Work Central provides technology-supported case management and resource information to assist former welfare customers as they find, keep, and move up in employment. At the core of this service is a highly technological communication system headquartered in Battleboro and serving Alamance, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Edgecombe, Halifax, Martin, Mitchell, Nash, Scotland, Washington, Watauga, Wayne, Wilkes, Wilson, and Yancey counties. This enables Work Central representatives while communicating with customers to access on-line information about both the customers and the resources available to support them.

Communications consist mainly of outgoing phone calls, but also include mail service for customers without phones, for following up failed attempts by phone, and for punctuating the customer's engagement in the employment process. There also are significant numbers of incoming calls initiated by customers seeking support, referral, and coaching to help manage problems related to family and employment issues.

We provide an innovative service, devoted to helping the working poor move out of poverty. Through telephone counseling and referral, we support job retention among former Work First families, focusing on career development and advancement, financial planning and asset accumulation, and personal and family needs that may impair the wage earner's ability to attend and perform work. Our specific objectives are (1) finding employment opportunities for customers, (2) facilitating useful and relevant training and education, (3) linking employment candidates with prospective employers, (4) reducing obstacles to employment and job retention, and (5) promoting career advancement and asset accumulation.