United Way - Orange County

OTHER PARTNERSHIPS

Community Impact can only be accomplished through partnerships and collaboratives with all sectors of our community. As we continue to LIVE UNITED, Orange County United Way will partner with key existing providers and collaborate with new community partners toward the improvement of human care conditions for the community as a whole. Orange County United Way participates in the following partnership to positively impact areas of need in our community.

2-1-1 Orange County

2-1-1 is a federally designated, but locally funded 3-digit telephone number that enables people to access vital community health and human services at no cost to the caller.

Orange County United Way assisted with the initial planning of this system and currenlty provides funding for 2-1-1 in our community. Other partners instrumental in the launch of 2-1-1 include the Children and Fmailies Commission of Orange County and the County of Orange.

Orange County Emergency Food and Shelter Board

Orange County United Way is a member of the Orange County Emergency Food and Shelter Program. This public/private partnership is a coalition of volunteers established to administer the distribution of federal emergency assistance funds in accordance with public laws, including the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act. The Board was vreated in 1983 to supplement the work of local social service organizations to help people in need of emergency assistance.

Health Funders Partnership of Orange County

The mission of the Health Funders Partnership of Orange County is to improve local health by enhancing the impact and efficiency of health philanthropy in Orange County through collaboration. The Partnership attains this mission through (1) gathering, sharing and dissemination of information, thereby creating a learning community for health philanthropists and (2) identification of strategic issues for action and collaborative funding consistent with the mission and the management of these projects. Orange County United Way actively participates by having one board membership and funding support.

Latino Educational Attainment Initiative (LEA)

The Latino Educational Attainment initiative helps Latino parents be more effective advocates for their children, particularly when it comes to their education. The Orange County Business Council acts as facilitator of parents, schools, community groups and existing programs to leverage resources and address gaps. Orange County United Way staff is instrumental in assisting with the project’s long-term goal to create neighborhood-based groups that will provide navigational skills to parents in areas surrounding 100 low-performing schools in the county.

National Hispanic Business Women Association

The mission of the National Hispanic Business Women Association is to encourage women to develop their business and professional endeavors by promoting business growth through education, mutual support, the sharing of information, business referrals and networking. United Way staff serve on the board of the National Hispanic Women Association.

Orange County Child Care Connections Collaborative

Two of the greatest challenges facing Orange County are the lack of space for additional child care facilities to be built and the cost of commercial space for lease or purchase. To address these challenges, Orange County United Way’s Local Investment in Child Care (LINCC) Project has formed the Orange County Child Care Connections Collaborative. Funded by Affordable Buildings for Children’s Development, a program of the Low Income Investment Fund with major funding from First 5 California, this collaboration is founded on the belief that through building partnerships, Orange County can build the solution to the need for child care.

Orange County Business Council''s Workforce Development Initiative

Orange County United Way staff serves on the Orange County Workforce Development Committee, which leads the Orange County business community in efforts to ensure a high quality work force is available to support the increasingly techonlogy-based workplace. There will be direct emphasis on the development of math and science skills that will meet emplyer''s work force needs.

Orange County Child Care and Development Planning Council

The council is jointly appointed by the Board of Supervisors and the County Superintendent of Schools. United Way represents community-based organizations and the consumer category and our staff currently chairs the council.. United Way staff also serves on the Steering Committee, the Community Awareness Outreach Committee, the Public Policy and the Capacity Building Committees. The Council also is a member of the Orange County Child Care Connections Collaborative.

Orange County Community Housing Corporation

Orange County United Way staff serves on the board of directors for the Orange County Community Housing Corpoartion and on the education committee of this group.

Orange County Earned Income Tax Credits Coalition

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) provides tax reductions and wage supplements for low to moderate income working families. It is considered the nation’s largest and most powerful anti-poverty program and has the support of the First Lady of California, Maria Shriver as part of her statewide “Connect California” campaign in 2007. As a result of Orange County United Way’s efforts to engage United Ways across the state in promoting the EITC, Ms. Shriver chose Orange County to launch her statewide campaign. Orange County United Way partners with the Legal Aid Society of Orange County and The City of Santa Ana to provide free tax preparation days which help families access the EITC.

Orange County Workforce Investment Board

The Orange County Workforce Investment Board (OCWIB) is a partnership with the Orange County Board of Supervisors, which oversees Orange County''''s workforce development activities and establishes programs in response to the workforce needs. Meeting Quarterly, the OCWIB designs and implements programs and services for business, adults, youth and dislocated workers in accordance with its 5 year Strategic Local Plan. The Strategic Plan describes the Board''''s commitment in establishing a comprehensive workforce development system for Orange County. Orange County United Way participates with one board membership. Additionally, this system operates through One-Stop Career Centers, and satellite centers, conveniently located throughout the County. Each Center offers wealth of training, information and assistance for businesses and job seekers.

Point-In-Time Homeless Survey

The Point-in-Time Count and Survey of the Homeless Project is conducted biennially and includes a one-night count of shelters and unsheltered homeless. The count and survey are conducted nationally to ensure uniterruped HUD funding for homelss shelters and supportive services. This poroect was conducted in collaboration with the County of Orange, Housing and Commuity Services Deparment, 2-1-1 OC, OC Partnership, Social Science Reseach Center at California State Unitvesity, Fullerton, Orange County Continuum of Care Collaborative, Orange County United Way and more than 450 community volunteers.

Right Trak Program

Right Trak is a joint venture between the Boys and Girls Clubs of Tustin, Santa Ana and Anaheim, The Orange County District Attorney’s Office, Orange County Probation Department, Orange County Department of Education and Orange County United Way. The program addresses the root causes and long-term solutions for gang participation and violence among Orange County’s most at-risk youth.

Safe From the Start

Safe From The Start is a state initiative started by the California Attorney General that aims to raise awareness and prevent the impact of exposure to violence among young children. United Way staff serves on the Orange County Safe From The Start collaboration.

Santa Ana Federal Empowerment Zone

The Federal Empowerment Zone is a 10-year designation that provides grant funds and federal tax incentives to low-income Santa Ana communities. The Santa Ana Federal Empowerment Zone focuses on issues of health care, housing, child care, youth development, transportation and work force development, and their relationship to economic development. Orange County United Way participates as a member of the Sustainability Task Force and serves on the Child Care Committee.