Robert Hiett
Executive Director
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Creating Regional Solutions Since 1971 | |
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Most Growth in Triangle and along NC's Coast
The 2022 Population Estimates show that the population of North Carolina grew by 1.3% between July 1st 2021 and July 1st 2022. Among North Carolina’s 100 counties, 74 experienced population growth. The majority of counties grew from people moving in (migration) rather than from having more births than deaths, which is what demographers call natural increase.
74 counties grew between July 2021 and July 2022
North Carolina overall grew by an estimated 1.3% between July 1st 2021 and July 1st 2022. Twenty-five of North Carolina’s counties grew on par with or faster than North Carolina overall. The counties with the highest levels of growth were concentrated in the Triangle area and on the coast. The fastest estimated population growth was seen in Brunswick County (5.7%) followed by Currituck (4.4%), Pender (4.2%), Franklin (3.8%), and Lincoln (3.6%).
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How Does the New ‘Urban Area’ Definition Affect North Carolina?
In January, we posted a blog by Dr. Mike Cline, the NC State Demographer, “Making Sense of the New ‘Urban Area’ Definitions” in which he addressed the changes to how the Census Bureau defines urban areas. This post details the implications of the definition changes and the changing urban-rural composition of North Carolina’s population in general.
First, what do urban and rural mean?
To recap, before 2020, the Census Bureau’s definition of urban was based solely on population density. An area was defined as urban if it had a minimum of 2,500 residents. Any area with less than 2,500 residents was classified as rural.
In 2020, the Census Bureau made three changes to how it defines urban:
- Increased the minimum population threshold from 2,500 (in place since 1910) to 5,000 residents.
- Added housing unit density (2,000 housing units) as an alternative criterion.
- No longer made distinctions between different types of urban areas.
In other words, to meet the new urban criteria, an area must have either 5,000 residents or 2,000 housing units. All other areas are classified as rural.
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Greater Rocky Mount, Greenville, & Wilson Area Regional Transit Plan
North Carolina has experienced significant population growth in the last decade and this growth is impacting where, how, and why people travel around the state. The goal of the Greater Rocky Mount, Greenville, & Wilson Area Regional Transit Plan (RTP) is to plan for public transportation needs in a consistent and coordinated manner for the diverse population included in the ten counties of the Greater Rocky Mount, Greenville, & Wilson Area Coordinated Region.
Link to survey:
Regional Transit Plan | Greater Rocky Mount, Greenville, & Wilson AreaOnline Survey (surveymonkey.com)
The Greater Rocky Mount, Greenville, & Wilson Area Coordinated Region covers ten counties:
- Beaufort
- Bertie
- Edgecombe
- Halifax
- Herford
- Martin
- Nash
- Northampton
- Pitt
- Wilson
The Regional Transit Plan will analyze population and demographic data, travel trends, current transit services, as well as prior policies and plans to complete a regional assessment.
To augment the data analysis, public and stakeholder engagement activities will include stakeholder interviews, discussion groups, public meetings, and a virtual room housing various project details. A Coordinating Committee, with representatives from each county, will oversee the project’s engagement process.
Once the needs of the community are understood, a set of potential transportation solutions will be developed. The prospective solutions will be evaluated and prioritized into a five-year plan. A financial plan will also be developed.
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Respond to Regional Food System
Survey for Local Governments
As one of North Carolina’s top industries that brought in $93 billion dollars to the state’s economy in 2020 and was responsible for 17.5 percent of the state’s total jobs, agriculture and associated industries are essential in our economic plans. The Upper Coastal Plain, Kerr-Tar, and Triangle J Councils of Governments have identified regional food system development as a key strategy in our regions to help drive economic development. This three COG partnership promotes rural-urban connectivity, explores strategies to circulate more money in the local economy and build on farm and food business retention and expansion efforts to increase the economic vitality, equity and resilience of our region. As partners in this work, it is integral to hear from you and your colleagues about your experience and interest in food system development in your community by answering this short ten question survey.
