HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 07-09-2026; 8-h - NCDHHS Grant Acceptance – Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) Mobile Integrated Health, and Approval of Budget Amendment #1-A 1
ORD-2026-020
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: July 9, 2026
Action Agenda
Item No. 8-h
SUBJECT: NCDHHS Grant Acceptance — Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP)
Mobile Integrated Health, and Approval of Budget Amendment #1-A
DEPARTMENT: Emergency Services
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
NCDHHS Award Notification Letter Kirby Saunders, (919) 245-6123
Year-to-Date Budget Summary
PURPOSE: To approve the acceptance of a $109,394 grant from the North Carolina Department
of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) to enhance Mobile Integrated Health and Community
Paramedicine programs, and approve Budget Amendment #1-A.
BACKGROUND: On December 29, 2025, the State of North Carolina received more than $213
million in federal funding through the Rural Health Transformation Program to strengthen rural
healthcare. In May 2026, NCDHHS solicited competitive applications to expand Mobile Integrated
Health and Community Paramedicine programs, with a focus on behavioral health crisis response,
substance use disorder treatment, and reducing avoidable emergency department utilization.
Orange County was one of 36 counties awarded funding.
Orange County Emergency Services has operated a community paramedicine program since
2019, serving over 800 residents annually and reducing unnecessary 9-1-1 use. In 2024, the
County expanded services by launching the Post-Overdose Response Team (PORT), which
provides daily medication-assisted treatment and has successfully connected 81% of participants
to long-term care. That same year, the County partnered with the Town of Chapel Hill Police
Department to implement the CARE (Crisis Assistance, Response, and Engagement) Team, a
non-enforcement crisis response model that has reduced unnecessary law enforcement and
emergency medical services involvement in behavioral health incidents.
The grant funding will strengthen mobile crisis and substance use disorder response by enhancing
care coordination, supporting workforce development, identifying rural service expansion
opportunities, developing relief PORT staffing, and providing short-term treatment sponsorship
for residents unable to pay.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: This one-year grant of $109,394 is 100% federal/state funded and does
not require a local match.
2
Budget Amendment #1-A recognizes the grant funding and increases authorization by $109,394
in the Multi-Year Grant Fund, outside of the General Fund and creates the following project
ordinance.
DHHS Mobile Intergrated Health Grant($109,394) - Project# 71503
Revenues for this project:
FY 2026-27 FY 2026-27 FY 2026-27
Current Amendment Revised
Grant Revenue $0 $109,394 $109,394
Total Project Funding $0 $109,394 $109,394
Appropriated for this project:
FY 2026-27 FY 2026-27 FY 2026-27
Current Amendment Revised
Expenditures $0 $109,394 $109,394
Total Costs $0 $109,394 $109,394
ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLAN: This item supports:
• GOAL 2: HEALTHY COMMUNITY
OBJECTIVE 1. Improve harm reduction, prevention, and therapeutic interventions for
adults and children experiencing behavioral health issues, substance use disorder, and
intellectual or developmental disability.
OBJECTIVE 2. Expand access to quality, affordable healthcare services. (e.g., Crisis
Diversion facility, Medicaid expansion, crisis response, behavioral health).
OBJECTIVE 6. Invest in, support, train, and retain our community safety, health, and
emergency services employees and direct care workforce
OBJECTIVE 7. Provide sustainable, equitable, and high-quality community safety and
emergency services to meet the community's evolving needs
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board:
1) approve the acceptance of the $109,394 grant from the North Carolina Department of
Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) to enhance Mobile Integrated Health and
Community Paramedicine programs;
2) authorize the Manager to sign all required documents to accept and manage the grant
award upon final review by the County Attorney; and
3) approve Budget Amendment #1-A.
3
.nc STATf o
NC DEPARTMENT OF
�P �y JOSH STEIN Governor
w HEALTH AND
c HUMAN SERVICES DEVDUTTA SANGVAI • Secretary
Division of Health Service Regulation MARK PAYNE • Director
EQWMN�
6/8/2026
Travis Myren &Kirby Saunders
Orange County, North Carolina
510 Meadowlands Drive
Hillsborough, NC 27278
Subject:Award Notification-Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) Mobile Integrated Health Grant
On behalf of the North Carolina Office of EMS, I am pleased to inform you that Orange County, North Carolina
has been selected to receive funding through the RHTP Mobile Integrated Health Grant.
Following a competitive review process,your application was identified as a strong proposal that demonstrates
a commitment to establishing or expanding MIH/CP programs to increase access to MOUD, strengthen
behavioral health crisis response, and integrate services into rural care systems within your community.We
appreciate the time, effort, and thoughtful planning invested in developing your application.
We are pleased to award Orange County, North Carolina grant funding in the amount of$109,394.00
Additional information regarding award administration, reporting requirements, reimbursement procedures,
and project timelines will be provided separately.
We congratulate your agency on this achievement and thank you for your continued dedication to serving the
residents of your community.We look forward to partnering with you as you implement this important work and
contribute to the goals of the Rural Health Transformation Program.
Sincerely,
Kimberly Clement
Assistant Chief Preparedness&Strategic Operations
North Carolina Office of Emergency Medical Services
Kimberly.clement@dhhs.nc.gov
CC:
Tom Mitchell, Chief, NCOEMS
David Ezzell,Assistant Chief EMS Operations, NCOEMS
Dr.Tripp Winslow, State Medical Director, NCOEMS
NC DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES•DIVISION OF HEALTH SERVICE REGULATION
OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES
LOCATION:1915 Health Services Way,Raleigh,NC 27607
MAILING ADDRESS:2707 Mail Service Center,Raleigh,NC 27699-2707
http5://info.ncdhhs.goy/dhsr/•TEL:919-855-3935
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER
4
Year-To-Date Budget Summary
Fiscal Year 2026-27
Fund Budget Summary Grants
Fund
Original Budget Revenue $284,500
Interfund Transfer Revenue $0
Fund Balance Appropiation $0
Total Original Budget $284,500
Additional Revenue Received Through
Budget Amendment#1-A (July 9th)
Grant Funds $109,394
Non Grant Funds
Additional Interfund Transfer Revenue
Additional Fund Balance Appropriation
Total Amended Budget $393,894
Dollar Change in 2026-27 Approved Budget $109,394
Change in 2026-27 Approved Budget 38.45%