October, 2024
Community Newsletter
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Re-entry Simulations spread empathy across Trillium region
Re-entry Simulations are paving the way for stronger, empathetic communities! Registration is now available for events in Nash, Robeson and Brunswick counties. Re-entry Simulations are hands-on experiences that offer a look at real-life barriers when individuals are released from incarceration. Trillium will host simulations at:
These simulations follow events in Richmond, Greene, Hertford and Carteret counties. Many of the simulations saw more than 125 community members attend! Each participant left with a better understanding of the issues faced by people leaving incarceration and adjusting to life back in their communities. Check the Trillium website for future simulation opportunities happening in your area!
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October Health Summit to focus on breast cancer, depression awareness
October’s Health Summit event brings attention to the parallels between breast cancer and depression. Registration is now open for the October 7 event.
Professional speakers will discuss available resources and data relevant to diagnosis. The Summit will also explore how both conditions affect the Hispanic community in recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month.
The Summit is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Kenansville. The event is free and open to the public. More information available on the October Summit flyers, available in both English and Spanish. Together, we can help safeguard health and wellness for ourselves, our loved ones, and our communities.
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September Suicide Prevention Health Summit shares hope
Suicide prevention is possible when everyone has the tools to navigate crises. Trillium was proud to share life-saving information at the Suicide Prevention and Awareness Summit. The event took place at Barton College in Wilson on September 27.
Professionals discussed impactful strategies and best practices for suicide prevention. Individuals with lived experiences shared their powerful stories.
At the end of the event, attendees could also participate in a Question, Persuade, and Refer (QPR) training. Our thanks to all of our speakers, as well as our neighbors in Wilson County and beyond for strengthening resilience in their communities!
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Supporting Children Early Simulation event is October 3
Trillium wants children and families to get the support they need when seeking developmental disability services and resources in their communities.
One way to experience what they go through daily is to participate in the upcoming Supporting Children Early Simulation. The program is from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. on October 3 in the Foreman Technology Building at the College of The Albemarle, 1208 N. Road St., Elizabeth City, NC.
Participation is free but be sure to register. When we learn more about the barriers and struggles these families face, we can all do our part to help alleviate some of the issues.
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Trillium member Alexyss all smiles with new, accessible bedroom
Alexyss has a bigger smile than usual and for a good reason! The Trillium member and Brunswick County resident was featured on the news. Welcome Home Angel revealed renovations to help her be more comfortable at home.
Welcome Home Angel is a Wilmington-area nonprofit. They bring joy and comfort to young individuals with chronic and physically debilitating illnesses or injuries. Their bedroom makeovers create healthy and cheerful environments to live and/or recover. Alexyss uses assistive technology to communicate. She also uses a wheelchair to get around.
Trillium teamed up with Welcome Home Angel about three years ago to get Alexyss’ renovation project off the ground. Partnerships help make these projects possible for our community members. Alexyss receives Innovations Waiver services through Trillium. It paid for a new lift system, ramp, and wider bedroom doorway. It also partially helped pay for her bedroom makeover. Her bedroom is now her space to feel at home and make her own. Welcome Home Angel made sure to highlight Alexyss’ love of art.
Thank you to Welcome Home Angel for helping make Alexyss's space a place of comfort and safety. Partnerships with local organizations help ensure smiles from members like Alexyss are lifelong.
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Waynesboro Family Clinic serves Wayne community for nearly 50 years
Waynesboro Family Clinic has served the people of Wayne County for almost 50 years. It has improved the lives of community members with behavioral health needs. Trillium is proud to partner with this community hallmark. Don Neal, clinical director and chief executive officer, expressed his team’s excitement about their new relationship as a contracted provider with Trillium.
“Trillium staff have gone above and beyond to work with us during this transition,” Neal said. “Customer service abounds with the Trillium staff. They are always very kind and helpful. If they don’t have the immediate answers, they will work to find the answer and get back to you with a timely response.”
The Waynesboro Family Clinic provides traditional outpatient treatment. The clinic provides walk-in crisis services and a full array of psychological testing. The clinic works with Trillium so that anyone who needs treatment in times of crisis are not denied services.
They offer enhanced services for individuals who are eligible for NC Medicaid or state-funded services, and with private insurance. Services include diagnostic assessments, outpatient counseling and medication management. They are a partner in a local Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Team. ACT is an assertive engagement program. It is aimed at getting teens into treatment.
Trillium is proud to have Waynesboro Family Clinic in our network of providers.
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James Speight pays his recovery forward at the Malachi House II
James Speight is passionate about helping men who are living with substance use disorder and other serious challenges in their lives. He understands what they are facing—he’s been there.
