JOHNSTON COUNTY WORK FIRST PLAN FFY

Transcription

1 DRAFT COPY Changes are noted in yellow highlights JOHNSTON COUNTY WORK FIRST PLAN FFY G. Earl Marett, M.S.W. Director Johnston County Department of Social Services P. O. Box 911 Smithfield, NC Phone: (919) Fax: (919)

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS TOPIC PAGE I. Conditions Within the County 4 II. Planning Process. 4 A. Planning Committee. 4 B. Public Comment 5 C. Planning Process. 6 III. Outcomes and Goals for the County.. 7 A. Statewide Work First Goals Employment Meeting Federal Participation Rates 7 3. Providing Employment Services Benefit Diversion Staying Off Welfare Child Support 7 7. Job Retention 7 8. Caseload Reduction.. 8 B. County Developed Outcome Goals. 8 IV. Plans to Achieve the Outcomes and Goals 9 A. Activities.. 9 B. Supportive Services. 10 V. Administration 10 A. Authority.. 10 B. Organization 10 C. First Stop. 11 D. Child Care E. Transportation. 11 F. Substance Abuse Services.. 11 G. Family Violence Option. 12 H. Maintenance of Effort (MOE) 12 I. Child Welfare Services VI. Emergency Assistance.. 13 VII. Services to Low Income Families (Under 200% of Poverty) 14 VIII. Services to Non-Custodial Parents. 15 IX. Exemption from the Work Requirement 15 2

3 X. Innovative County Strategies. 16 XI. Special Issues. 16 XII. Eligibility Criteria (Electing Counties Only) 16 XIII. Community Service Programs (Electing Counties Only). 16 XIV. Appeals Process (Electing Counties Only) 16 XV. Review Prior to Expiration of Time Limits (Electing Counties Only).. 16 XVI. Funding Requirements 16 XVII. Certification 17 Work First County Plan Budget DSS Organizational Chart Demographic Information Memorandum of Understanding & Contracts Appendix I Appendix II Appendix III Appendix IV 3

4 I. Conditions within the County Johnston County is the fastest growing county in North Carolina and has undergone vast changes in its population makeup and employment opportunities over the past ten years. Most of the county s 131,231 residents still live in an unincorporated area or in small towns. Of the county s ten towns, only Smithfield (the county seat) has more than 11,500 residents. The rapid growth of the past two decades has essentially split the county in two. The area west of I-95, closest to Raleigh, has grown so rapidly that county government is having difficulty providing housing, schools, and county infrastructure to support the rapid growth. While many of the residents of this part of the county live and work in the job-wealthy Research Triangle Park, commuting to homes and neighborhoods which are more affordable than those in the RTP, the population of workers who are not in retail trade, manufacturing, government, or service industries face higher tax bases, housing costs, and tighter job markets than most have incomes and skills to adapt to. The vast majority of jobs in the RTP demand highly skilled workers and specific training, skills that many of the residents of Johnston County do not possess. The area of Johnston County east of I-95 has remained more rural. While only 3.8% of the residents of Johnston County work in agriculture, the area boasts a rich agricultural heritage and agriculture remains an important income producing industry. The county continues to be one of the largest producers of tobacco and oats in North Carolina and is first in the nation in sweet potato production. Jobs in these agricultural industries are generally low income and are often filled by migrant farm workers. Because of the proximity to Wake, County, median home prices are higher than in other similar counties. The two biggest employers, the Bayer Corporation and Caterpillar, Inc., are both located in the Clayton area and serve residents north of I-95 more than those south of I-95. Per capita income for Johnston County, according to the 2000 census, was $24,851, ranking Johnston County 28 th in the state, but a vast majority of the populations of Johnston County faces difficult hurdles of transportation, housing, education, day care, and lack of family support in their effort to improve their standard of living and provides for their families. II. Planning Process A. Planning Committee The Johnston County Social Services Work First Block Grant Planning Committee is comprised of individuals from various backgrounds and areas of expertise. Each of these individuals is considered as stakeholders and vital to the success of Work First in Johnston County. The following list of planning committee members clearly demonstrates the diversity of the group and its inherent potential. 4

