[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6076966,"mediaKeyId","2966422-63f2ba6dacece364299246197de4aa05","parentId",2966422,"title","Cabarrus child protection team reports rise in school suicide assessments, urges community action on online risks and safe sleep","audioSeconds",2245,"startMs",709000,"endMs",2954000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2966422-63f2ba6dacece364299246197de4aa05&start=709&end=2954","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2966422-63f2ba6dacece364299246197de4aa05/thumbnail_709000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6076966/Cabarrus-County/North-Carolina/Cabarrus-child-protection-team-reports-rise-in-school-suicide-assessments-urges-community-action-on-online-risks-and-safe-sleep","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6076966-bf8a823d133dae52d6038c113d5e4f8d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770582656&Signature=FFNOKmnBCqifDxaX0wkYDbJzWrxeiFNl4kSA3WU-ZkaYF2imFHqC8-Zk0UnCUg~MzQra0cEYS2EEoW09klRd5WUTuURFAZ60Lq3~RIfqqmbx5EXoQt4zkPzlTaaSpaW~9luk4Xpr7SGHWbF~z7Hrlydi30nl8ZeCgaOb18OTFlJpIiXoGI5G~NLgO3PP1ojqLAcNZgDcszCXwsDOB9Otd0XcNuzD6pDpbO7VIfig9v-0Osy6L2XenhMqoNV~CXjM-RpYAc5~3U6sqM6mtQ4O2GH2NfRQkX5Zk~4RwKVhv~-~brcMuYPP5qRaJApuaTVqHEuOTvgvrWpkkiSergPkWA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Cabarrus County, NC","date","2025-04-12T05:08:19.627Z","article","Paula Yost, chair of Cabarrus County’s Child Protection and Fatality Team, told county commissioners on April 7 that the team reviewed every child fatality in the county and that county agencies are seeing rising mental‑health crises among adolescents.

Yost said Cabarrus Department of Social Services handled 3,516 child‑abuse investigations in 2024 and accepted 1,462 reports for further action. Of those, she said, 466 were classified as investigative cases — the “worst of the worst” — and in‑home services were provided to about 68 families per month, up from roughly 45 the year before. Foster‑care counts were lower in 2024, with 77 children in care compared with 182 the prior year.

The data framed a larger presentation from health, school and public‑safety partners on trends and prevention. Amy Jewell, director of student and family support for Cabarrus County Schools, said school teams completed 420 suicide assessments in 2023 (56 of which required acute medical care) and 335 in 2024 (51 requiring acute care). Through February 2025 the district had recorded 350 assessments, 62 of which required urgent medical attention.

\"Unsafe sleep traditionally has been the number 1 avoidable form of fatality in Cabarrus County among our children,\" Yost said, adding that the county also recorded multiple fatalities tied to accidents and prematurity in the prior review year.

Esther Schammeling, the district attorney, told commissioners that child‑exploitation investigations are increasingly finding younger victims and offenders who meet children online. \"These crimes are preventable,\" Schammeling said. \"When we're given our kids a phone, we're also giving an offender access to them.\" She urged parents and community members to monitor changes in mood, sleep and eating, to report concerns to school resource officers, and to use local resources she identified, including Present Age Ministries and The Lantern Project.

Schammeling also asked for political support for several law‑and‑policy changes she said would help prosecutions and investigations: (1) clearer state or federal data‑sharing policies so agencies can share relevant case details across partners; (2) tougher sentencing for adults who arrange sexual acts with minors online; and (3) faster turnaround on medical‑examiner reports for suspicious child deaths so investigations can proceed. She described the medical examiner as a state function and asked the commission to back legislation that would “fast‑track child deaths.”

Partners Behavioral Health, Cabarrus Health and the county behavioral health center described ongoing prevention work including trainings (114 sessions and more than 1,300 residents trained, the presenters said), community suicide‑prevention events, and school‑based supports. Jewell described school‑based prevention measures: QPR (question, persuade, refer) and Mental Health First Aid trainers on staff, a universal wellness screener three times per year, an anonymous reporting app, telehealth through Atrium for students and 19 school‑based therapy providers available by parent referral.