Speight is the executive director and founder of Malachi House II. It is a faith-based, nonprofit organization in Greensboro. Nearly 30 years ago, James experienced a serious addiction. He discovered a faith-based organization called Malachi House. It is a residential program centered on providing structure and recovery principles for men. After completing the program, Speight began working for the program. During that time, Malachi House was seeing high rates of success: 75 percent of participants were substance-free; 78 percent were working full-time and another 10 percent had part-time jobs.
Malachi House II offers a nine-month program. The goal is for men in recovery to achieve personal growth, acquire skills to overcome dependency and become successful in all aspects of their lives.
Trillium recently awarded the organization $150,000 in September. Trillium recognizes that this support enables Malachi House II to empower and positively impact the lives of men, their families, and the community.
“We are grateful for the collaboration of Trillium Health Resources which will allow us to continue serving men from marginalized communities in the Guilford County area who need substance abuse recovery and mental health services,” Speight said.
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Bikesboro partnership opens new doors for Trillium member
Transportation is a key to community. A car can take you to the doctor’s office. A bus can bring you to a job, school, or local park. When transportation is unreliable or difficult to access, many are locked out of their community. For many North Carolinians, that lack of access can hurt their health and well-being. It takes a community working together to help open doors.
Bikesboro is an all-volunteer organization making Greensboro “a nicer place to bicycle, walk, and use transit for everyone 8 to 80.” Their Community Bike Shop at Barber Park recycles, restores, and re-homes donated bicycles to those who need them most. With referrals from organizations like Trillium, they are able to help unlock opportunities for health, wellness, and community.
A Trillium Neighborhood Connections staff member recently helped a mom and her son. Without their own transportation, they had to walk two miles to get to the closest bus stop. Trillium worked with Bikesboro to get the mom and son a free bike donation. They are now better equipped to engage with their community.
If you are in the Greensboro area, be sure to drop by their Bike Shop. They are open on Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. Their team of smiling volunteers is ready to get you connected with a rental from their Bike Library to use in Barber Park for riders of any age.
Partnership drives innovative solutions. When we work together, our communities win. We are proud to work alongside Bikesboro building community access and overall health.
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Trillium’s Direct Connect YouTube channel shares stories of inspiration
Transforming lives and building community well-being is what drives us at Trillium. When our members have the support and services needed for happy, fulfilled lives, they often share their talents and passions, and work to make a difference in the lives of their neighbors and communities.
Trillium members Jared and Chrissy are living their best lives. Check out these stories and more on the Trillium Direct Connect YouTube channel. Don’t forget to subscribe for the latest stories of hope and health from Trillium!
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Share your Trillium Story | | |
We love to see members reaching their fullest potential. If you know a member who has a positive story to share (and their permission to do so!), please let us know! You can send pictures and stories to MarketingandMessaging@TrilliumNC.org. | | | |
One Community suicide prevention T-shirts spread unending hope
This September, One Community and Trillium created suicide prevention T-shirts to share a message of hope and healing with our communities. When writing, an author uses a semicolon with the purpose of not ending a sentence. The thought isn’t done, so they use a semicolon, a mark of more to come. As authors of our own lives, we can choose to continue our own stories onward. For this reason, the semicolon has become a symbol for suicide prevention.
The Peer Support team from LeChris Health Services in New Bern was proud to remind their clients and coworkers that “your story isn’t over yet.” Our thanks to LeChris and all those who offer care and support that can save lives. Over a thousand semicolon shirts are now out in our communities! Follow the One Community NC Facebook page for more information on suicide prevention and future awareness activities.
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Trillium Family Weekends offer fall fun
Fall is a beautiful time of year to visit Victory Junction! Families gathered September 27-29 for the first of three seasonal Trillium Family Weekends. We are excited to see more Trillium families at the October 4-6 and October 25-27 weekends.
Spots are still available for October 25–27! Complete the Fall 2024 Interest Form by October 11 to secure your spot. More information is available by visiting the Victory Junction page on the Trillium website.
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Town Hall event held in Guilford County
Over one hundred guests visited our Greensboro office on September 10 for the Guilford County Town Hall Meeting. Trillium staff was grateful to answer questions and take back community experiences and feedback to Trillium leadership. It was a fantastic opportunity to discuss recent changes to the behavioral health system.
Trillium looks forward to continuing dialog throughout our region to improve access and overall health for the people we serve.
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Trillium staff member, CIT training volunteer earn prestigious national honors
Marilyn Gillam received the prestigious Presidential Volunteer Service Award (PVSAs) for Lifetime Achievement! Marilyn is one of Trillium’s Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Training Coordinator. She received the award from AmeriCorps and the Office of the President of the United States. The award recognizes involvement in CIT training and other efforts on behalf of individuals with mental health and substance use disorders. NAMI-Moore County President George E. Reynolds Jr. also received the PVSA alongside Marilyn.
