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December 2025
Community Newsletter
| | Real Stories, Real Impact | | |
Meet Jacob!
The lunch rush is picking up at Jacob’s local KFC, but he moves with calm confidence. He’s greeting customers, helping in the kitchen, and staying focused on each task. Not long ago, he was practicing these same skills on the SensABLE Snacks food truck through the Transition to Employment program. Now, he’s putting them to work in a job he’s proud of. Check out Jacob’s story with this month’s member spotlight!
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Share Your Trillium Story
We love to see members reaching their fullest potential. If you have someone who has a positive story to share (and their permission to do so) or have a Trillium staff member who has gone above and beyond, please let us know! You can send any pictures and stories to Info@TrilliumNC.org.
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Addiction Professionals of North Carolina Fall Conference adds a little Flavor Flav
Connection, collaboration, continuing education—and even a celebrity appearance! Trillium team members joined behavioral health professionals from across the state at the Addiction Professionals of North Carolina Fall Conference in Carteret County. In addition to learning more about proven practices for treating substance use disorder, Trillium staff got to meet rapper Flavor Flav, who shared his experience as keynote speaker at the conference!
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A Look Back at all the fun this fall at Victory Junction
The final Trillium Family Weekend of 2025 was held at Victory Junction over Halloween weekend, October 31–November 2. We couldn’t resist sharing pictures of the fun with you. Good news, Spring 2026 is in full swing with dates and registration! Victory Junction will host Trillium families on March 27-29 and April 24-26, 2026 at no cost!
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Trillium and Southeastern Integrated Care expanding Mobile Crisis Management
Trillium has partnered with Southeastern Integrated Care to offer mobile crisis management (MCM) services in Lee, Moore, Hoke, Scotland, and Robeson counties. Services started in Moore County on October 1, and in Lee and Hoke counties on November 1. Robeson County started receiving services in mid-November, and Scotland County is expected to see services start in December.
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Hoke, Sampson, and Greene Counties, meet your new Inclusive Playgrounds!
Join Trillium and the community for a very special ribbon-cutting for three new inclusive playgrounds coming to Hoke, Sampson, and Greene Counties this December!
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Hoke County
Robbin Heights Park, 503 7th Ave.,
Raeford, NC
December 8
11 a.m.–1 p.m.
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Sampson County Clement Community Park, 3220 Maxwell Rd., Autryville, NC
December 15
11 a.m.–1 p.m.
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Greene County
84 N. Perry Dr.
Snow Hill, NC
January 8
(Time TBD)
| | These playgrounds are part of Trillium’s “Play Together” initiative, designed so kids and families of all abilities can play side by side. You’ll find a smooth, wheelchair-friendly surface, ramps, a swing that can hold a wheelchair, and sensory-friendly equipment. Bring your family and invite your neighbors! We can’t wait to welcome you and build a stronger, more inclusive community, one joyful moment at a time. Be on the lookout for even more inclusive playground openings coming soon! | | |
NCDHHS launches pilot in two Trillium counties supporting people with severe mental health reentering their communities
Trillium was proud to stand with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and First Lady Anna Stein unveiling a new, state-wide pilot program. Forensic Assertive Community Treatment (FACT) teams support individuals with severe mental health as they are released from jail or prison. The pilot will launch in Pitt, New Hanover, Wake/Durham, Buncombe, and Mecklenburg counties in the coming months.
Trillium works on similar efforts with recently incarcerated individuals through our Trillium Support Transition and Reentry (T-STAR) program. T-STAR’s peer support specialists help individual connect back to their communities, linking them with complex but needed services for their survival. We’re excited to see two Trillium counties reflected in this new pilot for safer, successful communities.
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Expansion of WNC Thrive
Thank you NC Department of Health and Human Services and Governor Josh Stein for recognizing the ongoing work needed after disasters like Hurricane Helene. While the physical rebuilding continues, the same goes for mental health and the impacts related to post-disaster trauma.
Trillium is proud to continue working with Victory Junction to support weekend and summer respite events for children and families from affected counties.
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Attend Behavior app
Since April, Trillium has connected 125 families to the Attend app. Attend is an easy to use, free online program made for busy families of children with autism, ADHD, and developmental disabilities. In just a few minutes a day, families learn helpful tips to improve behavior and daily life at home.
Since it launched, over 80 percent of parents and caregivers are actively using the app. They have completed an average of seven out of the twelve modules each month. With the app at your fingertips, Attend gives parents, caregivers and families the knowledge and support to make meaningful improvement without a waitlist and with access to on demand resources. In addition to the app, Attend Specialists have provided over 45 hours of individual support to families and caregivers since July. Find more information on the Attend Behavior page or fill out the interest form to connect to Attend!