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Funding Opportunites and Resources | |
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Inaugural Southeast Crescent Regional Commission
Grant Program
The Notice of Funding Availability for the Southeast Crescent Regional Commission State Economic and Infrastructure Development (SEID) Grant Program is live at https://scrc.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/SCRC-SEID-Grant-NOFA-06082023-release.pdf. This program has been developed to fund projects that meet the following investment priorities:
- Invest in Critical Infrastructure
- Improve Health and Support Services Access and Outcomes
- Strengthen Workforce Capacity
- Foster Entrepreneurial and Business Development Activities
- Expand Affordable Housing Stock and Access
- Promote Environmental, Conservation, Preservation and Access
This inaugural grant cycle will fund projects that revitalize and transform communities in the 69 NC counites. To learn more about SCRC’s grant program please click on this link https://scrc.gov/state-economic-and-infrastructure-development-seid-grant-program/. Important dates to remember: Pre-Application Due – July 21, 2023, and Full Applications due – September 15, 2023. Please note, pre-applications are REQUIRED.
Background: The Southeast Crescent Regional Commission (SCRC) is a federal-state partnership authorized by Congress in the 2008 Food, Conservation, and Energy Act (“the Farm Bill”) to promote and encourage economic development in parts of Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and all of Florida. SCRC invests in projects that support basic infrastructure, business development, natural resource preservation and workforce development. SCRC is committed to supporting job creation, building communities, and improving the lives of those who reside in the 428 counties of the seven-state region. The Commission leadership consists of a Senate-confirmed Federal Co-Chair (FCC) and the collective of Governors representing each state located within the SCRC footprint. The collective is led by a States’ Co-Chair, one Governor elected by majority vote of the Governors. Local participation is represented by 62 local development districts (LDDs).
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OUR TOWN: Program Description
The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) is proud to support the nation’s arts sector with grant opportunities so that together we can help everyone live more artful lives. “Artful lives” is an inclusive concept that holds everything from the creation, presentation, and consumption of professional arts to active arts engagement by all people in our daily experiences through making, teaching, learning, and advancing a broad range of art forms that express our nation’s rich and diverse cultural tapestry. The arts contribute to our individual well-being, the well-being of our communities, and to our local economies. As we emerge from the pandemic and plan for the future, the arts are also crucial to helping us make sense of our circumstances from different perspectives.
Our Town
Arts, culture, and design are essential to building strong communities where all people can thrive. Through Our Town, the NEA is proud to support creative placemaking projects that integrate arts, culture, and design into local efforts that strengthen communities over the long-term. The program demonstrates the ways in which artists, culture bearers, and designers can help to:
- Bring new attention to or elevate key community assets and issues, voices of residents, local history, or civic infrastructure;
- Inject new or additional energy, resources, activity, people, or enthusiasm into a place, community issue, or local economy;
- Envision new possibilities for a community or place—a new future, a way of approaching a new opportunity, overcoming a challenge, or problem-solving;
- Connect communities, people, places, and economic opportunity through physical spaces or new partnerships and relationships; or
- Honor traditions shaped by the lived experience of a community’s residents, such as music, dance, design, crafts, fashion, cuisine, and oral expression.
Our Town projects engage a wide range of local stakeholders in efforts to advance local economic, physical, or social outcomes in communities. Competitive projects are responsive to unique local conditions, authentically engage communities, advance artful lives, and lay the groundwork for long-term systems change. (Systems changes can include, for example: establishment of new and sustained cross-sector partnerships; shifts in institutional structure, practices or policies; replication or scaling of innovative project models; or establishment of training programs).
The program requires applicants to demonstrate committed leadership from the local level and evidence of a diverse group of local stakeholders engaged in the proposed project. Applicants must demonstrate a required partnership in order to be eligible to apply for funding.
We welcome applications from a variety of eligible organizations, including first-time applicants; from organizations serving communities of all sizes, including rural, urban, and tribal communities; and from organizations with small, medium, or large operating budgets. The Our Town program funds projects that aim to strengthen communities, and activities may engage any artistic discipline(s).
Grants range from $25,000 to $150,000, with a minimum nonfederal cost share/match equal to the grant amount.
Projects
Our Town projects must demonstrate a specific role for arts, culture, and design as part of strategies for strengthening local communities, ultimately centering equity and laying the groundwork for long-term systems change tailored to community needs and opportunities.
Our Town projects are intended to be catalytic. Projects may support new activities, or new phases of a previously funded or ongoing project, as well as establish new or deepen existing cross-sector partnerships. Projects may work to advance a specific local economic, physical, or social change. Or, a project may aim to address systems change directly.
