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6 <br /> $150,000 for a study and that there was nothing new discovered through the study. She said the <br /> BOCC does not need to spend any money on that. <br /> Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked for clarification on the waitlist. <br /> Carol Conway said the waitlist for the Innovations Waiver includes 285 in the county. She <br /> said that provides services. She said there is no date on housing needs. <br /> Commissioner Fowler said she has a son with autism. She said that all of this is <br /> inconceivable, and she appreciates her continuing to advocate. She said they will keep pushing <br /> the legislature. She said last year she was on the Alliance Board, and they opened up more seats <br /> and there are now similar services for TBI. She said that they are not using all the slots they have <br /> and are getting more slots at the state level than there is known need. She said she is serving on <br /> IDAL (HOPE), and they are working on a pilot for housing in this area that could be spread to the <br /> rest of the state. She said that is slow going. She said that the percentage of points serving for <br /> disabilities and there needs to be more and how much more points they should get. She said that <br /> she learned it is best to ask for 20%. <br /> Commissioner Hamilton said she is the current representative on Alliance Health. She <br /> asked her to reach out to her because she is still learning about all of the services. <br /> Chair Bedford said Carol Conway runs PACID and an email list. She said if anyone wants <br /> to be added to learn more about the needs, to let her know and she will make sure they get added <br /> to the list. She recently led a local forum with leaders and parents with children with needs <br /> regarding housing. She said that the BOCC advocates every year with their legislative delegation. <br /> She said that the county has $5 million available for affordable housing and nonprofits to work <br /> with. She said that there is another $5 million in the years going forward for Affordable Housing. <br /> She said that at 14, that is when the transition starts to occur for services. She said that the <br /> children need to be placed on the waitlist for the Innovations Waiver as soon as possible. She <br /> said anyone can get on the Innovations Waiver Iistsery on Alliance's website. She said that her <br /> child is in the type of facility that there was contention amongst the state leaders on if they should <br /> shut down or not. She said that Alliance has been very responsive to community needs. <br /> Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked what type of housing she hopes will be created. <br /> Carol Conway said she is advocating for ICF's, group homes, and affordable housing. <br /> Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked what is meant by affordable housing. She asked if that <br /> is an apartment living program. <br /> Carol Conway said yes. <br /> Chair Bedford said she will give information to Commissioner Portie-Ascott for the listserv. <br /> The Board returned to Announcements, Petitions, and Comments by Board Members on <br /> the agenda. <br /> Commissioner Richards said since the last meeting, she attended the Orange Partnership <br /> for Young Children,the Orange Partnership for Alcohol and Drug-Free Youth, the Justice Advisory <br /> Council, and several other meetings with local partners. She said that when she came onto the <br /> Board, her priorities were focused on youth and justice. She said that she is proud of the <br /> accomplishments of the Board since she came on. She said when they go through this time of <br /> year she starts looking back, and they have made great progress as a Board. She said they have <br /> many accomplishments and said today was the first day of filing. She announced that she will not <br /> run for re-election, but she has another year on the Board. She said she would like to focus on <br /> the implementation of the strategic plan, opioid funding with a focus on youth prevention, and she <br /> can be a free person in her advocacy in 2024 and will do so. She thanked all of Orange County <br /> staff for their help and working with her during her time on the Board. <br /> Commissioner Fowler said she does plan to file for re-election. She said she attended the <br /> ABC Board meeting and they have hired a grant management company to streamline the grant <br /> application process for non-profits and the application will be online in January 2024. She said <br /> she had a SWAG meeting where they heard an update on the zero-waste plan and the SWAG <br />