Five years before becoming a staff member of Sandhills Center and eventually Trillium, Marilyn started volunteering to establish the Lee CIT Partnership. The Partnership helped to coordinate behavioral health de-escalation training for law enforcement officers and other first responders. Marilyn credits her coworkers, mentors, and members of the partnership for their encouragement and support.
“Over the years I have worked alongside many incredible people,” Marilyn explained. “The volunteer work that I have been a part of has varied. Yet, it all has been passionate pursuits of causes that help make life better for others – all things I would have done regardless of being recognized.”
Marilyn and the Trillium Mid-State Regional Operations staff submitted George’s PVSA Lifetime Achievement Award nomination. He has volunteered with the CIT training program in multiple counties regularly for several years. He also actively volunteers with Moore County Schools and other mental health advocacy efforts in his community.
Trillium is grateful to have such passionate and committed staff and partners making a difference!
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Inclusive playground now open in Hyde County
After a one-week delay due to inclement weather, the Hyde County inclusive playground ribbon-cutting ceremony went off without a hitch on July 30. The event was filled with fun activities for all! As a reminder, the Hyde County playground is one of more than 30 similar facilities located within the Trillium region. It is located at 33478 US-264, in Engelhard.
Construction is now underway on another new inclusive playground in Robeson County. Look for a ribbon-cutting ceremony announcement for that location coming soon!
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Over one thousand Trillium employees come together as “One Trillium”
On August 6, Trillium staff came together in Raleigh for a day of celebration. “One Trillium” celebrated what connects all of its staff: serving 230,000 of our neighbors across 46 counties building healthy, fulfilled lives.
The day saw over one thousand staff representing legacy Trillium, Eastpointe, and Sandhills Center meeting, many for the first time. The event recognized recent achievements, as well as shared exciting initiatives and programs on the horizon. North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kody Kinsley was the surprise keynote speaker.
Together as One Trillium, the future is bright as we work for the betterment of the health and well-being of our communities.
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Trillium's Head of DSS Engagement participates in statewide panel
Sean Kenny participated in a panel discussion sponsored by the North Carolina Division of Social Services (DSS) Institute. The panel took place on August 1. Kenny serves as Trillium’s Head of DSS Engagement.
The panel discussed collaboration between Local Management Entities/Managed Care Organizations and the North Carolina DSS Directors’ Association. Sean reports that it was a well-attended session, and he was honored to be a part of the discussion. Our thanks to Sean representing Trillium’s members and recipients involved in DSS!
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Trillium staff hang ten at Life Rolls On surfing event
The beach and surf are for everyone! Trillium’s Specialty Care Department participated in the Ocean Cure/Life Rolls On surfing event. The event took place at Carolina Beach in August.
Ocean Cure is a nonprofit that works to increase beach accessibility. They also improve the quality of life for their participants through surfing. Ocean Cure has assisted over 1,000 people with life challenges and disabilities for over 10 years. Life Rolls On is an adaptive sporting event offering surfing, skating, and fishing adventures for people with disabilities. Trillium staff Melissa Whisnant volunteered at the event with her team.
“It was an amazing experience,” she recounted. “We can’t wait to do it again next year.”
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Trillium earns recognition from Craven County, Disabled American Veterans
Trillium was honored at the Craven County Board of Commissioners meeting. They expressed gratitude for Trillium’s sponsorship of the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial traveling replica. The replica came to Havelock last fall. Commissioner Sherry Hunt, a USMC veteran, and Commissioner Chadwick Howard presented a Disabled American Veterans recognition plaque to Trillium’s Dave Peterson, Senior Regional Vice President.
Trillium appreciates the sacrifices of those who served our country to protect our freedoms and keep us safe!
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Oxford House opens in New Bern
Here they grow again! Trillium is excited to have participated in an open house for the New Bern Oxford House. The event took place on July 24. It offers a clean, sober housing option for up to eight men in recovery. There are now a total of 93 Oxford Houses operating in Trillium’s 46-county region.
Individuals interested in participating in Oxford House are encouraged to call 252-631-2005, or visit OxfordHouseNC.com.
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Congratulations to new CIT officers and mental health advocates across Trillium’s region
We’re proud to announce the following law enforcement officers, first responders, and community partners completed their CIT and other mental health trainings!
- 21 officers represented sheriff’s offices from Bertie, Herford, Halifax, Green, and Edgecombe counties, police departments from Rocky Mount, Goldsboro, Farmville, Murfreesboro, Roanoke Rapids, and Edenton.
- Staff of the ABC Play in Pasquotank County completed Community Crisis Intervention (CCI) training.
- 18 law enforcement and first responder agencies completed CIT training in Guilford County. The training was in partnership with Greensboro Police Department, High Point Police Department, Guilford Technical Community College, NAMI Guilford County, and Trillium Health Resources.
