HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-752-E-County Mgr-Town of Chapel Hill-Mobile Crisis CARE Team Pilot Project
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
COUNTY OF ORANGE
SECOND AMENDMENT TO MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
THIS SECOND AMENDMENT to the ORIGINAL MEMORANDUM OF
UNDERSTANDING, entered into this 17th day of November, 2025, between the Town of
Chapel Hill, by and through the Chapel Hill Police Department, (hereinafter “Town”), and
Orange County (hereinafter “County”) relates to the partnership between these entities to
expand, operate and fund the Mobile Crisis Pilot, subsequently titled the Crisis Assistance,
Response and Engagement Team (hereinafter “CARE Team”). This Amended Agreement
was necessitated by new funding information provided by Alliance Healthcare to the Parties
and replaces the previous Amended Memorandum of Understanding entered into on or about
December 18, 2024. This Amendment includes expansion funding to allow the CARE Team
to expand to two teams, expand its hours and to expand the service area to include Carrboro,
N.C.
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the County provides emergency services responses to its customers in need
of immediate response and is dedicated to ensuring the appropriate and efficient response to
emergencies throughout Orange County, to include Chapel Hill;
WHEREAS, the County’s emergency response includes the Public Safety
Communications Division that serves as the community’s only public safety answering point
(9-1-1);
WHEREAS, the Town works closely with the 9-1-1 Public Safety Communications
Division, the Emergency Medical Services Division, and has over fifty years of experience in
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managing and training social workers and other individuals to triage calls and respond to
persons in immediate crisis, connecting them with the appropriate services, to include in-
person care;
WHEREAS, both parties recognize that many of the 9-1-1 calls that are received involve
individuals in need of immediate crisis intervention and support services;
WHEREAS, both parties recognize the benefit of having a dedicated individual
embedded in the 9-1-1 center devoted to providing crisis management and support services,
so calls can be diverted away from law enforcement and to trained behavioral and mental
health counselors;
WHEREAS, both also parties recognize the benefit of having a three-person mobile
crisis response team to include a Crisis Counselor, a Peer Support Specialist and a
Community Emergency Medical Technician (EMT);
WHEREAS, both parties also recognize and acknowledge the mutual benefit of having
follow up contacts within a defined timeframe after the initial encounter with 9-1-1;
WHEREAS, the parties desire to have one of the Town’s Crisis Counselors embedded in
the 9-1-1 center and for them to be a member of the CARE Team that would initially respond
to calls in Chapel Hill and expand to include Carrboro on 10/1/25;
WHEREAS, both parties agree that the CARE Teams will be equipped to triage, assess,
and respond remotely and in-person to behavioral and mental health, substance use, and
Intellectual Developmental Disability related calls that are non-emergent and do not require a
law enforcement response; and
WHEREAS, both parties acknowledge the mutual benefit in the form of enhanced
efficiency and services to the impacted parties, which benefits both.
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NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the above and mutual covenants and conditions
hereafter set forth, Orange County and the Town of Chapel Hill hereby agree as follows:
1. Term of the Agreement. The parties desire to create this CARE Team for an initial
period of two years, during which time the University of North Carolina, by and
through their School of Government’s Criminal Justice Innovation Lab, will analyze
all relevant call data to evaluate the efficacy of service delivery of the program;
2. Scope of Services.
a. Both parties agree that the CARE Teams will be equipped to triage, assess,
and respond remotely and in-person to behavioral and mental health,
substance use, Intellectual/Developmental Disability and minor nuisance
offense calls in Chapel Hill and Carrboro that are non-emergent and do not
require a law enforcement response or could benefit from a co-response;
b. Both parties desire to have the Town’s Crisis Counselors embedded in the
9-1-1 Call Center and to be members of the mobile CARE Team that will
respond to calls in Chapel Hill and as of 10/1/25, Carrboro, for the duration of
the Agreement;
c. The County agrees to provide the Community EMT employees to serve as
members of the CARE Team for the duration of this Agreement;
d. The Town agrees to employ and assign one Crisis Counselor to be
embedded in the 9-1-1 Communications Call Center, to serve as a conduit to
resources for those experiencing crisis and to serve on the CARE Team, and
be cross-trained as a certified Telecommunications Call-Taker;
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e. The Town agrees to provide two Crisis Counselors and two Certified Peer
Support Specialists to serve as members of the CARE Team;
f. The County agrees to provide a vehicle for use by CARE Team; Both
parties agree that at all times during its use by the CARE Team such county
vehicle shall be operated by a County or Town employee who has submitted a
county license verification form and is approved to drive by both of the
parties;
g. The Town may lease a vehicle for use by the CARE Team in case a County
vehicle is unavailable or unacceptable for any reason; at all times during its
use by the CARE Team such town vehicle may be operated by a Town or
County CARE Team employee who has submitted a license verification form
and is approved to drive;
h. The County agrees to designate individuals to serve on the Steering and
Planning Committee regarding the oversight and implementation of the
CARE Team pilot program;
i. The County agrees to purchase, install and maintain the necessary software
to train the County’s 911 Call Takers to assess when calls should be
forwarded to the embedded Crisis Counselor.
j. Except as specifically provided herein, neither party shall be responsible for
providing employment costs, coverages, or benefits to the other party’s
officers, employees or agents.
