Buchanan County Department of Social Services
It is the job of the V.I.E.W. case manager to do a complete assessment of the participant, do an activity plan which includes short-term and long-term goals, allow a 30-day job search period and if unsubsidized employment is not found, assign the participant to subsidized employment, on the job training or work experience. Education and training are allowed in conjunction with work activity. Many of these participants receive Day Care and Transportation services as part of their service plan. When a T.A.N.F. case is closed due to the client being employed the recipients may also receive Transitional Medicaid, Transitional Transportation and Transitional Daycare up to one year.
There was a grant awarded to People Inc. in 1998 to help in providing
transportation to V.I.E.W. clients who find employment. The grant
assisted in
purchasing used vehicles through
People Inc. with no interest loans. There were 12 vehicles purchased by
clients in Buchanan County in 1998. This
grant was extended for the year of
1999.
There have been work-sites developed at all of the schools in Buchanan
County and many other non-profit organizations. At this time we have
placed
34 people at these work-sites. With
the high unemployment rate in the county, it will continue to be a
difficult task placing all clients in the work force.
At the present time we have 151 active V.I.E.W. cases, 40 have entered
full-time employment, 24 have entered part-time employment, and 34 are
working for
their benefits throughout the county
in community work-sites.
There are currently a total of 82 T.A.N.F. cases and a total of 21 in the V.I.E.W. program.
There was a one million dollar grant awarded to Southwest Virginia
involving eight coal field locations, the counties of Buchanan,
Dickenson, Lee,
Russell, Scott, Tazewell, Wise and
the City of Norton. This grant was awarded to Southwest Virginia due to
the high unemployment rate, to better assist
V.I.E.W. clients in becoming better
prepared to enter the job market. All V.I.E.W. clients will be required
to undergo a uniform Full-Battery Assessment.
Also the money was directed toward developing a job marketing program,
establishing a Neighborhood Technology Network site, establishing two
(2) Training
and Employment for Careers (T.E.C.)
Centers, expanding the existing transportation program (cars), to
provide vehicle ownership for working T.A.N.F.
clients. The Full Assessment was
started February 1, 1999.
Work continues on the other areas of the planned programs.