Agenda - 02-17-2015 - 6a - Laserfiche WebLink

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10 1 Kat Wilson is a parent of two children in CHCCS. She requested that the Board support 2 students and staff by fully funding school systems. 3 Benjamin Landman thanked the Board of County Commissioners for their continued 4 support of the schools. He requested full funding for the CHCCS. He and his wife are acutely 5 aware of the struggles the schools face, and they have supported them through the provision of 6 supplies. He expressed support for a tax increase or creative allocation to fund the schools. 7 8 Gayane Chambless read from the following written comments: 9 My name is Gayane Chambless, and you probably expect me to talk to you about substance 10 abuse. Today I wish to express my concern for those with mental health issues. As Kathleen 11 pointed out, mental health issues are a mounting concern across the nation. It is an issue we in 12 Orange County cannot ignore. 13 14 I serve on the KidSCope Advisory Board, and as you've heard, their services save lives and 15 save costs for our schools. Without early diagnosis and interventions, children can develop 16 problems at home, in schools and into adulthood. 17 18 According to the CDC, 1 in 5 children experience some mental disorder in a given year. How 19 many children do we have in Orange County? What types of interventions are available to 20 them? How are they receiving access? 21 22 As you've heard, KidSCope is the only mental health provider in our County that is specially 23 trained and focused on serving young children to help them and their families be successful. 24 25 KidSCope offers one of the most cost-effective mental health measures in our community. 26 Their programs are offered in both English and Spanish, providing cultural diversity. They can 27 provide services, as you've heard, in the home, office, or child care center. 28 29 I humbly ask you to fully fund the amount requested for KidSCope for 2014-15. 30 31 Jennie Bell is speaking on behalf of Farmers Food Chair who requested fully funding for 32 their proposal this year. She said Orange County has a rich agricultural history, yet one in five 33 residents is food insecure. She said over 20,000 people in the County are at risk for hunger and 34 malnutrition. She said her non-profit partners with social service agencies and food pantries to 35 get fresh produce to kids, seniors, and everyone in between. She noted their partnership with 36 Club Nova. 37 Anna Richards is a new resident, a parent of a freshman at Carrboro high school, and a 38 volunteer at that school. She requested full funding for the CHCCS. She said the impact goes 39 beyond the schools and impacts the community as well. 40 Faith Nager is a parent and graduate of East Chapel Hill High school. She said her son 41 has high functioning autism; however, because of the care and diligence of the teachers in this 42 school district, he is a contributing member of society. She asked the Board to fully fund the 43 schools. 44 Laura Hayes Morgan is a parent of CHCCS students. She said this problem is laid at 45 the Board's feet because of the state budget decisions. She said full funding is needed for their 46 staff, and this cannot be done with box tops and bake sales. She asked the Board to do what it 47 takes to fully fund the schools. 48 49 Mary Jean Seyda is the Chair of the Orange County Partnership to End Homelessness. 50 She said their top priority this year was affordable rental housing. She read from the following 51 letter, which was sent to all of the municipalities: