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All assets associated with the tag: Durham County Board of Commissioners

Durham County Board of Commissioners Coverage

A violence intervention program in Durham is getting another round of funding.



Durham approves more funding for Bull City United anti-violence group

Bull City United 

On Monday night, the Durham County Commission is discussing family-friendly workplace policies. Some of those changes will support survivors.

ASTROPHYSICIST BIOLOGIST AND A FORMER ASTRONAUT. >> ONE IN 4 WOMEN AND ONE IN 10 MEN WILL EXPERIENCE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AT SOME POINT IN THEIR LIVES. TONIGHT, THE DURHAM COUNTY COMMISSIONERS DISCUSSING FAMILY-FRIENDLY WORKPLACE POLICIES. WR IS MONICA. CASEY SHOWS US SOME OF THOSE CHANGES WILL SUPPORT SURVIVORS. >> DURHAM COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WILL DISCUSS PAID FAMILY LEAVE SUPPORT FOR PREGNANT WORKERS AND THE USE OF SAFE DAYS. A SAFE DAY ALLOWS AN EMPLOYEE TO USE PAID SICK LEAVE TO ADDRESS THE IMPACTS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, ASSAULT OR STALKING MOMS. RISING SENIOR CAMPAIGN DIRECTOR TINA SHERMAN SAYS THESE SITUATIONS CAN REQUIRE IMMEDIATE TIME OFF, BE ABLE TO HAVE THE FLEXIBILITY TO TAKE THE TIME. >> TO TO DEAL WITH THE VARIETY OF ISSUES THAT COME UP WITH OR THAT LEGAL YOU KNOW, LAW ENFORCEMENT RELATED WE RELOCATING NONPROFIT INTERACT WORKS WITH SURVIVORS TO PLAN TO SAFELY LEAVE AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP. IT IS NOT UNCOMMON FOR US TO HEAR FROM A SURVIVOR. >> I I CAN'T DO THAT BECAUSE I'M AFRAID THAT I MIGHT LOSE MY JOB. CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER ALLISON STRICKLAND TELLS ME SURVIVORS NEED TO BE FINANCIALLY EMPOWERED TO GET OUT. WE KNOW THAT IF A SURVIVOR ISN'T ABLE TO MEET THEIR BASIC NEEDS OF SHELTER. CHILD CARE. ALL OF THOSE THINGS THAT THEY'RE NOT ABLE TO MEET THOSE IN THE FIRST 6 MONTHS. THEY ARE 12 TIMES MORE LIKELY TO GET BACK TO THAT ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP, REPLACE IT WITH ANOTHER ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP. >> REBECCA SWOFFORD IS THE DIRECTOR OF PREVENTION AT THE NORTH CAROLINA COALITION AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. SHE EXPLAINS SAFE DAYS HAVE A VARIETY OF USES. YES, MIGHT LOOK TO ATTENDING THE PROCEEDING. >> THAT MIGHT LOOK LIKE ACCESSING MENTAL SERVICES CHAIRMAN ADDS THESE POLICIES CAN SHOW EMPLOYEES THEIR VALUE HELPS WITH RECRUITMENT HELPS THAT THE TENSION AND REALLY RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF SUPPORTING OUR FAMILY. TONIGHT'S COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING BEGINS AT 7 MONICA CASEY, WRAL, NEWS IN DURHAM. >> THE GOVERNOR ROY COOPER SIGNED THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTIVE 2 YEARS AGO TO ALLOW EMPLOYEES TO USE BOTH THEIR SICK LEAVE.

Durham County commission considers more family-friendly policies

WRAL News has obtained email messages that show workers in Durham County's Child Protective Services Office feel they're being threatened by the group called Operation Stop CPS.

NEWS COVERAGE. YOU CAN COME HOME. >> NOW TO A STORY YOU'LL SEE ONLY ON WRAL NEWS TONIGHT, STATE AND COUNTY LEADERS IN DURHAM ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF CHILD WELFARE WORKERS. THAT'S AFTER A GROUP OF ACTIVISTS HAS BEEN USING HIGH-PRESSURE TACTICS TO CHANGE THE WAY THE COUNTY IS HANDLING SOME OF ITS CHILD PROTECTION CASES. WRAL'S CAPITOL BUREAU CHIEF LAURA LESLIE IS LIVE IN DURHAM WITH WHAT WE KNOW AT THIS HOUR. LAURA. >> DEB, WHAT WE KNOW IS THAT THERE'S WRAL NEWS HAS OBTAINED A BUNCH OF INTERNAL E-MAIL MESSAGES AND COUNTY LEADERS TALKING ABOUT A GROUP CALLED OPERATION STOP CPS. THIS GROUP IS PUSHING THE COUNTY TO SEND CHILDREN BACK TO HOMES THAT THEY'VE BEEN REMOVED FROM MY SOCIAL WORKERS. THEY COMPARE REMOVAL TO KIDNAPPING COUNTY LEADERS SAY THEIR RHETORIC IS WORRYING. >> LATE LAST WEEK IN AN INTERNAL EMAIL, DURHAM COUNTY, SOCIAL SERVICES DIRECTOR BEN RHODES WARRANTS STATE AND COUNTY LEADERS THAT HE FEARS OPERATION STOP CPS'S RHETORIC, QUOTE, IS GOING TO LEAD TO POTENTIAL VIOLENCE AND HARM TO SOMEONE. THERE IS GENUINE FEAR HERE NOW, EVEN FROM COURT OFFICIALS ROSE WROTE, WE NEED HELP THE ISSUE HAS GONE ON FOR MONTHS IN JULY. DURHAM COUNTY JUDGE SHOULD MAKE A RINEHART REMOVED HERSELF FROM THE CHILD PROTECTION CASE AFTER THE GROUP TARGETED HER ON SOCIAL MEDIA URGING THOUSANDS OF FOLLOWERS TO CONTACT HER LAST WEEK. THE GROUP PUBLISHED CONTACT INFORMATION FOR COMMISSIONER WENDY JACOBS URGING FOLLOWERS TO OLD DURHAM COUNTY GOVERNMENT TO THE FIRE ROSE REINHART AND JACOBS ALL DECLINED TO BE INTERVIEWED FOR THIS STORY. OPERATION STOP. CBS ALSO PROTESTED OUTSIDE THE COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES BUILDING LAST WEEK SHOUTING AT CBS WORKERS AS THEY LEFT FOR THE DAY AND POSTING THIS IMAGE TO FACEBOOK WITH THE MESSAGE DURHAM COUNTY LOVES TO PROTECT KIDNAPPERS. IT'S NOT THREATENING ITS POWERFUL AND THAT'S WAS THREATENING TO PEOPLE. >> BUT WE HAVE NEVER SAID THAT WE WERE GOING TO BE VIOLENT, NEVER. AND THAT IS NOT OUR WALLACE IS THE FOUNDER OF OPERATION STOP CPS. SHE'S A FORMER SOCIAL WORKER WHO BELIEVES CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES SHOULD BE ABOLISHED BECAUSE THEY REMOVE CHILDREN FROM HOMES. THEY DON'T NEED TO BE REMOVED FROM. SHE CALLS THAT KIDNAPPING. SHE SAYS SHE PUBLISHES CONTACT INFORMATION FOR KEY OFFICIALS SO FOLLOWERS CAN HELP HER PRESSURE THEM. THEY'RE SIMPLY COMING WITH THE POWER TO TELL THIS, YOU KNOW, TELL THE COMMISSION IS THAT THEY'RE THE ONES THAT ELECTED THEM INTO THE SEATS AND THE SAME PEOPLE THAT ELECTED THEM CAN ELECT THEM OUT. AND SO THAT IS WHAT THE POWELL, PHONE NUMBER AND EMAIL IS. >> I ASKED THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES IF THEY'RE ASSISTING DURHAM WITH THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE. A SPOKESMAN FOR THE STATE AGENCY SAID THEY ARE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND ARE WORKING WITH COUNTIES TO QUOTE, ENSURE EMPLOYEES ARE SAFE AND SOCIAL WORKERS ARE ABLE TO DELIVER SERVICES TO CHILDREN AND

Durham County social workers concerned for their safety after activists protest

A North Carolina advocacy group is using high-pressure tactics to push Durham County officials to return children taken away from families by child protection services. County officials say the group's tactics are making it difficult for social workers to do their jobs.

Group bashing child protective services pressures Durham County officials, raising safety concerns

Durham County leaders are concerned about an activist group that's been protesting outside the County Human Services Building. 

Leaders in Durham County are looking beyond the pandemic when it comes to keeping the community safe.



Durham County will use public health funding for research, hiring

Flu shot

On Monday, the Durham County Board of Commissioners will discuss how to best allocate new funding after the Department of Health and Human Services granted Durham's Department of Public Health $364,074. 

ALL RIGHT. HERE ON WRAL. WE'LL HAVE THAT SPECIAL COVERAGE BEGINNING AT 10:00AM. >> LEADERS IN DURHAM COUNTY ARE LOOKING BEYOND THE PANDEMIC WHEN IT COMES TO KEEPING THE COMMUNITY SAFE. AND TODAY, THOUGH, LOOK AT NEW FUNDING, INCLUDING $300,000 TO HIRE NEW EMPLOYEES. WRAL'S. LAURA LEVINE IS LIVE AT THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO EXPLAIN THESE NEXT STEPS. LAUREN, GOOD MORNING. >> JEFF, GOOD MORNING. THIS IS ALL ABOUT APPLYING THE LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE PANDEMIC AND HOW TO HELP ADVANCE COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS THE ON COVID-19 NOW DURHAM'S PUBLIC, A DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH HERE HAS RECEIVED $300,000 FROM DH H AS TO EXACTLY USE THOSE FUNDS TO BETTER THE COMMUNITY. NOW THE GRANT MONEY WILL BE USED TO EXPAND COMMUNICABLE DISEASE. SURVEILLANCE DETECTION AND PREVENTION METHODS TO ADDRESS DISEASES OTHER THAN JUST COVID-19. THE KEY PURPOSE OF THIS NEW FUNDING IS TO ALSO HELP THE DEPARTMENT COMPETE WITH SALARIES TO DEAL WITH STAFF SHORTAGES. COMMISSIONER WENDY JACOBS SAYS THE MONEY WILL HELP THE COUNTY HIRE MORE NURSES FOR PUBLIC HEALTH AT A HIGHER RATE. >> IT'S VERY DIFFICULT FOR PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENTS TO COMPETE WITH A LOT OF THE SALARIES THAT ARE BEING PAID FOR TRAVELING NURSES AND SO THIS MONEY THAT WE'RE GETTING WILL DEFINITELY HELP MEN AND SUPPORT WE'RE COMPETITIVE SALARIES FOR PUBLIC HEALTH NURSES. >> AND THIS IS JUST THE FIRST STAGE OF THE GRANT MONEY THAT'S BEING ROLLED OUT BY THE STATE ACROSS THE STATE. YOU CAN LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS NEW INITIATIVE HAPPENING HERE IN DURHAM AT TONIGHT'S BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONER MEETING THAT

Durham public health funding to advance health needs beyond COVID-19

Generic photo of medicine 

On Monday, the Durham County Board of Commissioners is set to hear the proposed budget for fiscal year 2022-23.

Durham County proposed budget includes pay raises for county employees without raising taxes

Durham County budget proposal includes raises for employees without raising taxes

The proposed budget includes pay increases for employees, more money for public schools and new funding focused on maternal health.

