The Orange County Board of County Commissioners met with the Carrboro Town Council last Thursday to hear presentations on joint project updates, federal funding changes and to discuss further opportunities for collaboration.
What’s new?
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Jody Smith, the assistant Orange County Public Library director, presented performance measures of the Drakeford Library Complex.
- As of March 27, the southern branch, the Drakeford Complex, had more visits and registered library cards than the main branch per month.
- Smith said the Carrboro Recreation, Parks and Cultural Resources Department is planning to host collaborative programs in Drakeford Library Complex.
- The community has had positive early reviews of the new branch, Smith said.
- Sharron Hinton, the human services manager for Orange County Department of Social Services, presented on the Skills Development/ NC Works Career Center within the library complex.
- The career center offers employment and training services, including services for adult/dislocated workers, employment training, hiring events, job search, resume assistance and tutoring.
- DSS also houses other available services within the library complex like food and nutrition service, Medicaid, child care and financial counseling.
- “I think it’s gonna be a win-win for most folks,” Hinton said.
- Travis Myren, the Orange County Manager kicked off the County Budget Update with a presentation about the effects of federal funding on the county.
- Myren said the county is on high alert about federal funding.
- He also said $20 million flows through or to county departments from the federal government. According to the presentation, here are some areas to watch closely: aging services, child support, housing, social services and transportation.
- Myren said the county received a stop work order from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.
- “We can put our heads together on some partnerships that might help serve residents better,” he said.
- Blake Rosser, the Orange County housing director gave a presentation on the Orange County Partnership to End Homelessness
- Some gaps that were filled by the partnership include diversion funding, the housing access coordinator position and accessible housing-focused shelter needs.
- Areas that are still being improved include rapid rehousing, housing helpline, domestic violence shelters, youth housing program, landlord incentives, housing locator and bridge housing.
- Remaining gaps in the partnership include permanent supportive housing, income-based housing, furniture and household goods, crisis diversion facility, integrated service center and medical respite beds.
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Caitlin Fenhagen, the County's Criminal Justice Resource Department director, gave a presentation on the expansion of the Crisis Assistance Response and Engagement team (CARE).
- "The really critical piece is this," she said. "The percentage of events that were diverted from an arrest or charge is 98 percent."
What’s next?
- The Orange County Board of County Commissioners will hold a business meeting on April 1 at 6 p.m.
- The Carrboro Town Council will also hold a meeting on April 1 at 6 p.m.
