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Kelly Crosbie, MSW, LCSW
Director, DMH/DD/SUS
| | Hot Topics | August 19, 2025 | | DMH/DD/SUS will join individuals, communities and organizations across the country in celebrating 988 Day on September 8 (9/8). The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a vital resource and we want everyone to know the number by heart and be encouraged to access the free, private support. It's available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. | | | |
Anyone who is depressed, going through a hard time, needs to talk or is thinking about hurting themselves can get help. The Lifeline is available to everyone—you can call for yourself or a loved one who may need crisis support. One in three North Carolinians say 988 saved their own life or the life of someone they love.
We encourage groups, individuals and organizations to participate in 988 Day to help get the word out, with the goal of reducing stigma and making 988 as familiar as 911. Explore the 988 Day toolkit to see how you can participate like:
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Using the #988Day hashtag in social media;
- Hosting an awareness walk, open mic night or rock painting event;
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Coordinating a student poster contest, a classroom door decorating event or distribute stickers in schools (Order back-to-school materials).
| | Our Hope4NC teams in Western North Carolina continue to help people get their lives back on track after thousands still suffer from the damage caused by Hurricane Helene. This month, the Vaya Health team connected with children and families at the Back-to-School Bash hosted by Bald Creek Relief and sponsored by Appalachian Ministries of the Carolinas. There, they were able to provide mental health resources to the almost 275 attendees and reinforce the community partnerships in the region. | | | |
The NC General Assembly has earmarked $5 million for capacity building for NC Medicaid-enrolled primary care practices across the state to adopt Collaborative Care Management (CoCM). CoCM is an evidence-based behavioral health integration model designed to support primary care clinicians in assessing and treating patients with mild to moderate behavioral health conditions.
Eligible primary care practice sites can qualify to receive up to $50,000 to support implementation of the model in-house, $30K for practices that have already adopted the CoCM model in-house and want to expand, or $20K for practices that plan to newly adopt the CoCM model by outsourcing to an external vendor. To date, 47 awards impacting 62 practices have been awarded funding to start their new CoCM Services, with nearly $1,260,000 in funding distributed so far.
To apply, interested practices should connect with NC AHEC’s Practice Support Coaches. For more information about the funding opportunity, as well as more information about the Collaborative Care Management model, visit the Community Care of North Carolina website.
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Are you part of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community in North Carolina and interested in changing the culture around mental health and addiction? Then apply to be a Tarang Community Lead.
Tarang aims to improve mental health outcomes in the AAPI community through community development grounded in cultural relevance, equity, and empowerment. We are seeking highly motivated, passionate individuals with deep understanding of and connection to their community to be thought leaders on developing effective ways to bring awareness, support, and education into their community.
Please note that this is a voluntary, unpaid position, with an anticipated time commitment of a minimum of 10 hours a month. Accepted community leads will join a cohort of community leads, and receive ample project planning, development, and technical support. Anyone with an interest in addressing mental health, substance use, and/or suicide prevention is encouraged to apply. No clinical training necessary.
Applications will be accepted through September 13, 2025, or until positions are filled. Please share widely with members of the AAPI community who may be interested in participating. This program is supported and fully funded by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services.
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The planning committee is now accepting presentation proposals for the 2026 NC “One Community in Recovery” Conference. Submissions that explore diverse topics and share new ideas to strengthen recovery and resiliency across North Carolina are invited.
Deadline: Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025
Submit a Proposal: Complete Application
More Information: Download Instructions
| | Learn More About What's Happening in Your Community | | | |
Inclusion Works Lunch and Learn
The Windmills Disability Awareness Training Program
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Join Inclusion Works to learn about best practices to support individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Traumatic Brain Injury on their path to achieving Competitive Integrated Employment.
This month's Lunch & Learn will feature an overview of the Windmills Disability Awareness Training Program. This interactive learning program equips business leaders with the knowledge, skills and tools to create an inclusive workplace where all employees have the opportunity to thrive.
Date/Time: Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, 12:00-1:00 p.m.
Registration: Register for the Lunch & Learn
Closed-Captioning & American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreters will be provided.
| | Benchmarks’ Public/Private Behavioral Health Forum | | |
Join Benchmarks for a must-attend event open to all and buzzing with excitement. The morning session begins with Benchmarks President and CEO, Karen McLeod, along side Jay Ludlam from NC Medicaid and Kelly Crosbie from DMH/DD/SUS.
Together they will unpack the latest trends and updates in behavioral health. Topics will include Federal and State Medicaid updates, standard plans, tailored plans, the Healthy Opportunities status, Children & Families Specialty Plan, and other Medicaid Waiver updates. The afternoon session brings a dynamic panel featuring experts from across the NCDHHS divisions, diving into clinical policy, substance use, intellectual and developmental disabilities, mental health, facility licensure and more.
Date/Time: Friday, Sept. 5, 2025, 10:30- 2:30 p.m.
Location: The Royal Banquet & Conference Center, 3801 Hillsborough St, Raleigh, NC
Registration: Register for the forum
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Ignite Your Future: A Project Spark Event
Employment Resource Fair
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Get ready to ignite your future with a day of employment resources and networking. This event will connect individuals with I/DD and their families to employment training, resources, and support services through:
- Benefits counseling sessions
- Direct employer connections
- Resource information (Project Spark, VR, DMH/DD/SUS, Assistive Technology, etc.)
- Peer testimonials and success stories
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Project Spark was created by NCDHHS Division of Employment and Independence for People with Disabilities to help people with I/DD explore, prepare for, get and keep a job in their community. Don't miss this opportunity to ignite your potential and spark your success!
Date/Time: Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025, 9:00-4:00 p.m.
Location: Carolina Pines Community Center, 2305 Lake Wheeler Road, Raleigh, NC
Registration: Register for the event
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