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19 <br /> INTRODUCTION: BACKGROUND <br /> 2015. Orange County BOCC adopted a Resolution supporting Stepping Up Initiative to Reduce the Number of People with Mental Illness in Jails. <br /> 2018. Orange County Sheriff Charles Blackwood raised the idea of including in the planning for the new Orange County Detention Center a <br /> separate area that would serve as a diversion unit for law enforcement.The planning for such a facility was not completed in time for <br /> consideration by the Orange County BOCC.At the time,Jail Mental Health Work Group stakeholders toured NC facilities that are providing <br /> services that might be a model for an Orange County facility. <br /> 2019. On April 25-26,NC DHHS and Orange County held a series of workshops — Sequential Intercept Mapping and Taking Action for Change <br /> (collectively referred to as SIM Workshop) with 32 local representatives of organizations involved in criminal justice (CJ),UNC Health,community <br /> treatment,and emergency medical services to address issues involving BH and q.The workshop identified gaps in current services and assigned <br /> priorities for action:a crisis center was assigned high priority. <br /> ■ 2019. In November 2019,responsibility for addressing this high priority action item was assigned to the BHTF.Subsequently,the Crisis/Diversion <br /> Facility Subcommittee was formed and tasked with bringing forth recommendations. <br /> 2020. In December,the Governor's Task Force for Racial Equity in Criminal Justice reported its findings and recommendations:three of the Task <br /> Force's recommendations relate directly to situations involving individuals with BH issues and criminal justice diversion. <br /> 6 <br />