In addition, both parties agree, to the extent allowed by law, to:
a. Share information relevant to the operation of the CARE Team for the
duration of this Agreement;
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b. Furnish, or to allow the requesting party to inspect, financial records or
other documents relevant to the operation of the CARE Team, upon
reasonable notice, but no less than forty-eight hours, during normal working
hours;
c. Provide any necessary documentation or information for participation in
UNC’s data analysis regarding the CARE Team response; and
d. Furnish personnel with equipment and resources necessary to perform their
duties; and that personnel shall report for work with the equipment issued to
them by their employer.
3. Billing and Payment.
a. Alliance Healthcare’s funding for fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026) is
for an amount not to exceed $790,640 for annual operating expenses, subject to NC
Department of Health and Human Services Allocation Letter # 25-A-31. (See Exhibit
A attached)
b. The Town will submit invoices, along with itemized receipts and payroll reports, to
the County quarterly for the allowable expenses detailed in the DHHS Allocation and
contract with Alliance Healthcare and the Alliance Budget below, which is subject to
revision as required by the Parties:
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Mobile Crisis Pilot Operation Expenses
ANNUAL EXPENSES
AMOUNT RESPONSIBLE PARTY
1 911 Call Center
Counselor, 2 Mobile Crisis
Counselors & 2 Peer
Support Specialists Salary
and Benefits
$616,688 Chapel Hill
Training/Travel $14,000 Chapel Hill and Orange
County (equal share)
Supplies $29,246 Chapel Hill and Orange
County (equal share)
Cell Phones and
Computers
$7,000 Chapel Hill and Orange
County (equal share)
Equipment $10,000 ($2,000/per team
member)
Chapel Hill and Orange
County
Software
Vehicle
UNC SOG Evaluation
$25,706
$48,000
$40,000
Chapel Hill
Orange County
Orange County
Annual Operating Costs $790,639.26
4. Personnel. All personnel assigned pursuant to this Agreement shall remain subject to the
rules, regulations, and disciplinary procedures of the respective parties and all disciplinary
actions shall be handled by the employing party. Personnel shall remain subject to the
supervision of the employing party and shall be entitled to Worker Compensation, Liability
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Insurance and other benefits associated with their employment with the respective party.
Except as specifically provided herein neither party shall be responsible for providing
employment costs, coverages, or benefits to the other party’s officers, employees, agents, or
assigns.
5. Possession of Legal Authority. Each party represents that it possesses the legal authority,
pursuant to proper, appropriate statute, ordinance, official motion, resolution or action passed
or taken or required, to enter into this Agreement.
6. Authorization for Person Signing. Each party represents that the person or persons
signing and executing this Agreement on behalf of each party has been fully authorized by
such party to execute this Memorandum on behalf of the party and to validly and legally bind
the party to all the terms, conditions, performances and provisions herein.
7. Dispute as to Authority. Either party shall have the right, at its option, to
either temporarily suspend or permanently terminate this Memorandum, if there is a showing
of actual lack of the legal authority of either the party or the person signing the Memorandum
on behalf of such party.
8. Assumption of Risk. Neither party, nor any officer thereof, will assume responsibility for
the actions of the other party or the other party’s officers, employees, agents, or assigns; and
neither party, nor any officer, employee, agent, or assign thereof, shall assume any
responsibility for the failure or malfunction of any equipment or supplies of the other party.
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9. Indemnification. Unless otherwise limited by applicable law, each party will indemnify
and hold the other party, its officers, agents, assigns, and employees, harmless from and
against any claims or causes of action for bodily injury or death to persons, or loss or damage
to property (including but not limited to bodily injury or property damage suffered by either
Party’s own employees or agents), which is the result, directly or indirectly, of the
indemnifying party’s negligence or intentional, willful, or wanton misconduct.
10. Insurance. Each party may either self-insure, purchase insurance, or utilize any
combination of self-insured retention and excess coverage it may deem necessary for
purposes of this Agreement. Neither party waives its right to assert immunity as a defense
against demands, claims, or causes of action as permitted by G.S. § 160A-485 and 153A-435
in agreeing to the indemnification clause in Paragraph 9 above.
