Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Human Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
County managers and human services directors outline CARE Team, EMS and social services funding options
Summary
At the May 21 budget work session, managers and human services directors discussed the CARE Team’s grant origins and split funding responsibilities, EMS billing and a county assistance fund, and efforts to expand off-site Social Services access as food and class costs rise.
Department leaders briefed the Orange County Board of Commissioners on several human-services items at the May 21 budget work session, including the CARE Team, EMS billing and assistance, aging services, library operations and Social Services outreach.
Travis Myren said the CARE Team began with a grant and has operated for two years; as grant funding ends, Chapel Hill is expected to fund clinicians and peer support specialists while the county funds community EMTs. The recommended budget does not assume adding an additional CARE Team and staff are exploring deployment and cost-sharing options with the Sheriff’s Office and Chapel Hill.
On EMS, Myren explained the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) rate is the baseline for Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement; counties may bill above that rate for uninsured patients. The county maintains a fund to help people pay EMS charges. Commissioners discussed how insurance reimbursements vary and how that variability informs rate-setting.
Janice Tyler, Director of the Department on Aging, told the Board that many classes are volunteer-run or grant-funded through the Central Pines Area Agency on Aging. She said the department expects to spend down part of its MAP balance and currently shows about $560,000 in remaining MAP funds but prefers to reserve roughly $400,000 to support the MAP planning work. Tyler noted a federal food box program may end Sept. 30, potentially shifting about 350 low‑income residents to congregate meal programs.
Lindsey Shewmaker, Director of Social Services, described efforts to create off-site application opportunities with partners such as the library and the Food Bank of Central and Eastern NC because fewer residents are coming into county buildings. She said staff are working to reach residents where they are and noted the childcare-subsidy caseload declined during the COVID‑19 pandemic.
Library Director Erin Sapienza said the system is open seven days a week (64 hours total) and that patrons can request materials between branches; the first-quarter courier volume between branches was 14,160 items. Commissioners asked departments to provide additional data—such as Medicaid population by township and unspent MAP balances—to inform budget decisions.
The Board asked staff to return with follow-up information on grant possibilities to sustain the CARE Team, possible use of leftover funds in the current year for CARE Team continuity, EMS fee structures and charity assistance, and clearer public reporting of budget amendments.