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Trillium’s Simulation events enrich our communities
Trillium’s recent Simulation Events offered powerful, hands-on learning moments across our communities in November.
In Dare County, participants stepped into the shoes of someone returning home after incarceration, navigating the difficult first weeks of reentry during our November 5 Reentry Simulation. District Court Judge Robert Trivette shared his own insights at the event.
In Sampson County, our Supporting Children Early Simulation invited attendees to imagine the daily realities of families raising children with disabilities. Through interactive role-play and guidance from keynote speakers from the Children’s Developmental Services Agency of the Cape Fear, participants left with a deeper understanding of how to better support families through complex systems of care.
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Mark your calendar for upcoming Simulations that are free and open to the public. | | | |
Future Dates for Simulations—Register to Join Us!
Supporting Children Early Simulation
Reentry Simulation
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Across every corner of our service area, Trillium staff spent the past month showing up, lending support, and strengthening the connections that make our communities thrive. From health fairs and recovery events to resource festivals and awareness walks, each region played a part in bringing people together. | | | |
Northern
Trillium staff in our Northern Region supported events that brought people together around wellness, prevention, and connection. The impact cannot be understated! During Red Ribbon Week in Gates County, they shared substance use prevention resources with 200 students. They also helped 750 residents access essential medicines at the Hertford County Mobile Free Pharmacy! Staff were also proud to stand with Warren County in the ribbon cutting of a naloxone vending machine.
North Central
Communities in the North Central Region came together for learning, support, and celebration, and Trillium was right there alongside them. Staff joined partners at events like the Tyrrell County Fall Festival and Wilson County’s Parent Night, offering families tools for mental health and wellness. Highlights included the Edgecombe County Community Health & Wellness Fair, which delivered screenings and prevention resources directly to local residents, and Nash County’s Wellness & Recovery Fair, where we collaborated with a broad coalition of health and education partners.
South Central
There was a lot of excitement for staff in our South Central Region. Staff celebrated the opening of the Mary J. Hooper Hope & Wellness Drop-in Center in Duplin County, a new safe space for individuals seeking support on their recovery journeys. Our team also connected with students at the Craven County Transition Fair, where nearly 200 young people explored life after graduation. And at the Fish Against Addiction tournament in Carteret County, staff supported an event that brought the community together around healing, awareness, and second chances.
Southern
The Southern Region hosted many impactful gatherings, bringing hundreds of people together to learn, reflect, and honor loved ones. In Wilmington, Trillium staff attended the East Coast Health Care Summit, engaging with partners on the future of healthcare in our region. Just days later, the Out of the Darkness Community Walk united 300 participants in a meaningful show of remembrance, hope, and mental health awareness. The walk was a reminder of the strength and compassion within our communities.
Mid-State
In the Mid-State Region, Trillium staff connected with statewide leaders and advocates during the NAMI NC Annual Conference in Greensboro. With more than 250 attendees, the conference highlighted collaboration across organizations, reaffirming the shared commitment to improving mental health supports across North Carolina. Trillium’s presence underscored our dedication to elevating member voices and strengthening community partnerships.
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Building Stronger, More Informed Communities
Over the past month, more than individuals across North Carolina completed Trillium-led trainings, equipping community members and professionals with tools to respond effectively to mental health needs and crisis situations.
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Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training: Law enforcement agencies across the state deepened their crisis response skills in Scotland and Robeson counties, while an extended collaboration with the Rocky Mount Police Department brought refresher sessions and QPR suicide prevention training to nearly 90 officers.
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Community Crisis Intervention (CCI): In Wayne County, 38 EMS personnel completed Community Crisis Intervention training, gaining knowledge on mental health, autism awareness, human trafficking, and essential de-escalation techniques.
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Mental Health First Aid (MHFA): 20 probation officers in Randolph County, to Rape Crisis Center staff in Robeson County, to 11 community members in Currituck now have the tools to recognize and respond to mental health concerns with confidence and compassion.
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De-escalation training: In Duplin County, 29 county employees completed de-escalation training to help them respond calmly and effectively in challenging situations.
These efforts highlight a shared commitment: Equipping the people who serve our communities with the tools to keep them safer, healthier, and more resilient. Find upcoming trainings such as Mental Health First Aid on the Events and Trainings calendar.
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Explore the Trillium Blog for Community Health Insights
Did you know Trillium regularly shares blog posts designed to support the health and well-being of our communities? You can find them on our website under News Releases and Blog Posts. This month has great tips for safeguarding your physical and mental health this holiday season!
Self-Care Strategies to Make the Season Bright: Excitement and stress often arrive in the same package during the holiday season. Between busier schedules, financial pressures, and the emotional weight of the holidays, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Discover approachable, realistic self-care strategies to help you stay grounded and enjoy the season more fully—no matter what this time of year looks like for you.
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