Projects may include activities such as:
- Artist residencies; arts festivals; community co-creation of art; performances; and public art. These activities may honor traditions and customs shaped by the lived experiences of a community’s residents.
- Cultural planning; cultural district planning; creative asset mapping; and public art planning.
- Artist/designer-facilitated community planning; design of artist spaces; design of cultural facilities; and public space design.
- Creative business development and professional artist development.
For more information, review the list of recently funded Our Town grants.
Competitive Projects
Competitive projects will:
- Demonstrate a specific role for the arts, culture, and design to strengthen the local community.
- Pilot new arts, culture, and design activities that are led by a diverse range of local partners.
- Establish new or deepen existing cross-sector partnerships.
- Advance inclusive community engagement and community-desired outcomes for a place.
- Lay the groundwork for long-term systems change that sustains the integration of arts, culture, and design into strategies for strengthening communities over the long term.
- Demonstrate alignment with the NEA’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.
For Fiscal Year 2024, we are particularly interested in arts, culture, or design projects that address health or well-being, transportation or infrastructure, or climate-related challenges within a community. View past Our Town projects that address these fields.
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Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant Program FY23 Notice of Funding Opportunity
SUMMARY
The purpose of this notice is to solicit applications for Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grants. Funds for the fiscal year (FY) 2023 SS4A grant program are to be awarded on a competitive basis to support planning, infrastructure, behavioral, and operational initiatives to prevent death and serious injury on roads and streets involving all roadway users, including pedestrians; bicyclists; public transportation, personal conveyance, and micromobility users; motorists; and commercial vehicle operators.
Applications must be submitted by 5:00 PM EDT on Monday, July 10, 2023. Late applications will not be accepted.
For more information on the SS4A grant program please see the following link:
https://www.transportation.gov/grants/SS4A
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Upcoming Environmental Justice Funding Opportunities
Environmental Justice Funding Opportunities
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plans to invest 40 million dollars into Environmental Justice (EJ) grants across the country. The EPA’s funding opportunities are expected to award non-profits with grants ranging from $100,000-$500,000 and US Territories, local governments, and federally recognized tribal government with access to $20 million in funding through the State Environmental Justice Cooperative Agreement (SEJCA) Program. $50 million is dedicated to the creation of Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers (EJ TCTAC), one-stop-shops dedicated to supporting environmental justice initiatives in under-served communities.
A 14 minute presentation from the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality covering these funding opportunities can be found here.
Other Resources
· EPA’s Office of Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Center
· EPA Grants
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Overview
The State of North Carolina provided funds to the Golden LEAF Foundation to award funds to units of local government for public infrastructure projects for flood mitigation.
Award Amount
Up to $250,000 may be awarded per project.
Eligible Entities
Funds may only be awarded to units of local government. Local governments from all 100 counties are eligible. For purposes of this program, units of local governments include counties and cities and their boards, agencies, commissions, authorities, and institutions.
Eligible Projects
- Construction of new or improvement of existing publicly owned stormwater infrastructure, including natural drainage infrastructure and flood control equipment.
- Repair of existing stormwater infrastructure damaged or destroyed by flooding, which must include improvements to mitigate against future flooding.
- Engineering expenses related to planning and development of flood mitigation solutions.
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The NCDOT Integrated Mobility Division (IMD) and the Transportation Planning Division created an annual matching grant program – the Multimodal Planning Grant Program (MMPG) – to encourage municipalities to develop comprehensive bicycle plans and pedestrian plans. This program was initiated in January 2004 and is currently administered through NCDOT-IMD.
The Multimodal Planning Program has been successful in its 20 grant cycles - since 2004, 254 planning grants have been awarded. To date, a total of approximately $8 million has been allocated to 248 municipalities and 6 counties through this grant program.
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EDA accepting applications to support public planning and construction/renovation projects that advance job creation and economic development
The Economic Development Administration is a federal agency that provides grant funds to support a range of construction and non-construction activities which will advance economic development and enhance the competitive environment in which jobs can be created and private investment leveraged. Public entities, or nonprofit entities working in collaboration with local governments, looking for support to construct or renovate public assets, or to conduct analysis or regional technical assistance programs with clear economic development outcomes should consider EDA’s grant programs. EDA currently has a range of programs available. For further information, please go to https://eda.gov/funding-opportunities/.
