NCDHHS Inclusion Works Community Update

Kelly Crosbie, MSW, LCSW

Director, DMH/DD/SUS

Welcome to the INCLUSION WORKS Community Update

We are excited to share new updates about Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE)

in the Community Update!

Stay tuned to hear about all the great things happening in CIE!

New updates every month. Join our mailing list.

INCLUSION WORKS NEWS

Inclusion Works Strategic Plan - Open for Public Comment

NCDHHS has finalized the draft Inclusion Works Strategic Plan and has posted the document for public comment. The draft plan outlines the vision for improving CIE opportunities and outcomes for individuals with I/DD in North Carolina.

The draft Strategic Plan is available online for questions and feedback from the public from May 1 - June 1, 2025.

For more information on what it took to develop the draft Strategic Plan, watch the webinar and review the presentation.

Submit Feedback

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about the mental health needs of individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities (I/DD). People with I/DD are at higher risk of developing mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression.

All North Carolinians can connect with non-judgmental, private and compassionate crisis services available 24/7, in English and Spanish, at little to no cost. NCDDHS has launched a new toolki t offering services such as:

Connecting with someone who will listen and help

Call or text 988. You can also chat online.

Talking to someone who has been there

Call 855-PEERS-NC (855-733-7762) to talk to someone trained in mental health or substance use recovery.

Having help come to you

A mobile crisis team will meet you in a safe place for free. Find your nearest nearest mobile crisis team .

Going someplace safe

Find a community crisis center near you.

KEY UPDATES

North Carolina Disability Benefits 101 is Now Live

Disability Benefits 101 (DB 101) is a new online resource designed to help people with disabilities, their families and guardians, service providers, and other advocates better understand how work and benefits can go together.

It provides information in plain language with simple tools to help dispel myths and reduce confusion around public benefits, earned income, health insurance, and more

It also provides answers to frequently asked questions, tips on how to avoid common pitfalls, information on how to save money while working, and resources to help people with disabilities prepare for work

Employment and Independence for People with Disabilities (EIPD) is planning DB101 training events for stakeholders – more information to come.

New Bilingual Tools About 1915(i) Services

TDHHS has launched the updated NC Medicaid 1915(i) Services webpage with tools in English and Spanish to help inform communities about 1915(i) home and community-based services. Materials include information about what services are offered, who is eligible, and how to access these services.

Download the Toolkit

Visit the 1915(i) Services Website

Recap of the April Inclusion Works Lunch and Learn

This past April, Inclusion Works hosted a Lunch and Learn featuring Linking North Carolina with Innovative Talent (LiNC-IT), an Autism Employment Program developed by the North Carolina Business Committee for Education.

Mike Chapman, Director of Employment Services UNC TEACCH Autism Program, walked through how LiNC-IT supports people with Autism, businesses and employers to succeed.

Watch the webinar recording and review the presentation.

WAYS TO GET INVOLVED

Inclusion Works Wants to Hear From You!

Do you have a success story? We would love to hear from people who are working in good paying jobs in their communities, those who helped a person get and keep a job, and employers who have successfully hired employees with I/DD. Please reach out to Inclusion Works to share your stories!

Coming Up: i2i Insight to Innovation 2025 Spring Conference

Join NCDHHS Inclusion Works at the Spring 2025 i2i Conference featuring Resilient Systems: Navigating Change. View the full agenda of events.

Pre-Conference Date/Time: June 9, 2025, 1:30-4:30 p.m.

Conference Dates: June 10 -11, 2025

Location: Hilton Raleigh North Hills Hotel, Raleigh NC

Registration: Register for conference

More Information: Visit the conference website

Inclusion Works Lunch and Learn

Inclusive Employment Panel Discussion

Register for the upcoming Inclusion Works Lunch & Learn Webinar featuring a special Panel of Employers in NC who will discuss their work and their inclusive hiring practices.

Date/Time: Wednesday, June 18, 2025, 12:00-1:00 p.m.

Registration: Register for Lunch and Learns