5 Work First Block Grant Planning Committee Social Services Board Joseph Avery Chairperson Area Mental Health Board Eleanor Creech Board Member Public Health Board Charles Beddingfield Board Member School System Keith Beamon Johnston County Schools County Commissioners James Langdon Commissioner Community Organizations Captain Sue Jarvis Salvation Army Robert Davis JobLink Center Glenda Flemer VR Office Nelson Rose ESC Office Donna Creech Council on Aging Judy Weaver JCATS Jim Henderson Child Support Marie Watson Community Action Melody Gates Housing Assistance Wanda Conckling Social Security Kerry Christensen Harbor Patricia Little JCI Kelton Hinton Baptist Association Michael DeSherbinin Economic Development Business Community Donna Williamson Kathy Shuler Durwood Woodall CoreStaff Kiddie Kollege Tarheel Tooling DSS Staff Members Earl Marett, DSS Director Terry Keene, WF Employment Supervisor Betty Barnes, IM Administrator Tina Corbett, DSS Business Officer Eddie Perkinson, SW Program Administrator Joe Lansinger, SW Program Manager B. Public Comment The Johnston County Work First Plan FFY will be available for public comment for a ten-day period. The public will be notified of the opportunity to comment via a news release printed in The Smithfield Herald on Tuesday, September 21, The news release states that the proposed Johnston County Work First Block Grant Plan for FFY is available for public review and comment at the 5

6 Johnston County Department of Social Services, Johnston County Manager s Office and the follow public libraries: Selma, Clayton and Smithfield for a ten-day period beginning Wednesday, September 22, 2004 and ending Friday, October 1, Public Comment must be submitted in written form prior to October 1, 2004 to: G. Earl Marett, Director, Johnston County Department of Social Services, P. O. Box 911, Smithfield, NC C. Planning Process The formal planning process is seen as a continuation of the ongoing development of the Johnston County Work First Program. This process has previously included input and suggestions from staff, consumers, and representatives from business and other human service agencies. The current planning process involves the following actions and time lines: DATE September 7, 2004 September 10, 2004 September 15, 2004 September 21, 2004 September 21, 2004 September 22, 2004 September 22, 2004 September 22, 2004 September 22, 2004 October 1, 2004 October 4, 2004 ACTION Commissioners voted to request Standard Status for the Work First Program. Notify the State of request for Standard Status. Notice sent to committee members requesting input. Draft plan posted to web site and/or mailed to planning committee for review. News Release faxed to The Smithfield Herald for publication of Public Comment Period for Work First Plan Draft plan, including input received, presented to the planning committee for development. Draft plan sent to libraries and County Manager s office for public comment. Public Comment period begins. Draft plan reviewed by the Johnston County Board of Social Services. Public Comment period ends. Draft plan presented to the Johnston County Board of County Commissioners for review, input and approval. 6

7 November 1, 2004 Final plan sent to N. C. Department of Health and Human Services Division of Social Services After submission of the final plan public comment and suggestions will continue to be received and utilized in ongoing efforts to improve program operations. III. Outcomes and Goals for the County A. Statewide Work First Goals The NC Division of Social Services, in consultation with the county department of social services and county board of commissioners, will establish acceptable levels of performance by counties in meeting the following eight Work First goals. Per instruction by the State, each county will receive additional information regarding county specific goals under separate cover. 1. Employment: Self-sufficiency will be realized primarily through employment of Work First clients. 2. Meeting Federal Participation Rates: Active participation in federal countable work activities will lead to full time employment. 3. Providing Employment Services: Active participation in intensive employment services for all families is necessary in order to meet the participation rate and to ensure families are served adequately before the end of five years. One measure of success in Work First is the percentage of families who are subject to the work requirement that counties are assisting with job preparation and job placement. 4. Benefit Diversion: The most successful outcome possible is for an applicant to avoid the need to become a recipient. 5. Staying Off Welfare: Efforts to reduce welfare rolls, help adults find jobs, and increase self-sufficiency are undermined when families return to welfare. Families leaving Work First because of a job are tracked to determine if they return to cash assistance. 6. Child Support: An effective child support effort will help prevent families from returning to welfare. The key components of this measure are (1) the number of child support orders established, and (2) the dollar amount of each child support collection among Work First families. 7. Job Retention: Families who leave Work First for employment and continue to be employed 6 to 12 months after leaving the program show evidence of keeping their income and increased job stability, which impacts a family s 7

