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March 20, 2006 - Regular Meeting Page 540 Hearing Notice was published in THE INDEPENDENT TRIBUNE on March 5 and 10, 2006. There was no one present to address the Board, and Chairman Carruth closed the public hearing. Ms. Sifford responded to questions about the eligibility requirements for participation in the HOME Program and commented on the availability of other rehabilitation programs such as the Weatherization Program and the HARRP Program (Heating Air Repair and Replacement Program) . (G-2) Annual Report for the Adult Care and Nursing Home Community Advisory Committees Hillary Kaylor, Regional Ombudsman with the Area Agency on Aging, presented the Annual Report for the Adult Care and Nursing Home Community Advisory Committees. She expressed appreciation for the Board I s assistance with the situation involving the closing of Concord Retirement Center in August 2005. She stated changes for monitoring the performance of adult care homes were effective January 1, 2006. Also, Ms. Kaylor reported on the 1009- term care facilities in Cabarrus County during the past year and stated the need for additional appointments to the two advisory committees. Ms. Kaylor was asked to explain the difference between nursing homes and adult care homes. She also responded to questions about the placement of young mentally disabled persons in adult care homes and what can be done to strengthen the laws governing the long-term care homes. vice Chairman Juba thanked Ms. Kaylor and the other volunteers for being an advocate for the older adult population. commissioner Carpenter reported Board members would be meeting with the local legislative delegation in May. She offered to present the Advisory Committee's annual goals to the Legislators at that time. (G-3) Hispanic/Latino Mental Health Services Needs Assessment Liz Jordak, Executive Director of the Mental Health Association of Central Carolinas, Inc., presented the results of the January 2006 "Hispanic/Latino Mental Health Services Needs Assessment" that was conducted by the Association. The Research Question for the Assessment was "What are the unmet mental health services needs of the Hispanic/Latino community in Mecklenburg and Cabarrus Counties?" The Needs Assessment identified the following six major areas of concern: (1) How community members understand mental health problems; (2) How community members experience emotional or mental problems found uniquely in Hispanic/Latino cultures; (3) Where family members seek help for emotional and mental problems; (4) How community members encounter barriers in accessing mental health services; (5) How immigrants who are members of the community often experience the negative consequences of trauma; and (6) How community members experience family disruption/ dislocation. Ms. Jordak reported several important findings were identified, including the following: (1) a strong need for culturally appropriate education and information efforts about mental health concepts and therapies; (2) service providers to develop culturally appropriate services; and (3) educate community physicians and religious practitioners on the mental health issues faced by the Hispanic/Latino community. Also, she said the following barriers for accessing mental health services had been identified: (1) High financial costs; (2) Mistrust of psychologists and other mental health professionals; (3) Concerns about confidentiality; (4) Fear of the Immigration and Naturalization Services (INS) department; and (5) Language barriers/difficulties. On a separate note, MS. Jordak was asked to provide a brief update on housing opportunities for mentally ill persons. She reported the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) had approved the application for two new group homes and said one should open later this summer. (G-4) Approval of Applications for Designation of Voluntary and Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural Districts In the Voluntary Agricultural District Ordinance No. 2005-20, Article XIV County Land-Use Planning, Section C Growth Corridors, it states that Trin areas of designated growth, agricultural districts will not be permitted in these growth areas without the approval of the Board of Commissioners. II