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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 01-23-2024 - Assembly of Governments 1 APPROVED 317124 MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS CARRBORO TOWN COUNCIL CHAPEL HILL TOWN COUNCIL HILLSBOROUGH BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ASSEMBLY OF GOVERNMENTS MEETING January 23, 2024 7:00 p.m. The Orange County Board of Commissioners met with the elected boards for the towns of Carrboro, Chapel Hill, and Hillsborough on Tuesday, January 23, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. at Southern Human Services Center in Chapel Hill, NC. COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Jamezetta Bedford, Vice-Chair Sally Greene, and Commissioners Amy Fowler, Jean Hamilton, Earl McKee, and Phyllis Portie-Ascott COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Commissioner Anna Richards COUNTY ATTORNEYS PRESENT: John Roberts COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager Bonnie Hammersley, Deputy County Manager Travis Myren, and Clerk to the Board Laura Jensen. (All other staff members will be identified appropriately below) CARRBORO TOWN COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Barbara Foushee, Mayor Pro Tern Danny Nowell, and Council Members Randee Haven-O'Donnell, Eliazar Posada, and Catherine Fray CARRBORO TOWN COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Council Member Jason Merrill CARRBORO STAFF PRESENT: Interim Town Manager Marie Parker (All other staff members will be identified appropriately below) CHAPEL HILL TOWN COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Jessica Anderson, Mayor Pro Tern Amy Ryan, and Council Members Camille Berry, Melissa McCullough, Paris Miller-Foushee, Theodore Nollert, Adam Searing, Elizabeth Sharp, and Karen Stegman CHAPEL HILL TOWN COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: None. CHAPEL HILL STAFF PRESENT: Town Manager Chris Blue (All other staff members will be identified appropriately below) HILLSBOROUGH COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Mayor Mark Bell, Mayor Pro Tern Robb English, and Commissioners Meaghun Darab, Kathleen Ferguson, and Matt Hughes HILLSBOROUGH COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Commissioner Evelyn P. LLoyd HILLSBOROUGH STAFF PRESENT: Town Manager Eric Peterson (All other staff members will be identified appropriately below) Chair Bedford called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. Mayor Mark Bell welcomed the members of the Carrboro and Chapel Hill Town Councils and the Hillsborough and Orange County Boards of Commissioners. Commissioners, Council Members, and staff introduced themselves. 1. One Orange Racial Equity Update The One Orange Racial Equity Jurisdictional Team (Carrboro, Chapel Hill, Hillsborough, and Orange County) continues to collaborate to advance racial equity throughout Orange County. In addition to highlighting some of the work that has previously been done, the team will present updates on the racial equity framework, data dashboard and racialized history project. 2 One Orange was formed in 2020 to coordinate efforts around racial equity. The One Orange team engaged internal and external stakeholders and developed the One Orange Countywide Racial Equity Framework, which was approved in 2022. The purpose of this framework is to outline the county's overall strategy for change and to provide an overarching framework from which the jurisdictions can develop their respective racial equity plans. The framework details the five pillars that guide the county's racial equity efforts.A copy of the framework can be found at the following link: https://www.orangecountync.gov/DocumentCenter/View/20443/One-Orange-Countywide- Racial-Equity-Framework?bid Id= Once the framework was complete, the next significant focus for the One Orange team was the data index. The team will provide more information about the dashboard, ways that the index can be used, and future enhancements. The data dashboard can be found at the following link: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/2b39cf29bcc644a7898fl474cO53fbOe/page/Project/ Staff will provide any other information at the meeting, and the governing boards can discuss issues and provide feedback to staff related to this item as necessary. Mayors Anderson and Foushee introduced the item. Haley Thore, Human Resources Manager for the Town of Hillsborough, made the following presentation: Slide #1 ONEORANGE CARRRORO•CHAPEL HILL•HILLSBOROUGH•ORANGE COUNTY Countywide Update Assembly of Governments January 23, 2024 .n ORANGE HILLSEaR LIGH COUNTY rQWN OF CARRBQRO•Nc NO1H C`O1MA NORTH CAROLINA FACING RACE,EMBRACING EQUITY 3 Slide #2 Agenda • Introduction and Background • Racial Equity Framework • Data Index • Racialized History • Updates 4 ONEORANGE Slide #3 Background • In August 2020,Carrboro, Chapel Hill, Hillsborough and Orange County formed a multi-jurisdictional team to implement the Government Alliance on Race and Equity(GARE)methodology and co-design a process moving our community towards increased equity. GARE is a national network of government agencies working to advance racial equity. • In early 2022,the One Orange Countywide Racial Equity Framework: Catalyst for Moving Forward was presented and approved as a commitment to uncovering and addressing implicit biases in our jurisdictions to ensure that race no longer can be used to predict life outcomes in the Orange County community. • Continuous collaboration 3 ONEORANGE Slide #4 GARE Partnership • Networking, tools and other resources • Elected Officials and Non-Profit Organizations training • Inaugural Innovation Community • Proposal to Host Governing for Racial Justice, the GARE Southern Regional Meeting • Invited to Governing for Racial Justice, the GARE Southern Regional Meeting Planning Committee • Training module and website 3 ONEORANGE 4 Anita Jones-McNair, Chief Race and Equity Officer for the Town of Carrboro, continued the presentation: Slide #5 Racial Equity as the Catalyst for Change Training& Orga . nal Capacity Evaluation and Community Accountability Racial Engagement Equity Racial Equity Racial Equity index Assess - - D. . 5 ONEORANGE Anita Jones-McNair said that they want to increase awareness about CARE. She said that each jurisdiction is working to increase the reach of information. She said that they are collecting data on racial equity and sharing it through the Racial Equity Index. She said that each jurisdiction uses the racial equity lens to evaluate programs and policies. She said evaluation and accountability will improve transparency in the community. Shenekia Weeks, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer for the Town of Chapel Hill, continued the presentation: Slide #6 MU ������ v� 5 Slide #7 Data Index Dashboard Dashboard Uses 0 Community • Public Health 0 Government • Education 0 Non-Profit • Economic opportunity • Neighborhood & Government • Data Sources 7 ONEORANGE Slide #8 Data Index Dashboard Tutorial ONEP-I Public Heahh Educatl /hoed and Govemmam Data Sources Erclo the Racial Equity lnd-themes using the menu buM.above.Each section displays Racial Equiry fro-thematic dares via an interactive dashboard.vew the Racial Racial Equity Index EII'dexMdicarors,RestionafeRxincA.dingtheindicator,andtheDsparfryRanothatisusodasameMcmcompamdegreesofinequalityanosspopolmionsegmenrs, Dashboard Mouseaver;nd—rs,cha tr end maps,and click file icon the appears in he rop fight-,of the section ro go fuliscmen. Wages are the main source of m-xounyln ni, fty Rai. R,muy-,em�rrbg w.a. u�Rmpeyrrm. income for most people,and higher income typically allows ROM':' forgreater opndatIoryand provides a foundation for longer-term financial security. oK u tad dLv tsaa.b...r.r.p�.r.a. •e„n� ]B8 oe_ Chan Rationale DIspariry Ratio o< a,,..� du..e,.s ro.,.wu.,w.. •dw esianfa wRrM Ec--,Gsw^M1 Gees o�r� w e,,.� w.any m.reaa,.bmiy.«u��.a w.R.tPo RrianJe Cisperiry Guo R R - t in F �.fwm�t]erww�i•.y .s. t+bor torte HenArerapaaon ub�RPo.wn.lz sww, �� •�a� 3z.; o Mgadc saw. •IJar SIW Vrv. •a,..� tv oz co,s„�q,wm,�n of u.io+roox wrcMUTr.eueq.zfaawrewnvrxweae, u.der.nrxJMmmold.rco..ay. b.w. MI-- categories. t Alen m WbiM Shenekia Weeks explained how the public could navigate the dashboard. 6 Slide #9 Economic Opportunity Hispanic to White Disparity Overview ONEORANGE" Project Public Health Education end Goyemrnem Data Sources Eipfore fhe Racial Egrtiy lndea themes using the menu heeons above.Ea[h SeCeOn displays Ratgt EQuity Indes'thernaCc data via an irtteraRive dashboard Vew the Racial Racial Equity Index Equiy fndea Indicators,Rationale hx mdudfng the mdk.-,,and fie Disparity Rem he is used as a memc ro compere deg aes of inequaf ry across popufat on segments. Dashboard Mouse over ind ctors,charts and maps,and click the icon that appear in the op dght--fthe section to go hrlhcreen. niaPmi=m whams tconemis oi,P.my Itetiv: Meusa-aver celumnsm view categories, Blackta White Hispanicto White As—.White Slide#10 "oil ruitixs i I Pamenfaged adultsage25.64whoawseN- ampleyW. n.