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27 <br /> Health and Human Services <br /> Approved Goals <br /> HHS-1:Support increased state funding for behavioral health services and facilities at <br /> the state and local level including dedicated resources for Community Paramedicine <br /> projects. Support Medicaid reimbursement to EMS for behavioral health transport to <br /> crisis centers and structure appropriate county participation in behavioral health <br /> program governance. <br /> • Counties seek a continued constructive voice in behavioral health policy as <br /> partners in funding and providing public health services. <br /> • Counties support additional state resources to assist with crisis services, mental <br /> health management, substance abuse services and hospital capacity. <br /> • Community Paramedicine projects enhance local health systems and allow <br /> counties to reach underserved populations. <br /> • State Medicaid rules allow payment for medically necessary transports to <br /> hospitals but do not permit payment for transport to mental health crisis centers <br /> where patients can receive care targeted to their needs. <br /> HHS-2: Seek increased state funding to support access to early childhood education. <br /> • Access to early childhood education is a strong indicator of a child's future <br /> academic success, and counties support increased funding for early education <br /> programs such as Smart Start and NC-Pre K. <br /> HHS-3: Support increased funding and legislation to strengthen adult protective <br /> services. <br /> • The growing elder adult population in the state has led to increases in vulnerable <br /> adults suffering from neglect, abuse and exploitation. <br /> • While reports and actual incidents have increased, county staff to investigate <br /> and provide services has not grown. <br /> HHS-4: Support legislation to align oversight standards for lawful body piercing with <br /> lawful tattooing. <br /> • To reduce unnecessary exposures to blood borne pathogens including HIV and <br /> hepatitis, additional oversight standards for body piercing operations are <br /> needed similar to current oversight standards for tattoo services. <br /> Guiding Principles <br /> • The Association supports county, regional and state collaboration to improve <br /> agency automation and simplify programs, to streamline administration and to <br /> improve client interaction. <br />