pender |
Alecia Williamson or Patricia Walker |
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Spaulding, Maria |
Wake |
Barbara Harris |
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Wall, Donald |
Iredell |
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Wasson, John |
Cleveland |
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Wilkes, Sandra |
Rowan |
IF YOU ARE A VISITOR OR SPEAKER ON THE AGENDA, PLEASE SIGN ON BACK OF THIS FORM.
COMMITTEE ATTENDANCE ROSTER
NCACDSS EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS COMMITTEE
PAGE 2
VISITORS & SPEAKERS SIGN-IN:
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NAME |
AGENCY |
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Sharron Champion |
Franklin County DSS |
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Ron Byrd |
Harnett County DSS |
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Cindy Wilson |
Cumberland County DSS |
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David Prince |
State Office |
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Jane Schwartz |
State Office |
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Suzanne Marshall |
State Office |
