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MinutesEmployment Programs Committee MeetingJune 9, 2004 |
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1. Review Agenda, Approve Minutes and Set New Agenda Items |
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Present: Wayne Black, Marva Scott, Denise Clemmer, Sharon Johnson, Bobbi Bales, Angela McDuffie, Susan Parker, Cindy Wilson, David Troutman, Barbara Harris, Sara Mims, Algernon McKenzie, Mildred Page, Ron Byrd, Pat Spears, Robert Cox, Vickie Jackson, Kathy Evans, Nancy Sanchez, Robin Register, Carl Breazeale, Yolanda Vance, Sharron Champion, Amber Denning, Deborah Maynor, Sandra Cox, Tania Segers, Carla McNeill, Terry Keene.
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Conclusion: Approved minutes of April 7, 2004 meeting. A copy of the Employment Programs Committee Annual Report 2003-2004 was distributed. Bobbi Bales will take the August 2004 minutes.
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Action Items: N/A · |
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Work First Caseload Report – Marva Scott |
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Discussion: Marva reported that most of the measures are down from the previous month. Overall caseload is down by 408, regular cases down by 312, Two-Parent cases down by 96, O– parent cases down by 211 but still at 56% caseload and Benefit Diversion cases are down by 161. |
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Conclusion:
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Action Items: N/A · N/A |
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CAREER START Program Update – Kathy Evans
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Discussion: Kathy Evans gave an update in David Prince's absence. She stated that Career Start began on March 10, 2004 and has been well received by the participants. Kathy said some of the participants have found jobs. Staff development training was held on June 1 st & 2nd in Raleigh and supplemental training will be conducted for the original and the expansion counties. She said, community colleges looked at what they were ready to implement and those counties were recommended for the expansion. The starting date for the expansion counties is September 2004. There will be additional expansion after an evaluation by the UNC School of Social Work. Kathy listed the new 18 counties. There was some discussion about Career Start from committee members. |
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Conclusion:
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Consideration of Draft Memorandum of Agreement Between DSS & Vocational Rehabilitation – Sara Mims |
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Discussion: Sara reported that the draft Memorandum of Agreement has not been sent to the work group because some corrections will need to be made first. Mutual Responsibilites, Interagency Collobration, Food Stamp and Child Welfare should be included, not just Work First. Sara said there should be quarterly meetings between DSS, Community Rehabilitation, Mental Health and other agencies. She said the referral process (to & from) should be spelled out in the agreement. There should also be a local agreement between the two agencies which addresses an assessment tool by both programs and what should take place if child abuse/neglect is suspected and how to report it. Medical form, (Q-Sap process) case planning and goals should be completed together and both agency should share the plans. Sara will bring the plan to the August 11, 2004 meeting. |
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Conclusion:
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Partial-Month Inclusion in Participation Rate – Robin Register |
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Discussion: Robin discussed counting partial month for a client the month of application. She said, "The Fed's didn't tell the state how to code this." Robin said the hours reported in EPIS is what's reported to the Fed's. When the auditor comes, they need to match. “PROJECTING” is the new term for “bumping up”. Currently counties do not get any credit for partial month. Robin said the Fed's has said to “project” the hours. Guidelines and policy will be completed soon and sent out in a “Dear County Director” letter. Robin said, if counties are not already doing this they may begin. This is ONLY if clients are doing what they are suppose to and is in a countable component. From the 1 st day of the month to the last day of the month, project what the client would have done for the entire month. There was some discussion about “if” … Robin said to remember to document projection in the record. This is only for the month of application ( Ref page 15 of new policy) |
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Conclusion:
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Other Old Business – Sara Mims |
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Discussion: Sara discussed Medical Form DSS 8655. She stated that some counties have been giving the form to Vocational Rehabilitation but VR will not fill it out. Sara said, VR stated that it is better not to send the form but let them make the determination. There was some discussion in Tuesday's Advisory Committee and some counties have modified the form and will send it to Sara to see what can be used. Counties have had success with Dr's assessment that some clients can sit at the desk for four (4) hours. Sara said Terrye Fish stated at Tuesday Advisory that clients fill out the form themselves, so don't sent it with the client to VR. One county shared things listed on their form that is more “Participation Friendly”. A question was asked rather the DSS 8655 is even required? Sara said, she doesn't think so but some medical form should be in the record from the doctor. Sara will do some in-house drafting and will take it to the Economic & Employment Program Committees for review.
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Conclusion:
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Update on Work First Policy Revisions - Sara Mims |
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Discussion: Current TANF State Plan is not in conflict with the Federal Plan. The automation group has been working on the manual changes. Sara said the policy should be completed soon. Clients will get a letter concerning sanctions and the implementation date will follow.
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Conclusion:
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QSAP Memorandum of Agreement - Wayne Black & Sara Mims |
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Discussion:. Four pilot counties have treatment programs. Counties can have one (1) Memorandum of Agreement that could cover CPS & TANF. Reference was made to the February 2004 Q-SAP letter sent to the counties. A committee member suggested that the state send another letter informing counties to include Work First and CPS in the "one" MOA.
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Conclusion: Sara will send something out concerning one MOA.
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FY 2005-2007 Work First County Planning Process - Sara Mims |
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Discussion: It is time to begin the planning process. Sara thanked Carl Breazeale for good information that will be sent out shortly in a "Dear County Director" letter concerning the planning process. Sara stated, an addendum could be done after reauthorization for county plans. Sara mentioned a few issues such as the substance abuse audit, first stop registration, non-corporation with child support and appeal process have been sent to the Work First Rep's and Tuesday Advisory Committee. A question was asked in reference to Section 120 page 2 (New) concerning the "S" code to "L" code. It was asked that if a client could reclaim the S code when they cooperated shouldn't it be noted in policy to refer to your county plans? A committee member asked that more clarity be given to Section 103 page 10 in reference to personal responsibility (school). Sara said she would go back and review this.
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Conclusion:
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Report of Wilson County Presentation to NACO Conference – Amber Denning |
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Discussion: Amber stated their presentation at the NACO Conference on the VITA site was shared with county commissioners, county managers and others, allowing them to see the benefits to the county. She said they partnered with the IRS, ESC, Wilson Technical College and the DSS Board. The VITA site was located at Wilson County DSS and staff volunteered their time. The community college students screened applicants only. The site was opened on Tuesdays & Thursdays from 6 – 8 pm and Saturday from 9 – 1pm. 103 returns filed, 68 Efiled and 35 paper. Seven clients were not required to file and a total of 110 clients were served. $84,706.00 combined Federal/State refunds, $11,000.00 additional savings for clients in tax return preparation fees and $95,706.00 total in pocket money generated for Wilson County residents.
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Conclusion:
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Feedback & Plans: Financial Literacy Initiatives, Tax Clinics and EITC Efforts |
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Discussion: Bobbi Bales (Forsyth County) shared that 1.3 million was brought back into Forsyth County through EITC. It was mentioned that Dr. Hamilton (Forsyth County) and Wayne Black (Surry County) met with Pheon Beal (Director) about putting something in the state budget for financial literacy. IDA has the authority to start working with counties. Cumberland County shared what they are doing with banks in reference to financial literacy for their clients.
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Conclusion:
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Plans for FY 2004-2005 & General Discussion |
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Discussion: Committee will continue to bring forth and share at the meetings. The Employment Programs Committee will not meet in July. The next meeting will be August 11, 2004.
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Conclusion:
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