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46 <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Mr. Cox, Mr. Fontaine said that he expects to be <br />notified about the TEA 21 grant in October. <br /> <br /> Mr. Caravati said he feels the Court Square initiative needs to dovetail with the <br />court use study, <br /> <br />PRESENTATION: FIFEVILLE NEIGHBORHOOD <br /> <br /> Mr. Herman Key, representing the Fifeville Neighborhood Association, said that <br />concerns had been expressed by private businesses who were considering hiring people <br />from neighborhoods which are adjacent to West Main Street that they did not have <br />enough information about Fifeville residents, so the neighborhood provided an overview <br />of the demographics of the neighborhood to assist in this effort. Mr. Key presented a <br />slide presentation showing various data, including ages, education, etc.. <br /> <br /> Ms. Richards noted that many people in the neighborhood do not oven vehicles <br />and she feels the City needs to improve transportation to the core neighborhoods. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said it may be worthwhile for Mr. Satyendra Huja, Director of Strategic <br />Planning, to explore housing opportunities in neighborhoods such as Fifeville and to look <br />at sites that might be available. <br /> <br />REPORT: VIRGINIA INITIATIVE FOR EMPLOYMENT NOT WELFARE (VIEW) <br /> <br /> Mr. Robert A. Cox, HI, Director of Social Services, presented a progress report on <br />the Virginia Initiative for Employment Not Welfare (VIEW) Program which was <br />implemented in July of 1997. VIEW has a strict work requirement and imposes a time <br />limit on benefits. Mr. Cox's report focused on successes, disappointments, and future <br />direction. Mr. Cox said that administrative costs for the VIEW Program are paid 100% <br />by the State. <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano noted that Council recently passed an appropriation to fund <br />additional child care, and asked Mr. Cox what additional funds would be needed to fully <br />fund the need. <br /> <br /> Mr. Robert Cox said that an additional $200,000 has been included in next year's <br />budget to cover the need for day care. <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Mr. Caravati, Mr. Robert Cox said that there are <br />currently an adequate number of day care providers. <br /> <br /> Mr. Caravati said it would be interesting to know the number of VIEW clients <br />employed by private businesses versus pubic agencies. <br /> <br /> Mr. Maurice Cox asked if attempts have been made to identify employers who <br />pay higher salaries, such as in the technology field, and whether community partnerships <br />have been developed to addresses the chronically unemployed.. <br /> <br /> Mr. Robbrt Cox said that the job developer position has been approaching <br />potential employers to identify jobs, but said that it is difficult to get adequate training for <br />clients. Mr. Cox said that some businesses offer on the job training. Mr. Cox said there <br />is a need to focus more on education and training in the future. Mr. Cox said that <br />treatmeni~will be available (such as substance abuse, mental health) for those who have <br />problems that keep them from being employed. Mr. Cox said that Piedmont Virginia <br />Community College has been a particularly good partner with the City. <br /> <br /> Ms. R]¢~hards asked if Virginia's new welfare program is typical of welfare reform <br />nationwide in terms of its emphasis on workforce or training, and Mr. Robert Cox said <br />that it is, but added that Virginia has one of the most strict programs. <br /> <br /> Ms. Daugherty noted that Ms. Ursula Palmer in Social Services is working on an <br />evaluation component of the VIEW Program. <br /> <br /> <br />