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Kelly Crosbie, MSW, LCSW
Director, DMH/DD/SUS
| | Hot Topics | November 25, 2025 | | Mental Health in the Workplace: Profiles in Courage | | |
DMH/DD/SUS, in partnership with Triangle Business Journal and the Governor’s Institute, presents Profiles in Courage—a 7-minute video sharing powerful, untold stories of resilience during Hurricane Helene.
Almost no one living in western North Carolina were spared the wrath of Hurricane Helene. But from all the devastation emerged some individuals whose work to help communities will be remembered for decades.
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The video features leaders who stepped up when it mattered most, including:
- Karen Russell, Hope Center
- Billy West, Daymark Recovery Services
- Philip Cooper, Operation Gateway
- Keri Hill, Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry
- Erin Bowman, F. Keith Alcohol and Drug Abuse Treatment Center
- Tracy Hayes, Vaya Health
Their stories reflect the strength, compassion, and unity that carried communities through the storm and continue to inspire a more resilient, connected future.
| | Advanced Training Courses for Direct Support Professionals | | |
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, in partnership with the NC Community College System, is excited to continue the free Advanced Direct Support Professional (DSP) Training program for current and aspiring DSPs. Registration for Spring 2026 courses is open now with courses beginning in January 2026.
Program Highlights:
- Two eight-week virtual courses for flexible participation
- Offered through Stanly, Asheville-Buncombe, and Forsyth Technical Community Colleges
- Designed to enhance skills and open career opportunities in supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities
Registration Information:
Space is limited. Contact the continuing education office at your preferred campus for registration details. Visit the Inclusion Connects website to learn more about ongoing work to strengthen the Direct Support Professional workforce.
| | Governor Stein, NCDHHS Host Medical Debt Roundtable | | Gov. Stein and NCDHHS Secretary Sangvai hosted a roundtable discussion in Greenville last week to learn about the impacts of medical debt relief on North Carolinians. In August 2024, all eligible hospitals in the state joined the first-of-its-kind Medical Debt Relief Program, a partnership between NCDHHS, the state’s 99 acute care hospitals, and Undue Medical Debt, a nonprofit that buys medical debt. | | | Learn More About What's Happening in Your Community | | | |
Side by Side with DMH/DD/SUS
Profiles in Courage: A Year of Courage and Hope After Hurricane Helene
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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 webinar focuses on reflections from Hurricane Helene, highlighting the resilience and leadership of the MH/SU/IDD community during crisis response efforts, and offers an in-depth overview of the Hope4NC program—its accomplishments, community impact, and future direction.
Date/Time: Monday, Dec. 1, 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.
| | NCDHHS Seeking Public Input on Updates to Olmstead Plan | | |
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, in partnership with the Technical Assistance Collaborative (TAC), is seeking public input to update the state’s Olmstead Plan. This plan is a vital step toward ensuring that people with disabilities can live fully included lives in their communities, as affirmed by the U.S. Supreme Court’s Olmstead v. L.C. decision.
Your voice is essential. Attend one of the meetings to share your perspective and experiences. The goal of the meetings is to gather feedback from individuals with disabilities, families, providers, and advocates. These sessions are a key opportunity to help shape services and supports across North Carolina. There are two opportunities to participate.
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Greensboro
Date: Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025
Time: 10:30-12:00 p.m.
Location: Greensboro Central Library, 219 Church Street, Greensboro, NC
Registration: Register for the meeting
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Asheville
Date: Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025
Time: 9:00-10:30 a.m.
Location: Asheville-Buncombe Tech, 340 Victoria Road, Asheville, NC
Registration: Register for the meeting
| | NC First Lady Anna Stein to Join DMH/DD/SUS Director Kelly Crosbie at the OPDAAC Quarterly Meeting | | |
Join us for the Opioid and Prescription Drug Abuse Advisory Committee (OPDAAC) quarterly meeting as we work together to advance the goals of the NC Opioid Action Plan. This session will feature special remarks from First Lady Anna Stein and DMH/DD/SUS Director Kelly Crosbie, and will spotlight the critical issue of stigma in the overdose crisis. Engage in dynamic panel discussions with frontline practitioners who are implementing evidence-based strategies across North Carolina. Attendees will gain valuable insights from diverse perspectives and connect with leading experts dedicated to reducing overdose deaths and improving community health. The public is invited to attend, with both in-person and virtual attendance options available.
Date: Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, 9:30-12:00 p.m.
Location: McKimmon Conference and Training Center, 1101 Gorman Street, Raleigh, NC
Registration: Register for the meeting
More Information: Visit the NC OPDAAC webpage
| | Mental Health Block Grant Advisory Committee Meeting | |
Join us for an important meeting of the NC Mental Health Block Grant Advisory Committee as we discuss priorities, funding strategies, and ways to strengthen mental health services across our state. This is a great opportunity to hear updates, share your voice, and help shape the future of mental health care in North Carolina. All are welcome: consumers, families, providers, and community advocates. Your input matters. Together, we can make a difference.
Date/Time: Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, 10:00-3:00 p.m.
Registration: Register for the meeting
Agenda: Download the meeting agenda
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Meet Tarang: A Community-Driven Movement for
Asian American and Pacific Islander Mental Health
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Join DMH/DD/SUS on Saturday, December 6 from 11:00 to 12:30 p.m. for a webinar introducing Tarang (pronounced TUH-rung), a groundbreaking pilot initiative created by and for the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. Tarang, meaning ripple effect, is a culturally rooted, community-led effort designed to foster open dialogue and support around mental health, substance use, and suicide within AAPI communities.
Tarang creates safe spaces for healing, connection, and advocacy. By centering community voices and lived experiences, Tarang aims to shift the culture, elevate needs, and ensure AAPI communities are included in broader systems of care. Attend this inaugural session to hear from our first cohort of community leaders, share your story, and learn how you can be part of this transformative movement.
Date/Time: Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, 11:00-12:30 p.m.
Registration: Register for the webinar
| | Stay Connected - Get Involved | | | | |
