Kelly Crosbie, MSW, LCSW

Director, DMH/DD/SUS

Hot Topics | October 16, 2025

North Carolina Expands Access to Integrated Care with

New CCBHC Learning Community

The North Carolina Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services (NCDMHDDSUS), in partnership with Trillium Health Resources and national consulting firm OPEN MINDS, is proud to launch the AdvaNCe Health Together Learning Community — a bold new initiative to strengthen and expand access to integrated mental health, substance use, and physical health care across the state.

This initiative builds on more than a decade of Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) leadership in North Carolina, and directly supports the goals outlined in the NC DMHDDSUS 2024–2029 Strategic Plan, which prioritizes the CCBHCmodel as a key strategy for transforming care delivery.

The AdvaNCe Health Together Learning Community will provide training, technical assistance, and peer collaboration to help clinics across the state prepare for CCBHC certification — a model that ensures people receive comprehensive, coordinated care regardless of diagnosis, insurance status, or ability to pay.

“This is a major step forward in our commitment to whole-person care,” said Kelly Crosbie “By investing in CCBHCs, we’re supporting care delivery models where where mental health, substance use, and physical health care are no longer siloed — they’re integrated, accessible, and centered on the needs of the individual.”

North Carolina currently supports five DHHS-funded CCBHC grantees:

• Anuvia Prevention & Recovery Center (Charlotte)
• B & D Integrated Health Services (Durham)
• Coastal Horizons Center (Wilmington)
• Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC) (Asheville)
• SouthLight Healthcare (Raleigh)

These clinics are already demonstrating the power of the CCBHC model to improve outcomes and reduce barriers to care. As part of the state’s broader strategy, North Carolina is currently the recipieint of a federal CCBHC Planning Grant. To learn more about North Carolina’s CCBHC efforts and find current sites, visit the NCDHHS CCBHC webpage.

North Carolina’s State Opioid Treatment Authority Administrator Smith Worth Honored with Nyswander/Dole “Marie” Award 

DMH/DD/SUS is proud to share that Smith Worth was recently honored with the prestigious Nyswander/Dole “Marie” Award during the American Association of Treatments for Opioid Dedendence (AATOD) Conference, held October 4–8 in Philadelphia. This national award recognizes individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the field of opioid treatment and advocacy. Smith’s dedication and impact were celebrated during the Awards Ceremony on Tuesday, October 7.

As North Carolina’s State Opioid Treatment Authority Administrator, Smith Worth led efforts to expand access to opioid treatment, improve program quality, and support recovery-focused care. Her leadership strengthened emergency preparedness, enhanced workforce training, and advanced stigma reduction across the state. Smith retired in April after 30 years of dedicated service to UNC and DMH/DD/SUS.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Smith Worth on this well-deserved recognition and thank everyone who helped bring attention to her outstanding work. It’s through leaders like Smith that we continue to drive meaningful, lasting change in the field.

UCA WAVES Highlights AAPI Youth Mental Health in Raleigh

On September 26–27, UCA WAVES hosted a youth mental health event with a pre-conference at the Julia Daniels Center for Community Leadership in Raleigh and a full-day conference at the McKimmon Center. The conference spotlighted the unique needs of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) youth. 

DMH/DD/SUS Director Kelly Crosbie delivered remarks emphasizing the importance of culturally responsive care and the state’s commitment to expanding access to mental health services. Pooja Mehta, AAPI Community Lead for the Division, was a panelist for the conference. 

A pre-conference session focused on government initiatives supporting AAPI and BIPOC communities, including: 

• Grant programs for community-based mental health services  
• Language access improvements  
• Workforce development to diversify mental health providers  
• Culturally tailored training and peer support programs 

The event underscored the vital role of collaboration between government and community organizations in addressing youth mental health challenges. 

Community Resources

Dashboards/Reporting:

• Strategic Plan Dashboard
• 988 Performance Dashboard
• Innovations Waitlist Dashboard

Community Engagement

Learn More About What's Happening in Your Community

Inclusion Works Community Advisory Committee Meeting

Join Inclusion Works for the quarterly Community Advisory Committee Meeting. The meeting will provide information and updates about the Inclusion Works programs and provides a forum for community stakeholders to give input and offer feedback about programs and initiatives.

Date/Time: Tuesday, October 21, 2025, 11:00-12:00 p.m.

Registration: Register for the meeting

Closed-Captioning & American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreters will be provided.

State to Local Consumer and Family Advisory Committee Meeting

DMH/DD/SUS invites you to attend the State to Local Consumer and Family Advisory Committee (CFAC) meeting focused on elevating the voices of individuals and families who receive mental health, substance use, intellectual/developmental disability, and traumatic brain injury services. This meeting is an opportunity to strengthen communication between Local CFACs and the State CFAC, share updates, and identify priorities that shape services and supports in our communities. All meetings are open to the public. 

Date/Time: Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, 6:00-7:30 p.m.

Registration: Register for the meeting

More Information: Download the meeting agenda

DMH/DD/SUS Director to Speak at

Addiction Professionals of North Carolina Fall Conference

Attend the APNC Fall Conference to learn of cutting-edge, evidence-based practices and collaborate on innovative solutions to tackle substance use disorder. The event is made possible in part by support from NCDHHS.

Director Kelly Crosbie will speak about the state of substance use disorders in NC with APNC CEO Sara Howe. The session will cover key data trends, policy developments, and emerging challenges across the state.

Date/Time: Oct. 27-29, 2025

Location: DoubleTree by Hilton, 2717 West Fort Macon Road, Atlantic Beach, NC

More Information: Visit the conference website

Talkspace NC

Innovative Mental Health Therapy for Justice-Impacted Youth

Join DMH/DD/SUS and Talkspace as we highlight an exciting new partnership offering free virtual therapy to justice-impacted teens. Learn about the need, the value and the potential of Talkspace to expand access and increase the quality and consistency of mental health services for youth.

This webinar will be especially valuable for family members and eligible youth as well as professionals who work with eligible youth, including mental health professionals, court officials, advocates, counselors and justice system professionals. Speakers will give context for the program, attest to its value, and provide a demonstration of its features.

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

Registration: Register for the webinar

Closed-Captioning & American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreters will be provided.

Strengthening Care for Kids

An Overview of the Children and Families Specialty Plan

Join us as DMH/DD/SUS Director Kelly Crosbie leads a discussion on the Children and Families Specialty Plan (CFSP). This Medicaid-funded initiative aims to provide integrated, whole-person care to children and families within the child welfare system.

Director Crosbie will be joined by Chameka Jackson, NC Medicaid’s Associate Director for the CFSP; Dr. Keith McCoy, Chief Medical Officer for DMHDDSUS and Associate Medical Director for Behavioral Health at NC Medicaid; and representatives from Healthy Blue, the health plan responsible for operating the CFSP.

Together, they will explore how the CFSP aligns with DMHDDSUSs strategic commitment to youth mental health and discuss its impact on service delivery, coordination, and outcomes for this vulnerable population. 

Date/Time: Wednesday, October 29, 2025, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Registration: Register for the webinar

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