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Kelly Crosbie, MSW, LCSW
Assistant Secretary for MH/DD/SUS
| | Hot Topics | October 8, 2026 | | |
January Changes in Medicaid Coverage: Share the Flyers!
| | For adults ages 19 through 64 without a disability who receive Medicaid through expansion, new rules start on Jan. 1, 2027. They will need to earn $580 each month per household to keep Medicaid or prove they are working, go to school or volunteer for 80 hours each month. People who do not meet the new rule may lose full Medicaid benefits, including coverage to go to doctors or dentists, get prescriptions or receive mental health care. | | For many people who are not U.S. citizens, some Medicaid changes took effect Oct. 1. Access the flyer explaining those changes as well. | | Crisis System Committee Discusses Reforms at Second Meeting | | The Crisis System of Care Advisory Committee, co‑chaired by Assistant Secretary Kelly Crosbie of DMH/DD/SUS and Deputy Secretary Sherry Hunter for the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, met for its second session on September 30. The group continued its work to strengthen North Carolina’s behavioral health crisis system and reduce the “revolving door” in which people cycle repeatedly through emergency rooms, mental health facilities, and the criminal justice system. Members reviewed why reforms are needed, especially for the state’s current involuntary commitment (IVC) process, which often leaves families confused, delays treatment, and leans too heavily on emergency rooms and first responders. | |
Committee members discussed proposals to strengthen crisis response by expanding the use of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline as well as mobile crisis services and community crisis centers.
Members emphasized the importance of establishing clear pathways to voluntary care and ensuring courts have timely clinical information for decision-making when presented with an IVC petition. The committee also explored ways to reduce reliance on emergency departments and first responders, including offering alternative transportation services, standardizing trauma-informed practices, and increasing community crisis center capacity. These efforts would support timely, person-centered care in the least restrictive setting and help reduce repeat crises.
The meeting was open to the public and livestreamed: NC Crisis System of Care Advisory Committee Meeting: Sept. 30, 2026. The next meeting will be help on October 28, 2026. Location and livestream information will be available at the Advisory Committee webpage.
| | UNC Horizons Open House:
A Firsthand Look at Transformative Care | |
UNC Horizons will host an open house offering a firsthand look at its nationally recognized program supporting women and their children affected by substance use. Guests will have the opportunity to explore the program up close, hear directly from those whose lives and work are shaped by its mission, and engage in a conversation about the vision and needs guiding UNC Horizons into the future.
UNC Horizons is proudly supported through SUPTRS block grant funds administered by DMH/DD/SUS.
Date/Time: October 16, 2026, 2:00–3:30 p.m.
Location: 410 N. Greensboro Street, Suite 220, Carrboro, NC 27510
RSVP by October 12: Vanessa Cox at Vanessa_Cox@med.unc.edu
More Information: Download the flyer.
| | RFP Released: Purchasing and Shipping of Opioid Antagonists | | |
The purpose of this Request for Proposals (RFP) is to identify a drug manufacturer(s) to partner with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Services (DMH/DD/SUS) for the purchase and shipping of opioid antagonist medications within the State of North Carolina.
An opioid antagonist is a medication that binds to opioid receptors in the brain and blocks or reverses the effects of opioids such as heroin, fentanyl, oxycodone, morphine, and hydrocodone. It works quickly to restore normal breathing in someone experiencing an opioid overdose, which can prevent brain damage or death. The funding for this contract(s) was awarded by the General Assembly of North Carolina, Session 2025, enacted Session Law 2026-41, Senate Bill 257. Vendors need to register in eVP to view and respond to the RFP.
View the RFP. For more information, contact Eve.Hens@dhhs.nc.gov.
| | October Shines a Light on the See Us, Support Us Campaign | | |
October marks the national See Us, Support Us (SUSU) campaign, which raises awareness and builds community for children who experience parental incarceration and reentry. This year’s focus is on helping children stay connected to their incarcerated parents, a relationship that supports healing and well-being despite barriers like limited visiting hours and high communication costs.
Our Children’s Place of Coastal Horizons leads statewide efforts to support these children by organizing Parent Day events in prisons, offering workshops for professionals, and providing parenting classes and case management at Anson Correctional Institution. The "31 days, 31 signs, 31 opportunities" campaign will spotlight SUSU supporters on the agency's Facebook page to show children across the state that their community sees them and stands with them.
