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INFORMATION ITEM <br /> Abe." „so, <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> HEALTH DEPARTMENT <br /> Improving health. Inspiring change. <br /> MEMORANDUM <br /> To: Bonnie Hammersley, Orange County Manager <br /> Orange County Board of County Commissioners <br /> From: Colleen Bridger, Orange County Health Director <br /> Date: December 5, 2016 <br /> Re: Access to Mental Health Services Assessment <br /> This fall, Health Department staff, with the help of an UNC Public Administration intern, initiated an assessment <br /> of the barriers Orange County mental health professionals face as they seek to refer county residents 0-25 <br /> years old to mental health and substance abuse treatment services. The Health Department sought a clearer <br /> understanding of access to resources for prevention and early intervention, as well as follow-up care and other <br /> support systems for recovery. Simultaneously, we sought to identify the areas where these services could be <br /> improved by pinpointing significant barriers to treatment. We interviewed and surveyed members of the mental <br /> health community, k-12 education area, judicial system, law enforcement representatives, immigrant and <br /> refugee advocates, and community advocates. <br /> Attached are the results of this assessment for your review. Next we take these results back to key <br /> stakeholders to prioritize the gaps we found and create a plan to bridge those gaps through potential services <br /> and programs in the community. We will have that plan complete by February 15th <br /> I look forward to sharing the results of the stakeholder meetings and our proposed plans to better meet the <br /> mental health and substance abuse treatment needs of our community at a future meeting. <br /> 919 245 2400 ) 300 West Tryon Street ) Hillsborough, NC 27278 ) orangecountync.gov <br />