[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6286211,"mediaKeyId","2563784-a42d5e5217e8de6b1b61b048130e3292","parentId",2563784,"title","Child fatality review team cites system gaps; community child protection team recommends targeted interventions","audioSeconds",475,"startMs",6621000,"endMs",7096000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2563784-a42d5e5217e8de6b1b61b048130e3292&start=6621&end=7096","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2563784-a42d5e5217e8de6b1b61b048130e3292/thumbnail_6621000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6286211/Union-County/North-Carolina/Child-fatality-review-team-cites-system-gaps-community-child-protection-team-recommends-targeted-interventions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6286211-cf8a7be99c7184ebf5e6fe96d20b22f7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195583&Signature=mua-GtP6bnBBbaNp71UdgENlhdrJtXwtRajS2QI8o8Yh7sWvpnvGp0z2Nt~sfXDb~ltF0NkFz1Dykpqro7nRwKkgsy6UYhqcQuix9xBfKH09O-slafVs2EmrmnWC74tlJnP4hd-oltlV6uZitY213ROdRfF0NDOBxvVRIytMbeXJ-XDWwja1ZIbr09R~spIBuCjHjm8D2WnF4bjLrRqSj6hQ5-0uDZW--Sd1YcjxS3HFri0fKhnyKfkQuCHIoMOAwovOCQNiA7Ku68cX1SP-iS0ou3HnoNYT5zXfundj76vw92VUHmpSKwf1XU4vxpyy6ahvFs8rOJmSifs-aTziKw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Union County, NC","date","2025-03-11T13:11:13Z","article","The Union County Child Fatality Prevention Team and the county’s Community Child Protection Team reported quarterly reviews and made recommendations aimed at preventing future child deaths and improving responses to active, high-complexity child-welfare cases.

The child fatality team reviewed deaths from the prior calendar year during the quarterly meeting and reported 19 child deaths under age 18 for the period examined. Team members summarized leading causes: perinatal conditions and birth defects accounted for the majority of infant deaths; accidental injury and medical conditions figured among child deaths. The team’s recommendations included early intervention for substance-use and maternal risks, referral of infants discharged from neonatal intensive care to Caremark follow-up, reminders about flotation device use near water, and a formal request submitted to the North Carolina Department of Transportation to reassess signage and roadway safety at a location tied to multiple accidents.

The county’s Community Child Protection Team examined three active Department of Social Services (DSS) cases. One case involved a severe supervisory lapse resulting in an injury; the team recommended an assessment of the guardian and in-home supports for the child. A second case included multiple CPS reports and allegations related in part to human-trafficking concerns and caregiving strain; the team recommended exploring alternative housing and school settings for the children. The third case involved an 11-year-old admitted for homicidal ideation, intellectual disability, and lack of insurance; the team coordinated referrals to autism and behavioral-health providers, Medicaid eligibility review and multiple specialty providers and urged the state to address limited availability of services for youth with dual diagnoses.

Why it matters: Team members said detailed multidisciplinary review enables the county to identify preventable factors and recommend system and program improvements. Officials noted rising complexity in cases and limited local services for mental-health and dual-diagnosis youth.

Ending: Staff told the board they will convey systemic recommendations to state-level partners where appropriate and continue multidisciplinary reviews to inform prevention and intervention work.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Consolidated Human Services Board Meeting | March 10, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Local fatality review and child-protection teams reviewed last year’s deaths and several active child-welfare cases and recommended targeted interventions, referrals and system-level requests to state agencies.","taxTitle","Union County, North Carolina","taxId",14197,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6286216,"Public health warns of measles risk, reports two product recalls; kindergarten immunization exemption rate above state average",37,7694000,7657000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2563784-a42d5e5217e8de6b1b61b048130e3292&start=7694&end=7657","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2563784-a42d5e5217e8de6b1b61b048130e3292/thumbnail_7694000.jpg","/articles/6286216/Union-County/North-Carolina/Public-health-warns-of-measles-risk-reports-two-product-recalls-kindergarten-immunization-exemption-rate-above-state-average","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6286216-be501a1e181a3ec9024429518511ee28/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195583&Signature=ooBW8tpX2NH~rXHuiFRD9~VVjXGhm71-k5y2asQUe4yByyEkGM9EaPYYVaERJcFnJKki~hQ2UK76OqnzX49FQ5HxvKlhJkm01NYlwrm9yPMwJ0Uvlcms76KiROYXIhtu~98TgtS0KYZH0yu~rOrzhrfTNkqwQSPqlJDLwjtmI5wwYkL8UCSDzVXgTP9tW6ojJCHtv~0kSd5~szz0PFqTKm0GWZOmqDv6I3P9ihmRHA2Mogo0xJIIZrwyoc~QYAH5SreAFylROfFkP78x0H-3qB5R6dD6tYycRZ9-dCts0sN2FspZHAsdcqkpawNJQxoy22-BKtfh3LaJVlSKCG-Jaw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Public health staff told the advisory board Union County has not recorded local measles cases but warned the county should expect cases given national spread, detailed ongoing preparedness steps, and reported two product recalls that environmental health staff traced to local facilities.

\"People that are around somebody with measles who are not immune because of vaccination or previous infection, about 90 percent of those people will be infected,\" the public health communicable-disease presenter said, summarizing the virus’s contagiousness and the need for vigilance. Staff emphasized vaccination as the primary protection: with two MMR doses, vaccine effectiveness is about 97 percent.

Preparedness and surveillance: Public health said it has been sending alerts to local providers, working with school nurses and childcare providers, and reviewing vaccination coverage. Staff noted Union County’s kindergarten exclusion rate—children entering school without required vaccinations—was about 6.7 percent in the most recent data presented, higher than the state average the presenter cited (2.8 percent). Staff said the county is working to identify pockets of low coverage and to offer vaccination and outreach.

Recent recalls and inspections: Environmental health staff reported two food-product traces this month. In one case, oysters harvested from a Louisiana area tied to norovirus were tracked through distribution; inspectors confirmed one bushel had already been sold but were able to remove a second bushel from a local retail facility before sale. In another recall, a frozen shake product distributed to long-term care facilities was linked to at least one death and several illnesses; environmental health staff contacted and visited local long-term-care facilities and removed the product where it was found.

Other communicable disease notes: Staff said Tuberculosis case counts in the county increased over the previous year and that the department continues contact investigations; they noted no epidemiologic link had been found to a recent school exposure after testing. Staff requested community help completing a triennial community health assessment survey to guide planning.

Why it matters: Measles is highly contagious and can cause severe complications; local pockets of under-vaccination increase vulnerability. Ongoing surveillance, rapid recall tracing and provider alerts are part of the county’s effort to prevent outbreaks.

Ending: Public health staff said they will continue provider and public outreach, ensure appropriate isolation and contact tracing if cases arise, and provide vaccination and education resources to schools, childcare centers and community partners.","Public health told the advisory board that Union County has not yet recorded measles cases but should prepare as national spread continues; staff also described two local product recalls that environmental health inspected and removed from facilities.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6286220,"Senior nutrition program struggles with growing wait list; commissioners decline short-term lapsed-salary funding",784,3507000,4291000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2563784-a42d5e5217e8de6b1b61b048130e3292&start=3507&end=4291","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2563784-a42d5e5217e8de6b1b61b048130e3292/thumbnail_3507000.jpg","/articles/6286220/Union-County/North-Carolina/Senior-nutrition-program-struggles-with-growing-wait-list-commissioners-decline-short-term-lapsed-salary-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6286220-29bec115c81438476f5ef928800415ed/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195583&Signature=XP9IW2-aLOEf~jfmiT7yCfjycWSfRV0KvmEHHFNTCkDzsm9j88FQtQEeveOP4Kqkh2TUEVjqQP4Opsv9etcCOf~OxDWMHcF30IQBrqY9U6i6Dg5bqASgEd2ZwLX3wVd5qBOzHCiUiYMlWHLM8TvXgx6JV4QkEqo7wyod--CCO7-Q0S3E0exMD7RxYmRYKrBVSiPeU4a06ocS25eYhJJHzHOSKqDSAEhBAh5dLkoRNE-~lXIIDjI4uzyZ8SG-LtNPo0ukyt~D3RH8wQyzeev7hC5ZbExU580LKPGnxOlUwe3ZRo~475DD-slWJmx-jDBBp-y1-P~STOh6n1uvZ889Qg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senior nutrition staff told the advisory board they are working through a growing waiting list and seeking partners and grants to expand Meals on Wheels services after one-time county funding was not approved.

Stephanie Starr, the Community Support and Outreach director, told the board the department \"currently have[s] 590 on the wait list. We started with 608. We added 25, and we took 43 off.\" She described a multi-step outreach effort that had contacted 76 seniors and removed 43 from the wait list after verification; 28 people remained completely unreachable and about 40 were in the process of verification.

