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04 <br /> AGENCY DESCRIPTIONS <br /> 1. T lg argnsg E2Ig4i; aatham LgDtal Hgglt 3 Cgatgx provides <br /> comprehensive mental health evaluation and treatment services to <br /> citizens in this three county catchment area. This organization <br /> has expertise in providing services to preschool children and <br /> their families through their current experience of operating the <br /> PACT program to screen high risk children from infancy through <br /> two years of age, and by providing counseling services to <br /> preschool children and their families. In addition, in the past <br /> this agency has operated a consultant model of services to child <br /> care programs (Project Early Aid) . OPC Mental Health Center <br /> seems very interested in coordinating services for emotionally <br /> troubled preschoolers and envisions how these services can be <br /> integrated with the ongoing services the agency already provides. <br /> Issues of space and funding seem to be of greatese concern, <br /> although the agency is concerned about what impact expanded <br /> services will have on services provided in all three counties. <br /> Finally, OPC MHA may be underutilized because of a public stigma <br /> about mental health services. <br /> 2. The Chapel Hill - Carrboro City Schools and the Orange County <br /> schools completed their input paper together. The schools have <br /> primary responsibility for the education of children and are <br /> committed to the premise that all children have the right to a <br /> free and appropriate public education. The schools feel that <br /> they are not trained in providing services to young preschool <br /> children and currently do not serve this population. In addition <br /> the schools have no current working relationship with day <br /> care/preschool providers and feel they are not a part of the <br /> networking that is essential to this project. Finally the <br /> schools are administered by two distinct and independent <br /> structures that would make singular administrative responsibility <br /> difficult. <br /> 3. The Orange County Department of social services provides <br /> preventive casework and subsidy for day care to families needing <br /> child care in order to work or receive training, to meet the <br /> developmental needs of the child or as a result of a protective <br /> services plan for a child who has been abused or neglected. The <br /> agency also provides technical assistance, training and <br /> consultation with day care centers and community agencies and <br /> investigates abuse and neglect referrals on day care programs. <br /> Finally, the agency also provides social casework to families of <br /> emotionally troubled preschoolers who are at risk for abuse or <br /> neglect. Recent changes in administration resulting in possible <br /> reorganizational changes and refocusing of priorities may <br /> prohibit the agency from assuming a supervisory role at this <br /> time. In addition, social workers within the agency are already <br /> overloaded with cases. <br /> 4. Child Care Networks is a private nonprofit agency providing <br /> information and referral services to families seeking child care <br /> and other children's services programs. The agency publishes a <br /> number of guides for parents and the comunity covering a wide <br /> 1 <br />