[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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],{"_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",6060250,"mediaKeyId","3292798-4c633465931475ec31ee3193888f26b7","parentId",3292798,"title","Board recommends Earl Ford for reappointment to consolidated human services board","audioSeconds",164,"startMs",148000,"endMs",312000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3292798-4c633465931475ec31ee3193888f26b7&start=148&end=312","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3292798-4c633465931475ec31ee3193888f26b7/thumbnail_148000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6060250/Union-County/North-Carolina/Board-recommends-Earl-Ford-for-reappointment-to-consolidated-human-services-board","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6060250-0d58739d1a6bd46443aa19a5ac49ab47/orig.mp4?Expires=1775955728&Signature=TeYHjXyIzAimnKQPYWUNOw4yQs-XXZKD3YuSa7tRGXmJpS-XpsAbdZ0IxRm-RBNmR3MXOHcY37bF193X8XdDaZRlcN-PifPJPQmU6kSFFz-ta5zCDU9vq6x-F28uBn2OE7DzZbobb~UiKtZQ611bhwItYFIHhh2LcVPgknJsqg~cZzflTFRf-5Osl0BxKLdHN5Slh9xdxtkzNo08il0CqZihY9y9adDXwJEhqaSL9ZStWCKbq1MqXjeJz4TKHGCS1v0h58soJqro36dGYLwk83nua-Xvp0Wy6e-gGDuGdLYiV5WPNkPe1pVTUsV4JccqWSbnt-B1MJCtKMA7vp3Ylw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Union County, NC","date","2025-05-14T07:50:53.483Z","article","Janet (staff member) told the Consolidated Human Services Board that Dr. Fad\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000's term expired April 30 and he is not reapplying; the board heard that Earl Ford has submitted an application for reappointment to a consumer position that will become vacant July 31.

The nut graf: With one current vacancy and Ford\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000's seat becoming vacant in July, staff asked the board to recommend Ford for reappointment so the Board of County Commissioners could place the item on a late‑June or July agenda and avoid a break in consumer representation.

Janet described Ford as eligible for another term and said the county had not received other applications for the currently posted vacant consumer seat. A board member moved to forward Ford\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000's application to the Board of County Commissioners; the motion was seconded and the board voted with no opposition.

Ending: Staff will forward the recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners for consideration at a late‑June or July meeting so the county does not experience a gap in consumer representation on the Consolidated Human Services Board.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Consolidated Human Services Board Meeting | May 12, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Consolidated Human Services Board voted to recommend Earl Ford for reappointment; staff will forward the recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners for placement on an upcoming agenda.","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},6060255,"Union County epidemiology update: rhinovirus high, measles outbreak largely out of state, no local H5N1 deaths reported",236,2399000,2635000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3292798-4c633465931475ec31ee3193888f26b7&start=2399&end=2635","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3292798-4c633465931475ec31ee3193888f26b7/thumbnail_2399000.jpg","/articles/6060255/Union-County/North-Carolina/Union-County-epidemiology-update-rhinovirus-high-measles-outbreak-largely-out-of-state-no-local-H5N1-deaths-reported","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6060255-1db907aff0a58161034d84b93459ba8c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775955728&Signature=nDzWZDsPGHShUNmkl9h6ylJjxCEoP38XDjKgOOYIlr6hfyNIMBTR-it~VTPybB2nlY7oZj5sKSCWrUj66SnULvnbo1t7O65GzUxxV7Qoy8ZYXavgWNA0PUeoXjyHZVgeSvZ7S7Y~VGU~UjfVHZVj0DpZB9cqxzQPnp8KnZ5Ap3MX~zsNXhA0r5EfjMGUMps9jrNxeXGscch1P0pxlYY6GFlQz8SI0Jv~2EBdYde9rE~aA5wFYDk1e-js3kP1-lWKhVQO7Q9HRt6eIvvMxjHw-SoKCSvEgE8cLZwLfwjoknz3puO2ziXFLsacbzpXg71BE5eP9Dx8lAnPE-0X3mASZg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Megan (epidemiology staff) briefed the Consolidated Human Services Board on infectious‑disease trends, including high rhinovirus/enterovirus activity, the national measles outbreak and local tuberculosis treatment outcomes.

The nut graf: The update said common cold viruses (rhinovirus/enterovirus) are elevated nationally and locally, more than 1,000 measles cases have been reported across 31 states with no confirmed North Carolina cases, and local TB case management has reduced active cases from six completing therapy to two active cases in treatment.

Megan said rhinovirus and enterovirus activity remains high and typically peaks in mid‑May before decreasing through the summer. She noted that when global adenovirus activity rises, it can produce imported cases and local outbreaks; Union County surveillance had not identified domestic viral clusters requiring special measures.

