TITLE
Title
CONTRACT APPROVAL FOR VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA CHESAPEAKE & THE CAROLINAS (VOACC)
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SPONSOR
Sponsor
Abby Banask, Manager of Special Projects
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BACKGROUND
Background
On August 1, 2024, the Board selected Volunteers of America Chesapeake & the Carolinas (VOACC) as the service provider for the Pregnant and Parenting Residential Recovery Services project. Over the past two years, Guilford County has contracted with VOACC for the design and development phase of the project, including program design, facility design, and stakeholder engagement. Over the past contract year (August 2025 - July 2026), VOACC made substantial progress across all three core focus areas. Key accomplishments include:
(1) Program Design & Operational Development:
-Developed and finalized the policy crosswalk aligning NCDHHS, ASAM, Trillium, and NC Medicaid guidelines into program policies and procedures.
-Submitted the DHSR licensure waiver to support the integrated ASAM 3.1/2.5 residential model.
-Advanced development of the Operations Manual, clinical workflows, intake processes, and referral pathways for both residential and outpatient services.
-Finalized the SAIOP site identification and lease, job descriptions, staffing plans, onboarding plans, and training frameworks, enabling transition from planning to implementation.
-Initiated electronic health record (HER) implementation planning, including timeline mapping and coordination with VOACC IT teams.
(2) Facility Design & Construction Readiness
-Significantly supported the design process, providing subject matter expertise and technical guidance to move from schematic design to the development of final construction documents.
-Secured the lease for the SAIOP outpatient facility and initiated renovation planning.
(3) Stakeholder Engagement & Community Partnerships
-Strengthened partnerships with critical stakeholders including but not limited to DSS, Guilford County Schools, GCSTOP, REACH Clinic, and numerous other maternal health, behavioral health, and wrap around service providers.
-Presented at statewide conferences including NC TIDE, NCFADS, MAHEC Women’s Recovery, and NAMI NC, elevating Guilford County’s leadership in maternal behavioral health.
-Delivered community education workshops such as “Tools for a Safe Celebration” across multiple agencies.
-Finalized the Donor Engagement & Marketing Plan, submitted grant applications, and participated collaboratively in funder conversations in pursuit of program sustainability planning with payers and funders.
These accomplishments reflect VOACC’s continued progress toward establishing a comprehensive and sustainable model for pregnant and parenting people in Guilford County. During the upcoming contract year, VOACC will continue advancing program design, facility development, and stakeholder engagement. Key priorities will include:
-Leading the facility and program licensure application process for the residential program in alignment with the anticipated construction timeline.
-Finalizing residential program operational workflows in alignment with licensure and construction timelines.
-Strengthening referral networks, community partnerships, and provider education.
-Continuing to pursue funding pathways in support of a braided funding strategy for ongoing sustainability and growth of the services.
This contract will run from August 1, 2026 to July 31, 2027 in the amount of $365,835 and will continue to be funded through Opioid Settlement Funds under Exhibit A, Strategy 1: “Collaborative Strategic Planning.”
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BUDGET IMPACT
Budget Impact
NO ADDITIONAL COUNTY FUNDS REQUIRED
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REQUESTED ACTION
Requested Action
Approve a contract, in substantial form, with Volunteers of America of the Carolinas for consultation on program design, facility design, and stakeholder engagement as part of program design for a Residential Treatment Services for Pregnant and Parenting Beneficiaries in the amount of $365,835 for a twelve (12) month contract term beginning on August 1, 2026 and ending July 31, 2027; and adopt an Opioid Settlement Spending Resolution for the use of Opioid Settlement funds to fund this work under Exhibit A, Strategy 1 as outlined in the resolution in the total amount of $365,835, to be effective from August 1, 2026 and ending August 31, 2027.
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