- 15 officers representing detention and school resource officers, as well as patrol division and investigative units in the Onslow County.
- Carobell staff in Onslow County completed CCI training.
- 16 officers representing the Goldsboro County Sheriff’s Office, City Police Department, and Wayne County Probation.
- Nine officers representing police departments from Wilmington, Burgaw, Novant Health, Sunny Point Ocean Terminal, and the New Hanover County Sheriff's Office.
- Six members of law enforcement and first responder agencies represented the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office and Star Police Department
- 14 representing Clinton Police Department, Sampson County Emergency Medical Services and the North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections
- 12 officers representing the Ayden Police Department, Craven County Sheriff’s Office, East Carolina University Police Department, Greenville Police Department, Havelock Police Department and the Pitt County Sheriff’s Office
- 12 participants from the Hoke County Sheriff’s Office and Cape Fear Valley Health Emergency Medical Services
- 13 members of the North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections staff and one Pamlico County Sheriff’s Office School Resource Officer completed CIT training
- Trillium training coordinators, in conjunction with The Stepping Up Initiative of Granville, Vance, Halifax, Warren and Franklin counties, facilitated the first Trauma-Informed Responses for Criminal Justice Professionals Training in Warren County. The four-hour instruction focused on increasing understanding and awareness of the impact of trauma, developing trauma-informed responses, and providing strategies for developing and implementing trauma-informed polices.
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Trillium training coordinators with Trillium and Holt Assessment Services, in conjunction with The Stepping Up Initiative of Granville, Vance, Halifax, Warren and Franklin counties, facilitated the first Trauma-Informed Responses for Criminal Justice Professionals training in Halifax County.
- Craven County Smart Start completed Adult Mental Health First Aid training
- 10 East Carolina University occupational therapy students participating in the Question, Persuade and Refer training
- Five officers in partnership with Craven County Community College in New Bern
- 14 officers at the Onslow County Sheriff’s Office in Jacksonville
- 22 first responders representing the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office, Wilson Police Department, North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections-Probation and Parole, Enfield Police Department, Northampton County Sheriff’s Office, Hyde County Emergency Medical Services and the Winterville Police Department
- 12 first responders representing the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction-Probation and Parole, Gaston Police Department, Nash County Sheriff’s Office, Nashville Police Department and Rocky Mount Police Department
- 11 new CIT telecommunications officers in partnership with Wilson County 911 Emergency Communications
- Guilford County Government employees participated in Mental Health First Aid training
- 14 officers representing New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office, Burgaw Police Department and Holly Ridge Police Department. The special guest was “Purple,” an emotional support facility dog for the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office. She is also now CIT trained!
- 18 first responders representing Moore County Sheriff’s Office, FirstHealth of the Carolinas Police Department, Aberdeen Police Department, Southern Pines Police Department, North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections (NCDAC), Moore County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and the Department of the Army Criminal Investigations Division.
If you or someone you know experiences a mental health emergency and is at risk for harming themselves or others, dial 911. Make sure you request a CIT officer.
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Share your Trillium Staff and Provider Stories | | |
Do you know of a Trillium staff member or network provider who goes above and beyond serving our communities? We want to hear from you! Let us know the incredible things our staff and providers are doing for the health and well-being of our region. Email us at MarketingandMessaging@TrilliumNC.org. | | | |
Recognizing Hispanic Heritage in September & October
Culture is a key component of quality care. This Hispanic Heritage Month, Trillium Health Equity Coordinator Erika Reynolds breaks down the importance of a healthcare industry that understands the diverse tapestry of Hispanic heritage. Family, language, and gaps in care are all components of successful treatment. Read more on Hispanic Heritage Month with this blog spotlight in the Trillium Newsroom this October.
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A look back at previous awareness months
Building health and resilience of our communities means addressing gaps where they are. Trillium is proud to have staff who can share their expertise in their daily work and in our monthly blog posts. With a local focus, these posts aim to give the tools and information for happier, healthier communities.
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Mental Health First Aid helps communities save lives: Mental Health First Aid empowers our communities to recognize and respond to crisis. With one in five Americans experiencing mental health issues, this training provides the tools for support and save lives. More than three million Americans are now Mental Health First Aiders. Read more on this essential, free training and how you can become a Mental Health First Aider in our August blog spotlight.
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Recovery is Always Possible: Every September, Recovery Month spreads awareness about substance use disorder and the treatment options available. Over 13 thousand people began or continued their recovery journey with support from Trillium from July 2022 to June 2023. By reducing stigma and increasing access to care, we aim to help our communities know that recovery is always possible. Read about recovery efforts happening across Trillium’s region with the September blog spotlight.
Take a look back on blog posts from the Trillium Newsroom and find more on Awareness months on Trillium’s social media pages.
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Recent Trillium News Releases & Blog Posts | | | | |