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The NCACDSS Employment Programs Committee met on Wednesday, September 11, 2002 at 11:30 a.m. in Room 864 of the Albemarle Building in Raleigh. The Meeting Attendance Roster is attached.
Bobby Boyd, Co-Chair, opened the meeting and welcomed members and guests. The Minutes of the August 7, 2002 EPC meeting were accepted as presented.
Bobby Boyd reported on his recent trip to New York and visit to Ground Zero. Wayne black explained the Attendance Roster and official membership of the Committee. Voting members include Directors appointed to the committee by NCACDSS President Glenn Osbourne, or their appointed voting designee. Other attendees are welcomed as guests.
PRESENTATION: TANF Reauthorization Recommendations Regarding Transportation
Kathy McGehee reported on recommendations on transportation issues made by the “Joblinks Committee on Coordinating Federal Funds to Support Employment Transportation,” on which she has served as a member. These recommendations were submitted to the United States Senate and House by the Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA) and the American Public Transportation Association of America (APTA).
These recommendations were as follows:
1. Amend TANF Law and Regulations to require all governmental agencies and private organizations that receive or use TANF funds to support transportation services to coordinate with metropolitan planning organizations, state agencies, transportation planners, and providers of service in the design and delivery of transportation services.
2. Ease Limitations on serving the unemployed by amending TANF Law and Regulations to modify the definition of “assistance” to exclude transportation services provided to individuals who meet state income eligibility and kinship regulations associated with the TANF program regardless of the individuals’ employment status.
3. De-link TANF Block Grant Funds used as cost-sharing requirements for Job Access and Reverse Commute Projects from the transfer provision of Section 404(d)(1) of the Social Security Act. States would not be limited by the 30% transfer rule in using Federal TANF funds to help meet the Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC) match requirement.
4. Support TANF Legislation that would allow carried-over TANF funds to be spent on any benefit, service (i.e.; transportation), or activity otherwise allowed under the TANF program.
5. Amend the law to allow State MOE funds to be used as a match for the Job Access and Reverse Commute program and still count toward meeting the MOE requirement. An exception would be added to the double-counting provision of Title IV-A Section 409(a)(7)(B)(iv)(IV) of the Social Security Act.
Bobby Boyd expressed
concerns about possible transfer of additional funds from the TANF Block Grant
by the General Assembly. Kathy responded that the General Assembly has
never been asked for funds for the JARC. There was discussion of the 30% transfer
limit.
PRESENTATION: Job Access Rural
Vanpool Program
Kathy McGehee introduced Joe Melvin, Vanpool Coordinator with 2 Plus,
Inc. Joe
provided a handout on the North Carolina Rural Vanpool Program. The present focus is
on working with employers. This is a joint venture between the Department
of Transportation and the Division of Social Services. There were
originally six (6) pilot programs in six (6) counties. The goal was to get
five (5) people going to the same place at the same time. The goal now is to
have one (1) person going to one (1) place and to find four (4) other riders
going to the same place. A Work First recipient or 200% FPL recipient
is needed to be on the van. The other riders may be private paying
riders. There
are presently nine (9) vans operating, all east of I-95 in eastern North
Carolina. Plans
are to provide services in other parts of the state.
The volunteer driver receives a number of benefits, including free
transportation to & from work, free 150 personal miles of van use every
month, auto liability insurance coverage with no deductible, and other
benefits.
Riders receive less expensive transportation, fares ranging from $3 to $5
per day, and other benefits of riding to work with reliable transportation. Joe stated that 2
Plus is working with employers to identify riders. A Letter of
Agreement and fee schedule were included in the packet.
There is a “60-day out” for DSS agencies who contract with 2 Plus. DSS receives the
invoice for their Work First/200% recipient(s) at the end of the month. DSS can authorize a
fee for their recipient, from no fee to 100% of fee. Private riders pay
to ride and DSS pays the difference. 2 Plus has contracts with the local transit
system or cab companies for emergency transportation.
A daily rider log is maintained. This is included with the invoice to the
DSS. Most
employers use payroll deductions for their riders. 2 Plus uses GIS
technology to map out the shortest route. Riders meet at a central location – there is
no door-to-door pickup. This was discussed as a need of some
recipients.
Joe stated that he needs help from DSS agencies in coordinating
transportation.
A marketing plan is being developed. It was recommended that local Job Service
Employer Committees (JSEC’s) be contacted.
