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1 <br /> 0RD-2025 -012 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date : May 6 , 2025 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No . 8-j <br /> SUBJECT : Acceptance of the Sobriety Treatment and Recovery Teams (START) Grant <br /> with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and <br /> Approval of Related Budget Amendment #8- B <br /> DEPARTMENT : Social Services ( DSS ) <br /> ATTACHMENT(S ) : INFORMATION CONTACT : <br /> Grant Award Contract Lindsey Shewmaker, 919 -245 -2817 <br /> Year-To - Date Budget Summary Crystal Mitchell , 919 -245 -2767 <br /> PURPOSE : To : <br /> 1 ) Accept a grant from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services ; <br /> 2 ) Establish a clinical services coordinator position ; <br /> 3 ) Authorize services contracts for a family mentor position and related supervision ; and <br /> 4 ) Approve Budget Amendment #8 - B . <br /> BACKGROUND : Substance use is a leading contributing factor in families coming in contact with <br /> the child welfare system . START is an evidence- based child welfare delivery model shown to <br /> improve outcomes for children and families affected by parental substance use and child <br /> maltreatment . This model promotes collaboration as a system of care to include DSS , treatment <br /> providers , and the judicial system . The model targets families with children ages birth through five <br /> years old . The purveyor of the START model is Child and Family Futures (CFF ) . CFF offers <br /> training , technical assistance , and consultation . <br /> A component of the START model is the staffing delivery . The team consists of a child welfare <br /> social worker, a family mentor, and a service coordinator . The family mentor is someone in long <br /> term recovery with lived child welfare experience . The service coordinator provides <br /> comprehensive clinicial assessments , links to recommended services , and follows clients to <br /> ensure clinical needs are met . <br /> In April 2025 , Orange County DSS was awarded a grant through the North Carolina Division of <br /> Social Services , which is serving as the federal pass through agency for the funding , to implement <br /> START in the County . The grant is $ 320 , 480 in state and federal funding expiring September 30 , <br /> 2025 . The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will provide ongoing funding <br /> after October 1 , 2025 , for any staff positions associated with START through IV- E reimbursement , <br /> an uncapped federal funding source for child welfare in North Carolina . <br />