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John Link said that this is soon to become the OPC-LME operation. This request is for interim funding that would be needed for a smooth transition far the mental health programs in the process of divestiture. The information is on a bright pink sheet. He said that Judy Truitt and her staff have given the best estimate as to when additional County funding may be needed for the transition of moving from the OPC to the LME structure over the next 3-4 months. Judy Truitt said that as they have been doing the planning for mental health reform, they have been designing timelines to successfully transition the programs into the private provider community. For example, the outpatient clinics should be moved out by the end of the calendar year. All of the timelines established are flexible and dependent on haw successful the transition is going to be. Club Nova will be transitioning in early fall {September}. The ACT Team, the assertive treatment teams for individuals with severe and persistent mental illness, they are looking at an earlier date of transition early in the next fiscal year. KidScope and the Learning Center will be transitioning right before the school year starts in August or early September. The Cross Disabilities Services will also be transitioned. She said that, with the supplemental request, there is a lot of concern about the programs' viability once they leave the OPC system and how they will be able to sustain the service system. The request for supplemental funding is to assist in the transition and to make sure the programs are stable. Commissioner Gordon asked for the Manager's recommendation on this item Judy Truitt said that on the green sheet it adds up to $464,855. They will be using the $180,305 from the County that they already receive for transition costs, which leaves a total of $284,550. Commissioner Halkiotis thanked Judy Truitt for what she has been doing. He said that there was an interesting story on NPR about a 25-year old mentally ill person that had been released from a state facility and placed in a nursing home for the elderly, where he killed a nine-year old. He hopes this is not what mental health reform is going to be in North Carolina. He asked if there were any assurances that there would be any State money and Chair Carey said no, other than the programs that the State provides. It is possible that there might be some transitional money, but there is no guarantee. Commissioner Halkiotis said that he fully supports all of these programs, but this is very tragic because it has caused a lot of anxiety and concern. Commissioner Jacobs said that issues were raised by people from Kidscope about retirement eligibility. He asked what was decided about this. Chair Carey said that they have talked about this in previous OPC Board meetings, and the decision to make the cut-off was based on costs. He wants to address the concerns of the employees, but there is no way to address them without increasing the costs. Judy Truitt said that they are struggling with this and the OPC Board has asked them to research. The research has indicated that across the state, the bridge for retirement purposes in almost all other areas is one year. Commissioner Jacobs suggested that this be put in writing for the Board of County Commissioners. Chair Carey said that he would like to suggest putting the $1 million in reserve. Commissioner Jacobs asked for an estimate of what it would cost to pick up more people on the retirement, and if mare money came available, then it could be used for this. Representative Insko is working on a bill for mental health.