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21 <br /> Commissioner Price said a public hearing has not been conducted and she is hesitant to <br /> jump into a new agreement not knowing if the grass is greener on the other side. She said she <br /> has no idea of what Alliance offers and if it will benefit the residents of Orange County. <br /> Commissioner McKee said he expects this conversation tonight to have no impact on <br /> the $500,000 going to Club Nova. <br /> Commissioner Price agreed that there has not been a full public hearing, and she would <br /> also like more details about Alliance and how it would be an improvement over Cl. She said <br /> she has received few complaints about Cl over the years, and would like to know what makes <br /> Alliance uniquely better. She asked if staff could research these details. She said if Cl fails to <br /> pay the $500,000 to Club Nova, the County must find a way to cover the funds. <br /> Commissioner Bedford said she wants to make sure the BOCC understands the <br /> timeline, and the vote tonight is only an intent to disengage, and does not necessarily determine <br /> the final decision. <br /> Commissioner Bedford said she has a daughter with dual diagnoses, who receives <br /> services through Cl. She said she has a personal interest and experience with Cl. She said her <br /> entire pubic life is as a result of her daughter. She said her daughter requires a lot of care, but <br /> noted she does not have an axe to grind with Cl. She said she has been an advocate for these <br /> areas for many years, and is the BOCC representative on several boards related to these <br /> issues. She said she contributes financially to Club Nova, and greatly supports its mission. She <br /> said she also declines the $50 from Cl for mileage, etc. <br /> Commissioner Bedford said she asked Cl for several records, but was declined. She <br /> said she has tried to follow Cl board meeting conversations, but it is very difficult. She said Cl <br /> does not try to engage the public, and does not post its minutes. <br /> Commissioner Bedford said she checked Cardinal Innovations financials in October and <br /> the $500,000 was present. She said she greatly supports this, and it is horrified that all involved <br /> with Club Nova expects Cl to withdraw the funds if the County disengages from Cl. She said <br /> this is not the type of organization with which the County should be aligned. She said better <br /> services are needed for Orange County residents. She said she has done some research on <br /> Alliance, whose minutes are posted publicly. She said Alliance plans to open a Children's Crisis <br /> Center in June 2021, and is ahead in many other ways. She highlighted several statistics <br /> showing the differences between Alliance and Cl, particularly ways that Cl has denied services <br /> in larger numbers than Alliance and complaints made about the MCO. She said these statistics <br /> show that Alliance is providing better services. <br /> Commissioner Bedford said she does not want to give credence to the fear mongering <br /> about what will happen to clients with switching providers, as she does not believe it to be true. <br /> She said Cl does not allow a BOCC member to have a voice on its board, whereas Alliance <br /> does. She said Cl has failed to provide any clear data, and to involve county stakeholders in its <br /> governance. <br /> Commissioner Bedford said the timing of this process would allow the BOCC to do it <br /> properly, and to the best interest of Orange County residents. She said many local providers <br /> already have contracts with Alliance, and the transition will not be as difficult as some fear. She <br /> said there is power in the collective voice, and Orange County is not alone in raising this alarm. <br /> She said she expects the State to listen more carefully now, and she said CI's proposed action <br /> plan is too little, too late. She said it is time to start this process, and research an alternate <br /> option, as nothing can be worse than the current situation. <br /> Commissioner Dorosin said Commissioner Bedford's research and commitment to this <br /> topic is much appreciated. He said he has never received positive feedback regarding Cardinal <br /> Innovations, and there is a serious lack of accountability. He said the BOCC has been mulling <br /> this conversation for months, and the only reason offered to stay with Cl is to insure that Club <br /> Nova receives $500,000. He said this is close to extortion, and the County needs to find a way <br /> to secure those funds, if necessary. He said when he served as the BOCC liaison with Cl, he <br />