Deputy Chief Cara Clark described a new parent and infant wellness pilot run through the community paramedic program and developed with Atrium Cabarrus Hospital. Community paramedics visit consenting mothers shortly after discharge and provide simple clinical checks such as blood pressure and infant weight, safe‑sleep education, and, when needed, help connecting families to equipment and services. Clark said the paramedics helped one family obtain a safer pack‑and‑play through a local fund and installed smoke and carbon‑monoxide detectors in another household.

Yost and partners asked commissioners to help amplify prevention messaging, support school cell‑phone policies aimed at reducing online exposure, and open doors for the team to present in community settings. The child protection and fatality team said it meets monthly with 25 to 30 community partners who sign confidentiality agreements to review sensitive cases.

The presentation closed with an announcement of a public event April 11 at the child protection facility focused on suicide awareness, safe‑storage of firearms, medication take‑backs and car‑seat safety.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Cabarrus County BOC Agenda Meeting 04.07.2025","oneSentenceSummary","Paula Yost, chair of Cabarrus County’s Child Protection and Fatality Team, told county commissioners on April 7 that the team reviewed every child fatality in the county and that county agencies are seeing rising mental‑health crises among adolescents.","taxTitle","Cabarrus County, North Carolina","taxId",13706,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6076951,"Cabarrus construction standards recommends demolition of derelict Monroe Road property; county to lien costs if owner does not pay",366,3147000,3513000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2966422-63f2ba6dacece364299246197de4aa05&start=3147&end=3513","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2966422-63f2ba6dacece364299246197de4aa05/thumbnail_3147000.jpg","/articles/6076951/Cabarrus-County/North-Carolina/Cabarrus-construction-standards-recommends-demolition-of-derelict-Monroe-Road-property-county-to-lien-costs-if-owner-does-not-pay","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6076951-845dc71980f0cfa68204200c2a4daf3e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770582656&Signature=DeM81CUTIGSipoKNuYbjQJ5LkPaZaKqYaEm~prtjh7Qofyyvs9GKLvn3S2VaOCs447gYblpjwQbklNCamn7CEfqTVxtdxn6tPG5maaiSvOi96ROYWD5Mpng2kEPakhG62CwkftGpylJtfDxmw2NvmuVsUx5w6BpW~pKYM2wRO-n8Jgo448UulyWQThiUcFUCgpDmsUxDj-jNNzD~hU4zslifRUWGPC240wi2cChmqSRqjWzHBVIBxRwmI5oTyajqQ4Yzc4FwtEG3YrUSv~0q1Mx53Ydx0vHvR1Hb8gJ7AiY4th4pAeQBziTPdKusSbsw5cayVDHy3b4yvS~~7iIs4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Construction Standards staff told the Board of Commissioners on April 7 that the property at 4355 Monroe Road (complaint received Jan. 30, 2023) has been declared unfit for human habitation and appears abandoned.

Staff described the back half of a double‑wide mobile home as demolished and rotting, noted an abandoned above‑ground pool with no barrier and several dilapidated accessory structures. Inspectors said multiple notices to the property owner went unanswered. An attorney later sent a letter indicating the county would move forward with a demolition declaration.

Staff recommended the commissioners declare the structure unfit and authorize demolition under a general state statute (citation not specified in the presentation). Following demolition, staff asked the board to approve a budget amendment of $19,300 from the Construction Standards fund balance to cover demolition contractor costs; the county would invoice the property owner and, if the invoice is unpaid after 30 days, execute a lien on the parcel.

Construction Standards staff said the county has already selected a contractor and outlined the lien procedure: the lien prevents sale or construction on the parcel until the county recovers the cost. A timeline for demolition and lien execution was discussed but no final vote was recorded in the workshop transcript excerpt.