A BUSY ROADWAY THERE TO AARON THOMAS REPORTING LIVE IN RALEIGH. THANK YOU. >> HAPPENING NOW IN DURHAM COUNTY LEADERS ARE GETTING THEIR FIRST LOOK AT NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET PROPOSAL AS WRAL'S MONICA CASEY REPORTS. IT INCLUDES PAY RAISES FOR MANY EMPLOYEES WITHOUT RAISING YOUR PROPERTY TAXES. >> THE DURHAM COUNTY MANAGERS, BUDGET PROPOSAL INCLUDES PAY INCREASES FOR EMPLOYEES, MORE MONEY FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND NEW FUNDING FOR MATERNAL HEALTH. >> DURHAM COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WILL GET THEIR FIRST LOOK AT AN ALMOST 800 MILLION DOLLAR BUDGET. TONIGHT. THE PROPOSAL INCLUDES PAY RAISES FOR EMPLOYEES, INCLUDING THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND EMS COUNTY MANAGER AND CAN REALLY SO WELL RECOMMEND INCREASING FUNDING FOR DURHAM, PUBLIC SCHOOLS BY 6%. WE FUND THAT BP IS AT A LEVEL MAINTAINS KIND OF THEIR HIGH, THE HIGH STANDARD FUNDING. FOR A COUNTY TO FUND A PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM. >> THAT'S ONE ITEM SHE EXPECTS SOME PUSH-BACK ON FROM ELECTED OFFICIALS. DPS ASKED FOR 12 MILLION DOLLARS. THE COUNTY RECOMMENDS ABOUT 9 MILLION DOLLARS OF FUNDING. IT WOULD BE GREAT IF WITH IT. BUT IT'S OK IF IF THEY'RE WE CERTAINLY UNDERSTAND AND AGREE. >> THAT EDUCATION IS IN THE HOUSE ARE SO WELL AS ASKING TO EARMARK $265,000 FROM OTHERS. WE ARE >> THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE MATERNAL HEALTH NURSE. THAT WILL SPECIALIZE IN HELPING WITH LACTATION NEEDS AND THEN ALSO ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO SUPPORT NURSING POSITIONS AS IT STANDS. NOW, THE PROPOSED BUDGET DOES NOT INCLUDE A

Durham Public Schools has asked commissioners for $12 million for the upcoming fiscal year. However, the county recommends about $9 million.

After months of racial strife on the Durham County Board of Commissioners, the board voted 3-2 on Thursday to dismiss County Manager Wendell Davis.

Divided commissioners dismiss Durham County manager

Durham County Manager Wendell Davis

Advocacy groups took their accusations of racism in Durham County government to a new level Wednesday, holding a news conference on the steps of the county administration building.

Advocates continue to spotlight allegations of racism in Durham County government

Advocates: Commissioners need racial equity training before discussing county manager's contract

AUTHORITIES TELL US HALF OF THE HOME IS DAMAGED. THE RED CROSS IS HELPING THE WOMAN. >>> TODAY, DURHAM TOOK THEIR ACCUSATIONS OF RACISM IN DURHAM COUNTY GOVERNMENT TO A PUBLIC DISPLAY, HOLDING A NEWS CONFERENCE OUTSIDE THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING. WRAL DURHAM REPORTER, SARAH KRUEGER WAS THERE, EXPLAINING THE URGENCY BEHIND THEIR DEMAND. >> Reporter: ACCUSATIONS OF RACISM HAVE PLAGUED THE DURHAM COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS FOR MORE THAN A YEAR. SOME QUESTIONING THE TREATMENT OF THE BLACK COUNTY MANAGER AND THE BLACK COUNTY ATTORNEY. >> AND THERE HAS BEEN CONTINUED QUESTIONING OF THE COUNTY MANAGER'S COMPETENCE, SALARY, CHARACTER, AND MOTIVATION. THAT'S DEHUMANIZING. WE SEE THIS AS AN EXPRESSION OF ANTI-BLACKNESS, THINKING, AND CULTURE. >> Reporter: IT INCLUDES POLITICAL GROUPS WHERE THEY SAY TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE. THE COUNTY MANAGER'S CONTRACT, WHICH IS SET TO EXPIRE IN JUNE. AFTER A FEUD LAST YEAR, THE GROUPS DEMAND SHE RECUSE HERSELF FROM THOSE DECISIONS SURROUNDING HIS CONTRACT. >> ANY CONTRACTS WILL PRESENT A CLEAR CONFLICT OF INTEREST. >> Reporter: IN THEIR STATEMENT, THE LAW ONLY ASKS HER TO RECUSE HERSELF FOR A COUPLE OF REASONS AND THE SITUATION DOES NOT FIT THOSE PARAMETERS. THEREFORE IT IS MY DUTY TO PARTICIPATE, SHE TELLS ME, I WILL UPHOLD THIS RESPONSIBILITY. SPEAKERS ANNOUNCE THEY WILL BE HOLDING A TOWN HALL ON APRIL 27, PUTTING THEM IN THE NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT. >> AND IT'S IMPORTANT TO HOLD UP THE MIRROR AT TIMES LIKE THIS. >>> TODAY'S SPEAKERS, THEY URGE THERE ARE NO VOTES ON THE

