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19 <br /> Commissioner Price asked if staff had spoken to Alliance about accepting the Orange <br /> County service area, and if the services are comparable. She asked if the Alliance Board would <br /> vote prior to the Secretary making her decision. <br /> Travis Myren said staff did speak with the CEO, but the decision would be up to the <br /> Alliance Board. He said the CEO was helpful. <br /> Commissioner Price asked if there is a timeline on when the County would know if the <br /> Alliance Board has accepted the change. <br /> Travis Myren said the Alliance Board would have to agree prior to the Secretary making <br /> her decision, and Alliance would vote within the next nine months. <br /> Commissioner McKee asked if the start date for the four-year relationship would be <br /> effective for July 1, 2022. <br /> Travis Myren said that is correct. <br /> Commissioner McKee asked if, given that date, the BOCC could delay its decision to <br /> September 2021 instead of deciding now. <br /> Travis Myren said there is some flexibility, but there is a lot of preliminary work that <br /> needs to go into effect prior to those tailored plans going into effect. He said those receiving <br /> services need time to transfer to new providers, etc. <br /> Commissioner McKee asked if the number of disengagements that have occurred in the <br /> past few years is known. <br /> Travis Myren said he knew of one. <br /> Commissioner McKee said the disengagement is not a given. <br /> Travis Myren said no, it is not. <br /> PUBLIC COMMENT: <br /> Rosemary Waldorf, Club Nova Board, said the timing of this action could not be worse. <br /> She said Club Nova has spent seven years raising money for a new clubhouse, and has fully <br /> met all negotiations to receive the $500,000 pledge agreement from Cardinal Innovations (CI). <br /> She said the funds have been raised within the required timeline, and Club Nova has secured a <br /> bridge loan. She said it has been very difficult to raise funds, and she is unsure what Cardinal <br /> will do if the County disengages. She said this could be severely detrimental to the success of <br /> the project. <br /> Karen Dunn, Club Nova Executive Director, said Club Nova was taken by surprise that <br /> the possibility of disengagement is back on the table. She said losing the $500,000 pledge from <br /> Cl would be highly detrimental. She said if the County chooses to disengage from Cl, it should <br /> find the funds to cover the loan loss. She said the State already required the LME MCO to <br /> remain the same through 2025, and she does not see that disengagement will be allowed. She <br /> highlighted some of the negative impacts of using Alliance for services, including lowered <br /> reimbursement rates, greater administrative demands, etc. <br /> Alex Harrison said Club Nova saved his life, and his mental illness is self-destructive. <br /> He said the plan to cut $500,000 gives him great anxiety. He said he does not know what he <br /> would do without Club Nova. <br /> Tanya Pace said the current pandemic has placed a greater burden on serving those <br /> with mental health needs, and the services of Club Nova are vital. She said this potential <br /> disengagement will negatively impact the building construction, and the Club itself. She said the <br /> Club desperately needs more space to serve more members safely. <br /> Matthew Cox said he is member of Club Nova, and a present Board member. He said <br /> Club Nova is a life saving community that reduces isolation for those suffering with persistent <br /> mental illness. He said these services save the County and community a great deal of money, <br /> and Club Nova partners with local law enforcement to create positive and productive <br /> relationships. He asked the BOCC to not disengage from Cl, but if it does, to cover the loss of <br /> the $500,000. <br />