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Kelly Crosbie, MSW, LCSW
Assistant Secretary for MH/DD/SUS
| | Hot Topics | October 1, 2026 | | Public Service Leadership Program: Applications Due Oct. 5 | | |
DMH/DD/SUS has extended the Public Service Leadership Program (PSLP) application deadline to October 5 at 11:59 p.m. This statewide initiative prepares and supports North Carolina's next generation of social workers for meaningful careers in public service.
Eligible students include final-year or Advanced Standing MSW students from coalition schools across the state, along with final-year BSW students completing their practicum at Western Carolina University, Appalachian State University, Mars Hill University, or Warren Wilson College.
Participants will connect through virtual learning communities led by subject-matter experts, complete self-paced coursework, and share insights through surveys and focus groups. Each activity is crafted to strengthen PSLP’s core learning themes: leadership, intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, advocacy, and resilience. Apply online.
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Celebrating Recovery and Community
DMH/DD/SUS Visits Club Horizon
| | Assistant Secretary Kelly Crosbie and the DMH/DD/SUS team visited Club Horizon in Raleigh last week, wrapping up this month’s Clubhouse tour. Club Horizon supports adults living with serious and persistent mental illness by building independence, strengthening community engagement, expanding employment opportunities, and supporting daily living skills. | | | The visit included a tour, a program overview, impact stories, lunch, and a wellness activity. DMH/DD/SUS extends appreciation to Club Horizon members and staff for demonstrating how the program strengthens outcomes and supports overall wellness for participants. The Club Horizon model continues to show the value of structured, community- based support for people who benefit from recovery-focused services. | | | New Reentry Guides to Assist North Carolina Service Providers | |
DMH/DD/SUS is proud to share six new reentry guides created to help service providers navigate the legal, policy, and practical barriers faced by people returning home after incarceration. Every year, thousands of North Carolinians reenter their communities, and these tools offer clear, actionable information on housing, employment, healthcare, public benefits, child support, and driver’s license restoration.
Developed through the North Carolina Technical Assistance Center, these guides reflect the expertise and lived experience of partners across the state. By equipping social workers, peer support specialists, and healthcare providers with practical resources, DMH/DD/SUS is helping strengthen coordinated, equitable reentry supports that benefits people, families, and entire communities. Explore the guides:
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National Disability Employment Awareness Month
Celebrating Talent and Value
| | National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) celebrates the leadership, talent, and determination of people with disabilities who strengthen communities across North Carolina. In recognition of this, Governor Stein proclaimed October 2026 as Disability Employment Awareness Month. | | |
This month highlights programs like Inclusion Works, an NCDHHS program that expands access to competitive, integrated employment by supporting community members in building skills, connecting with employers, and pursuing meaningful career goals.
We’re sharing the U.S. Department of Labor’s NDEAM toolkit with our partners, packed with key messages, posters, and online graphics to support this year’s theme, Celebrating Value and Talent. Let’s put these tools to work and show our shared commitment to creating inclusive workplaces where everyone can contribute, grow, and thrive.
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Learn More About What's Happening in
Your Community and at DMH/DD/SUS
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Mental Health Block Grant
Planning and Advisory Council Meeting
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Join DMH/DD/SUS for an important meeting of the NC Mental Health Block Grant Planning and Advisory Council (MHBGPAC) to discuss priorities, funding strategies, and ways to strengthen mental health services across our state. This is a great opportunity to hear updates, share your voice, and help shape the future of mental health care in North Carolina.
All are welcome: consumers, families, providers, and community advocates. Your input matters. Together, we can make a difference. Both virtual and in-person attendance options are available. All MHBGPAC meetings are open to the public.
Date/Time: Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, 10:00-3:00 p.m.
Location: NCDHHS Headquarters, 1915 Health Services Way, Raleigh, NC
Registration: Register for the meeting
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DMH/DD/SUS Sponsors Free
SMART Recovery Facilitation Skills Training
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DMH/DD/SUS is sponsoring a free two‑day SMART Recovery Training to help strengthen recovery supports across North Carolina. Participants will learn facilitation skills and explore this evidence‑informed approach that supports all pathways to recovery.
This training offers 10-13 continuing education hours and is open to anyone who wants to help. No prior experience is needed. With practical tools, inclusive language, and a strengths-based focus, SMART Recovery offers an adaptable and affirming model for people at any stage of change. Join a growing movement that's changing lives with proven strategies and real support.
Date/Time: Oct. 5-6, 2026, 9:00-5:00 p.m.
Registration: Register for the training
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HMP Connections Pioneers of Change
Shaping Healthier Futures Together
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The NCDHHS Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities invites partners across North Carolina to join a virtual conversation recognizing Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month. This event brings together Latinx leaders who are advancing health, strengthening communities, and honoring the history, cultures, and contributions of people with ancestry from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.
Guided by this year’s theme, "Together, We Are More," the session will highlight innovators and changemakers who are shaping healthier futures through collaboration and community connection. The program will be presented in Spanish, with simultaneous English interpretation, ASL, and CART captioning to ensure broad access for all participants.
Date/Time: Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026, 12:00-1:15 p.m.
Registration: Register for the webinar
More Information: Download the event flyer in English and Spanish
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Behavioral Health Springboard
NC Children with Complex Needs: Ask the Expert Series
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Behavioral Health Springboard, in partnership with DMH/DD/SUS, invites you to attend a two-part training series presented by Molly Hastings and Madeline Attianese of the Brain Injury Association of NC. The sessions will explore traumatic brain injury and the unique considerations for youth who are dually diagnosed with mental illness and intellectual and developmental disabilities. Participants will gain knowledge to better support these young people and their families.
Designed for behavioral health providers, medical and nursing professionals, LME/MCO staff, school personnel, child-serving agencies, and parents, this two-part training includes a 2-hour instructional session and a 1.5-hour Q&A session. Funded by DMH/DD/SUS as a project of the Children with Complex Needs statewide administration, the sessions are free to attend, but registration is required. Space is limited to 80 participants and early registration is encouraged.
Part One Date/Time: Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, 12:00-2:00 p.m.
Part Two Date/Time: Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026, 12:00-1:30 p.m.
Registration: Register for the training series
| Side by Side with DMH/DD/SUS: Strengthening North Carolina’s Mental Health and Substance Use Workforce | |
Join DMH/DD/SUS for the October Side by Side as we highlight key workforce updates, including loan repayment initiatives, the UNC School of Social Work Public Service Leadership Program, and a presentation from the UNC Sheps Center. This session will provide a comprehensive look at North Carolina’s mental health and substance use workforce, exploring the range of professions across the state, current training pathways, and how our state compares nationally.
Date/Time: Monday, Oct. 12, 2026, 2:00-3:00 p.m.
Registration: Register for the webinar
More Information: Download the event flyer in English and Spanish
Closed Captioning and American Sign Language Interpreters will be provided.
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