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5 <br /> Commissioner Richards asked if there's discussion about expanding eligibility rules for <br /> Medicaid, which were waived during the pandemic, as part of the negotiations on Medicaid <br /> expansion. <br /> Representative Price and Representative Buansi said that is part of the bill passed by <br /> the House. <br /> Back on child care, Representative Price said money came in during the pandemic to <br /> help with early childhood centers, but the pay is abysmal. She spoke about the importance of <br /> increasing pay for these positions. <br /> Chair Bedford said Orange County has been covering parents' share for anyone eligible <br /> for early childhood education and childcare services with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) <br /> funding. <br /> Commissioner Richards said there are a lot of openings for early childhood staff and <br /> transportation staff as well. <br /> Chair Bedford said the county's goal is for there to be no waitlists and for there to be no <br /> financial barrier for children to have quality childcare. <br /> Representative Price said the other part of the issue is those doing childcare work are <br /> getting really low pay and will likely leave the field if they have opportunities to make more <br /> money elsewhere. <br /> Senator Meyer asked if the Board has an impression of how Alliance is doing. <br /> Chair Bedford said she thinks it's much better. She said Justice United held a meeting <br /> and several Senior Vice Presidents were there to discuss providing more mental health services <br /> in Spanish. She said Alliance staff is very knowledgeable about rapid-rehousing for when <br /> people exit criminal justice system. She said Alliance did a study around five years ago and <br /> determined they would rather do short-term housing with a transition to permanent housing with <br /> supports rather than long-term institutional settings. She said there's a closed group home on <br /> Nash St. in Hillsborough that is being looked at as the future site of a state-owned traumatic <br /> brain injury facility. She also said that some Maintenance of Efforts funds are being monitored <br /> and managed by Alliance with quarterly reports to the county. <br /> Travis Myren said Alliance is very responsive to even case-specific things and are <br /> wonderful to work with. <br /> Representative Price asked about transitioning to the tailored plan. <br /> Chair Bedford said she doesn't know the current status. She said hospitals have been a <br /> barrier because the rates are so low, but individual providers have signed up to provide <br /> services. <br /> Senator Meyer asked if there are conversations with the property owner of the facility on <br /> Nash St. <br /> Representative Price said the idea is for another provider to take over but possibly serve <br /> a different population. <br /> Commissioner Hamilton asked if it was a former mental health group home. <br /> Chair Bedford said yes, but it would be recertified as something different. <br /> Representative Price said the former owner of the facility passed away and family could <br /> not run it. She said they were able to find other places for everyone who lived there to go. She <br /> shared that someone from Alamance County is interested in the facility, but is waiting to see if <br /> they could change who the facility serves. She also said she can also assist if anyone is trying <br /> to get someone placed in a group home. <br /> Chair Bedford said she's glad the county is with Alliance now because at least people <br /> will only have to move to Durham rather than across the state. She also said Commissioner <br /> Hamilton is the new liaison to Alliance. <br />