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Learn More About What's Happening in
Your Community and at DMH/DD/SUS
| | 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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Introduction to Autism Diagnosis, Interventions, and
Supports in North Carolina
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Attend the final session of the North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities webinar series on autism featuring clinicians, researchers, self advocates, and other experts who will share practical insights on diagnosis, interventions, and supports.
The webinar is designed to help families, professionals, and community partners better understand the path to an autism diagnosis and the wide range of available supports. Attend to learn more about autism resources and the experiences of autistic individuals and their families.
Date/Time: Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026, 6:30-7:45 p.m.
Registration: Register for the webinar
| Inclusion Connects Advisory Committee Meeting | |
The Inclusion Connects Advisory Committee provides valuable feedback on how Inclusion Connects supports individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD). The committee reviews opportunities to enhance existing services and explores ideas for new programs that better serve this community.
Date/Time: Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, 11:00-12:00 p.m.
Registration: Register for the meeting
Closed-Captioning & American Sign Language Interpreters will be provided.
| Inclusion Works Community Advisory Committee Meeting | | |
Join Inclusion Works for an update on the progress of its programs and initiatives. This quarter's meeting will highlight advancements in the Inclusion Works Strategic Plan, standardized employment assessments, workforce deveopment, and provider innovation grants. Presenters will also share upcoming provider training opportunities and provide an overview of recent data insights.
Date/Time: Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026, 11:00-12:00 p.m.
Registration: Register for the meeting
Closed-Captioning & American Sign Language Interpreters will be provided.
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Inclusion Works Lunch & Learn
Celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month
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Join Inclusion Works as we celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month. We will highlight the progress made over the past year, including a look at Year One of the Inclusion Works Strategic Plan. You’ll learn about our goals for the year ahead and the steps we are taking to strengthen inclusive employment across the state. Most importantly, we will recognize and celebrate the work of North Carolinians who are advancing inclusion every day.
Date/Time: Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026, 12:00-1:00 p.m.
Registration: Register for the webinar
Closed Captioning and American Sign Language Interpreters will be provided.
| | Statewide Traumatic Brain Injury Provider Collaborative Kickoff | |
North Carolina is launching a Statewide Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Provider Collaborative to strengthen connections and expand support for people living with brain injuries. The new initiative responds to the state’s limited TBI workforce, growing provider needs, and the need for stronger, more coordinated collaboration.
By joining the Collaborative, participants will help build a more unified network and contribute to shaping statewide TBI priorities. Anyone involved in providing services or supports to people living with brain injuries is encouraged to participate in this new statewide effort. To learn more about TBI, visit the DMH/DD/SUS website.
Date/Time: Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026, 12:00-1:00 p.m.
Registration: Register for the kickoff
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Beyond the Referral: The TULA Care Pathway to
Ongoing Remote Support and Independence
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Join Inclusion Connects for an engaging overview of how the Technology Ultimate Living Assistant (TULA) program supports members from the first referral through long term remote support services.
This webinar will explain the referral process, describe the assessment approach, and highlight how TULA collaborates with members, families, providers, and care teams to put technology supports in place that strengthen independence, safety, and quality of life.
The session will also walk through how to access TULA and enabling device supports. Referral is the starting point, not the finish line. TULA partners with members and care teams every step of the way to empower greater independence and enhance quality of life.
Date/Time: Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026, 1:00-2:30 p.m.
Registration: Register for the webinar
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Assistant Secretary Kelly Crosbie Joins Statewide Panel on
Mental Health in North Carolina
| | North Carolina continues to see rising mental health needs, and this upcoming Triangle Business Journal event brings together leaders who are working every day to respond to these challenges. Save the date and register today to be part of the conversation. | | |
Kelly Crosbie, Assistant Secretary for Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services at NCDHHS, will join experts from UNC Health and Duke to share what they are seeing across the state.
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The panel will explore how statewide initiatives are addressing these trends and where work is headed next. It’s an important opportunity to hear directly from leaders shaping North Carolina’s mental health future.
Date: Thursday, Nov. 12, 2026, 8:00-10:00 a.m.
Location: The Umstead Hotel and Spa, 100 Woodland Pond Drive, Cary, NC
Registration: Register for the event
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