North Carolina applicants are also encouraged to reach out to the NC EDA representative, Hillary Sherman at hsherman@eda.gov to discuss program requirements and processes and alignment with potential projects.
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$4.5 Million STEM Talent Challenge Funding Opportunity
Launched to Build a Robust STEM Talent Workforce for Emerging and Transformative Innovation Sectors
EDA is now accepting applications for its STEM Talent Challenge to support programs to train science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) talent and fuel regional innovation economies across the nation.
The $4.5 million competition will provide funding for programs that help build a robust STEM workforce in emerging and transformative sectors such as aerospace, aeronautics, biotechnology, advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, among others.
Read more in today’s blog post.
Competitive applications will demonstrate how the program will develop or expand regional STEM workforce capacity to support entrepreneurial ventures, industries of the future, and other innovation-driven businesses.
Eligible applicants include cities, counties, states, other political subdivisions of states, and Tribal Nations; as well as non-profit organizations, public-private partnerships, federal laboratories or science/research parks, institutions of higher education, Economic Development Organizations, and consortia of the aforementioned with government support.
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PROTECT
Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-Saving Transportation (PROTECT) Discretionary Grant Program Notice of Funding Opportunity
Summary
The vision of the PROTECT Discretionary Grant Program is to fund projects that address the climate crisis by improving the resilience of the surface transportation system, including highways, public transportation, ports, and intercity passenger rail. Projects selected under this program should be grounded in the best available scientific understanding of climate change risks, impacts, and vulnerabilities. They should support the continued operation or rapid recovery of crucial local, regional, or national surface transportation facilities. Furthermore, selected projects should utilize innovative and collaborative approaches to risk reduction, including the use of natural infrastructure, which is explicitly eligible under the program.
The NOFO can be found on grants.gov at: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=347585.
More information on this NOFO and the PROTECT Program can be found at: https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/protect/discretionary.
Applicant questions should be directed to: PROTECTdiscretionary@dot.gov
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Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant Program NOFO
Summary:
The purpose of this notice is to solicit applications for grants totaling of up to $700 million under the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant Program (CFI Program), established under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (“Bipartisan Infrastructure Law” or “BIL”). The $700 million is divided into two separate grant categories: (1) up to $350 million for the Community Charging and Fueling Program Grants (Community Program), to strategically deploy electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, hydrogen fueling infrastructure, propane fueling infrastructure, and natural gas fueling infrastructure located on public roads or in other publicly accessible locations; and (2) up to $350 million for the Alternative Fuel Corridor Grants (Corridor Program), to strategically deploy charging and alternative fueling infrastructure located along designated alternative fuel corridors.
Click here to view the NOFO.
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Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program
Notice of Funding Opportunity
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) created the Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program, which makes $10 million available over five years to provide states, local governments, and tribal governments with grants to support project development leading to future applications to DOT credit or grant programs. The grants can support legal, technical, and financial advisors to help them advance infrastructure projects. The first notice of funding opportunity will include two fiscal years and will make $3.4 million available to eligible applicants on a first-come, first-served basis. Eligible project sponsors may receive grant funds to select advisors to assist with pre- development-phase activities, including:
• feasibility studies
• project planning
• revenue forecasting and funding and financing options analyses
• preliminary engineering and design work
• environmental review
• economic assessments and cost-benefit analyses
• public benefits studies
• statutory and regulatory framework analyses
• value-for-money (VFM) studies
• evaluations of costs to sustain the project
• evaluation opportunities for private financing and project bundling
The online application window will open from August 14 until September 27, 2023. For more information click on the following link:
https://www.transportation.gov/buildamerica/RuralandTribalGrants
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Governor Roy Cooper has developed a comprehensive strategy to build digital equity
across North Carolina, and the NCDIT Division of Broadband and Digital Equity is
executing that strategy to ensure that all North Carolinians have access to an affordable,
high-speed internet connection and have the devices and skills necessary to participate in
the modern digital economy.
The Digital Equity Survey focuses on the accessibility and affordability of digital devices
and the internet as well as digital skills needed to safely access online resources. Your
response will help ensure that we create an effective and comprehensive state digital
equity plan that addresses the digital equity needs of all North Carolinians.
