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Kelly Crosbie, MSW, LCSW
Director, DMHDDSUS
| | Hot Topics | March 28, 2025 | | A Note From Director Kelly Crosbie | | |
Hello Friends,
It has been a week. Yesterday, we had a fabulous day at the I/DD Legislative Caucus where we were able to hear stories from people with I/DD and their families and advocate for more funding and supports for people with I/DD. It is always a powerful thing when the community works together. Thank you for letting us be part of that.
We’ve also have some hard news this week. I wanted to give you some information about the reported SAMSHA cuts. On March 25, DHHS was notified by the federal government of an abrupt and immediate termination of federal grant funding related to COVID and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) thru our SAMSHA Substance Use Prevention Treatment Recovery Services (SUPTRS) Grant and Mental Health Block Grants (MHBG).
While the department is still assessing the full extent of the termination of funding, we are certain that it will impact some services across the state. Only a sub-set of providers are affected and we are working to contact everyone affected by both phone and email. These are not our ‘usual’ grants but instead are supplemental grants given as part of COVID-APRA congressional funding. Most of the funding was slated to end in June 2025 or September 2025. We are working to mitigate impact by determining if we can use other funding sources to cover the remaining months of the original grant though this is not guaranteed.
I know this is an anxious time for our community. Thank you for your understanding and patience during this challenging time. We will continue to keep you informed and are here to support you through this process. You can reach out to me at any time with questions or for more information.
Thanks for all you do.
My Best,
Kelly
| | The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced students across North Carolina will soon have access to high-quality, virtual mental health care through Hazel Health. This initiative, supported by an investment from DMH/DD/SUS and UnitedHealthcare, is part of a broader effort announced last year to provide virtual school-centered mental health care for up to one million students across select states nationwide. Through this initiative, nearly 400,000 students – amounting to almost 30% of North Carolina’s K-12 student population – will have access to Hazel Health’s mental health services. | | DMH/DD/SUS staff were part of the 600 plus attendees at the recent NC Summit on Reducing Overdose. The North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) brought together local government leaders, experts, service providers, community partners, and individuals with lived experience to address the opioid overdose crisis. The summit provided a valuable opportunity for attendees to collaborate, share insights, and learn from one another with a focus on prevention, early intervention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery efforts. This event contributed to strengthening strategies for a statewide collective response to the epidemic. | | Ribbon Cutting for New Behavioral Health Urgent Care | | Feedback Requested - Advanced Medical Home Standardized Performance Incentive Program Draft Policy Guide | |
NC Medicaid is seeking feedback from community partners on the design of the Advanced Medical Home (AMH) Standardized Performance Incentive Program. AMH is NC Medicaid’s cornerstone primary care program, serving more than 2 million Medicaid members across the state. Innovative primary care payment is critical to supporting practice improvements that lead to the outcomes that matter to Medicaid enrollees and their families. NC Medicaid plans to implement the AMH Standardized Performance Incentive program in 2026. The proposed AMH Standardized Performance Incentive program remains an important step to advance NC Medicaid’s goals of reducing provider burden and improving health outcomes.
Community partners are encouraged to provide feedback on the draft by emailing
Medicaid.NCEngagement@dhhs.nc.gov (subject line “AMH Standardized Performance Incentive Program Feedback”) by April 21, 2025.
| | Learn More About What's Happening in Your Community | | | Addiction Medicine Conference | | |
This conference offers clinically relevant substance use disorder education for healthcare providers across various settings. Attendees can expect sessions on the evolving drug landscape, practical neurobiology of addiction, disaster preparedness, and more. Scholarships are available for eligible medical, NP, and PA students, residents, or fellows interested in addiction medicine. There are in-person and virtual attendance options.
Date/Time: April 11-12, 2025
Location: Renaissance Asheville Downtown Hotel, 31 Woodfin Street, Asheville, NC
Registration: Register for the conference
Scholarship Information: Apply for a scholarship
More Information: Visit conference website
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Join survivors, caregivers, and professionals for a three-day event focused on brain injury awareness, rehabilitation, and community support. The conference features expert-led sessions, interactive workshops, and networking opportunities to enhance care, share lived-experiences, and explore innovative recovery strategies. Keynotes will cover TBI care, AI in healthcare, and personal recovery journeys. Continuing education credits available.
Date: April 13-15, 2025
Location: Wrightsville Beach, NC
Registration: Register for the conference
More information: Visit conference website
| | Addiction Professionals of North Carolina 2025 Spring Conference | | |
Made possible in part by support from NCDHHS, attend the APNC Spring Conference to earn valuable continuing education credits toward licensure, enjoy tailored sessions designed to enhance your professional growth, and network with peers who share your passion and commitment across our state.
Date/Time: April 21-23, 2025, 8:00-12:00 p.m.
Location: Lake Junaluska Conference Center, 91 North Lakeshore Drive, Waynesville, NC
Registration: Register for the conference
More Information: Visit the conference website
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