A plan to provide racial equity training to the Durham County Board of Commissioners exposed an ongoing rift on the board and led to a powerful political group accusing some commissioners of racial bias.

Racial tensions continue to roil Durham commissioners

Durham skyline

RACING RAISING QUESTIONS >>> NEW TODAY ONE OF DURHAM'S LARGEST POLITICAL GROUPS IS ACCUSING DURHAM COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF RACIAL BIAS. AFTER A RECENT TENCENT MEETING WHERE THE COUNTY ATTORNEY SAID THE BOARD NEEDS HELP THANK YOU FOR JOINING US I AM DEBRA MORGAN. >> AND I AM DEBRA MORGAN. THE SOURCE OF CONTROVERSY ARE THE COMMENTS THAT WERE MADE ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT TO HIRE A CONSULTANT FOR DIVERSITY TRAINING. >>> I PLAY BACK AND WATCH THE ENTIRE DISCUSSION. IT WAS ABOUT ONE HOUR LONG AND IT WAS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE. THE BOARD HAS HAD DETENTION SINCE ALL OF THE MEMBERS WERE SWORN IN EARLIER THIS YEAR. IN THIS IS THE LATEST EXAMPLE OF THAT. THE DURHAM COMMITTEE ON THE AFFAIRS OF BLACK PEOPLE IS PUTTING A COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING IN THE SPOTLIGHT. THE GROUPS CHAIR SAID THAT THE BLACK COUNTY ATTORNEY WAS TREATED WITH A BLATANT DISRESPECT WHICH WAS A RACIALLY MOTIVATED. IN A RECENT MEETING THE TENSION WAS CLEAR. COMMISSIONERS WERE VOTING ON WHETHER OR NOT TO HIRE A GROUP FOR RACIAL EQUITY TRAINING. THAT WAS SOUGHT AFTER DIFFERENT ALLEGATIONS OF RACHEL RACIAL BIAS. THEY SAID THAT BEFORE TAXPAYER DOLLARS ARE SPENT THAT IT'S STANDARD FOR THE COUNTY ATTORNEY TO PRESENT THE BOARD WITH MULTIPLE OPTIONS. THEY SAID THAT COMMISSIONERS JACOB, CARTER, AND LONG OPEN MY APOLOGY. THEY SAID THAT BOARD MEMBERS MUST BE ABLE TO ASK QUESTIONS OF ALL STAFF RESPECTING THEIR DIGNITY AND EXPERTISE WITHOUT IT BEING THOUGHT OF AS A SIGN OF DISRESPECT. ALL COMMISSIONERS ARE ASKING FOR PROFESSIONAL TRAINING. ULTIMATELY THEY WANT TO ASK THE COUNTY ATTORNEY TO SOLICIT PROPOSALS FROM TWO OTHER GROUPS AND BRING IT BACK TO THE BOARD. THEY WILL DECIDE WHICH TO USE FOR THAT TRAINING.