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The NCACDSS Employment Programs Committee met on Wednesday, October 9, 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 Committee Co-Chair Bobby Boyd was on vacation. The Membership Attendance Roster and procedures to become a designated committee member were reviewed.
It was noted that Robert Eason was present for the September meeting. With that addition, the Minutes of the September 11, 2002 EPC meeting were accepted as presented.
OLD
BUSINESS
Update: EITC Initiative
Wilbert Morris shared a copy of a draft letter that will be sent to local
DSS offices, Health Departments and Employment Security Commission offices. The letter discusses the opportunities
available through the EITC and the use of volunteer tax preparers through the
IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. The letter will ask these local agencies
to consider making their buildings and computers available for VITA volunteers
during the upcoming tax season. The
letter that goes to Health Departments will be signed by DHHS Secretary Carmen
Hooker Odom and Leah Devlin (Acting State Health Director). The letter to DSS offices will be signed
by DHHS Secretary Odom and Division of Social Services Director Pheon
Beal.
Secretary Odom and Pheon Beal are working to obtain the support of the
N.C. Citizens for Business and Industry for the initiative, and to encourage
local businesses and professional organizations to provide volunteers to setup
and run the VITA sites.
Information on EITC
will be prepared and distributed.
The goal is to have local agency feedback and VITA sites ready by the end
of December.
Status of Payday
Lending Legislation
Wilbert Morris provided an update on payday lending legislation. No action was taken before the
adjournment of the General Assembly.
This issue will probably be on the agenda for the Long Session
of the General Assembly.
Work First Caseload Report
Wilbert reported that the caseload dropped from 41,838 (September, 2002)
to 41,788 (October, 2002). The committee discussed economic trends and
issues in counties, growth rate for Food Stamps and Medicaid and other
issues. There
were fewer Work First applications in September than in August.
Wilbert noted that the Work First County Survey will be conducted again
during the month of November, and the results of the survey may allow us to
evaluate any trends.
In response to questions about participation rates, Wilbert noted that
county participation rates are lower since implementation of the new way of
counting rates (per Federal requirements).
There was discussion regarding the Data Warehouse problems. The bugs are being
worked out by staff.
State Budget Update
Wilbert discussed the cuts to Economic Independence in the State
Budget. There
were $1.0 million in State funds reduction, not counting loss of Federal
matching funds.
The Help Desk and Assistant Chief positions will be filled. A total of three (3)
positions were lost last year (SFY 2001) and five (5) this year (SFY 2002). Over the past six
(6) to seven (7) years over a dozen positions have been lost. There has been some consolidation of
duties as a result
of the recent staff losses in Economic Independence.
Wilbert reviewed the Work First Block Grant. The Work First Block
Grant budget is $350,137,000. The allocation for Substance Abuse services
(QSAP’S) is $400,000.
Other allocations are: (1) TANF Automation Projects - $1.2 million;
(2) Teen Pregnancy Prevention - $0; (3) Support Our Students (SOS) - $1.4
million; (4) Domestic Violence Services for Work First Families - $900,000; (5)
After-School Services for At-Risk Children - $1.4 million; (6) Division of
Social Services Administration - $400,000; (7) SACWIS Payback - $4.6 million;
(8) Work First County Block Grants - $92 million; (9) Transfer to the Child Day
Care Block Grant - $72.8 million; and (10) Child Care Subsidies for TANF
recipients - $26.6 million.
In response to a question regarding the reduction in the total Bock Grant
from $373,110,978 in FY 2002 to $350,137,000 in FY 2003, Wilbert responded that
the reduction in carry-forward funds was the contributing factor.
Wayne Black noted that total Work First Cash Assistance for FY 2003 is
$129.4 million.
Between the Work First Cash Assistance and Cash Assistance Reserve Fund,
the allocation for FY 2002 was approximately $126 million. Wilbert noted that
the $129.4 million Cash Assistance allocation for FY 2003 is based upon last
year’s expenditures and FY 2003 caseload and expenditure projections. If the budgeted
amount is not sufficient for FY 2003, other line items would be reviewed for
transfer to Cash Assistance. The four (4) priority program areas (Work First cash, Work
First county block grants, child welfare and child care) would be
protected.
If Work First Cast Assistance is underspent, excess funds may be carried
forward to FY 2004.
This decision will be driven by the N.C. General Assembly.
If the Federal TANF
program is reauthorized by Congress, new requirements included in the TANF
legislation could impact the State FY 2003 Work First Block Grant budget.
