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r <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: September 3, 2002 <br /> Action Agen <br /> Item No. <br /> SUBJECT: Update on Mental Health Reform Planning Process <br /> DEPARTMENT: OPC Mental Health PUBLIC HEARING: (YIN) No <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> Tom Maynard, 913-4000 <br /> Powerpoint handouts (used in Gwen Harvey, 245-2307 <br /> presentations to local groups) TELEPHONE NUMBERS: <br /> summarizing current status of planning Hillsborough 732-8181 <br /> content Chapel Hill 968-4501 <br /> Durham 688-7331 <br /> Mebane 336-227-2031 <br /> PURPOSE: To update the Board of County Commissioners on the status of the State- <br /> mandated planning process and to advise the Board concerning key choices ahead. <br /> BACKGROUND: As the Board is aware; the State mental health reform effort directs that <br /> Orange County produce a local business plan by January 2003 describing how the County will <br /> carry out its responsibilities under the State Plan 2001 Blueprint for Change as revised. The <br /> Board of County Commissioners must choose a governance model, assess the status quo, and <br /> propose a plan for improving services. One major feature of the State Plan is the mandate that <br /> area authorities (or equivalent), such as the OPC Area Program, may no longer provide direct <br /> services and must propose a divestiture plan. <br /> The local planning process as originally conceived is on schedule. Under the guidance of the <br /> OPC Steering Committee, much work has been done over the past several months to include <br /> various stakeholders in assessing the current system and in devising responses to be included <br /> within the proposed plan. Public forums will be held in Orange, Person, and Chatham counties <br /> this fall to solicit community input. The Orange County forum is set for October 8, 2002 from 7- <br /> 9 p.m. at Southern Human Services Center on Homestead Road in Chapel Hill. <br /> The Steering Committee will review and recommend a governance structure from among <br /> several options for inclusion in the proposed plan. (The initial governance structure can be <br /> revised if necessary in the future). A finished draft of the proposed plan will be presented to the <br /> BOCC by November 1, 2002 and will include analysis and recommendations on issues posing <br /> serious financial risk or public controversy for Orange County, should any arise. <br /> FINANCIAL IMPACT: To be determined as part of the overall planning process and <br /> development of recommendations that come forward to the Board. OPC intends to present a <br />