8 well being. This measure will be based on the number of responsible adults that leave Work First Family Assistance for employment who are still employed at 6 and 12 month intervals following termination. 8. Caseload Reduction: A steady decline in the overall Work First Family Assistance caseload is one indicator of success and is one of the objectives for the local administration of the program. The establishment of this goal will be subject to economic conditions within the counties. B. County Developed Outcome Goals Johnston County will continue to keep updated on legislative and congressional changes in order to implement new strategies to assist us in meeting the new guidelines. We will also seek and obtain feedback from our clients (active and former), employers, DSS staff and our community partners in developing new and innovative strategies to assist Work First clients in meeting our vision of helping all clients maximize their potential income level. The Guardian-Ad-Litem Program, educators, mental health professionals, medical professionals, emergency personnel, law enforcement personnel, and legal professionals will continue to evaluate specific cases as a function of both the Community Child Protection Team and the Community Assessment Team. IV. Plans to Achieve the Outcomes and Goals A. Activities DSS contracts with the Employment Security Commission for a full-time Employment Consultant that is housed at DSS. This consultant meets weekly with all clients enrolled in job search to provide job development and placement and obtains Work Experience sites for appropriate clients. The Consultant works with applicants, benefit diversion clients, on going active clients and former Work First clients. Goals 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8 Our agency contracts with our local Community Rehabilitation Program, Johnston County Industries (JCI), for a full time Employment Evaluator and Retention Specialist. This position conducts a 30-day vocational evaluation (35 hours a week) at JCI. Clients who do not locate employment within their 2-week structured job search or who are determined to not be job ready at application, including disabled individuals, go through the 30-day evaluation. This provides documentation needed to obtain vocational rehabilitation services for job placement or documentation to assist with a Social Security Disability claim. This position works closely with our local Vocational Rehabilitation agency to coordinate job coaching, work adjustment, and employment retention follow-up. 8

9 This position sends letters, makes telephone calls during non-typical work hours and provides information and referrals to former clients. Goals 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8 DSS contracts with a private psychologist for psychological testing to give our clients and casemanagers direction in setting employment goals and plans for the Mutual Responsibility Agreement. Goals 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 Our agency may provide TANF wage supplementation, as described in the Work First State Plan, if funds allow. Goals, 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8 In Johnston County, each adult led client has a cash worker and an employment worker. These workers meet weekly to staff and coordinate cases. Training is conducted jointly including what is considered as federally countable hours and how countable hours are calculated. Johnston County will continue to train workers to evaluate the needs of clients other than Work First cash, such as employment, child support, unemployment insurance, social security and benefit diversion. Resources in the county will be used to the extent possible and workers will be updated on any new resources available. Cases are reviewed weekly to ensure proper coding to maximize meeting the participation rates, such as adults with children under one S or six L. Workers will follow up with each active client to ensure that they are scheduled and meeting work requirements on an ongoing basis to prevent gaps in participation. Goals 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. All two-parent applicants will be offered Benefit Diversion. At least one parent will enroll in job search and job development activities immediately. DSS will provide employment and supportive services as needed and as funding allows. Goals, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. DSS works closely with our local community college in order to provide clients with the education and marketable skills to get and keep jobs in a short time frame. Johnston Community College staff provides college updates at the monthly Success For Families meetings. Opportunities for input regarding classes offered through the college are provided at monthly JobLink Managing Partners meetings. Goals 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8 DSS will continue to be the intake system for our local child support office by obtaining the information necessary for the child support agent to pursue an order with the absent parent without an interview with the client. The caseworker will get the Affidavit of Parentage for Child born out of Wedlock, and Petition to Sue/Appeal as a Indigent signed, as well as explain the clients rights and responsibilities. DSS workers will also provide employment services to noncustodial parents, if funding allows. Goals 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 9

10 B. Supportive Services Child Care Johnston County may use Work First Block Grant funds to purchase or provide childcare for eligible families that are employed if other childcare funds are not available and local Work First Block Grant funding allows. Work-Related Expenses DSS provides non-recurring work-related expenses that enable ongoing active cases or families 200% of poverty to accept or retain employment (i.e., equipment, tools, uniforms, car repairs, and insurance, etc.) based on allowable funding. Transportation Services Transportation services are provided to active Work First clients to support their meeting the requirements in their MRA and to employed families that meet 200% of poverty guidelines as funding allows. F. Participation Expenses Johnston County DSS provides participation expenses that include miscellaneous items or services needed by the family in order to participate in an activity agreed upon by the caseworker and the family, such as special shoes, uniforms or tools, registration fees, insurance coverage, etc. V. Administration Johnston County Department of Social Services has developed, and continues to refine, its organizational structure for the provision of employment focused services. The organizational chart included in Appendix II provides an overview of the agency organizational structure and composition of the units, which comprise our Work First Program section. A. Authority The Johnston County Department of Social Services is responsible for the administration of the Work First Program. 10