�.e.a.aar.a.aa ► Ch— Rationale D'apmly Rabe Economic Opp—nity Disparity Ratio O easiness ownership p—idesopportunitiee for residents to overcome barn -to the traditional labor force and increase their earnings. Penonal wealth,access to capital,entrepreneurial skills,and educed—1 attainment may be[actors that limit success in this indicator. i H:.na�irt 6W�t Hn W�ic a.au ❑ CM1ert aario�nelo piaperlryaerb Slide #11 Dashboard Next Steps Phase 2 —Improvements to the dashboard • Accessibility • Data visualization • Mobile-friendly —Define disparity ratio and other terms to clarify language for audiences —Establish a data library that is updated regularly —Develop individual dashboards to ensure that the data is conveyed to audiences optimally „ ONEORANGE Slide #12 e s c�ialized History Update J 0 �2 HIM ka Ae 4, Shenekia Weeks said to prevent race as a predictor of success, we must examine past practices and policies that created historical legacies of discrimination, which still produces disparities in the community. She said that this reckoning is not about shaming or blaming decision-making bodies. She said it is about identifying, undoing, rectifying, and mitigating these decisions moving forward. She said the purpose of racialized history is to expand and facilitate the use of the racial equity assessment lens. She said it helps to name and understand the root causes of inequities, relative to the examined issue. She said it acknowledges intentional and unintentional past harm caused by local governments. She said it identifies opportunities to mitigate past harms. 8 Slide #13 1. Small group of community 1. Initial research based on the historians,jurisdictional themes and priorities representatives, and scholars U 2. Themes&timeframes Define rDiscover O 3. Highlight community priorities gathered from Ad survey Iterative Process 1. Small Group and ocurnent Dialogue community members most Qimpacted 2.Make meaning of the 1. Create racialized history research and fact check document 13 Next Steps Shenekia Weeks said that the next step will be the creation of an RFP with historians. She said they want this to be a community-led process. She said there will be regular check-ins with elected officials to share progress. Slide #14 Highlights Final jurisdictional items Questions Do you have any short-term priority initiatives? Are we headed in the right direction + with the Racialized History project? What data would you like highlighted Suggestions in phase 2 of the Racial Equity Index? 14 QNEORANGE Anita Jones-McNair asked her colleagues to highlight something in their jurisdiction related to the OneOrange community effort. Shenekia Weeks said that the Town of Chapel Hill is updating their historically underutilized business strategy and that they are using their equity lab. She said it is a place where they really make the work happen. Anita Jones-McNair said that in the Town of Carrboro the racial equity action plan was approved in November 2023. She said that the town's work can be viewed at https://www.carrboronc.gov/Race-and-Equity. Camille Berry asked if there are plans to train elected officials on CARE. Anita Jones-McNair said yes and that there are self-paced training modules online and live training can also be scheduled. 9 Meaghun Darab asked if the nonprofit organizations that partner with the local governments will receive training. Anita Jones-McNair said training can be provided to stakeholders such as non-profits. Matt Hughes asked how school districts have been engaged in the tool and if they have provided feedback. He also said that Mebane joined GARE and asked if there has been outreach to them. Shenekia Weeks said that the schools have attended some of the meetings. She said she hopes the partnership will continue to grow. She said that Mebane has not been part of the program, but they are hopeful that they will become involved soon. Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked if there are triggers that cause a change in policy or allocation of resources. Shenekia Weeks said that they look at goals and consider how they help inform those goals, both present and future. She said if there is a trend they want to reverse, they can make incremental changes in policies. She said there is not a threshold but there is a since of urgency and GARE calls attention to that. Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked if they are looking at data annually. Shenekia Weeks said that the current data was from 2022. She said they review it as it comes in and they hope to update it next year. Chair Bedford asked what the pocket questions were and how they were used. Anita Jones-McNair said that they have five specific questions, and it is an abbreviated version of the lens. She said that they are trying to see racial impacts, a desired result, burden, and benefits. She said the lens is about seven pages of analysis, which means it is not easily used. She said they have been using the pocket questions for agenda items. She said then the R.E.A.L. goes forward. She said that it provides information and guidance that you might not think about. She said council members receive pocket questions for every item, and hopefully it helps them make decisions. Shenekia Weeks said they are using them informally and they are being used to normalize this way of thinking and include it in the fabric of the town. Chair Bedford asked if the department heads are using it during the meeting or if