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Kelly Crosbie, MSW, LCSW
Director, DMH/DD/SUS
| | Hot Topics | July 8, 2025 | | Free Teen Mentoring App Grows in Engagement and Satisfaction | | |
As part of our commitment to expand access to mental health supports for adolescents, DMHDDSUS has expanded the use of a free digital platform called “SOMETHINGS” that connects teens to Certified Peer Support Mentors and mental health providers. An initiative that is a partnership between NCDHHS, Somethings, and Alliance Health, the SOMETHINGS app is seeing increasing usage, high satisfaction rates and success in de-escalating mental health crises.
One 15-year-old girl says "I feel more calm and confident because of my mentor." Another 18-year-old girl says "I don't know where I'd be without this app."
Fifty-four NC counties are represented among users of the app; our goal is to expand to all 100 counties. Since its launch in 2024, engagement has grown each month, with 369 teens engaged as of May 2025. From January through April 2025, 77 mental health crises have been de-escalated through use of the digital platform with teens reporting an average satisfaction rate of 4.7 out of 5.
If you’re a teen or know a teen who needs mental health support, visit SOMETHINGS.com/northcarolina to get connected. Services are available via text and video calls after school from 3:00 - 11:00 p.m. and on weekends.
| | In response to the continuing opioid crisis, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services seeks to make naloxone, an overdose reversal medication, more widely available, particularly to individuals at highest risk of opioid overdose. | | | Providers are invited to submit a request via the online survey form: Naloxone Request Survey through Thursday, July 10, 2025. This form is for organizations to submit requests for naloxone for distribution in communities with high overdose rates. This form is not intended for individuals requesting naloxone. For resources related to overdose prevention and accessing naloxone, please visit NaloxoneSaves-nc.org. | | |
Inclusion Connects Success Story Surveys
Share Your Story!
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Inclusion Connects is excited to announce two new survey tools, now available on the Inclusion Connects website. Designed to celebrate the success of people with I/DD and the contributions of providers, it offers a chance to offer important insight and advice to others considering moving to the community.
There are two surveys - one for service recipients and one for service providers. The first survey focuses on people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) who have moved from an institution to a community setting. The second survey focuses on providers who have supported these moves and work to support people with I/DD every day.
If you’re someone who fits into one of these two categories, please visit the Inclusion Connects Community Living webpage to learn more and share your success story today!
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SERNRA / NAMRC / NCRA Training Conference
Call for Session Proposals
| | The SERNRA / NAMRC / NCRA conference is scheduled for September 22-24, 2025 at the Sheraton Four Seasons in Greensboro, NC. The joint conference is an opportunity for training, education, and credentialing of our diverse membership that believes excellence and outcomes are achieved by upholding the utmost importance of continuous learning, professional development, and personal enrichment. Submit a session proposal application by July 9, 2025. | | Learn More About What's Happening in Your Community | | | Brain Injury Advisory Council Meeting | | |
The purpose of the Brain Injury Advisory Council (BIAC) is to review the nature and cause of traumatic and other acquired brain injuries in North Carolina. The Council also makes recommendations to the Governor, the General Assembly, and the Secretary of Health and Human Services regarding the planning, development, funding, and implementation of a comprehensive statewide service delivery system to address the needs of brain injury survivors. Virtual and in-person attendance options are available. The public is invited to attend.
Date/Time: Thursday, July 10, 2025, 12:00-2:00 p.m.
Attend In-Person: Ashby Building, Conf. Rm. 115, 2104 Umstead Drive, Raleigh, NC
Attend Virtually: Join the Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 161 932 7605
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Side by Side with DMH/DD/SUS
Increasing Access with Integrated Care
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Join us to learn about policies and programs that affect the MH/IDD/SU/TBI community. Side by side, we will work together to better understand and improve our system. We will listen closely to one another, and we will share ideas for public policy that will improve lives in NC. This month's focus is on Integrated Care. We discuss Collaborative Care, Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics and NC-PAL, a statewide Psychiatry Access Line.
Date/Time: Monday, July 14, 2025, 2:00-3:00 p.m.
Registration: Register for the webinar
English Flyer: Download flyer
Spanish Flyer: Download flyer
Closed-Captioning & American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreters will be provided.
| Inclusion Works Community Meeting | |
Join Inclusion Works for an update on the progress of Inclusion Works' programs and initiatives. This meeting is held quarterly on the third Tuesday of the month and is open to the public. The team will share progress on the Strategic Plan and will also explain the development of a new system to simplify the enrollment process for Competitive Integrated Employment.
Date/Time: Tuesday, July 15, 2025, 11:00-12:00 p.m.
Registration: Register for the meeting
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NCDHHS 35th American Disabilities Act Anniversary Celebration
Fulfilling the Promise of Access and Opportunity
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July 26 marks the 35th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a civil rights law that promotes equal opportunity for people with disabilities. To commemorate the occasion, NCDHHS will host a celebration: “Fulfilling the Promise of Access and Opportunity” that will feature an array of speakers to discuss how the ADA continues to be a guiding light for all North Carolinians.
Date/Time: Thursday, July 24, 2025, 10:00-12:00 p.m.
Location: NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, 109 East Jones St, Raleigh, NC
Registration: Register by July 14
Closed-Captioning & American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreters will be provided.
| | Inclusion Connects Advisory Committee Meeting | | |
Join Inclusion Connects for an update on the progress of our programs and initiatives. This meeting is held quarterly on the third Monday of the month and is open to the public. Join us this month for a review of the quarterly report and updates to the Innovations Waiver Waitlist Dashboard.
Date/Time: Monday, July 21, 2025, 2:00-3:00 p.m.
Join Link: Join the meeting
| | Stay Connected - Get Involved | | | | |