On measles, Megan reported \"over a thousand cases since the beginning of the year reported by 31 states,\" with the closest reports in Tennessee and Georgia; 96 percent of those infected were unvaccinated, 13 percent of reported cases were hospitalized (mostly children under age 5), and there have been three confirmed deaths nationally. At the time of the update there were no confirmed measles cases in North Carolina.

Megan also provided an H5N1 update, stating there were no additional human deaths and no significant changes in the national picture since the last report. On wastewater surveillance (PAWS), staff said the county paused that monitoring effort, which had been done in partnership with the University of North Carolina at Charlotte to track SARS‑CoV‑2 levels.

On tuberculosis, Megan reported that six active cases completed therapy and the county had two active TB cases currently on treatment. For latent TB infection (LTBI) evaluations, staff noted some cases were classified \"treatment not indicated\" because prior evaluation showed patients already completed LTBI therapy.

Ending: Megan said the department is preparing toolkits and exercises for potential outbreak responses, continues immunization outreach (including back‑to‑school planning) and will keep partners engaged for rapid response if cases appear in the state or county.","Epidemiology staff reported elevated rhinovirus/enterovirus activity, a national measles outbreak with no confirmed North Carolina cases, paused wastewater COVID surveillance, and tuberculosis treatment progress locally.",{"_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},6060260,"Board approves Union County public health clinical fee schedule changes; dental fees set for 5% increase",310,2867000,3177000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3292798-4c633465931475ec31ee3193888f26b7&start=2867&end=3177","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3292798-4c633465931475ec31ee3193888f26b7/thumbnail_2867000.jpg","/articles/6060260/Union-County/North-Carolina/Board-approves-Union-County-public-health-clinical-fee-schedule-changes-dental-fees-set-for-5-increase","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6060260-30a1740b81136aa5f863a56974b3cda6/orig.mp4?Expires=1775955728&Signature=BjY2CPg9bmK9MdqAhtWhP-hKqbrJR82SVdsV2Rz55b28ex1D52vEJ0VMoSTq6yAtKUGzhN1Ck7EB-kEQIDwjPD~bBMDPhTYK1sJzKFJnBxyKFUFoHLu3DnrQjRTnXoAoLr85FqY7CTHZ-B5o16A6iqG6h9WkJp10TY-mmFt395gT93Zk5oVxcS6J0u6Kvlw~Iv5Nk5rSNcBTOXNI14nDW5V~wLEYkHH3Wt5dtwL~HBCtE3jgFpdo0L~iWRV0qHkIC6rV-m-Ri6SjS7lKCb9vOgwlS0h2OwyVUUrSluvv5urhyYFLJNRJxkfsxTHZYi4D7yIhut83wFOa5LoPJRZATQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Union County\u0000public health staff presented a proposed update to the department\u0000\u0000clinical fee schedule and the Consolidated Human Services Board voted to approve the recommended fees, sending them to the Board of County Commissioners for formal adoption into the county budget.

The nut graf: The board approved 61 clinical fees (13 new fees and 48 adjusted fees tied to updated Medicaid rates) and an additional set of 89 dental fees; staff proposed a 5 percent increase on dental fees to offset inflationary cost pressures.

Tracy (absent; staff coverage by Ashley Burch) and Ashley Burch (public health staff) explained the fee‑setting methodology: for most items the department recommends the Medicaid‑approved reimbursement rate plus a 30 percent overhead allowance to cover administrative costs (staff time to write orders, nursing and lab costs, facility overhead). The packet presented to the board contains 61 clinical fees: 13 new items (12 of which use Medicaid rate + 30 percent) and 48 existing items being updated because Medicaid reimbursement rates changed. An additional 89 dental fees (presented at the meeting) were listed for annual review, with a proposed 5 percent increase.

Board members asked about the financial risk if Medicaid or commercial reimbursements do not cover the department's costs. Ashley Burch said the county operational budget would cover any shortfall and staff monitor fees during the year to flag problems; the department would return to the board if midyear adjustments were required.

Staff noted one item, a celiac‑antibodies profile, that lacked an approved Medicaid rate; for that test the recommended fee uses the approved commercial rate plus 30 percent. The presenter read the recommended amount for that test as $1,316.60 and told the board she would confirm final pricing if the lab cost proves higher than expected.

A board member moved to approve the fee schedule, another seconded, and the motion passed with no opposition. The approvals will be forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners to adopt as part of the county budget.

