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October 2025
Community Newsletter
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Meet Tierra
For years, Tierra faced mental health challenges and struggled to find the right diagnosis and support. That changed when she connected with Tailored Care Management (TCM) through Trillium. With a dedicated care manager by her side, Tierra gained clarity, stability, and the resources she needed to thrive. Today, she’s balancing work, raising four children, and sharing her passion for poetry and community.
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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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Stronger Together Conference on September 20
Trillium Health Resources was proud to co-sponsor the Stronger Together conference. The one-day event supported the wellness of Black youth and young adults. Participants experienced cultural connection, creative expression, and community care. Check out CBS 17’s coverage of the Stronger Together Conference and its impact.
The conference featured interactive wellness booths, trauma-informed yoga, sound baths, and creative activities such as art walls inside an Expression Tunnel. In the morning, a keynote and panel discussion highlighted the personal experience of Rafia Maxie, a mother who lost a son to suicide in 2020. Professor Alex Flowers and student teams led a youth-centered CYPHER with spoken word, music, and rap, followed by a reflective circle to close the day.
Trillium, the UNC School of Medicine, Village of CARE, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, and BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina cosponsored the event. Together, members of the Rocky Mount community and beyond created a meaningful space for healing, creativity and community for Black youth and young adults.
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Introducing Attend Behavior: Support for Everyday Life & Stronger Behavior
Attend Behavior is a new resource designed to help parents and caregivers build more positive behaviors and smoother routines at home, school, and in the community. Whether your child struggles with focus, transitions, or emotional self-regulation, Attend Behavior offers support tailored to your family’s needs. It can help:
- Reduce daily stress with proven strategies for managing challenging behavior
- Strengthen communication and understanding between you and your child
- Build consistency and structure into everyday routines (meals, bedtime, homework, etc.)
- Boost your child’s confidence by teaching skills that lead to more success at home and school
If you’re curious how this online platform and mobile application might help your family thrive, fill out the Attend interest form to get started with Attend for free. Small changes can make a big difference—for better behavior, smoother days, and happier connections.
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Simulation events hosted by the Trillium Learning & Development department and our community partners are can’t-miss events!
Simulation events hosted by the Trillium Training department and our community partners are can’t-miss events! Check out the recent highlights and mark your calendar for upcoming Simulations. Please share with others so they can take advantage of some great learning opportunities!
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Reentry Simulation recaps
The September 9 Reentry Simulation in Martin County was an eye-opening experience! Special thanks to Regina Parker, Chief District Court Judge for the 2nd Judicial District, Jeron Randall, Reentry Coordinator for Martin-Tyrrell-Washington District Health, and Rubi Blancas Orduna, Coordinator of A New Direction Local Reentry Council. One participant was so inspired, she wrote an article about her experience on her company’s blog. Karissa’s article recaps the frustration and impossible choices people experience when reentering society.
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Future dates for Reentry Simulations
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Supporting Children Early Simulation
Trillium brought together more than 100 participants in Guilford County for a Supporting Children Early Simulation in September. Held at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in High Point, participants heard welcoming remarks from Mayor Cyril Jefferson as well as keynote speaker Heather Adams, Executive Director of the Guilford County Partnership for Children, the local Smart Start agency.
The simulation gave participants a hands-on opportunity to navigate through mock service stations designed to represent real-world resources. Along the way, they experienced the barriers many families encounter daily, gaining new insight and empathy for the struggles parents face. Future dates for Supporting Children Early Simulations—time to sign up!
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Future dates for Supporting Children Early Simulations—time to sign up!
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Trillium to host second Post-Disaster Simulation in Brunswick and Onslow Counties
During the exercises, participants take on roles that force them to navigate food shortages, medical needs, and disrupted services. These mirror the struggles those with mental illness, intellectual/developmental disabilities, or substance use disorders face in the aftermath of a disaster. The experience gives valuable insights into the importance of preparedness.
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Post-Disaster simulations are coming to Brunswick and Onslow Counties this October! Register for these free, in-person events scheduled for:
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Autumn Means Adventure with Family Weekends at Victory Junction
From horseback rides to dance parties, the September 19-22 Trillium Family Weekend at Victory Junction was one for the books! Trillium members and their families spent the weekend creating memories with fun activities like archery, crafts, and fishing. The photos say it all! Seeing the joy and connection shared by campers reminds us why these weekends are so special. There’s still time to join us for the final Trillium Family Weekend this fall, October 31-November 2.
