Orange County NC Website
VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> C. EMS Week and Recognition of EMS Agencies' Achievements <br /> The Board was to consider proclaiming May 19-25 as Emergency Medical Services Week <br /> and recognizing the achievements of emergency medical services agencies in Orange County. However, <br /> this was postponed to the next meeting. <br /> 6. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS <br /> a. Child Fatality Prevention Team Presentation/Community Child Protection Team <br /> Presentation <br /> The Board heard a presentation from the Child Fatality Prevention and Community Child <br /> Protection teams on child fatalities in Orange County. Dr. Dana Lynen Weber, pediatrician at both Duke <br /> and UNC, specializing in child maltreatment, spoke. She is also a member of Orange County's joint <br /> team. She submitted the annual report. The team is charged to review the records of all child fatalities <br /> in the County. During this fiscal year, they have reviewed seven child fatalities. The causes were varied, <br /> but fit national statistics. In particular, they were interested in looking at the incidents of sudden infant <br /> death syndrome in this County. Since 1999, there have been four cases of SIDS. The one factor that <br /> seemed to link these cases is the incident of co-sleeping. There is some concern that there might be <br /> accidental asphyxiation. They are also choosing to look at the issue of smoke detectors and rental <br /> properties. As far as actions taken, the team has become involved in child death scene investigation <br /> training. They are also starting to monitor child fatalities, in particular, SIDS cases. During this fiscal <br /> year, the team has reviewed 17 cases of child abuse and neglect. The teams act in strict confidentiality. <br /> The key issues that link these cases are substance abuse, mental illness problems, family violence, <br /> unemployment, and poor parenting skills. Their recommendation is to continue close coordination <br /> between all the various multi-disciplinary groups. In particular, it is important to continue the link <br /> between law enforcement and DSS in domestic violence situations. <br /> b. Drinking Water Week and OWASA Taste of Hope Program <br /> The Board considered proclaiming May 5-11 as Drinking Water Week and encouraging <br /> participation in the Orange Water and Sewer Authority's (OWASA) "Taste of Hope" customer assistance <br /> program. Chair Jacobs read the proclamation. <br /> A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Brown to <br /> approve and authorize the Chair to sign the proclamation as stated below: <br /> ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> PROCLAMATION <br /> DRINKING WATER WEEK <br /> IN ORANGE COUNTY <br /> WHEREAS, water is one of the few basic and essential needs of human-kind; and <br /> WHEREAS, our health, comfort and standard of living depend upon an abundant supply of safe water; <br /> and <br /> WHEREAS, the Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA), Town of Hillsborough, Orange- <br /> Alamance Water System, Graham-Mebane Water System and Orange County have <br /> ensured that facilities and systems provide Orange County citizens with a safe, <br /> dependable quality and quantity of water both now and in the future; and <br /> WHEREAS, the dedicated people serving the public at water and sewer utilities have made significant <br /> contributions in developing, operating and maintaining these systems; and <br />