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Kelly Crosbie, MSW, LCSW
Director, DMH/DD/SUS
| | Hot Topics | January 20, 2026 | | |
Governor Stein, NCDHHS Host Virtual Town Hall on
North Carolina’s Rural Health Transformation Program
| | On Friday, January 16, 2026, Governor Josh Stein joined NCDHHS leaders—including NCDHHS Secretary Dev Sangvai, NCDHHS Deputy Secretary for Health Debra Farrington, DMH/DD/SUS Director Kelly Crosbie, Rural Health Director Maggie Sauer, Public Health Director Dr. Kelly Kimple and Chief Medical Officer and State Health director Dr. Larry Greenblatt—for a Town Hall on the North Carolina Rural Health Transformation Program. | | | Presenters took live questions and input from attendees, ensuring community voices were part of the conversation. Funded by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, this initiative will expand access to care, support rural providers, and invest in technology and workforce across North Carolina. Leaders shared details of the program, discussed what this federal investment means for rural communities, and outlined next steps for implementation. You can share your insights and perspectives by submitting a feedback form. | | |
Substance Us Disorder Treatment Awareness Month
Week 3: Holistic Supports for Recovery
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Recovery from substance use disorders requires more than treatment—it relies on supports that address challenges during recovery. Across North Carolina, programs provide housing, transportation, employment, legal help, and family support—critical resources that help individuals and families rebuild their lives.
DMH/DD/SUS supports whole-person programs including:
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Oxford House: safe, supportive recovery residences
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Insight Human Services: childcare support via Children’s Care Center and WISH program
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Jubilee Home: housing and peer support for women reentering the community after incarceration
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Flourishing Families: outpatient support for women and their networks that provide therapy, MOUD, psychiatric care, case management, childcare, and transportation
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UNC Horizons: residential/outpatient care offering SUD treatment, re-entry support, transitional housing, and court advocacy for pregnant women and women with children
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Mary Benson House: residential SUD treatment program with a new transitional apartment opportunity available for mothers and children completing the program
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Sunrise Community for Recovery and Wellness: recovery community organization with peer-led services and supports, overdose prevention, outreach, food/housing connections
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Healing Transitions: peer-led, long-term residential care; partners with Morse Clinics for mobile OTP
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New Season Opioid Treatment Center: large community-based opioid treatment program offering all FDA-approved medications for opioid use disorder, clinical and recovery services, SMART Recovery
These programs reflect our support for a comprehensive approach to recovery—helping individuals and families build stronger, healthier futures.
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Christina's Story
Christina is proud of her recovery and the life she’s built, but finding housing and a job was one of her biggest challenges. She urges everyone to lead with love and provide support in these areas, because it can make a life-changing difference. Find more information and resources on Unshame NC.
| | | Updated Resource: Post-Overdose Response Team (PORT) Toolkit | | |
The Post-Overdose Response (PORT) Toolkit is designed to help communities develop and implement effective post-overdose response teams in their jurisdictions. These teams play a critical role in connecting individuals who have experienced an overdose with life-saving resources, treatment options, and ongoing support.
The updated toolkit provides step-by-step guidance on building and sustaining a PORT program. It includes best practices for collaboration with local partners and offers templates and tools to streamline implementation. For more information and resources, see the North Carolina Technical Assistance Center website.
| | | Explore the Link Center's New Website | | |
The Link Center has launched a new website designed to improve access to coordinated, effective supports for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), brain injuries, and other cognitive disabilities who also experience mental health conditions.
Funded by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), The Link Center bridges disability and mental health systems by supporting state agencies with policy development, service design, and coordination, while also sharing resources with individuals, families, and other community members. Its work emphasizes person-centered, trauma-informed, and community-responsive approaches.
| | Learn More About What's Happening in Your Community | | | State Consumer and Family Advisory Committee | | |
The State Consumer and Family Advisory Committee (SCFAC) advises NCDHHS and the General Assembly on the planning and management of the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services (DMH/DD/SUS).
The monthly meeting brings together individuals with lived experience of mental health, developmental disabilities, substance use, and traumatic brain injury (MH/DD/SU/TBI), as well as family members and advocates, to provide input and guidance in shaping policy and identifying service gaps. Meetings include updates from state agencies, discussions on current issues impacting MH/DD/SU/TBI services, and opportunities for public comment. All SCFAC meetings are open to the public.
Date/Time: Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, 9:00-3:00 p.m.
Registration Link: Register for the meeting
Agenda: View the agenda
Public Comment: Sign up for public comment
| | 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, Jan. 28, 2026, 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Registration: Register for the meeting
| | Side by Side with DMH/DD/SUS | | 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 North Carolina. This month's webinar will focus on the DMH/DD/SUS Strategic Plan. Learn about progress to date and how we’re continuing to work to build systems, services, and supports that improve the well-being of all North Carolinians, with a focus on MH, SU, I/DD, and TBI. | | | Stay Connected - Get Involved | | | | |