Commissioners asked whether the county typically recovers costs; staff noted the lien process and said recovery is likely but may require additional legal steps if the owner contests it.","County construction standards recommended declaring a property at 4355 Monroe Road unfit and demolishing remaining structures; staff requested a $19,300 budget amendment to cover demolition costs and said the county will place a lien if the owner does not reimburse",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6076956,"Cabarrus officials recommend renewing two medical plans as commissioners question $20.9M general‑fund cost",628,5294000,5922000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2966422-63f2ba6dacece364299246197de4aa05&start=5294&end=5922","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2966422-63f2ba6dacece364299246197de4aa05/thumbnail_5294000.jpg","/articles/6076956/Cabarrus-County/North-Carolina/Cabarrus-officials-recommend-renewing-two-medical-plans-as-commissioners-question-209M-generalfund-cost","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6076956-a2f944d57b7859485f363cb37415e7f6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770582656&Signature=IhIiSM2FdJz578l15lM9hDT0BsVcerZdeZOkyNszj78bwnWU1zFiOWl8TDZMG0cWRCzy1opgJDtrWPLV9ain346ACMJWhDhQJP3VCSYS5easP42Ksbc-dZWj6sVDFuGobRel8g7QkFTalcAwseF5WmUiNpEPWiRL0ft~8XMOdanc5siZ5glp2r-38jlQQpPHKi1zZB64JDhHfdNIMl0eo108Iwl0wv3HjQyK4qESDCDXqe1~6AsP8BKXQ-fY4TPU4vHjb-8Ijl4hZYPgO8vuKP0iXaevqvTfkUrrWDcozYuCS43wgmRCaitjO0Nd60qm8qCwulHqYF5izfkhNl7irg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Human Resources presented health‑insurance renewal options for fiscal year 2026 at the April 7 workshop and asked the board for permission to proceed with open enrollment on May 7.

Joanna Ray of Human Resources and a consultant from USI reviewed two plan options: a qualified high‑deductible health plan (HSA‑eligible) and an OAP (open access plan) with copay features. The consultant said the two plans benchmark “in line” with peer employers and that last year the county had already modified the OAP to reduce deductibles and add copays to improve recruitment and retention.

Officials projected the total general‑fund cost for the county’s medical program — including medical, pharmacy, HSA contributions, clinic costs and administrative fees — at about $20,900,000 if plan designs remain unchanged. The human‑resources presentation noted that the county is self‑insured and maintains a reserve; staff said any year‑to‑year savings remain with the county.

Dental coverage, a voluntary employee‑paid benefit, was renewed with Delta Dental after a market review; staff said dental utilization post‑COVID has risen and that employee premiums will increase about 26%.

Several commissioners expressed concern about the program’s taxpayer cost. Commissioner Laura Lindsey said, in part, \"It's very difficult as a taxpayer to look at some of this and realize that the money that is coming out of the general fund… is truly my money and our money.\" Other commissioners asked staff to provide additional benchmarking specific to North Carolina peers and to explore design options that preserve recruitment and retention without unduly burdening taxpayers.

Human Resources asked the board to approve continuing both plan options for FY26 and to authorize the administration to run open enrollment; no final vote on plan design changes was recorded that evening.