11 B. Organization We contract with ESC for a full-time Employment Consultant to be housed at DSS and Johnston County Industries for a full-time Vocational Evaluator and Retention Specialist. We are an active managing partner in our JobLink Career Center and staff the center located at our community college one half day per week. We have two separate units that coordinate the Work First Cash and Employment services very well. C. First Stop Johnston County Department of Social Services has an excellent working relationship with our local Employment Security Commission. We have contracted with the employment office for the past several years. Currently we are contracting for an employment consultant, who is located at DSS to provide job search, job placement and job development services (including Work Experience sites) to Work First applicants, recipients and former recipients. We also provide this service to clients meeting the 200% poverty income level. First Stop is handled at DSS through our existing contract. This alleviates the barriers transportation presents for our clients. ESC Contract is attached in Appendix III. D. Child Care Johnston County will continue to work toward meeting all child care needs for our participants. We will continue to serve actively on the board of our local Partnership For Children so that we can enlist the help of other organizations. The following priorities have been established by Johnston County Department of Social Services for child care funds: Children under Children s Protective Services (CPS) who need child care to remain in their own home. Children in DSS custody who meet one of the five need criteria as stated in the Care Subsidy Services Manual. Work First Families Children of teen parents attending high school E. Transportation Johnston County contracts with JCATS our local coordinated transportation system and other private transportation vendors to provide transportation services to Work First clients. Reimbursement is also provided to active Work First clients. The rate of reimbursement is reviewed periodically. DSS 11

12 will work closely with our coordinated transportation system in order to improve access to our current RGP transportation system in order that families can eventually pay for their own trips. DSS provides JCATS services to employed families within 200% of poverty. F. Substance Abuse Services Substance abuse is a significant barrier for approximately 10% of our adult led Work First population. We propose to coordinate with Day By Day Treatment Center of Johnston County to provide a continuum of substance services. Day By Day is a full service substance abuse facility located in Johnston County. They have experience treating Work First clients and their children. They admit children up to six years of age with their impaired parents. They have a daycare center for children as a part of their facility. Day By Day also has a TANF grant for their Casaworks-Holovita program that provides intensive employment services and substance abuse treatment for Work First clients. Day By Day also provides an intensive day treatment program for Work First clients deemed inappropriate for residential treatment. Our QSAP will screen all Work First applicants for substance abuse and mental health issues. She refers clients to our local Area Mental Health Center for mental health issues and substance abuse classes, and provides the case management for these TANF clients. G. Family Violence Option Implementing questions relating to domestic violence in our family assessment tool will assist us in identifying those families in need of intensive family violence services. We plan to continue our contract with our local domestic violence shelter to provide payment of attorney fees for assistance involving abusive partners such as child support, custody, separation provided that Domestic Violence Grant funding is awarded to our county. We also plan to use a portion of our Domestic Violence funding to provide assistance to domestic violence victims in order to obtain housing. Contract with Harbor attached in Appendix III. H. Maintenance of Effort (MOE) The County Maintenance of Effort (MOE) will be used to provide the following direct benefits and services: Child Care Transportation 12

13 Mental Health Services Substance Abuse Services ESC/First Stop Contract Transitional Services Emergency Assistance Payments The remaining MOE funding will be used for staff time (including salaries, fringe benefits and overhead) devoted to determining TANF eligibility and providing TANF case management. I. Child Welfare Services Our Federal TANF funds will be used for staff time (including salary, fringe benefits and overhead) devoted to providing Child Welfare Services. The estimated amount of the total block grant (including County MOE and Federal Funding) is 15%. Our Work First workers coordinate services with our Children s Services workers to prevent conflicting plans with mutual clients. Children services also participates in our Success meetings. VI. Emergency Assistance Johnston County works very closely with other agencies that provide assistance on an emergency basis. These resources will be used whenever possible. The food closets will be used to meet the needs of food as well as The Salvation Army. The Area Ministries have funds to help with utilities and accept referrals from DSS for this assistance. We use Salvation Army and Johnston-Lee-Harnett Community Action as long as funds are available. Johnston County plans to have the Emergency Assistance program through funds from the TANF Block Grant. The criteria will be as follows: Live in North Carolina with the intent to remain Be a U. S. Citizen or legal alien There must be a minor child under age 18 living in the home with a relative (parent, adoptive parent, step-parent, grandparent, uncle, aunt, first cousin) or living with a non-relative who has legal custody or guardianship. This includes a child who has lived in the home up to six months prior to application that meets the living with described in the above paragraph. A household may receive benefits more than one time during a state fiscal year, which is defined as July through June. The maximum benefit that can be paid to a household during a state fiscal year is $400. However, there is no requirement that a household must receive benefits of $400 in a state fiscal year. Payments can be made 13

