Title
Vote to confirm selection of Commissioner Karen Howard to a Nominating Committee and also the nomination of Health Director Layton Long to serve on a new Board of Directors for Cardinal Innovations
Abstract
Action Requested: Confirm the following actions:
• Recommend Commissioner Karen Howard to serve on the Nominating Committee in charge of selecting new members of the Board of Directors
• Submit the nomination of Health Director Layton Long for the Cardinal Innovations Board of Directors
Introduction & Background: On Monday, November 27, 2017, the N.C Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) temporarily assumed leadership of Cardinal Innovations, an LME-MCO authorized under state law to provide essential behavioral services using public funds. DHHS has taken over responsibility for all LME functions.
In addition to temporarily assuming control of the organization, the department has revoked Cardinal’s alternative board structure, necessitating a reconstituting of the board. DHHS and County Commissioners in the Cardinal catchment area will appoint new board members in compliance with the statutory requirements of N.C. G.S. 122C-118.1. To stabilize Cardinal and begin the process of restoring public trust in the organization, DHHS has asked that new board members be appointed by December 15.
The County Boards of Commissioners have primary authority for appointing members of the new Cardinal board. To simplify the task, DHHS and the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) worked together to develop a streamlined process that will allow all counties to participate while meeting the very specific statutory requirements for board composition.
This streamlined process is outlined below.
Nominating Committee
Each board of county commissioners in the 20 county Cardinal catchment area were asked to select ONE county commissioner to serve on a Nominating Committee. We had to forward this name no later than December 8, 2017. Commissioner Karen Howard has served on the regional Advisory Board for Cardinal for nearly three years and is very familiar with the issues leading up to Cardinal Innovations’ temporary takeover by DHHS. She agreed to serve on the Nominating Committee.
Cardinal Board Nominations
We were asked to submit a nominee for the service on the Board of Directors no later than December 11, 2017. Those interested in serving on the Cardinal Board should submit a resume, cover letter and up to three letters of support to boardnominations@ncacc.org by Monday, December 11, 2017. The nominees do not have to be county commissioner.
Health Director Layton Long volunteered to be the county’s nominee to the Board of Directors. Over the past three years, he has been heavily involved in the county’s effort to secure better mental health services through Cardinal Innovations and our local community provider. Under his leadership, the Health Department formed a community partnership, the Chatham Health Alliance, which includes a major focus on access to mental health services. This committee has already accomplished several major projects around public awareness of services and opioid abuse education. Finally, his role as Health Director will bring an inclusive perspective of wellness: treating the whole person.
Discussion & Analysis: Due to the fast deadline, Debra Henzey polled the Board of Commissioners individually by phone. We have submitted Commissioner Karen Howard’s name as the representative for the Nominating Committee. We also have submitted all required paperwork for Layton Long’s nomination to the Cardinal Innovations Board of Directors.
Budgetary Impact: N/A
Recommendation: Vote to confirm the following actions:
• Recommend Commissioner Karen Howard to serve on the Nominating Committee in charge of selecting new members of the Board of Directors
• Submit the nomination of Health Director Layton Long for the Cardinal Innovations Board of Directors