Commissioners approve MOU to develop community behavioral health implementation plan and coordinator position

The Rockingham County Board of Commissioners voted to authorize county staff to negotiate a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Reidsville Area Foundation and community partners to develop and implement a community behavioral health plan.

Dawn Sharaba, executive director of the Reidsville Area Foundation, presented a plan compiled by eight local funders and community partners after a Crescendo Consulting Group assessment. Sharaba said the work engaged 61 individuals from 37 organizations and produced 77 community-based strategies across five focus areas: advocacy, awareness, prevention, access to care and workforce. The plan includes strategy worksheets, quick-win options and longer-term projects; Sharaba said the groups used a prioritization matrix to rank strategies by impact, feasibility, population served and sustainability.

Sharaba said the foundation seeks a five-year collaborative funding model and asked the county to host a community plan coordinator position within the Department of Health and Human Services. "We are asking you, if you would be interested to partner for 5 years, to host the position within the Department of Health and Human Services. Estimated cost, 150 to 200,000 annually to support the position as well as start up," Sharaba said. She clarified the presentation did not request funding at the meeting but asked to begin an MOU process to define scope, develop a position description and draft a project budget; the group proposed returning in three to four months with a detailed plan and commitments from partner organizations.

Assistant County Manager Derek Southern told the board staff had met multiple times with Sharaba and supported housing the coordinator position within county administration to reach community partners; he said portions of county mental-health maintenance-of-effort funds (MOE) could be used and that the county planned to solicit additional partners and grant funding.

Commissioners discussed the request and asked staff and the foundation to return with a detailed budget and partner commitments. Sharaba said the UNC School of Medicine, working through the Rockingham County Health Collaborative, has committed $50,000 in initial support for integrated-health implementation and provider scholarships. Commissioner Barrow moved to approve pursuing the MOU and allow administration to seek other funding sources; Commissioner Richardson seconded. The board voted in favor.

The MOU will direct staff to draft a coordinator position description, scope of work and a project budget; the foundation and partners will continue outreach to other funders and agencies. The board did not authorize county funding at this meeting; any appropriation would be brought back for action after the partners present a detailed budget and commitments.