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“There is no one more deserving of this honor than Kelly. She is a tireless advocate for people with mental illness, substance use disorders, and intellectual and developmental disabilities,” said NC Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai. “I am thrilled to work with Kelly on transforming mental and behavioral health care so everyone can get the care they need when and where they need it.”
Kelly Crosbie brings over 30 years of experience in providing and managing public services for individuals with mental health and substance use disorders, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and brain injuries. She currently serves as the Director of the North Carolina Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services (MHDDSUS) within the Department of Health and Human Services. In this role, she oversees the state's public, community-based mental health and disability service systems.
As Director, Crosbie is responsible for allocating $835 million in legislative appropriations for behavioral health services over two years. She and her team ensure these funds are directed toward long-underfunded behavioral health needs, which have become more urgent since the pandemic. These investments focus on strengthening the crisis response system, expanding services for children and youth, supporting justice-involved individuals, and growing the behavioral health workforce.
A dedicated licensed clinical social worker, Crosbie has spent her entire career supporting individuals with mental health and substance use challenges, as well as those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She began as a mental health clinician, working with children in foster care and juvenile justice settings, as well as individuals with co-occurring conditions.
Over the past 13 years, Crosbie has held multiple leadership roles within the Department, including Assistant Director of Behavioral Health at NC Medicaid, Chief Operating Officer of NC Medicaid, and Chief Quality and Population Health Officer at NC Medicaid.
“North Carolina is truly fortunate to have a social worker leading the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Services,” said NASW-NC Executive Director Valerie Arendt. “Kelly Crosbie applies her social work expertise daily to drive meaningful change and investment in North Carolina’s behavioral health system, ensuring critical support for those in need. We are proud to recognize her dedication to the social work profession and her collaboration with NASW-NC.”
Director Crosbie will be honored as Social Worker of the Year at the 2025 NASW-NC Virtual Ethics Conference and Awards Celebration on Friday, March 21, 2025.
The National Association of Social Workers North Carolina Chapter (NASW-NC) is a membership organization that promotes, develops, and protects the practice of social work and social workers. NASW-NC also seeks to enhance the effective functioning and wellbeing of individuals, families, and communities through its work and advocacy.
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