it varies. She asked what the R.E.A.L. is. Anita Jones-McNair said that the R.E.A.L. is actually the racial equity assessment lens. She said that the pocket questions and lens are two tools that can be used. Shenekia Weeks said that considering who is benefiting and who is burdened is not usually part of project management. She said implementing equity is not a quick process, but they want people to begin thinking about it. Paris Miller-Foushee said while they are doing this work, how can they also engage the for-profit industry. Shenekia Weeks said it was important to have the internal work done in Chapel Hill before they began asking other groups to participate. She said the town is at that point. Anita Jones-McNair said education about the issues is one of the first things that needs to be addressed. Camille Berry said they receive input from advisory boards. She asked how advisory boards would be included in the work. Shenekia Weeks said they could reach out to advisory boards again and begin the process. Anita Jones-McNair said they have provided training for advisory boards and commission members in Carrboro. She said that OWASA is also included in the One Orange coalition and hired their first ever DEI specialist. Commissioner Fowler asked who created the dashboard. She noted that some of the graphics were difficult to read and the use of circles did not always show information in an accurate way and that a graph would be a better display. 10 Shenekia Weeks said they would use that feedback to make improvements to the dashboard. She said that they are in the process of getting the data out, but it will continue to be updated. 2. Behavioral Health Diversion Facility Update In April 2019, more than 30 community stakeholders from the criminal justice system, healthcare, behavioral health system, and housing came together to participate in an Orange County Sequential Intercept Mapping (SIM) Workshop facilitated by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. The SIM process is designed to inform and address community-based responses to the involvement of individuals with behavioral health issues and intercepts with the criminal justice system. One of the gaps that was identified through this analysis was the need for a Crisis/Diversion facility to divert individuals in behavioral health crisis from the criminal justice system and the Emergency Departments at UNC Hospitals to a more appropriate and less expensive setting. Later in 2019, a Crisis Diversion Facility Subcommittee was formed and tasked with developing recommendations and a plan for a dedicated facility. In December 2022, the Orange County Board of Commissioners approved a contract with CPL Architects and RHA Health for$172,325 to provide preliminary/advanced planning services necessary for the development of a Crisis Diversion Facility serving Orange County residents. The scope of work included a review of existing planning and development information, and the development of programming documents, a preliminary/ schematic design, site requirements and budget estimates. The culmination of this work was presented to stakeholders during two engagement sessions in April 2023. The preliminary conceptual design represented a 29,000 square foot facility designed to offer Behavioral Health Urgent Care services for assessment, stabilization, treatment, peer support and discharge planning for patients experiencing a Behavioral Health crisis, such as for mental illness and substance use disorders. Behavioral Health Urgent Care Services are intended to be available for patients 4 years old and older. The facility is also designed to provide Facility Based Crisis services for adults for up to two weeks and will include security required for some patients and for justice-involved individuals. The facility will provide Behavioral Health crisis services to walk-in patients on a 24/7/365 basis and offer associated urgent, but non-critical, medical care if necessary. Finally, the facility will include a peer living room, a resource information center and will provide space for partner agencies that support housing, social services, food insecurity, harm reduction, domestic violence and sexual assault survivors and many other critical determinants of health and well-being. The Orange County Board of Commissioners approved $2,047,155 for design services in FY2023-24. The County's Capital Investment Plan anticipates a total construction budget of $22,952,845. The County is currently conducting due diligence on a potential site located in the Town of Hillsborough and has begun working with Town staff on the appropriate entitlement process. The County is also working with subject matter experts, including Alliance Health, on calculating the cost of ongoing operations. Behavioral Health Urgent Care Services are not fully billable services on public or private health care plans, so an operating subsidy will likely be necessary without changes to those health care plans. That subsidy is currently estimated to be approximately $2.8 million annually. Additional information is available at https:Horangecountync.gov/3168/Crisis-Diversion-Facility. 