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Kelly Crosbie, MSW, LCSW
Director, DMH/DD/SUS
| | Hot Topics | October 29, 2025 | | NCDHHS, Trillium Health Resources, and Integrated Family Services, PLLC celebrated the state’s continued investment in building a comprehensive mental health system with a ribbon-cutting at a new Behavioral Health Urgent Care (BHUC) in Pitt County last week. The facility will open its doors to clients on Oct. 27. | | DMH/DD/SUS Chief Clinical Officer for Mental Health Wellness, Treatment and Recovery Lisa DeCiantis described the vital role of BHUCs in North Carolina’s mental health services system. While traditional urgent care facilities focus on physical health, BHUCs specialize in substance use and mental health services for children and adults, which can be especially helpful in moments of crisis. They can help relieve pressure on emergency departments by providing 24-hour access to mental health specialists who can assist with diagnosis and assessment, medication management and treatment options. | | | |
The location in Pitt County is the seventh BHUC that NCDHHS has helped launch in the past 18 months. Since May 2024, BHUCs in Alamance, Buncombe, Caldwell, Haywood, Rockingham and Rowan counties have all begun services, funded in part by the state’s historic investment in the mental health system.
The Pitt County BHUC is part of $13.5 million that NCDHHS awarded to Trillium to open community crisis centers and BHUCs in Lenoir, New Hanover and Pitt counties. The investment is part of a two-year plan announced in April 2024 to increase the state’s capacity to provide behavioral health urgent care by nearly 50 percent.
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New Peer Respite Mental Health Center Opens
in Henderson County
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State and local leaders gathered last week to celebrate the opening of a new peer respite mental health wellness center in western North Carolina with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Ann Marie Webb, Peer Support Program Manager at DMH/DD/SUS, delivered opening remarks, emphasizing the vital role of peer-led services in expanding access to compassionate, recovery-focused care.
The center, founded by Lexie Wilkins of Love and Respect Community for Recovery, offers a supportive, home-like environment for individuals seeking help with mental health, substance use, or crisis recovery.
Peer respite programs are among the least restrictive options for care, providing 24/7 access to Peer Support Specialists who offer guidance grounded in lived experience. The new facility represents a step forward in strengthening community-based mental health resources.
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NCDHHS is seeking feedback on North Carolina's Olmstead plan. Olmstead v. L.C., 527 U.S. 581 (1999), is a U.S. Supreme Court case that laid the groundwork for people with disabilities to live their lives as fully included members of the community. This plan centers the voices of people with disabilities, families, providers, and advocates to ensure our systems are equitable, accessible, and person-centered. NCDHHS is accepting written feedback via email at ncolmstead@tacinc.org through December 15, 2025.
Phase 1 of community engagement outreach includes virtual and in-person sessions, a survey and the opportunity to submit written feedback. In-person and virtual sessions will include ASL, interpreters and plain-language materials. If you are interested in participating, contact ncolmstead@tacinc.org for details.
The Technical Assistance Collaborative is working with the state to enhance services for people with disabilities. They have created an online survey that asks for public input on two things: how disability services are working in North Carolina, and new principles we are proposing to serve as the foundation for our work. The survey will be available through December 15, 2025.
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NCDHHS is celebrating one year of All Ages, All Stages NC, the state’s multisector plan for aging. This plan addresses the needs of the state’s rapidly growing aging population in transforming the infrastructure and coordination of services to better serve these populations, ensuring that all North Carolinians can live and age well in their communities.
To celebrate this milestone, NCDHHS’ Division of Aging is announcing a "Future Self Contest," inviting students from Pre-K through 12th grade to imagine their future selves and reflect on what it means to live in an age-inclusive society. The contest period runs through February 23, 2026. Winners will be announced on March 16, 2026.
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Join the quarterly OPDAAC meeting to help advance the priorities of the NC Opioid Action Plan, featuring expert speakers and panel discussions with practitioners implementing evidence-based strategies across the state. Attendees will hear diverse perspectives and connect with North Carolina’s leading subject matter experts working to address the overdose crisis. This meeting will focus on stigma. In-person and virtual attendance options are available.
Date: Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, 9:30-12:00 p.m.
Location: McKimmon Conference and Training Center, 1101 Gorman St, Raleigh, NC
Registration: Register for the meeting
More Information: Visit the NC OPDAAC webpage
| | Learn More About What's Happening in Your Community | | | Join Jubilee Home for a Special Ribbon-Cutting | | |
Join Jubilee Home, a recipient of DMH/DD/SUS funding for community-based diversion and reentry programs, for the grand opening of its first Women’s Home in Durham. This home is supported by the $15 million awarded by DMH/DD/SUS to provide resources for justice-involved individuals including housing support. The initiative is designed to stop the cycle of justice system involvement, which improves health outcomes for people and efficiency across our health and justice systems. The public is invite to attend. Light refreshments and a tour will follow the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Date/Time: Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, 11:00-11:30 a.m.
Location: 321 East Umstead Street, Durham, NC
RVSP: RSVP for the event
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DMH/DD/SUS Director Kelly Crosbie to Speak at
GreenTree's Grand Reopening
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You are invited to the grand reopening and ribbon cutting of the GreenTree Peer Support Program. See the new space, supported with funding provided by NCDHHS, and learn how it will serve our community. Special guest DMH/DD/SUS Director Kelly Crosbie will talk about alternative peer support and crisis-responsive programs.
Date/Time: Friday, Oct. 31, 2025, 2:00 p.m.
Location: 1025 West First Street, Winston-Salem, NC
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Side by Side with DMH/DD/SUS
Strengthening North Carolina’s MH, SU, IDD & TBI Workforce
Innovations in Recruitment, Training, and Retention
| Join DMH/DD/SUS for an important Side by Side webinar highlighting North Carolina’s latest initiatives to support and grow the licensed and unlicensed workforce serving individuals with Mental Health (MH), Substance Use (SU), Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD), and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). |
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Expanding Qualified Professional (QP) Pathways: Updates on the QP Rule TG and its implications for workforce access and flexibility.
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Academic Partnerships for Workforce Development: Learn about our collaboration with the UNC School of Social Work and community colleges to recruit, train, and retain a skilled workforce.
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NC Licensed Workforce Loan Repayment Program: A new opportunity to support licensed professionals working in MH, SU, I/DD, and TBI services.
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Whether you're a provider, educator, policymaker, or advocate, this webinar offers valuable insights into how North Carolina is investing in its human service workforce.
Date/Time: Monday, Nov. 3, 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.
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North Carolina's Peer Support Program
Community Resilience Through Crisis
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Join DMH/DD/SUS for an engaging webinar that will highlight exciting updates to the Peer Support Program, including a preview of the new curriculum and upcoming additional supports designed to strengthen our community impact. Following the program update, we will host a panel of Certified Peer Support Specialists (CPSS) who played a vital role in their communities during and after Hurricane Helene.
These dedicated professionals will share their powerful stories of resilience—how they helped rebuild their communities while continuing to provide unwavering support to those in need. This session will showcase the strength, compassion, and commitment of North Carolina’s CPSS, who continue to serve others even in the face of personal and collective adversity.
Date/Time: Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025, 12:00-1:30 p.m.
Registration: Register for the webinar
Closed-Captioning & American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreters will be provided.
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