11. Severability. The parties intend and agree that if any provision of this contract or any
portion thereof shall be held to be void or otherwise unenforceable, all other portions of this
Contract shall remain in full force and effect.
12. Interpretation. This Agreement shall be construed and enforced under the laws of North
Carolina. In the event of any dispute between the parties, venue is properly laid in Orange
County, North Carolina for any state court action and in the Middle District of North
Carolina for any federal court action.
13. Assignment. This Agreement shall not be assigned without the prior written consent of
the parties.
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14. Entire Agreement. This Agreement shall constitute the entire agreement of the parties
and no other warranties, inducements, considerations, promises, or interpretations shall be
implied or impressed upon this Agreement that are not expressly addressed herein. All prior
agreements, understandings and discussions are hereby superseded by this Agreement. This
Memorandum of Understanding shall be effective upon execution by all parties and expire
upon the 30th day of June, 2026, but may be terminated by either party upon 60 days
written notice.
15. Signatures. This Agreement together with any amendments or modifications may be
executed electronically. All electronic signatures affixed hereto evidence the intent of the
Parties to comply with Article 11A and Article 40 of the North Carolina General Statutes
Chapter 66.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Orange County and the Town of Chapel Hill have signed this
Agreement, effective on the last date this Agreement is signed by both parties as indicated by
the dates set forth under signatures below.
For and on behalf of the Town of Chapel Hill
____________________________________
Town Manager
____________________________________
Chapel Hill Police Department Chief
Attorney for the Town
This instrument has been pre-audited in the manner required by the Local Government
Budget and Fiscal Control Act
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For and on Behalf of Orange County Government
______________________________
Travis Myren, County Manager
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ORANGE COUNTY—INTERNAL USE ONLY
______________________________________________________________________________
Finance Information
Vendor Name: Town of Chapel Hill Vendor Contact Person: Chief Celisa Lehew Phone: 919-968-2760 Address: 7300 Millhouse Rd,
Ste. 150 City Chapel Hill State: NC Zip: 27516 Department: County Manager/ES Amount: $$790,639.26for FY25-26 Purpose:
Mobile Crisis CARE Team Pilot Project Budget Code(s): 30757520-6300000-71501 for FY26 Vendor # 64
Vendor Status with NCSOS: N/A Vendor is a BOCC consultant: Yes No
Contract Details
Contract Type: New Amendment (Original Contract: 2/20/24) (Most Recent Amendment )
Effective Date 12/10/24 End Date 6/30/26 Notice Date (Notice Purpose )
Award
Approved by Board (Agenda Date: 12/10/24); Made or Administered by
Signature Authority
- BOCC Express Delegation (Agenda Date: 12/10/24)
- Policy 9.4: Under $5,000; Service Under $90,000; Construction Under $250,000
- Budget Policy Section XV (Capital Improvement Project: )
Bidding
Informal Bidding ($30k-$90k); Formal RFP ($90k+); Other (<$30k); Exception(#E – Interlocal Agreement)
Department Affirmation
This agreement is approved as to technical form and content and I as Department Director affirmatively state work on this project has
not been initiated prior to execution of the agreement.
This agreement is approved as to technical form and content. Services related to this agreement have already begun or been
completed. Description of the nature of the emergency condition that was addressed: Amendment to existing MOU with Town of Chapel
Hill for the Mobile Crisis Pilot Project already underway, amendment necessary to reflect structural changes due to funding agreement.
Department Director’s Signature ________________________________________ Date: ________
Information Technologies
This agreement has been reviewed and is approved as to information technology content and specifications:
Office of the Chief Information Officer___________________________________ Date: ________
X Inapplicable because no hardware/software purchases or related services
Risk Management
This agreement is approved for sufficiency of insurance standards, specifications, and requirements:
Office of the Risk Management Officer___________________________________ Date: _________
Financial Services
This instrument has been pre-audited in the manner required by the Local Government Budget and Fiscal Control Act:
Office of the Chief Financial Officer ____________________________________ Date: _________
Legal Services
This agreement is approved as to legal form and sufficiency:
Office of the County Attorney __________________________________________Date: ________
Clerk to the Board
All Docusign contracts must be copied to the Clerk upon completion: occlerkdocs@orangecountync.gov
The following signature block is for hard copies only and is not required for Docusign contracts:
Received for record retention:
Office of the Clerk to the Board __________________________________________Date:_________
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11/19/2025
12/9/2025
12/11/2025
NC DEPARTMENT OF
HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES
Division of Mental Health, Developmental
Disabilities and Substance Use Services
JOSH STEIN • Governor
DEVDUTTA SANGVAI • Secretary
KELLY CROSBIE • Director
NC DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES • DIVISION OF MENTAL HEALTH, DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND
SUBSTANCE USE SERVICES
LOCATION: 695 Palmer Drive, Anderson Building, Raleigh, NC 27603
MAILING ADDRESS: 3001 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-3001
www.ncdhhs.gov • TEL: 984-236-5000 • FAX: 919-508-0951
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY / AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER
August 22, 2025
MEMORANDUM
Allocation #: 26-A-51
UEI #: WX6EEKYAMG77
TO: Rob Robinson, Chief Executive Officer
Alliance
FROM: Deidra Oates, Business Allocations Manager
DMHDDSUS
RE: Behavioral Health Investments Special Savings Funding Non-UCR for Orange
County Mobile Crisis and Law Enforcement Co-Response Pilot SFY26
Alliance is allocated $790,640 in Behavioral Health Investments Special Savings Funds on a one-
time basis to support the development and operation of the Orange County Mobile Crisis and Law
Enforcement Co-Response Pilot.
