Minutes 05-13-2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

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• Draft charter included in packet Adapting the Model to Orange County New position to plan for implementation in FY `14-'15 OCHD budget request • Identify focus areas, coordinate partners, locate funding, and recommend implementation plans Prepare for future private, state and federal funding opportunities Next Steps 1. Finalize Budget— June 2. BOCC Approval of Advisory Board — June 3. Hire Program Coordinator— July 4. Finalize Community Snapshots -August 5. Convene first Advisory Board meeting —August 6. Select neighborhoods — October 7. Begin Project - October Colleen Bridger said the percentage of poverty is increasing in Orange County. She said the majority of indicators related to child wellbeing are going in the wrong direction. She said we do have a problem with children living in poverty, and parent's income affects the factors related to children's health and well-being. She referenced the ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) study and said when children experience these they are more likely to experience mental health issues and substance abuse. She said research is showing that child neglect is worse than child abuse. Colleen Bridger said there is compelling research that shows that these childhood experiences actually affect adult health. She said the Health Department is all about prevention and decreasing these issues in the community, and research shows that intervention needs to start early. She said the department has been looking at programs that address these issues. She said the Harlem Children's zone is an effective model program that creates a pipeline to carry children from birth to college and career. She reviewed the achievements of this program, as outlined on the slide. She said the pipeline for children is undergirded by family and health support programs, as well as community building programs. Colleen Bridger said staff has identified six high poverty zones in the County. She said the four points used to identify these were: types of housing, housing vouchers, children on Medicaid, and health department patients. She reviewed the maps outlining these index point areas, and she noted that this is a very data driven exercise. She said the health department is requesting a new position to plan for the implementation and modification of the Harlem Children's Zone model here in Orange County. She said the United Way has concurrently been discussing this same thing. She said there would be an advisory board to oversee this project in two of the six poverty zone neighborhoods. She said the advisory board would identify community partners and determine which services already exist and where there are gaps. She said the United Way could potentially provide non-profit partners to help fill in the gaps. Colleen Bridger reviewed the timeline slide of next steps and invited questions from the Commissioners. Commissioner Gordon asked if zone 6 is downtown Chapel Hill. She noted that the zone lists Carrboro Elementary.