Ending: Staff said updated, formatted fee schedules will be included in budget materials to the Board of County Commissioners and confirmed they will track any out‑of‑cycle issues if departmental costs exceed reimbursements.","The Consolidated Human Services Board approved a set of clinical service fees (61 clinical fees plus an annual dental fee schedule) that the county will forward to the Board of County Commissioners for adoption into the budget. Staff described the Medicaid‑plus‑30% methodology and called out one test with no Medicaid rate.",{"_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},6060265,"Union County health staff report rising housing need, continuing mental‑health and substance‑use efforts",1415,331000,1746000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3292798-4c633465931475ec31ee3193888f26b7&start=331&end=1746","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3292798-4c633465931475ec31ee3193888f26b7/thumbnail_331000.jpg","/articles/6060265/Union-County/North-Carolina/Union-County-health-staff-report-rising-housing-need-continuing-mentalhealth-and-substanceuse-efforts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6060265-5f5198893a76046a03bd98911c83535f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775955728&Signature=Zvl7NIiVr4ZWgTb9nyLImunQgvLgyAlPR1q6j1P2ucUQdnksMKdWLQx5cRfEt9RAx2mjCC5NWBB8Lh3z0Lj7pJnO8ur2R0hOMOibPb7h4ZV4aw6aARgXJwlYhUtCJtJ6dQjdT6BxW3cUuR6K0U87mgYwTwUW~QKWiYGP64~OQlckxToZVfAbxEFxN4S5dmhQi94HA0pPt4nyzZrY9ciTJbBxFzXa4e4ptNCm2w5EI3-g3Dx3Sg-D5emwXZq9EwXQnbkPwLPn9iinu0JKJ1Nd9pDcShn5ZVKTpnNYTsgPxvg6VHE5ESmFrchZL9FmyAT7WzkGQZJVBiHBAiVRK0vuuw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Union County public health staff presented the county\u0000\u0000State of the County Health Report for 2024 at the Consolidated Human Services Board meeting, identifying affordable housing and homelessness, mental health, and substance‑use disorder as the top priority areas.

The report, presented by Stephanie (public health staff), summarized results from the county\u0000\u0000community health improvement plan (CHIP) and said the county\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000vision statement for housing is “All people in Union County have access to safe, healthy, and affordable housing.” The report includes indicators for wages needed to afford a two‑bedroom unit, cost‑burdened renters and homeowners, and an estimate of people experiencing homelessness pulled from local shelter counts, school system reports and other partners.

The nut graf: The presentation flagged a widening gap between wages and local rents, very low rental vacancy rates, and rising demand for shelter services, while also outlining ongoing county efforts to reduce harms from substance use and expand mental‑health services.

On housing, Stephanie said rental vacancies in the county are below 5 percent and that available units are generally not affordable. She described demand pressures and barriers including rising rents, stagnant wages, poor credit histories among some seekers, and shelter wait lists of \"about 2 or 3 months\" for family placements and shorter waits for single men and women. The presentation noted the county hosted an affordable housing symposium in early 2024 and cited local efforts with municipal partners and organizations such as Pride Union to explore zoning and incentive strategies.

On mental health, the report noted reductions in emergency department visits for children (age 0–17) for suicidal ideation and related visits, described school‑based behavioral health collaborative gains (a 19 percent increase in parental involvement and a 10 percent increase in services provided), and reported 77 residents completed Mental Health First Aid training in the period covered. Stephanie described an active Mental Health Solutions Team that meets every other month and the collaborative role of Atrium and other providers.

On substance use, staff described the substance use disorder task force and the county\u0000\u0000opioid settlement work groups. The report said opioid emergency‑department visits and overdose indicators have declined in recent reporting years; the county distributed 976 naloxone kits in 2024 and has provided kits to the sheriff\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000office, EMS and other partners. The family treatment court, supported by opioid settlement funds, began in March and \"has treated over 40 participants\" as of the end of the year, the presenter said.

The presentation also listed other public health initiatives: a child behavioral health clinic in the public health setting (a collaborative care model with NCPOW and AHEC), a Reach Out and Read literacy program for children 0–5, a FastTrack no‑cost STI screening started in February 2024 for asymptomatic patients, and environmental health work including a Clean Classrooms program and lead/asbestos mitigation support for schools and licensed child‑care facilities.

Board members asked about potential developer incentives, zoning tools and state regulatory hurdles to produce more affordable housing. The presenter and other staff discussed the possibility of drafting recommendations for the Board of County Commissioners to consider when subdivisions and new developments are proposed.

Ending: Staff said the draft report has been submitted to the state and staff expect final approval; when approved the county will publish a formatted version and distribute it with communications staff for broader community access.","Public health staff presented the 2024 State of the County Health Report, highlighting affordable housing and homelessness, children’s and adult mental health, and substance‑use disorder work including naloxone distribution and opioid settlement programs.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board recommends Earl Ford for reappointment to consolidated human services board

Union County epidemiology update: rhinovirus high, measles outbreak largely out of state, no local H5N1 deaths reported

Board approves Union County public health clinical fee schedule changes; dental fees set for 5% increase

Union County health staff report rising housing need, continuing mental‑health and substance‑use efforts