Eligible expenditures must be incurred during the period of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026.
FORMAT FOR FUNDING:
These state funds are allocated outside of UCR and approved expenditures shall be reported by the
Tailored Plan through routine submission of monthly Financial Status Reports (FSRs) to the DMHDDSUS
Project Manager and Business and Financial Operations. Funds will be paid on a reimbursement basis
as these funds will not be paid via the Single Stream Funding payment schedule. Any exceptions to the
required timely reporting of funds expended shall be approved in writing by the DMHDDSUS Business
and Financial Operations Director.
Each Tailored Plan should review their program report received from Business and Financial
Operations for the latest expenditure update for funds paid by the Division. If Tailored Plans are
underutilizing funds, the Division reserves the right to make a mid-year adjustment in allocations.
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SPECIAL CONDITIONS:
1. The award of these funds shall not be used by a county as a basis to supplant any portion of a
county’s commitment of local funds to the area authority.
2. These funds shall only be used for community-based services and supports.
3. The funds provided shall not be utilized to supplement any reimbursement for services or staff
activities provided through the NC Medicaid Program;
4. Funds shall be used in accordance with cost principles describing allowable and unallowable
expenditures for nonprofit organizations in accordance with OMB Circular A-122;
5. Tailored Plans are prohibited from withholding or deducting any portion of allocated state funds
for the support of any Tailored Plan activity or function, including, but not limited to,
administration, overhead, or indirect expenses. All allocated funds are required to be fully
contracted by the Tailored Plan for approved expenditure by eligible non-profit subrecipient
organizations.
6. If Tailored Plans are underutilizing the funds allocated, the Division reserves the right to make
adjustment in allocations.
7. Any payback of funds provided to the Tailored Plan pursuant to this allocation and determined to
be owed by the Tailored Plan as a result of the funding review and settlement process conducted
by DMHDDSUS for each fiscal year, must be paid within 60 days after the date of Tailored Plan’s
receipt of the non-Medicaid funding audit report memorandum (financial settlement
memorandum) from DMHDDSUS. If not timely paid, DMHDDSUS will take action to recover any
such payback amount due from the Tailored Plan. The Tailored Plan will be provided prior written
notice of the process to recoup any payback funds owed and not timely paid by the Tailored Plan
and any appeal rights to contest the payback amount due, in the financial settlement
memorandum from DMHDDSUS.
8. NC DHHS has an approved cost allocation plan which exempts the State from the indirect cost
rate requirement for Federal awards.
9. NC DHHS does not allocate pass-through funds identified as Research and Development.
SPECIAL REPORTING REQUIREMENTS:
The following reporting requirements are required as referenced in G.S. 122C-144.1. Budget Format
and Reports: In order to ensure the Division has complete and accurate information on services
provided and expenditures, reporting of all services is required through NC Tracks and the Financial
Reporting Tool, Financial Status Reporting Monthly Expenditure Detail worksheets. This will enable the
system to assign eligible services to the correct disability-based accounts. Complete reporting of
services is also essential for performance measures calculated from NC Tracks claims and encounter
data. Monthly and Quarterly programmatic reports should also be submitted to the Program Manager.
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FUND ALLOCATION:
NCFS:
Agency Budget
Fund
Account Agency
Mgmt.
Unit
(AMU)
Agency
Program
Funding
Source
Project Amount
3000 231013 56900100 30TB183 300003B 2000 2000400000 $790,640
Please do not hesitate to contact Jessica Kornegay at jessica.kornegay@dhhs.nc.gov regarding
any questions or concerns about this allocation.
cc: Tailored Plan Finance Officer
DMHDDSUS Business and Financial Operations Team
DMHDDSUS Executive Leadership Team
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