NEW BUSINESS
Status of Federal TANF Legislation
Wilbert Morris reported that the Federal TANF five (5) year authorization
ended on September 30, 2002. President Bush signed a Continuing Resolution
to continue appropriations to states for FFY 2002-2003, but capped those
appropriations at 30% of a state’s annual adjusted Family Assistance Grant and any
Supplemental Grant for which they are eligible (for the October 1
– December 31, 2002 quarter). North Carolina can draw down up to 30% of
annual spending, with adjustments for sanctions. President Bush had been prodding the Senate to
act on the TANF Reauthorization legislation prior to the August
recess, but to no avail. There could be Senate action before the
election, during the lame-duck session, or after a new Congress begins the next
session.
National advocacy organizations are pushing for a continuation of the
current program for three (3) additional years. Under the current continuing resolution, we will be
required to continue to meet the 90% two-parent and 50% All-Parent
Participation Rates, along with other reporting requirements. With the end of the original program
authorization period (September 30, 2002) all approved State waivers with a September 30, 2002
end date expired, while others will expire on December 31, 2002. This has affected
other states.
We will continue to receive caseload reduction credits.
Other New Business
1. Work First County
Plans and involvement with faith-based initiatives were discussed. Wilbert has received
inquiries from the Atlanta office regarding faith-based activities and County
Plans. It was
noted that most faith-based groups and organizations are stretched in providing
services.
2. David Prince
presented information on the availability of additional funding for a Food Stamp
Employment & Training initiative that the Division would like to
pursue. A
proposal may be made to U.S.D.A. to request additional Federal reimbursement for
county initiatives to provide additional job training and services to
ABAWDS. If
approved, this grant would come through the State Agency. Counties could get
reimbursement.
These funds were made available through Congressional approval of the
Farm Bill. It
was agreed to place this item on the agenda for the next EPC meeting.
3. Wilbert Morris
informed Committee members that the SAVE touch-tone telephone verification
system will no longer be available after April 1, 2003. The State will need
to develop another method. A WEB-based system, is in development. During the interim, the
State could opt to access the system via a PC with Windows 95 or greater and an
analog telephone line capable of dialing into a toll-free 1-800 number; using a
data matching system similar to TPQY for Social Security information; or via a
paper process.
The State has requested that the touch-tone system be maintained
through June 30, 2003, however no decision has been made on this request. The Economic
Services Committee recommended against using a paper system (which would include
up to a 10 day response time).
4. In response to a
question about the division of responsibilities of the former Children’s
Services Section Chief position, Wilbert responded that roles and
responsibilities are under discussion. The discussion to date has centered around short-term and
long-term decisions, with long term being 18 to 24 months out.
DEVELOPMENT OF EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS COMMITTEE SCOPE OF
WORK
The Committee
reviewed, and made additions and changes to, the draft of the Committee Scope of
Work. Included
are: (1) Role
of the Employment Programs Committee; (2) Short Term Goals & Objectives; (3)
Long Range Goals & Objectives; and (4) Committee Work on Strategic Plan
Priorities.
Future Meeting Plans
With the Social Services Institute scheduled for November 13-15, 2002,
the Committee elected not to meet in November. The next EPC meeting will be held on
Wednesday, December 11, 2002 at 11:30 a.m. in Room 864 of the Albemarle Building
in Raleigh.
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: October 9, 2002
DIRECTOR |
COUNTY DSS |
VOTING
DESIGNEE |
SIGN-IN |
|
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 |
|
Robert W.
Eason |
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Foard,
Harry |
Tyrrell |
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Gunderson,
Donn |
Craven |
|
Donn R.
Gunderson |
|
Haithcock,
Sammy |
Caldwell |
Sharon
Johnson |
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Hamilton,
Ann |
Forsyth |
Bobbi
Bales |
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Jacobsen,
Richard |
Mecklenburg |
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Marett,
Eart |
Johnston |
Terry
Keene |
Terry
Keene |
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Moore,
Larry |
Columbus |
Algernon
McKenzie |
Algernon W.
McKenzie |
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Morrow,
Becky |
Robeson |
Sandra Cox |
Sandra L.
Cox |
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Osborne,
Glenn |
Wilson |
Susan
Parker |
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Osborne,
Susan |
Alamance |
Linda
Allison |
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 |
Barbara
Harris |
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Wall,
Donald |
Iredell |
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Wasson,
John |
Cleveland |
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Wilkes,
Sandra |
Rowan |
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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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Wilbert Morris |
Economic Independence |
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Stacey Holden |
Robeson County DSS |
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Cindy Wilson |
Cumberland County DSS |
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Ron Byrd |
Harnett County DSS |
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Richie Lewis |
Harnett County DSS |
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David Prince |
Economic Independence |
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Joyce Avent |
Economic Independence |
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Kaye Seymour |
Greene County DSS |
|
Angela Bruinton |
Greene County DSS |
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Sharron Champion |
Franklin County DSS |
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