January 2025

Community Newsletter

Happy New Year!

As we wrap up 2024, we are filled with appreciation for our members, providers, community partners, and teammates who worked with us during this transformative year.

Trillium grew from 28 counties to 46 counties served as we consolidated with Eastpointe and Sandhills Center. In July, we launched our Tailored Plan, expanding our services to include physical health and pharmacy care alongside behavioral health services for eligible NC Medicaid members. And we celebrated these milestones together. From information sessions about the Tailored Plan to town halls in our newest counties to our One Trillium Celebration for staff in August, we created opportunities to come together, listen to each other, and plan for the future.

Thank you to everyone for helping us create healthier, safer, and more inclusive communities in 2024. Here’s to 2025—it looks brighter with all of you in it!

Take a look back at 2024 on the Trillium Facebook page.

Recent Highlights

Trillium Family Weekends offer fall fun, dates announced for Spring 2025  

Trillium families had a blast this past fall at Victory Junction! It was an unforgettable camp experience. Some Trillium staff even volunteered helping with arts and crafts, woodworking and animal adventures! Thanks to all who made it such an exciting time. We look forward to seeing what fun awaits this spring! 

Registration is now open for the Spring Family Weekends at Victory Junction. Trillium sponsors these events for our members and their families so they can enjoy fun, inclusive camp experiences. Family Weekends are scheduled for April 4–6 and April 11–13. Application details can be found here. 

Noteworthy

January Symposium to address human trafficking  



Human Trafficking Prevention Month brings awareness and education about responding to and stopping this activity.

More than 27 million people around the world endure human trafficking and forced labor. The Human Trafficking Awareness & Prevention Symposium takes place at Edgecombe Community College in Tarboro. It will be from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on January 31. Speakers will discuss the mental and physical impacts of sex trafficking, forced labor and domestic servitude.

Register today for this free symposium. 

North Carolina Association of Public Community Health Plans 

In 2024, Trillium joined the other three Tailored Plans (Alliance Health, Partners Health Management, and Vaya Health) for form the North Carolina Association of Public Community Health Plans (NCAPCHP). 

We are dedicated to improving the health and well-being of North Carolina’s communities through advocacy, collaboration, and support for North Carolina’s four LME/MCOs – Alliance Health, Partners Health Management, Trillium Health Resources, and Vaya Health – and the members, families, and providers we serve. The NCAPCHP works with state/county/local agencies and policymakers, healthcare providers, and community stakeholders to ensure access to high-quality, equitable care for individuals with complex needs. 

We will streamline processes, ensure consolidated messaging and goals, and help promote the work we are all doing. We are proud to be a part of this partnership and look forward to what we can accomplish. We invite you to follow us on social media. 

CFAC sponsors Verbal De-escalation training  



The Trillium Mid-State Region Consumer and Family Advisory Committee (CFAC) sponsored Community De-escalation Training in October. The training took place at the Asheboro Trillium office in Randolph County.

Verbal de-escalation skills are critical in crises to stop individuals from harming themselves and others. Instruction focused on individual de-escalation scenarios and group exercises. 



• Staff joined Niadra Pratt of Passages Counseling and the Beaufort County Behavioral Health Task Force to gather and assemble Suicide Prevention Safety Kits. The kits are intended for youth and contain resource materials, safety planning information, self-care activities and comfort items to help them in challenging times. Trillium provided pens, notepads, stress balls and brochures for the kits to be distributed to students at P.S. Jones Middle School in Washington and the Boys & Girls Club of Beaufort. 

• Trillium staff volunteered with NC FIELD’s food bank in Wayne County. NC FIELD helps marginalized populations like migrant farm workers with access to food and health care. We are proud of Trillium’s partnerships with groups like NC FIELD to advance health equity in our rural communities! 
• Trillium’s South Central Region held a joint CFAC and Regional Advisory Board “Together in Service” meeting to celebrate retiring members. Trillium honored CFAC’s Nancy Moore and the Regional Advisory Board’s Louis Miller, Commissioner Jimmy Farrington, Commissioner Walter Scott, Ruthie Sheets, Lynn Fields and West Stewart. 
• The World AIDS Day Health Fair in December that covered Greene, Lenoir and Wayne Counties. The Greene County Health Department, Lenoir County Public Health, and the Wayne County Health Department partnered with the local chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. to offer the event to the community. 

• Gifts at Pamlico event in Arapahoe. It was a Toys for Tots distribution event hosted by YMCA Camp Seafarer and benefits children and families living in Pamlico County. 

Congratulations to new CIT officers and community members across Trillium’s region 



In October and November, Trillium Health Resources partnered with local agencies to certify over 120 Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) graduates across multiple counties, equipping law enforcement officers, first responders, and community partners to respond effectively to mental health crises. Some highlights from this fall include: 

• Guilford County: Two CIT training classes certified 41 graduates from agencies including Greensboro Police, High Point Police, and Guilford County EMS. 
• Lee County: Eight officers from the Sanford Police Department and Lee County Sheriff’s Office completed the 40-hour program. 
• Randolph County: 19 participants completed Advanced CIT training focused on veterans’ issues and de-escalation strategies. 
• Brunswick County: A combined 21 EMS and law enforcement personnel earned certification. 
• Lenoir, Warren, Scotland, and Robeson Counties: CIT training classes certified 38 officers and first responders from diverse agencies. 
• Wilson and Randolph Counties: Community Crisis Intervention (CCI) and Mental Health First Aid trainings supported social services staff, college students and others. 