Starr described the operational constraints: warm meals rose in cost by about 34 percent this year and staffing for outreach is limited. Volunteers deliver meals; sites are often hosted at local churches. Starr said the program is required to meet nutrition standards for reimbursable meals (for example, a specified caloric and nutritional profile) and that vendors must meet USDA and program rules.

Partnership and funding efforts: Starr and other staff described outreach to multiple potential partners. Wesley Chapel has agreed to fund service for three wait-list clients. Staff also contacted organizations tied to Atrium Health; a local executive involved with an organization called Nourish Up (formerly Loaves and Fishes) is exploring options; and \"Food for Families\" and other community partners were discussed as potential sources of groceries or supplemental support. Starr said some partners provide groceries rather than prepared meals, which would require a triage of recipients who can prepare meals themselves.

Unfunded one-time proposal: County staff reported they had proposed using approximately $68,000 in lapsed salaries (unexpended salary funds) to feed 10 additional clients immediately, with the commissioners asked to commit about $258,000 in next fiscal year funding to sustain the added service. That motion was not supported by commissioners, staff said.

Why it matters: Board members and staff emphasized the program helps seniors stay in their homes by ensuring daily nutrition; board members said the need is growing and that current county funding and one-time options were insufficient to eliminate the wait list.

Ending: Staff said they will continue outreach to charitable partners and foundations, pursue grant opportunities and refine expansion options as they prepare FY26 service-level requests for the county budget process.","Union County senior nutrition staff reported a wait list of about 590 people and described outreach and partner-seeking efforts; a staff proposal to use roughly $68,000 in lapsed-salary funds to feed 10 additional clients now and seek $258,000 in next year’s budget was not supported by commissioners, staff said.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6286225,"Human Services presents FY25 spending, revenue lag and FY26 base-budget guidance to board",1247,1757000,3004000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2563784-a42d5e5217e8de6b1b61b048130e3292&start=1757&end=3004","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2563784-a42d5e5217e8de6b1b61b048130e3292/thumbnail_1757000.jpg","/articles/6286225/Union-County/North-Carolina/Human-Services-presents-FY25-spending-revenue-lag-and-FY26-base-budget-guidance-to-board","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6286225-84687079d3095dfb6207a4d9aa45bc6e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195583&Signature=UOB6VwBVYMuFwkVyVz9EG4neHDoY7W6pH-Mq5Xd3tBMg2fkMdZN2TwC7-5RbIeUzT752hEfkmjTxC57ZqBVO0AAm1dK0Be1T2VWX8e3hmt5qPhZn04h9SvTWrjMYlv8VAndVj5iwnoeyCVwx7DVei4z6TrU70KWQ0mNK83IfsoISIU3mxb1TALNaAoSAIoxS6iC4dcLBFzw8Rjv6uCQ7V-S1lnQMuSxPOWKIAHgDdxqnCaixuR-8x-PBRck~w~80eJca-EUVK5k3cWIcHbVm1INTHfHM4aofQEOlJmwp7swjOqPDukWyYgBmAK8U3n2sx8MqvfZTMWBiU4WPQ2eavg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Department leaders presented a high-level review of fiscal year 2025 and the FY26 base-budget guidelines and answered board questions about revenue timing tied to state reimbursement processes.

\"What we have put in front of you is simply high level for FY '25: our expenses,\" said Anne Chigory, the county budget and fiscal lead for Human Services, as she described budget figures in materials provided to the board. In the packet she reviewed, the department’s general-fund expenses were shown as about $55,000,000 and total revenue as roughly $27,000,000; staff said the county-funded portion is about $28,000,000 (roughly 51% of the total). Chigory emphasized the fiscal snapshot in the packet reflected data through February.

Staff told the board the most significant reason the revenue side may look low through February is timing: \"The DSS reimbursement process through the Department of Health and Human Services is typically at least a two-month lag in receiving that revenue,\" a staff member explained. County leaders said that lag affects social services revenue, Medicaid billing and some program grants; transportation claims are often submitted quarterly, which also creates timing differences.

On staffing and Medicaid expansion, staff reported that Human Services added 10 positions for Medicaid expansion—one supervisor, one technician and eight eligibility specialists—most of which are expected to be reimbursed at approximately 75% by state/federal sources. The department reported 547 total positions, 510 filled and 37 vacant (about a 6.7% vacancy rate) in February.

