1996-01-16 - Laserfiche WebLink

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REPORT: SOCIAL SERVICES ADVISORY BOARD ANNUAL REPORT Ms. Betsy Cochran, Chair of the Social Services Advisory Board, presented the Board's annual report, including the following: 1) The Department of Social Services served over 10,000 cases in all programs. Aide to Families with Dependent Children caseload decreased 11% and child day care grew 33% as more public assistance recipients joined the workforce. 2) Progress included establishment of a Benefit Programs Investigator position, substantial catching up of overdue eligibility review, the start of implementation of Project ADAPT to improve accuracy and efficiency, and the recruitment of 187 work experience skes in the community in preparation for welfare reform. 3) Major challenges include planning for the state's new welfare reform program, meeting the increased demand for child day care, and improving the efficiency and effectiveness of other programs at a time of high rates of staff turnover. 4) The Board recommends that Council give high priority in the 96/97 budget to services leading to self-sufficiency of families and effective implementation of welfare reform. Responding to a question from Ms. Slaughter, Mr. Robert Cox, Director of Social Services, explained that the pilot program to train generic one-case workers will combine functions into one single position, but will require extensive training. Responding to a question from Mr. Toscano, Mr. Cox said that there is no clear answer about why case numbers are decreasing in Aid to Families with Dependent Children, but is a trend throughout the country, and may be due to the implementation of welfare reform and an improving economy. Ms. Slaughter asked why Project ADAPT is being suspended by the State, and Mr. Cox replied that what is currently in place in the program will be maintained, but expansion will be postponed in order to better assess technology needs. Ms. Daugherty stressed that the community's help is needed to help families become self-sufficient, and noted that the City has worked cooperatively with Albemarle County and Piedmont Virginia Community College on this effort. REPORT: PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT ON CONSOLIDATION/ COOPERATION Mr. Blake Caravati and Ms. Meredith Richards, Planning Commissioners and members of the Planning Commission's subcomrcdttee on town reversion - Consolidation/Cooperation, presented the subcommittee's report and recommendations. Mr. Caravati said that the Planning Commission vigorously supports pursuing voluntary consolidation and/or cooperation between all governmental programs, departments, and services with the County of Albemarle and its citizensl Mr. Caravati reviewed the demographic trends supporting concerns of citizens who advocate reversion. The following areas were identified as areas of focus for consolidation and cooperation: joint planning, social justice issues, joint housing office and joint Housing Authority, transportation planning, public education, police and fire protection, economic development, joint purchasing, human resources, solid waste collection and recycling program, consolidated recreation department, and senior citizens' services. Ms. Pdchards review the following potential format by which the city and county could achieve mutual representation in the planning policies and decision-making of the other: 1) City and county review each other's planning decisions; 2) Each jurisdiction has a voting presence on the other's Planning Commission; 3) Joint Planning Commission for the urban ring; 4) Joint Planning Commission for urban area; and 5) Consolidated Planning Commission. Ms. Richards recommended the formation of a task force to consider different options for planning in the future, to include equal participation by the City and County, a representative of the University, and an at-large member. Ms. Daugherty recommended that the idea of the task force for joint planning be presented to the Board of Supervisors.