11 Staff will provide any other information at the meeting, and the governing boards can discuss issues and provide feedback to staff related to this item as necessary. Chair Bedford introduced the item and Orange County staff involved in the development and planning of the behavioral health crisis diversion facility: Travis Myren, Deputy County Manager, and Cait Fenhagen, Criminal Justice Resource Department Director. Travis Myren made the following presentation: Slide #1 f ORANGE COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA Update on Behavioral Health Crisis Diversion Facility Planning Assembly of Governments Meeting January 22, 2024 Slide #2 Timeline April 2019—Sequential Intercept Mapping (SIM)identified gaps in crisis services • November 2019-Crisis Diversion Sub-Committee of the Behavioral Health Task Force created • December 2022—Board of Commissioners approved contract for preliminary planning and cost estimates • April 2023—Conceptual Plan presented to stakeholder groups • June 2023—Board of Commissioners includes costs for architectural design and construction in the 2023-33 Capital Investment Plan ORANGE COUNTY 2 NORTH CAROLINA 12 Slide #3 Gaps Analysis — Sequential Intercept Mapping (2019) • Access to community-based crisis services • Discharge planning System capacity — Neither Detention Center nor Emergency Department — Exclusionary criteria specializes Long wait times — Limited discharge planning and support . Other opportunities — Expand access to Medication Assisted Treatment • Options for diversion — Expand peer support Law enforcement — Facilitate transition to community resources Emergency service providers/EMS — Current default to Detention Center or Hospital Emergency Department • Access to appropriate clinical services — Detention Center medical services not designed for behavioral health crisis intervention Detention setting inappropriate and may exacerbate symptoms ORANGE COUNTY 3 NORTH CAROLINA Travis Myren said that one significant gap was a detailed discharge plan for individuals leaving the detention center or emergency department. He said that individuals need a "warm hand-off' to a community provider to help them live in an outpatient setting. Slide #4 Context Creating a Crisis Continuum of Care contaw(crisis linea), omaons to respond(mobil.crisis reams)and somewheFe •.. TO CONTACT to RESPOND SAFE TO GO • Crisis Diversion Facility Mission • To enhance Orange County crisis services to best facilitate deflectionidiversion of individuals experiencing a Behavioral Health crisis(Mental Health and/or Substance Use Disorder)from either hospital-based emergency departments or the criminal justice system. _-ft � ORANGE COUNTY 4 NORTH CAROLINA Travis Myren said there is a draft agreement with the Town of Chapel Hill for a mobile crisis project called Cares. He said there will be a crisis counselor in the 911 call center who can 13 help those experiencing a mental health crisis. He said if the individual needs to be transported, they will be taken to the behavioral health crisis diversion facility. Slide #5 Services • Behavioral Health Urgent Care • Serving individuals 4 years old or older • Less than 24 hours • Provides assessment, stabilization, peer support, and discharge planning • Facility Based Crisis • Serving adults • Up to two weeks • Additional time for stabilization and treatment in a secure setting • Peer Living/Resource Center • Serving everyone • Resources and space for partner agencies that support housing, social services,food security, harm reduction, and domestic violence intervention ORANGE COUNTY 5 NORTH CAROLINA Slide #6 Building Program • Front Entrance and Waiting Area w �� • Rear Entrance Behavioral Health Urgent Care �. • Adult Facility Based Crisis w • Medical Areas Security • General Purpose • Community and Resource Area ORANGE COUNTY 6 NORTH CAROLINA 14 Slide#7 Floor Plan - _ REAR ENTRY _j INTAKE,TRIAGE, A041RnSTRAFION 6 SURRORT FRONT ENTRANCE _ 6 WAMNG RESOURCE AND COMMUNITY CENTER ORANGE COUNTY 7 NOR-171-E CAROLINA Slide #8 Arrivals by Community Partners Estimated 365 PERCENTAGE OF ARRIVALS BY COMMUNITY PARTNER Behavioral Health Emergency Medical Visits per Month Services Self Arrival 21 25 • Before a Crisis • During a Crisis • After a Crisis IVC's and EU Referrals 13% Law Enforcement 24 k Criminal Justice Child and Adolescent 9 Services ei 8 ORANGE COOUNA Y 15 Slide #9 Expected Benefits • Emergency Medical Services Community Support Programs — Low medical clearance due to non-critical medical services — Transition from crisis