The survey will take approximately 10 minutes to complete. All responses will be
automatically captured as you work through the survey. No data will be released or used
that can identify participants. Participation is voluntary; you may choose not to answer any
or all questions and may stop at any time.
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Across the U.S., there has been dramatic growth in solar over the past decade. According the Solar Market Insight Report, there are now more than 140 gigawatts of installed solar capacity, enough to power 25 million American homes. More than half of the new electricity generation built in 2022 was solar! Over the next 10 years, the industry is expected to grow by more than 5 times, reaching an installed capacity of more than 700 gigawatts by 2033.
As solar continues to grow, communities can expect to see an increasing number of proposed solar projects of all kinds, including rooftop solar, ground-mounted solar, community solar and utility-scale solar, as well as combinations of technologies including solar plus batteries and solar-powered electric vehicle charging. There are also new incentives for solar, EVs and building electrification that were passed as part of the Inflation Reduction Act that will further encourage homeowners and businesses to pursue these technologies. (This IRA calculator is a great tool for homeowners who want to see how they can benefit from the IRA!).
Local governments can play an important role in helping to support solar and reduce costs for residents. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, more than 65% of the cost of a solar energy system is not related to the hardware. These “soft costs” including costs associated with permitting, interconnection, financing, customer acquisition, and more. When local governments take action to reduce permitting and inspection time, streamline inspections, educate local residents, improve financing options and support group purchase programs, they can help drive down solar costs.
SolSmart is a national program funded by the U.S. Department of Energy to recognize and support local governments that want to support solar in their communities. Local governments receive free technical assistance and can earn recognition (Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum levels) when they take action to encourage solar market growth. Since 2016, the program has helped nearly 500 communities earn designation. The SolSmart Program was recently extended to 2027 and expects to serve an additional 500 communities.
All cities, towns, counties and regional organizations are eligible to join SolSmart. If you are interested in SolSmart, visit www.SolSmart.org to learn more and click “Join SolSmart” to get started.
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The UNC School of Government's Community Economic Development program invites local governments to submit your development-related projects for free feasibility analysis by graduate students.
Past project examples include the analysis of the redevelopment potential of a historic former school, textile mill, and downtown building.
Under the supervision of UNC School of Government faculty and staff, students will conduct market research, feasibility analysis, and financial modeling to help communities understand how they can attract private investment into community revitalization projects across North Carolina.
In order to be considered for the fall semester, please submit your project idea by August 7th, 2023. For more information and to submit a project, visit this site: https://dfi.sog.unc.edu/projects/submit-community-revitalization-projects-for-grad-students/
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Need technical assistance? UNC Environmental Finance Center is here to help!
The UNC Environmental Finance Center offers free one-on-one technical assistance for small water systems. If you have an interest in our support, fill out our interest form here.
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ARP/CSLFRF Update
ARP OFFICE HOURS
Starting in May, we will continue to offer ARP BASICS once a month and also use other Office Hour sessions to spotlight more complex transactions (involving federal procurement, property management, program income, and subawards). More on that to come…
- Thursday, July 13, 12-1pm -- Focus on Program Income for Water/Wastewater Projects
- Thursday, July 20, 8:30-9:30am -- Focus on Procurement
- Friday, July 28, 12-1pm
ZOOM LOG IN
Here is the new Zoom Log in for all Office Hour Sessions:
https://zoom.us/j/95481909044?pwd=UlE2VHNhN2luS0JEYTJqeTZTMFRWdz09
Meeting ID: 954 8190 9044
Passcode: 779726
One tap mobile
+16469313860,,95481909044# US
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American Rescue Plan Act Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund: Preparing for the Audit
Published: 06/21/23
Author Name: Kara Millonzi
As detailed in previous posts, all NC counties and municipalities received federal grant funding from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recover Fund (ARP/CSLFRF). There are detailed expenditure guidelines, and compliance and reporting requirements for these grant funds. A local government’s auditor plays an important role in monitoring compliance with these requirements and flagging any issues during the annual audit process. Most NC local governments spent at least some of their ARP/CSLFRF funds this fiscal year, and it’s time to start preparing for the annual audit. The following is a summary of the ARP/CSLFRF grant and helpful resources for a local government and its auditor in preparing for this significant compliance check.