OLD BUSINESS
Update: EITC Initiative
Wilbert Morris reported that contact has been made with the IRS. Last year a total of
$1.1 billion in EITC benefits were received by low income working households
filing Federal taxes in North Carolina. A total of $250 million was unclaimed by North
Carolina tax filers.
A letter will go out to local agencies requesting consideration for
making public buildings available on weekends to allow volunteers to assist
low-income families in filing taxes. This could include local DSS’s, Health
Departments, etc.
Access to computer terminals would be helpful. VITA (volunteer arm
of IRS) can train volunteers. Attempts will be made to get support from
Chamber of Commerce and N.C. Citizens for Business & Industry. This effort can
return more money to the local economy. The goal is to have information out by January
filing. The
letter will go to DSS’s, Health Departments, and Employment Security
Commissions.
There will be efforts to have employers place stuffers in envelops for
employees about EITC.
There was discussion of the advantages & disadvantages of filing for
the advanced EITC.
Work First Caseload
Report
There was a 185 caseload increase this month. There was a slight
shift to Adult Heads of Household cases. Wilbert reported that September is the first
month of caseload growth since January, 2002.
Suzanne Marshall stated that a “Child-Only Study” draft will be completed
by the end of September. MAXIMUS has done survey work. UNC-Chapel Hill is
working on the analysis. It will be a 2-part report. Caseloads were
discussed by committee members.
State Budget
Update
A Conference Committee budget proposal was discussed by Wilbert
Morris. There
was little change to the TANF Block Grant. $400,000 was included for Substance Abuse
Services (Senate proposal). $1.4 million was included for Residential
Substance Abuse Services for Women (Senate proposal). $1.6 million was
included for Child Welfare Training for DSS Social Workers (a compromise). State funds were
appropriated for other line items (Boy/Girls Clubs; Work Central; Food Banks;
Special Children’s Adoption Fund).
Work First
Performance Goals
Wilbert Morris and Suzanne Marshall discussed Work First Goals for FY
2002-2003. They
are available on XPTR.
Several counties had not received the letter – Suzanne will check on
this. The same
format is in place.
End-of-year adjustments, based upon local economic circumstances, Tier
changes, etc., can still be made.
NEW BUSINESS
Pay Day Lending Legislation
Wilbert Morris discussed Payday Lending legislation pending in the
General Assembly.
S104 passed 2nd & 3rd readings in the Senate in April, 2002. It remains on the
House Calendar, with no action. Wilbert discussed some of the points of the
pending legislation.
August 19, 2002 Dear
Director Letter:
Participation Rates from the Data Warehouse
Problems are being
worked on and an announcement will be sent out when problems are resolved.
Other New
Business
Deborah Landry informed Committee members that she will be going to work
in the Division of Budget Analysis. Committee members thanked Deborah for her hard
work and wished her well in her new position.
Committee Chart and
Work Plan
Wayne Black shared
copies of the Employment Programs Committee Charter, Scope of Work, and NCACDSS
Goal Statements and Indicators. Indicators that apply to the Committee were
discussed.
Wayne Black will prepare a draft of Work Plans for FY 2002-2003, share
with Bobby Boyd and Wilbert Morris for input and changes, and share with
Committee members.
This item will receive attention on the October Committee agenda.
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: September 11,
2002
DIRECTOR |
COUNTY DSS |
VOTING DESIGNEE |
SIGN-IN |
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Black, Wayne,
Co-Chair |
Yadkin |
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Wayne E.
Black |
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Boyd, Bobby,
Co-Chair |
Catawba |
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Bobby K.
Boyd |
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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 |
Sharon
Johnson |
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Hamilton,
Ann |
Forwyth |
Bobbi
Bales |
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 |
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Sanders,
Jim |
Montgomery |
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Shiver,
Reta |
Pender |
Alecia
Williamson or Patricia Walker |
Alecia
Williamson |
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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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Sharron Champion |
Franklin County DSS |
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Joyce Avent |
Economic Independence |
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Kaye Seymour |
Greene County DSS |
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Angela Bruinton |
Greene County DSS |
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Annetta Cobb |
State DSS/WFR |
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Stacey Holden |
Robeson County DSS |
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Suzanne Marshall |
Economic Independence |
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Deborah Landry |
Economic Independence |
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David Prince |
Economic Independence |
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Jane Schwartz |
Economic Independence |
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Kathy McGehee |
State DSS |
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