to stability in community — Dedicated rear entrance for first responders — Discharge planning to service providers for ongoing — Five minute transfer time,compared to 50 minutes today treatment,housing,employment,insurance,education,etc. — 70 episodes per month • Criminal Justice System Support for diversion and reentry programming • Law Enforcement — Clinical assessments for judges — Five minute transfer time — Video conferencing for court appearances — Video conferencing with Magistrate when necessary — 85 episodes per month • Emergency Department and Inpatient Care Detention Center — Reduces Emergency Department overcrowding and higher • cost of care — Offers options for justice involved individuals — Decreases lengths of stay for acute care(37 hours)and — Limits bookings and jail bed days wait times for transfer to inpatient services(68 hours) — Potential cost savings of$10 million annually • Child and Adolescent Services — Safety and clinical assessments — 30 episodes per month 1 g ORAN GE�COUNATY Slide #10 Cost Estimates and Current Status • Cost Estimates - Architectural Design $2 million - Construction costs $23 million - Annual operating subsidy $2.8 million • Current Status - Impact and Benefits Report - Continuing to refine operating costs and revenue sources - Conducting site due diligence - Working with Town of Hillsborough staff on entitlement process - Request for Qualifications for Architect ORANGE COUNTY 10 NORTH CAROLINA 16 Slide #11 Questions? ORANGE COUNTY 11 MI 111 t'.Al 11 INA Amy Ryan asked if the county was approaching community partners, such as UNC, to share in the cost of the facility. Travis Myren said UNC is aware of the project and of the funding needs. Chair Bedford said the emergency department has two doctors on the committee. Travis Myren said one need is non-critical medical staff to lower medical clearance barriers and they are hoping for a medical provider who might be willing to donate time and services. Kathleen Ferguson asked if the vision for the facility is to be a central integrated facility to serve as a building block. Travis Myren said the facility can serve the unhoused population, but it is not a long-term housing solution. Kathleen Ferguson said it looks like it lays a foundation for future expansion, and she asked if there has been consideration given to that. She also said the property being used for the facility is in the Hillsborough EDD, which would mean this property would not generate tax revenue. She asked Matt Efird,Assistant Town Manager for Hillsborough, to describe the property and why it would not be a good commercial property. Travis Myren said the site is close to the hospital and to UNC urgent care and is ideally situated right off the interstate. Matt Efird said it is partially zoned in the Hillsborough economic development district and the other part is unzoned. He said that in a high-level review of the site there are flood and sewer restraints that make it an unlikely site for commercial development. He said the county is one of the parties that could use it. Kathleen Ferguson said she wanted to make sure the public understood the features of the property. Mayor Bell asked if the unhoused population could use the services at the facility. Travis Myren said anyone can access services on a walk-in basis, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Mayor Bell asked if there would be a management company that operates the facility. Travis Myren said the contract would be with a provider through Alliance Health. Danny Nowell asked how the property would be integrated with transit services. Travis Myren said transportation is one issue that they have not entirely figured out yet and he does not have a complete answer at this time. Commissioner Fowler asked for clarification that behavioral health urgent care is not covered by behavioral health or physical health insurance. Travis Myren said that was correct. Chair Bedford said that they will bring this up at the legislative breakfast. 17 Kathleen Ferguson asked if the site would have sidewalks. She also said that in other states, there are private behavioral health facilities. She asked if anyone knew how those facilities are funded. Travis Myren said he is not aware of how facilities in other states might be funded. Kathleen Ferguson said she would find out. Paris Miller-Foushee said this is a game changer, but she was disappointed that there was not more involvement from UNC. She said they are an important part of the success of the facility. She also said this could be a game changer for public safety in the community. She asked Cait Fenhagen to comment on that. Cait Fenhagen said the criminal system has embraced this because the detention center has become a de facto mental health facility and law enforcement has to focus on mental health crises rather than criminal