Brief Overview of ARP/CSLFRF
The ARP/CSLFRF is a federal grant program that provided funding to the state, counties, and municipalities for a mix of COVID-related and general government expenditures. Eligible projects are defined in four broad areas:
- Responding to COVID-19 and Its Negative Economic Impact
- Revenue Replacement
- Premium Pay
- Necessary Water, Wastewater, Stormwater, and Broadband Infrastructure
US Treasury has defined in detail what qualifies as lawful expenditures in each of these categories. And North Carolina local governments also must ensure that they have state law authority for the expenditures. (There are some expenditures authorized by the grant that are not authorized for NC local governments under state law.)
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Have you reviewed guidance and other resources and still have questions about getting started and administering your local ARPA funds? For technical assistance, please contact your Upper Coastal Plain Council Of Governments. We are here to help!
Betsy Kane, Senior Regional Planner, phone 252-234-5902
email: bkane@ucpcog.org
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Our partners at these Community Colleges of our Region are offering opportunities! We are happy to be part of this STEPS4Growth work group as Clean Energy was a focus. Now they are ready for you! Contact them today! | |
The United Health Foundation recently released the 2023 Senior Report, an annual review of the health of the nation’s older adults and a critical tool to help guide individuals, community leaders and policymakers to make decisions that are informed by reliable data. The report highlights successes and challenges older adults face in a broad range of health measures to help provide a portrait of the health and well-being of older adults throughout the United States. | |
Keep dancing' as research shows it helps those over 85 to stay healthy
by University of Leeds
Credit: University of Leeds
Regular dance sessions can benefit people over 85 by helping them be physically active, socialize, and reconnect with their younger selves, according to new research led by the University of Leeds.
The "Dance On" project was run by researchers from the University's School of Biomedical Sciences, along with One Dance UK, Yorkshire Dance and darts, Doncaster's participatory arts charity. It found that even people considered the "oldest old"—over 85—can benefit from regular dance classes to improve their well-being and mobility.
The classes, which took place across Leeds, Bradford and Doncaster, welcomed 685 people over the age of 55 to weekly dance classes over a 12-month period. With an average (mean) age of 75, more than a third of people who took part were from highly deprived communities.
Dr. Sarah Astill, Associate Professor in Motor Control in Leeds' School of Biomedical Sciences led the University research team. She said, "Physical inactivity is recognized as one of the main risk factors for non-infectious diseases and mortality. Over time there has been a decline in physical activity in older adults, and this is particularly apparent in people over 75 years of age. Opportunities to engage adults in physical activity are a global priority as they support healthy aging and slow progression of disease and disability."
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7 Ways to Care for Elderly Parents Who Live Far Away
BYLIZ SEEGERT
June 4, 2023 at 6:00 AM EDT
April Biggs lives in Milwaukee. She worries about her parents, who are both in their mid-70s, living in Jacksonville, Florida. Both have serious health issues and Biggs hopes to encourage them to get additional help when she can’t be there, so they can remain in their home.
“We’re at a point where they cannot really care well for themselves or each other,” she says.
Sound familiar? Biggs, 48, is one of the estimated 56 million unpaid family caregivers—and among the 11% who are long distance caregivers, defined as living an hour or more away from their loved one, according to AARP.
Her own serious health challenges make travel difficult, but Biggs recently had to make a trip south to help out her mom, who was discharged from a skilled nursing facility after extensive complications from hip surgery. Biggs said the health crisis also called attention to her dad’s difficulties with tasks like managing household finances and doing certain chores. Being there makes Biggs feel like she can be an advocate for her parents.
The most basic challenge is not knowing exactly what’s happening with your loved one, according to AARP’s family and caregiving expert Amy Goyer. “It’s hard keeping a handle on their health, how they’re doing, physically, mentally, psychologically and emotionally, when you’re not there,” she says.
“Isolation is a big thing and they can tell you, oh, I’m doing fine and everything on the phone, but is that really what’s happening,” Goyer says. Experts say several strategies can help ensure the safety of a loved one from afar.
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Monarch Provides Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Use Disorders in Nash County
Monarch is now providing Medication-Assisted Treatment for opioid use disorders at two locations in Nash County.
