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Kelly Crosbie, MSW, LCSW
Director, DMH/DD/SUS
| | Hot Topics | August 21, 2025 | | Helping People Find Crisis Care in North Carolina | | |
As part of our crisis services communication campaign, DMH/DD/SUS has created a step-by-step guide to help crisis providers make their Google business profiles more accessible and easier to find. Each month, Google is used 300,000 times to find a crisis center or mobile crisis team. We created a guide so that providers can make it easier for consumers to find their services: Updating Your Google Business Profile - Guide for NC Crisis Service Providers.
Using this guide, providers can update their business profiles in less than an hour. It features clear instructions for each step, including how to write easy-to-understand descriptions of facilities and the ways crisis providers can help people in need of support. Clear and accessible communication is key to ensuring increased access to services. We encourage all crisis providers to use this guide to enhance their online business profile so that it’s easier for consumers to find what they need when they need it most.
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The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is seeking public comment on the revision of the proposed 2025–2027 North Carolina Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) State Plan, which outlines how the state will facilitate the CSBG Program over the next two years. The CSBG Block Grant is the sole source of federal funding for Community Action Agencies that provide a wide range of services and programs to decrease poverty in communities around the state. CSBG funding supports projects that address the needs of low-income individuals and families and provide services and activities addressing employment, education, better use of available income, housing, nutrition, emergency services and/or health.
The written draft plan will be available for review through Aug. 29, 2025 on the Office of Economic Opportunity website. The NCDHHS Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) will host a public hearing to gather feedback about the CSBG Plan at 10 a.m. on Aug. 20, 2025. To attend this meeting, use the following link: Join the meeting now. To be considered, comments on the report must be submitted no later than 5 p.m. on Aug. 25, 2025. Comments may be submitted in writing during the public hearing or by email.
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Changes to routines due to the transition back to school can be challenging – especially for families whose children may experience mental health concerns. NAMI’s back to school resources are designed to help educators, families, and youth navigate these changes. A one-stop shop for mental health information, resources include topics like discussing mental health with a child, developing time management skills, creating safe spaces in classrooms, and more.
| | Learn More About What's Happening in Your Community | | | 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, and intellectual/developmental disability 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. This is a virtual meeting and the public is invited to attend.
Date/Time: Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025, 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Registration: Register for the webinar
More Information: Download the meeting agenda
| | 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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Side by Side with DMH/DD/SUS
Transforming Rural Health: NCDHHS Discusses New Federal Funding
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Join NCDHHS leaders for a panel discussion about the Rural Health Transformation Program – a new funding opportunity to improve access to hospitals and strengthen mental health and substance use treatment in rural communities. Hosted by DMH/DD/SUS, this Side By Side webinar will educate the public about the new program while seeking community input that will shape North Carolina’s application for these federal funds.
Date/Time: Monday, Sept. 8, 2025, 2:00-3:00 p.m.
Registration: Register for the webinar
Download Event Flyer: English | Spanish
Closed-Captioning & American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreters will be provided.
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DMH/DD/SUS Director Crosbie
Keynote Speaker at Eastern AHEC Conference
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Join Eastern AHEC for "Responding to the Substance Use Crisis in North Carolina's Rural Coastal Communities" Conference. North Carolina’s rural coastal communities have been uniquely affected by the escalating opioid and substance use crisis, where limited access to care, limited treatment resources, and stigma present daily challenges for individuals and families. Join us for a dynamic conversation grounded in lived experience, evidence-based solutions, and collaborative leadership.
Keynote presentations will feature Kelly Crosbie, Director of the North Carolina Division of MH/DD/SUS and Arthur Kleinschmidt, PhD, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA), who will provide an update on the current state of substance use and mental health in North Carolina and the work of SAMSHA. This conference is being jointly hosted by Hope Mission of Coastal Carolina and Eastern AHEC.
Date/Time: Friday, Sept. 19, 2025, 9:00-3:30 p.m.
Registration: Register for the conference
Location: Carteret Community College, 3505 Arendell Street, Morehead City, NC
More Information: Download conference brochure
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