activity. She said law enforcement has been involved every step of the way. She said court stakeholders will be able to use the facility to get forensic evaluations. She said they have all been part of the conversation. Melissa McCullough asked if the financial savings could be leveraged to improve access to funding. Travis Myren said the time saved for law enforcement and EMS will improve availability. He said the ambulance will not be tied up at the ED for 30 minutes due to a drop off for mental health. Camille Berry referred to the mission statement for the facility: To enhance Orange County crisis services to best facilitate deflection/diversion of individuals experiencing a Behavioral Health crisis (Mental Health and/or Substance Use Disorder) from either hospital-based emergency departments or the criminal justice system. She asked if it was necessary to stipulate from where individuals would be diverted from (the hospital emergency departments or criminal justice system). She asked if the mission statement could be amended to state: To enhance Orange County crisis services to best facilitate deflection/diversion of individuals experiencing a Behavioral Health crisis (Mental Health and/or Substance Use Disorder). She asked why there are limitations to the statement. Travis Myren said that currently, those two spaces are the two areas where people experiencing a crisis usually end up. Cait Fenhagen said people sometimes go to Durham or Wake Counties. She said when it is serious enough and law enforcement is involved, they can go to the emergency room or the facility. Camille Berry said she is trying to understand why it is limited to people in those two situations. Chair Bedford said it is not limited and anyone in Orange County can access the services. Camille Berry asked if it is necessary to have that language in the mission statement. She said she just wanted to be clear. She asked if there is a similar facility in Greensboro and if staff looked at how they function. Cait Fenhagen said yes. She said the chair of the Crisis Diversion Facility Subcommittee, Tony Marimpietri, did research on all of the facilities in NC. She said they have used a lot of information about them. She said the Buncombe County facility is probably the pre-eminent facility in the state that they modeled after, but every community has different needs. Camille Berry said there is a behavioral health institution that issues grants and was looking for ways to award funds. Cait Fenhagen said Alliance has been at all of the meetings and has been very engaged. She said the legislature recently gave a lot of money for behavioral health services and the DHHS is responsible for allocating those funds. She said they have already submitted information to the MCO about the mobile crisis pilot and the crisis diversion facility. 18 Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked how success would be determined. She asked if it would be having all of the beds filled each night and no one going to the detention center. Travis Myren said that might not be realistic. He said that they will use performance measures from the impact and benefits report. He said that there will hopefully be an outcome measure of decreasing crises in the community overall. Commissioner Hamilton said she was excited about the possibilities and interested in how it is ultimately funded. She said in the future she would like to see information on staffing levels for the facility. She said that in order to have a 5-minute transfer time, that means people must be there. Travis Myren said he would get that information for them. Kathleen Ferguson asked if corporate sponsors or naming rights had been considered for the project. Travis Myren said they had discussed partnerships with foundations. Kathleen Ferguson said there are corporations who would invest significant money into a project like this where there are clear benefits. Wrap-Up Mayor Anderson thanked staff for the presentations and expressed excitement for the behavioral health crisis diversion facility. Mayor Foushee thanked staff and elected officials for attending the meeting and for putting together information and presentations. Mayor Bell thanked everyone for taking the time to attend the meeting and staff for putting together the presentations. Chair Bedford echoed the mayors' comments. She said that she and the mayors wanted to find topics that were interesting to attendees, and she was appreciative of everyone taking the time to meet. She said it was good for everyone to meet face to face and get to know each other. Adjournment As there were no further items on the agenda to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 8:31 p.m. VOTE: UNANIMOUS Jamezetta Bedford, Chair Recorded by Laura Jensen, Clerk to the Board Submitted for approval by Laura Jensen, Clerk to the Board