These trainings, supported by partnerships with law enforcement, colleges and community organizations, reflect Trillium’s commitment to transforming lives and building healthier, safer communities.

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.  



Trillium staff helping with Hurricane Helene relief efforts  

When our communities experience disasters and challenges, we rise up to support each other. Everyone witnessed the impact of Hurricane Helene on our neighbors in western North Carolina. Trillium knows the impact hurricanes have on communities. Our staff quickly mobilized to help our fellow Managed Care Organization, Vaya Health. Trillium staff donated over $3,000 as a relief fund for Vaya employees affected by Helene. We also closely coordinated with Vaya, the NCDHHS, and the North Carolina Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS). 

Trillium’s Katie Hewitt visited affected communities for several days in mid-October. She went with a group organized by OEMS to offer medical support. Katie visited areas such as Bakersville and Old Fort, giving counseling assistance to people in their time of great tragedy. She said she’s grateful for the experience, and we are very thankful for her efforts! Special thanks also go to Audrey Hart, Trillium’s Head of Regional Behavioral Health Community Crisis & Disaster Response. She worked hard monitoring the situation, holding meetings with Trillium leadership, and coordinating with Vaya and the state to ensure that supplies were delivered to the affected area. 

Some staff also showed their support outside the Trillium offices. Mother-daughter duo Sandra Dunlap and Jessica Finley collected and distributed feminine hygiene products for women in western North Carolina. In November, they drove to Burnsville in an SUV filled with donations. They plan to make a return trip in January with more supplies. Visit Sacred Ruby on Facebook to watch a video about their first trip to the Hurricane Helene-affected area and get more information about how you can donate. 

Trillium has members who live throughout the state. Staff worked to identify members impacted by Helene and offer support. Communities in western North Carolina have a long journey ahead. Trillium is dedicated to supporting this ongoing recovery process. 

Member Stories

Meet Titus & Deborah!  

Deborah is a passionate advocate for her son, Titus. Titus has autism. Deborah is also a dedicated supporter of families building full, healthy lives for loved ones with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Her journey began with making sure Titus had the best educational support. Titus even made history as his high school’s first student-athlete with I/DD. He was a member of his school's wrestling team. He went on to earn his diploma. Now, as Titus thrives as an adult. He works at a local grocery store. He manages daily tasks and is involved with his community. Deborah's focus remains on fostering Titus' independence and community engagement.

Beyond her family, Deborah actively supports others. She and Titus often volunteer with local organizations. They also share their story during Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training so that first responders can better understand people living with I/DD. Deborah is a Consumer and Family Advisory Committee member, helping to build stronger support systems for families served by Trillium. She champions breaking down barriers and connecting people to life-changing services. Deborah and Titus exemplify the spirit of resilience and inspire others to live their best lives on their own terms. 



Provider Stories

Meet Community Prevention Services!  

Trillium is committed to reducing the risks of vaping and tobacco use, especially among youth. Vaping and tobacco use have harmful effects on brain development, learning, and mood. In this pursuit, Trillium partnered with Community Prevention Services. The nonprofit organization is dedicated to preventing substance misuse in Onslow and Carteret counties.

Founded in 2006, Community Prevention Services provides substance abuse prevention, mental health counseling, and treatment services. These efforts are funded through public sources managed by Trillium, such as the Strategic Prevention Framework-Partnerships for Success (SPF-PFS) grant. 

In the summer of 2024, Community Prevention Services partnered with the Onslow County Sheriff’s Office. They worked to ensure compliance with state laws prohibiting the sale of vaping and tobacco products to individuals under the age of 21. Compliance checks at 82 retailers led to over 20 citations. This highlighted the importance of enforcement to keep youth from getting ahold of harmful substances.

The collaboration between Community Prevention Services and law enforcement exemplifies their mission to build positive attitudes and behaviors. With Trillium’s support, Community Prevention Services continues to be a vital force for safeguarding the short and long-term health of youth in the communities they serve.

Monthly Awareness

Dry January  

The Dry January Challenge is a global movement that encourages us to reset our relationship with alcohol. Over 70 percent of people who participated in Dry January in the past reported better sleep. More than half reported more energy and weight loss. There are countless benefits to taking a break from alcohol. Who knows what it could change for you in 2025? Maybe this is your year to start on a healthier path. 



This month’s Trillium blog post examines the importance of Dry January. We also asked our staff participating in the Dry January Challenge to tell us about their plan for success.

Mary is very confident she can meet the challenge, and the short-term strategy could result in a long-term payoff. “I usually only drink on occasions or when out socially, so I might try to see how long I can stretch out the Dry January into the months that follow,” she said. 

A look back at previous awareness month activities 

This past fall brought us amazing stories of our neighbors and communities here in North Carolina and beyond. We even took a peek into the lives of Trillium staff and how these awareness month activities impact their lives. Take a look back at some of the awareness activities we recognized:  

Native American Heritage Month. In November, we celebrated National Native American Heritage Month to ensure their rich histories and contributions thrive with each passing generation. Learn more in November’s blog post. We asked our staff what Native American Heritage Month means to them.

World AIDS Day is December 1. We’ve come a long way from the early days of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Lives are increasingly being saved thanks to research, testing, medications, and prevention efforts across the globe. But there is more work to do! Discover more about World AIDS Day on the Trillium blog. 



Seasonal Affective Disorder Awareness Month is in December. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) often arises during the winter due to limited sunlight and shorter days. It is a form of clinical depression that affects about six percent of the population. Symptoms include sadness, low energy, and changes in appetite or sleep.

Take a look back on these awareness months and more on Trillium’s social media pages. 

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