New Hanover County issued the following announcement on Sept. 3.
New Hanover County Board of Commissioners met with the Board of Education, law enforcement, and other community officials to discuss this week’s school shooting at New Hanover High School. The group discussed actionable measures to help prevent an incident like this in the future.
During the meeting, the Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a motion to allow the county manager to utilize a portion of the $350 million in county funds that were established through the sale of New Hanover Regional Medical Center for the purpose of dealing with a community crisis and emergency. The two county funds include a Revenue Stabilization Fund and a Mental and Behavioral Health Fund.
“These funds exist for the county to use in emergency situations and to support mental and behavioral health in the community,” said Board of Commissioners Chair Julia Olson-Boseman. “Not all $350 million will be utilized by any means, but we will use a portion of the funds to invest in strategic and deliberate ways with evidence-based programs and initiatives to make a real and meaningful difference. We will work together with our school system, Sheriff’s Office, court system, DA’s office, city, and other community partners to provide them with what they need to ensure the safety of our schools, but also address the violence among our youth. This is a community issue that has manifested itself in community violence; and we are united in working together to develop a plan that is proactive to help prevent violence from occurring, provide the right supports and intervention mechanisms needed, and ensure the safety of the children and families throughout our community.”
New Hanover County and the school system will work collaboratively with organizations and agencies in the county to begin developing an actionable plan to move forward, and will provide updates to the public as they are available.
Original source can be found here.
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