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protect and empower its citizens. Our State government has failed us and now we look to you.
<br /> In January, the main provider of mental health services, Caring Family Network, decided that
<br /> they could no longer sustain service provision in our three-county area. The LME has been
<br /> working tirelessly to address this crisis. Crisis and survival mode —two terms that we've heard
<br /> way too frequently in the last two years. OPC is doing their best under difficult circumstances.
<br /> They're committed, smart, and determined, but they're operating within a dysfunctional and
<br /> failed framework. The new system here in Orange County is filled on a patchwork of non-profit
<br /> and for-profit service providers. As we've just seen, private providers will be here only as long
<br /> as it financially suits them. We've been hearing promises and reassurances since 2001. We've
<br /> listened, we've talked, we've voiced our concerns, we've made predictions, we've hoped, we've
<br /> objected, we've served on committees, we've attended hearings, we've made public comments,
<br /> we've written letters to the Division of Mental Health and to our State representatives, we've
<br /> sent emails, made more public comments, and written letters to the editor, we've gone to the
<br /> media and shared our personal stories, we've listened to more promises and more
<br /> reassurances. We are not reassured. We've listened to the legislature lament that the
<br /> Governor and the Department will not cooperate. We've listened to the LME's lament that they
<br /> have little control under the new system. We've listened to the Governor criticize the legislature,
<br /> the LME's, and even the County. We've listened to everyone blame the providers and the
<br /> providers blame just about everyone. We're not here to blame, to criticize, or to rue what was or
<br /> what might have been. We are here as residents and as voters to implore the County to lead on
<br /> this issue, to fulfill your duty of protection and empowerment. We've been failed by everyone
<br /> else. We have no confidence that the State, the LME, or another private provider will meet our
<br /> County's needs.
<br /> We have a Governor with ten months left in office, a new Secretary of DHHS, and two of
<br /> the people most directly responsible for this current debacle with their hands on the wheel.
<br /> There are new committees and task forces, there will be more reports and recommendations,
<br /> most of which will be ignored. Then there will be a new Governor and a new Secretary, who will
<br /> convene more task forces and more committees, who will give us more recommendations and
<br /> more reports. We cannot afford to wait. It's time to make Orange County a leader in the State.
<br /> Secretary Benton has stated publicly that we need more public providers in the system. We
<br /> have a world-class public provider here on our doorstep in UNC. They've expressed an interest
<br /> in playing a larger role in our community's mental health. We have confidence in UNC and we
<br /> want you to encourage and support their efforts. We want you to do more to ensure that
<br /> excellent mental health, substance abuse, and developmental disability services are available to
<br /> Orange County residents. We deserve no less. We are aware that Orange County already
<br /> contributes more than most other counties do in the State, and there is no surplus money lying
<br /> around, but there are assets, and there is money out there. Not if we sit on our hands and think
<br /> of all the reasons why we can't or shouldn't. You have been elected because you are
<br /> intelligent, creative, and compassionate leaders. You have not failed us, not yet. We're here to
<br /> implore you to cease this opportunity to lead, protect, and empower. We know you can do it,
<br /> and we're counting on you."
<br /> Chair Jacobs said that the County Commissioners recognized right from the start that
<br /> this was a disaster, and they have done many things to try and step into the breach within their
<br /> means. He said that the County Commissioners would continue to try and do that. The County
<br /> is still dealing with the consequences of the way in which the State has failed to maintain its
<br /> responsibilities, especially in this area. He said that a lot of other County Commissioners have
<br /> been sounding the alarm, and no one has paid any attention.
<br /> Commissioner Nelson made reference to the potential partnerships and asked Mark
<br /> Sullivan if he had a proposal. Mark Sullivan said that he does not have a proposal, but he
<br /> knows that one has been submitted with the Human Services Advisory Committee.
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