GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP) — The Greensboro Influx Care Facility is one step closer to being “operational.”
The long-planned facility is set to be operational on Friday, March 15.
FOX8 received the following statement on Thursday:
HHS is legally required to provide for the care of all unaccompanied children referred to ORR until they are appropriately and safely released to a vetted sponsor. Influx care facilities (ICF), such as the Greensboro Children’s Center, ensure additional bed capacity, if needed, to manage referrals of unaccompanied children from the Department of Homeland Security. On March 15, 2024, the Greensboro Children’s Center will be operational. However, currently no children are being placed at any ICFs. ORR continuously monitors referral trends and assesses capacity needs to accommodate all children referred to our care.
As part of the ORR network, children at Greensboro Children’s Center will have access to medical treatment, legal services, translation services, education, and mental and behavioral health counselors, and will be able to connect with family daily. Children will also meet with a case manager at least weekly.
HHS
According to Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughan, “operational” means the facility will be ready to receive children, but the capacity is not yet needed.
“ORR tracks the number of unaccompanied minors and the number of beds,” Vaughan said. “Once the number of beds reaches 85% capacity minors can be sent to Greensboro as needed. If the percentage falls below 85% the number of children sent to the Greensboro facility will decline accordingly. We will be notified before children arrive.”
Staff are currently conducting “mock scenarios” based on real-life situations.
“Each person’s experience will be different therefore the employees are being trained and cross-trained for a variety of situations,” Vaughan said. “Some of the staff is modeling the behavior of the children and the rest of the staff is acting as caregivers and vice versa.”
The facility is not making arrangements for religious services.
“If a religious institution is interested in ministry, please contact me and I will get them in touch with the appropriate personnel,” the mayor said.
