Hot Topics

Kelly Crosbie, MSW, LCSW

Director, DMHDDSUS

Hot Topics | Jan. 14, 2025

Dr. Devdutta Sangvai is Sworn in as Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services

Dr. Devdutta “Dev” Sangvai was sworn in as the new Secretary for the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services on Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025. Dr. Sangvai was selected by Governor Josh Stein to lead the department as the state’s 19th Secretary for Health and Human Services. The swearing-in ceremony was held at Dorothea Dix Park where the department is currently headquartered.

Expanding Access, Lowering Costs and Investing in What Works to Improve the Health of all North Carolinians

As Kody H. Kinsley closes out his tenure as North Carolina’s Secretary of Health and Human Services, the department celebrates the lasting accomplishments achieved under his leadership. Guided by his vision to make the health system easier to navigate for families and more effective at promoting health, Secretary Kinsley drove collaboration across the department and with broad coalitions of external partners to deliver on foundational changes that will improve health for generations to come.

These achievements include rapidly providing health insurance to more than 600,000 through Medicaid expansion, a historic $835 million investment to increase behavioral health care, relief of $4 billion in medical debt for millions of North Carolinians and more. Visit the NCDHHS website to read the full press release.

Free 988 Printed Materials

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is providing free, printed 988 educational materials for students, professors, and student organizations to distribute on campus. Sign up today for these fresh, newly designed posters, flyers, stickers, window clings, and rack cards. Order materials by January 17, 2025, to receive them by the end of January to share throughout the Spring semester.

Community Resources

Dashboards/Reporting :

Hurricane Helene Resources

Weathering the Storm Website

Hurricane Recovery Toolkit

Community Engagement

Learn More About What's Happening in Your Community

Community Events

NC Council on Developmental Disabilities

Planning for our Future

More people with disabilities are thinking about who will support them as they get older. More family members who are getting older are thinking about who will support their loved one with a disability as they get older.

During this panel session, we will hear from individuals with intellectual or other developmental disabilities (I/DD), parents, and family members. Future Planning experts and Benefits Specialists will be on hand to offer resources and answer questions.

Date/Time: Wednesday, Jan 15, 2025, 1:00-2:00 p.m.

Registration: Register for the webinar

NC Medicaid Ombudsman Interactive Monthly Update

The NC Medicaid Ombudsman presents a monthly webinar about Medicaid Managed Care and related topics. The webinars are designed for Medicaid beneficiaries, health care providers and other Managed Care stakeholders. We’re interactive! Presenters will solicit feedback from attendees about their experiences with Managed Care and answer questions from attendees.

Date/Time: Wednesday, Jan 15, 2025, 2:00-3:00 p.m.

Registration: Register for the webinar

Collaborative Care Management Capacity Building Fund

A key priority of the DMH/DD/SUS Strategic Plan is improving access to care, which includes expanding the Collaborative Care Management (CoCM) model so practices are equipped to provide children and adults with behavioral health services at their primary care doctor’s office. This creates a more accessible mental healthcare system and ensures more people receive the mental health care they need in a place that is familiar and convenient.

NCDHHS is contracting with Community Care of North Carolina to manage the program in partnership with NC AHEC’s Practice Support coaching. This webinar will review the Collaborative Care Management Capacity Building Fund award opportunities, define eligibility criteria, and describe the application process.

Date/Time: Tuesday, Jan 28, 2025, 12:00-1:00 p.m.

Registration: Register for the webinar

More information: Visit application website

Building a Person-Centered Plan Around a

Meaningful Long-Term Goal Statement

This training is designed for providers working in the DMHDDSUS system of care supporting people living with a wide range of disabilities or health conditions including mental health, substance use, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD), older adults, etc. Training is particularly relevant to providers employed in programs where service definitions require Person Centered Plans as articulated in the NC Person-Centered Planning Guidance document. This webinar is part of the NCDHHS' ongoing efforts to support and strengthen person-centered planning across the state.

Date/Time: Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, 1:00-2:30 p.m.

Registration: Register for the webinar

More Information: Download event flyer

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