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) provides support for people struggling with addiction to opioids like heroin, fentanyl and/or prescription pain medications. Monarch uses the FDA-approved medication buprenorphine (Suboxone) in a safe, medically-supervised setting together with a comprehensive array of evidence-based therapies and support services to treat addiction and support successful recovery.
To Make a Referral
Primary care providers, hospitals and community agencies can refer patients to Monarch's MAT services in Nash County by emailing MATreferralsNash@monarchnc.org.
Open Access Walk-In Services Available
Individuals in need of treatment can access MAT services by walking into Monarch’s Behavioral Health Clinic in Rocky Mount during walk-in hours or visiting the Mobile Integrated Care Clinic in Bailey on scheduled clinic days.
Appointments Available
Appointments for MAT services are also available by calling (866) 272-7826.
Monarch’s Medication-Assisted Treatment Locations
Nash Behavioral Health Outpatient Office
809 Tiffany Blvd., Rocky Mount, NC 27804
Hours: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday to Friday. Walk In Clinic hours end at 3 p.m.
Monarch’s Mobile Integrated Care Clinic at Bailey Pharmacy
6311 Deans Street, Bailey, NC 27807
Hours: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Wednesdays, and alternating Thursdays and Fridays.
Visit MonarchNC.org/MobileClinic for schedule.
MAT services at Monarch’s Rocky Mount Behavioral Health Outpatient location are made possible through an opioid settlement services grant from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. Services at the Mobile Integrated Care Clinic are made possible in partnership with Trillium Health Resources.
www.MonarchNC.org (866) 272-7826
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The following course is the UNC School of Government’s flagship course, and it is now taking applications.
Municipal and County Administration
October 24, 2023-May 9, 2024
Chapel Hill | 32 Half-Day Sessions
Course Cost: $4,500
Applications close July 21, 2023
The School's flagship course has been available to North Carolina’s public officials since 1954 and has more than 3,700 alumni.
This comprehensive eight-month application program covers subject areas that include local government law, organization and management, finance and budgeting, public employment law, planning and regulation of development, and municipal and county services.
Who Should Apply:
City and county managers, department heads, and other city and county officials whose responsibilities require an understanding of functions beyond individual areas of specialization.
What You'll Learn:
· Legal framework and administrative requirements of North Carolina city and county government
· How city and county services are organized and provided
· Interrelation among different activities and/or departments
· Building a broader network of local government peers
This program will be held in person every other year. This year's offering will be the last in-person session until the 2024-25 program which will be completely virtual.
To view Scholarship Information and their selection criteria, please visit the course page.
Click here for the course page and apply.
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August 11, 2023 | Asheville
9:30am-4:30pm | Course Cost: $225
For Local Elected Officials and Managers
Developing a cohesive governing board takes discipline, practice, trust, and a set of skills to help navigate divergent challenges and opinions. Differences of opinion are built into our political system. How you handle dynamic situations and differences as individuals affect the productivity of the entire governing board. Effective governing boards learn to welcome and manage diverse convictions, opinions, and priorities.
Participants in the class will learn proven approaches for creating a group culture that builds trust forged from courage and candor. You will assess your own board’s governance culture and identify steps to improve your ability to work together.
What You'll Learn:
- Important dimensions of effective governance as a knowledgeable and effective public official
- Developing a “conscious culture” that respects fellow Board members and the professional staff.
- Understanding key elements of group behavior that, when shared, elevate everyone’s performance Click here to register for the course
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On-Demand Courses Available Now | Ethics and Newly Elected Leaders Bundle
Ethics for Elected Municipal Officials
The League's General Counsel Office has developed an online Ethics training for members that meets the state statutory requirements. This engaging, on-demand course offers insights into the laws and principles that govern conflicts of interest, ethical standards of conduct at the local government level, and provides enhanced issue-spotting analysis and reasoning skills.
Register Here
Want To Take Ethics As A Group?
The League is now offering the ability for members to take their Ethics training as a group. For example, if your full council would like to take the Ethics course together during a meeting, you can view it under one person's account, but each registered attendee present will receive credit. If you are interested, please email Grace Findley to make sure each participant receives full credit.
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121 W. Nash St. Wilson, NC 27893
252-234-5952
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