Orange County NC Website
9 <br /> governments with taxes, licenses, and other associated revenues that can be <br /> utilized to address opioid and other drug-related problems and other needs; <br /> • policing reforms to address use of force, community oversight and law <br /> enforcement training on crisis intervention; <br /> • Funding at the county level to expand access to diversion and restorative justice <br /> programs; and <br /> • the reduction of fines, fees and costs in criminal court, noting that such fines, <br /> fees and costs disproportionately impact people of color and people of low <br /> income. <br /> Full Funding of the Leandro Remedial Action Plan — Support equity and racial justice by <br /> fully funding the Leandro Remedial Action Plan, which details additional comprehensive, <br /> targeted education funding over the next eight years, predominantly to low-wealth and minority <br /> communities, in order for the State to come into compliance with its constitutional obligation to <br /> provide every student a sound basic education. <br /> Broadban&Di_gital Infrastructure — Support legislation, funding, and other efforts that provide <br /> counties with flexibility and opportunities to support options for increasing access to high-speed <br /> internet connectivity and expanding digital infrastructure/broadband capability to the un-served <br /> and under-served areas of the state. Access to high speed internet connections will reduce <br /> disparities, enhance quality of life for all the State's residents, and broaden opportunities in <br /> areas such as education, jobs creation, small business development, health care, civic <br /> participation, and growth in farm enterprises. <br /> 2022 Orange County Legislative Interests <br /> (Note: Italicized Items are Priority Legislative Issues) <br /> HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES <br /> 1) Mental Health— Seek legislation to develop and fund a plan to: <br /> • provide assistance to NC residents, especially youth, who are dealing with the <br /> impacts of COVID; <br /> • reduce the number of people with mental health issues in county—detention <br /> centers; <br /> • ensure that adequate State-funded mental health, developmental disability and <br /> substance use disorder services and facilities are available at the local level, <br /> accessible and affordable to all residents; <br /> • ensure that state resources fund service provision costs, inclusive of crisis <br /> intervention and treatment; and <br /> • structure appropriate county participation in governance; <br /> 2) Behavioral Health Services — Support increased state funding for behavioral health <br /> services and facilities at the state and local level, including dedicated resources for <br /> community para-medicine projects and enhanced mobile crisis response. Support <br /> Medicaid reimbursement to EMS for behavioral health transport to crisis centers and <br /> structure appropriate county participation in behavioral health program governance; <br />