| |
|
Kelly Crosbie, MSW, LCSW
Assistant Secretary for MH/DD/SUS
| | Hot Topics | October 13, 2026 | | |
Assistant Secretary Crosbie Delivers Keynote at
Growing Well Conference
| | |
Assistant Secretary Crosbie delivered the keynote address at the second annual Growing Well Conference on October 5, helping to kick off a day of inspiration, education, and collaboration for those supporting children and youth with special health care needs in rural western North Carolina.
This year’s theme, Moving Mountains for People with Special Health Care Needs, emphasized the resilience, innovation, and partnership required to improve outcomes for families navigating complex health and social systems. The conference featured a dynamic blend of individual and group presentations, expert panels, and hands‑on demonstrations led by health care providers, researchers, government leaders, educators, and individuals with lived experience.
Assistant Secretary Crosbie’s remarks highlighted the importance of cross-sector collaboration and the ongoing commitment to strengthening systems of care, so every child and family receives the support they need to thrive.
| | Building Skills and Connections for Suicide Prevention | | |
On September 17, people from across North Carolina came together in Raleigh for The Path to Prevention: Foundations for Suicide Prevention summit.The event taught practical skills, encouraged new connections, and helped people better understand suicide prevention. Participants learned how prevention works at many levels, from building personal wellbeing to responding in a crisis to supporting those who have experienced a loss.
| | |
In the afternoon, attendees joined either QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) training or AFSP’s (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention) Caring Communities session to learn how to support someone in crisis or how to help those affected by suicide. The day ended with panels featuring leaders from many fields who stressed the importance of working together to prevent suicide in North Carolina
| | |
Early feedback shows that most participants strongly agreed they learned new information, feel more prepared to help someone at risk, gained new coping skills, better understand postvention, and are more likely to use or recommend the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and NC Crisis Services.
| |
Charting Progress at the NAMI NC Vision Summit | |
The NAMI North Carolina Vision Summit took place on October 6 at the Greensboro–High Point Marriott, bringing together partners to reflect on recent progress and future priorities for mental health care in the state.
Assistant Secretary Kelly Crosbie delivered the keynote address, highlighting system successes, the power of collaboration, and key imperatives for strengthening supports for mental health, intellectual and developmental disability, and substance use services across North Carolina.
| | Adolescent Perinatal Residential Program:
New Opportunity for Providers | | |
Trillium Health Resources is looking for qualified nonprofit organizations to create and run a new residential treatment program for pregnant and parenting adolescent females who have substance use disorders. This program will fill an important gap in services for young people who need 24-hour support in a safe, structured setting.
The program will focus on the whole person. Support will include medical care, pregnancy and parenting help, infant and child development, education, family relationships, and learning the skills needed for independent living. Recovery support and planning for a successful return to the community are also key parts of the program.
This is an important opportunity to strengthen services for adolescents and their families. For more information or to apply, visit Trillium’s website. The question period deadline is October 24, 2026. The deadline for the RFA submission is November 6, 2026.
| New MAT Grant Opportunity for Sheriff’s Offices | |
DMH/DD/SUS is now accepting applications from North Carolina Sheriff’s Offices to start or expand medication‑assisted treatment (MAT) programs for people with opioid or polysubstance use disorders in jails, as directed by Session Law 2026‑41 (SB 257). The RFA was published October 6, 2026, and applications are due November 13, 2026. Only Sheriff’s Offices may apply.
Register for an online information session to be held October 14, 2026 at 12:00 PM. All are welcome to attend the information session. General information about DMH/DD/SUS grants is available on the NCDHHS website.
| | |
Learn More About What's Happening in
Your Community and at DMH/DD/SUS
| | |
Introduction to Autism Diagnosis, Interventions, and
Supports in North Carolina
| |
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.
| | |
Inclusion Works Lunch & Learn
Celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month
| | |
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
| |
Beyond the Referral: The TULA Care Pathway to
Ongoing Remote Support and Independence
| |
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
| |
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.
| | |
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
| | Stay Connected - Get Involved | | Follow Us on Social Media | | | | |
