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Commissioners designate 'Children's Mental Health Awareness' week

Yadkin Ripple, The (Yadkinville, NC) - 4/24/2014

April 23--YADKINVILLE -- The Yadkin County commissioners approved a proclamation on Monday to designate May 4-10 as "Children's Mental Health Awareness Week." The proclamation states that "support for our youth as they grow and develop from cradle to career is essential to the success of children, families and the community" and that "mental health is essential to overall health and well-being."

The proclamation also states that according to the United States Department of Health and Human Services, "one in five children has a mental health disorder and one in 10 adolescents aged 9 to 17 have a serious mental illness."

According to the proclamation, the "Yadkin County Commissioners join with the mental health and community organizations in recognizing the need to raise awareness about children and mental health, commending those who work to support our youth."

In another decision relating to children, the commissioners also signed a joint resolution with the Yadkin County School Board in support of local control of school calendars.

According to the resolution, "state law has usurped local control by imposing a one-size-fits-all mandate on how school calendars are to be set."

A few of the complaints listed in the resolution relate to the fact that the current calendar does not allow for fall semester to be completed before winter break. The state mandated school calendar also affects the number of inclement weather days which can result in holidays, breaks and Saturdays being required for make-up days.

Also at Monday's meeting, the commissioners adopted a resolution of appreciation in honor of Purple Heart recipients.

The board also approved overtime pay for up to six eligibility specialists that work in the North Carolina Families Accessing Services Through Technology (NCFast) system where food stamps and medicaid are processed. Kim Harrell, director of human services, reported that while doing better than some larger counties in processing applications through NCFast, the system is still creating a backlog and the overtime work would allow the department to more efficiently help clients. Lapsed salaries due to vacancies and staff turnover will cover the cost of the overtime pay.

The next meeting of the Yadkin County commissioners will be on May 5 at 9 a.m.

Kitsey E. Burns can be reached at 336-679-2341 or on Twitter @RippleReporterK.

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(c)2014 The Yadkin Ripple (Yadkinville, N.C.)

Visit The Yadkin Ripple (Yadkinville, N.C.) at www.yadkinripple.com

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