Title
Vote to approve a contract with Monarch for $200,000 to establish an adult day program in Chatham County
Abstract
Introduction & Background: Monarch's mission is to provide hope, promote wellness, and empower individuals and families impacted by mental illness, substance use disorders, intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), and traumatic brain injury. A community needs assessment conducted in 2024 demonstrated a strong need for a day program for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) in Chatham County, with more than 70 individuals responding that either they or a family member would utilize such a service. In FY26, Chatham County allocated $200,000 in funding to support Monarch in establishing a day program in Chatham County. Monarch has secured a facility in Pittsboro for the program, which is slated to open in June 2026. This funding will be provided in four equal installments through FY27 as benchmarks are met. The program is expected to be financially self-sustaining, primarily through Medicaid reimbursement.
Discussion & Analysis: Day programs for adults with I/DD are supervised programs in a community group setting offered during the day to promote social, physical, and emotional well-being while helping adults build skills they can use in the community or at work. Monarch has extensive experience operating day programs in North Carolina and is committed to creating and operating such a program in Chatham County with start-up funding support from the County. A working group with Public Health, community members, Monarch, Chatham Trades, and Vaya has been meeting for nearly two years to develop this project, and this group has endorsed Monarch as the most appropriate agency to oversee this new program. Several families have already applied to participate in the program. Vaya has also provided start-up funding for this initiative.
How does this relate to the Comprehensive Plan: Aligns with plan goal "Foster a he...
Click here for full text