Staff said they will provide additional benchmarking and options for the board to review ahead of open enrollment and noted that some employees waive county coverage; budgeting is done by position so waived coverage does not reduce required funding for the plan pool.","Human Resources recommended keeping the county’s high‑deductible HSA plan and an OAP plan for FY26; total projected medical program cost is about $20.9 million and dental premiums rise 26%; commissioners asked for further benchmarking and options that balance recruitment and taxpayer cost",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6076961,"Cabarrus officials propose updated permit and fire fees; commissioners ask for municipal consultations",1681,3441000,5122000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2966422-63f2ba6dacece364299246197de4aa05&start=3441&end=5122","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2966422-63f2ba6dacece364299246197de4aa05/thumbnail_3441000.jpg","/articles/6076961/Cabarrus-County/North-Carolina/Cabarrus-officials-propose-updated-permit-and-fire-fees-commissioners-ask-for-municipal-consultations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6076961-7df434e2f380afe32edc4cc426a2b3b5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770582656&Signature=DaklaA1S0dYgH~8qi52Z7gZYNiGyBgCmO~ziIQ96tMCLJDfwlRvmYBdf5JQzmMY0gek8zpc9NWBtCxttHsILWQENZbIz34i2SkznDZ49-Vq2GQG0HB~aR7c-UFW6fM1uriOa6stKMyDfbVCTJzOM5r7nf3K5FPXdrhhL46LBOCpLWNUD2x9V1gzdJI0uWUAWmCg5Str2vIzP-gM~3tGLvNZIH~-WeSIr6KrRbWe9vondfq6Otz5hExdTUH4lhKUScp2TOnAkIGrstZlt4BA3IN63X9nxWuPzeqp92uopx~vzD0CgIA9qFR1ZIN-iZr5-5Ib5eMtrW2tOw5pICkI8xQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County staff on April 7 presented a package of proposed fee‑schedule updates for construction standards, fire services and planning and zoning aimed at better matching permit and inspection charges to the county’s costs.

Construction standards staff said most consultant recommendations were followed but that multifamily projects and certain plan reviews required upward adjustments. The department proposed eliminating a two‑tier single‑family residential rate (custom vs. production homes) and applying a square‑foot or flat fee structure instead; staff proposed keeping current single‑wide and double‑wide manufactured‑home fees at $600 and $800 respectively and $100 for each additional unit.

Staff also proposed five new permit categories, including existing certificates of occupancy, day‑care permits, ABC permits, licensed care facilities and accessory dwelling units. The department asked for a modest increase to the base trade permit fee (a staff recommendation of $75 flat, below a consultant recommendation of $91.03) and said some smaller fees were lowered so homeowners would pull permits rather than work without them.

Jacob Thompson, presenting for Fire Services, said new‑construction fees would follow the consultant’s recommendations, while consumer‑facing event and tent permits would be set at a 50% cost‑recovery rate. Thompson said the department recommended holding off on fees tied to recently delayed state fire‑code changes (example: food trucks) and had removed three items (foster‑care homes, group homes, and food trucks) from immediate fee consideration.

Officials also presented preliminary figures showing how much the county spends to provide fire‑prevention and inspection services inside smaller municipalities. Using a five‑year average of work done in Mount Pleasant, Midland and Locust, staff estimated annual costs of roughly $52,857 for Mount Pleasant, $52,794 for Midland and $4,794 for Locust. That prompted immediate concern from commissioners and two municipal managers; a commissioner said she was \"not in favor of charging Mount Pleasant, Midland or Locust\" without further consultation.

Construction standards staff told the board that implementing a municipal charge would require further conversations about methodology — for example, whether to charge per inspection, per billable hour or by other metrics — and likely would be considered for a future fiscal year so municipalities could budget for changes.

Susie Morris presented planning and zoning fee work showing the department has not kept pace with growth since a prior 2018 fee decision and recommended incremental steps toward higher cost recovery. Commissioners asked staff to consult town managers before any billing change was implemented and to consider phasing any new charges into the next fiscal year.

No formal fee ordinance or final vote was recorded on April 7; staff asked for policy direction and additional consultation with affected towns before returning with a recommended implementation plan.","Construction standards, fire services and planning officials presented fee studies and proposed increases to recover inspection and plan‑review costs; discussion included a proposal to charge small towns for county fire/prevention services and calls for further talks with Mount Pleasant and Midland","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Cabarrus child protection team reports rise in school suicide assessments, urges community action on online risks and safe sleep

Cabarrus construction standards recommends demolition of derelict Monroe Road property; county to lien costs if owner does not pay

Cabarrus officials recommend renewing two medical plans as commissioners question $20.9M general‑fund cost

Cabarrus officials propose updated permit and fire fees; commissioners ask for municipal consultations