FY26 base budget: Staff said the department was presented a base budget figure of $9,400,000 for FY26 that does not include salaries and benefits; the county asked departments to identify a 2% reduction target in base spending. Directors said they had identified possible line-item reductions and that the budget process includes a chance to request service-level restorations if cuts would materially affect essential services.

Why it matters: County-funded spending and the timing of reimbursements affect cash flow and near-term presentations of budget health. Board members asked for clarifications and were shown where the packet labeled \"percent of amount through\" tied to expected expenditures through February.

Ending: Staff said the department will continue to refine FY26 requests, identify service-level priorities to return to the county manager if needed, and urged board members to follow the county manager’s budget updates in coming weeks.","Human Services staff reviewed fiscal year 2025 spending and revenue patterns, explained a typical two-month lag in state reimbursements (affecting DSS and Medicaid billing), and said the department’s FY26 base budget (excluding salaries) was presented at $9.4 million with a requested 2% reduction.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6286230,"Board recommends psychologist candidate, forms subcommittee to interview community-based applicants",934,711000,1645000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2563784-a42d5e5217e8de6b1b61b048130e3292&start=711&end=1645","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2563784-a42d5e5217e8de6b1b61b048130e3292/thumbnail_711000.jpg","/articles/6286230/Union-County/North-Carolina/Board-recommends-psychologist-candidate-forms-subcommittee-to-interview-community-based-applicants","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6286230-647b772f40ccdcbcb2f795bfaa9a2b5c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195583&Signature=IjTFRyW-EiGfdYuFYYTNWGSCdlNmikzMXdX6qMi9eMBIwT68bJck6IQbkegVGEAOm5HTvK3qzoOBmU9D2uqUqecisQt80KeQ-4FI1kWwZyJezMWUkZP2u7BgFiOrcWCD~iQokiPoUp3-rq~mCPsaTHOha1b2gq~iaoLks5Bmzp~5JR-H1oMHfHn-mvZQMhjOSdT7gkueNhmSDKhhke0kTs~DFz4M1QeAvnza7FMjqEqtiiIicl4C0ytxHTSeUc1XAthV0S6pdsvqIf74XGkUdPseZvqLv32Cau0KDBsU96SG28gfS5ZWyRH5hY6I8h7SU~TmCt346vT48qPplXP9gA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Union County Human Services Advisory Board voted to recommend Dr. Matthew Childs for the advisory panel’s psychologist seat and formed a candidate-review subcommittee to interview two applicants for a single community-based organization representative position.

Board members moved quickly on the psychologist application: \"I would like to offer a motion that we support Dr. Matthew Childs for the position of psychologist and recommend to the full Board of County Commissioners,\" said the member who made the motion, which was seconded and approved by voice vote.

The recommendation for the community-based organization slot was less final. Executive staff told the board there are two applicants, Eric Clafon and Jesse Granger, for one designated community-based representative seat. \"You are electing to either move the board to the Board of County Commissioners to give them their consideration to actually make an appointment,\" staff said when describing the process. Several board members said they favored interviewing both applicants before sending any nominations to the commissioners. The board approved a motion to create a candidate review committee — a subcommittee that will interview applicants and return recommendations to the full advisory board.

Why it matters: The advisory board’s nominees are advisory to the Board of County Commissioners, which has final appointment authority. Board members noted state statute gives the Board of County Commissioners authority to adjust the size of some advisory panels; this advisory board can only recommend changes to the commissioners.

Process and next steps: Staff said the subcommittee will coordinate interview dates with candidates and report back; board members volunteered to serve and the executive staff will confirm dates. The advisory board also discussed whether to ask the commissioners to expand the category from one seat to two; several members said they preferred to complete interviews first before requesting any expansion.

Ending: The advisory board’s recommendation on Dr. Childs will be forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners for final action. The candidate-review committee will schedule and conduct applicant interviews and report its recommendation to the full advisory board before any further referrals to the commissioners.","The Union County Human Services Advisory Board voted to recommend Dr. Matthew Childs for a psychologist slot and established a candidate-review subcommittee to interview two applicants for a single community-based organization representative opening before recommending names to the Board of County Commissioners.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Child fatality review team cites system gaps; community child protection team recommends targeted interventions

Public health warns of measles risk, reports two product recalls; kindergarten immunization exemption rate above state average

Senior nutrition program struggles with growing wait list; commissioners decline short-term lapsed-salary funding

Human Services presents FY25 spending, revenue lag and FY26 base-budget guidance to board

Board recommends psychologist candidate, forms subcommittee to interview community-based applicants