14 in any amount as many times as warranted up to a $400 maximum in a state fiscal year. Gross earned income plus unearned income will be used to determine eligibility. The income level will be 200% of poverty level or whatever funding allows. Johnston County will serve all residents who meet the criteria. CRISIS definition: The household is in a crisis if it is experiencing or in danger of experiencing a life-threatening or health related emergency and sufficient, timely and appropriate assistance is not available from any other source. VII. Services to low income families (under 200% of poverty) Johnston County will provide services to families with minor children not to exceed $ per parent/family (with the exception of public transportation) when the family income is at or below 200% of poverty and in accordance with the policy outlined in Work First. Work First staff screen Work First applicants prior to them completing a Work First application. This process has enabled us to explain the work requirement, time limits and reporting procedures to potential Work First clients. Employment workers also offer assistance with transportation and child care assistance, if available at this time. Offering these services to applicants prior to application has continued to reduce the rate of single parent applications. The applicants that decide not to apply reveal that all they need is assistance with child care, transportation assistance, food stamps and Medicaid in order to work and provide for their families. The services that we will provide in addition to transportation and child care will include employment services, education, job readiness, work-related expenses, case management, skills training, counseling, parenting skills, and other activities approved under Work First policy. Education, transportation, skills training, and child care will not be provided to families with income less than 200% unless the participant is employed. Johnston County will continue to serve all mandatory Work First parents. We will continue to provide the intensive assessment and employment services to assist these participants in becoming employed or recipients of disability. We will monitor our TANF funds and our mandatory caseloads on a monthly basis to ensure we have the funds needed to provide these intensive services. If our funding becomes limited or our mandatory population increases, we will reassess the services we offer to non-custodial parents and families at or below 200% of poverty. This could result in eliminating services, limiting the annual amount per family or reducing the income guidelines lower than 200% based on the recommendation of the DSS board. 14

15 VIII. Services to Non-Custodial Parents Johnston County will provide employment-related services to non-custodial parents of Work First children not to exceed $ per parent/family annually (with the exception of public transportation) when the non-custodial parent s family is at or below 200% of poverty and in accordance with the policy outlined in Work First policy. We work closely with our Child Support office to identify eligible and appropriate participants. Our county will verify family income by obtaining wage stubs or contacting employers. Employment will be the focus for providing services to this population as with Work First. Job Readiness, structured Job Search, Case Management and Substance Abuse Counseling may be provided up to, but no more than six weeks after eligibility determination. After the six-week period the non-custodial parent must be in subsidized or unsubsidized employment to continue receiving services unless there is written documentation stating the assessment is not complete or the parent cannot work due to a disability. Once the parent is working, other services may be provided such as education, transportation, work-related expenses, skills training, and childcare. IX. Exemption from the Work Requirement Johnston County will exempt single parents of childen under age one from work requirements if the parent agrees to the following conditions: Complete an assessment with the Work First Employment Program Sign an MRA to comply with Employment recommendations, which may include life skills such as parenting classes, adult high school, GED or skills training, substance abuse treatment, etc. Not have received Work First Cash Assistance more than 36 months. Not have previously used the 12-month exemption (if partial months have been used, the single parent will be exempt for the remaining months, as long as they meet the other conditions) If the single parent does not cooperate with the above conditions, that parent will lose exemption status the month after the parent fails to meet the condition. If an individual is not eligible for this exemption due to working, but loses their job, that individual may claim an exemption if they have not used their 12 months and they meet the above conditions. This local policy will apply to all single parents receiving in Johnston County regardless of whether they were exempt in any other county. 15

16 X. Innovative County Strategies No innovative county strategies have been identified. XI. Special Issues No issues have been identified in the county that would affect the operation of our Work First Program. XII. Eligibility Criteria (Electing Counties Only) XIII. Community Service Programs (Electing Counties Only) XIV. Appeals Process (Electing Counties Only) XV. Review Prior To Expiration of Time Limits (Electing Counties Only) XVI. Funding Requirements The attached Work First Plan Budget (See Appendix I) provides information how the County Maintenance of Effort (MOE) and Federal TANF funding will be used to provide the following direct benefits and supportive services: Child Care Transportation Mental Health Services ESC/First Stop Contract Transitional Services Emergency Assistance Payments The remaining funding will be used for staff time (including Salary, fringe benefits and overhead) devoted to determining TANF eligibility, providing TANF case management and providing Child Welfare services. 16

17 XVIII. Certification As Chairman of the Johnston County Board of Social Services, I hereby certify that the Work First Block Grant Plan for was presented and approved by the board on September 22, Joseph Avery, Chairman Johnston County Board of Social Services As Chairman of the Johnston County Board of County Commissioners, I hereby certify that the Work First Block Grant Plan for was presented and approved by the Commissioners on October 4, James Langdon, Chairman Johnston County Board of Commissioners 17