Members and their families must apply by October 17.
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Trillium staff recognize Recovery Month and support wellness at every age
Trillium staff are out in our communities building the health and well-being. September is National Recovery Month. Staff participated in local events bringing awareness to overdose and remembering those lost to substance misuse. Trillium staff were proud to join with our fellow community partners and members to spread the message that recovery is possible.
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Northern
Northern Region staff spent late summer connecting with families and community partners around back-to-school readiness and family supports. From Halifax, Northampton, and Warren counties to regional reentry councils, Trillium representatives provided resources for students, parents, and returning citizens. Staff also joined Baby Love Plus in celebrating new parents and helped cultivate community conversations through the Littleton Area Community Connections group. These events highlighted Trillium’s role in supporting families at every stage of life, from preparing kids for school to ensuring adults have pathways to stability and success.
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North Central
The North Central Region emphasized school readiness, prevention, and community wellness. Staff helped pack bookbags in Edgecombe County and delivered Safe Schools Healthy Kids resources for families on Ocracoke Island. Partnerships also extended into Pitt County, where Trillium participated in a statewide violence prevention meeting, and Dare County, where staff joined the OBX Walk Against Addiction. Events like the 360 ENC Mile Club Kickoff showcased the value of working alongside grassroots partners to build healthier communities.
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South Central
In the South Central Region, Trillium staff participated in overdose prevention and public health partnerships. Teams delivered naloxone and test strips to Carteret and Sampson County health departments, while Wayne County hosted both an Overdose Awareness event and the Rural Healthcare Summit, where leaders discussed strengthening rural health systems. Trillium also joined Onslow County’s first National Night Out in Swansboro, connecting with more than 300 residents.
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Southern
The Southern Region focused on equipping families with resources for the start of school and raising awareness about overdose prevention. In Lee County, more than 600 students and their families attended a back-to-school celebration where Trillium shared Safe Schools Healthy Kids resources. In Bladen County, staff supported National Overdose Awareness Day, honoring the lives lost to overdose while educating the community about available prevention tools.
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Mid-State
The Mid-State Region showcased a wide range of engagements this summer—from preparing students for school to advancing statewide conversations on recovery and resilience. Staff distributed supplies and resources at back-to-school events in Montgomery and Richmond counties and partnered with law enforcement during National Night Out events in Randolph and Guilford. In Asheboro, Trillium stood alongside families impacted by substance use during an Overdose Awareness Vigil.
On a broader scale, staff helped lead the Recovery Alliance Initiative Summit in Raleigh and joined NCCASA’s intertribal gathering in Buies Creek. Collectively, these activities reflect Trillium staff in a blend of local presence and statewide leadership in promoting safety, education, and healing.
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Congratulations to new CIT officers and Mental Health First Aiders across Trillium’s region
Over the past month, Trillium trained more than 185 people across North Carolina, strengthening community response to mental health needs and crisis situations.
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Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training continued to be a highlight, with correctional staff, sheriff’s deputies, and local police from five counties completing the 40-hour course. In Moore County, for example, 22 first responders trained side by side with school police and community partners—showcasing how collaboration can improve outcomes during crises.
- De-escalation skills were also in focus. Staff at the Food Bank of the Albemarle and the nonprofit 4 Day Movement prepared to better serve people facing hunger and homelessness through the De-escalation training.
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Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) reached employees in Onslow, Halifax, Guilford, and Martin counties. More than 100 county staff, from social services to public health, learned how to recognize and respond to mental health challenges, with some sessions including county leadership.
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 our Events and Trainings calendar.
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Explore Trillium’s 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.
In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Week, Trillium is spotlighting new free trainings on My Learning Campus that give community members practical tools to support themselves and others. Courses like “Recovery and Resilience” and “How to Recognize Mental Health Disorders” provide everyday strategies to build strength, reduce stigma, and respond early when challenges arise. Learning together helps us create healthier, more connected communities. Read the full post to explore the trainings and how to get started.
Missed last month’s blogs?
Catch up with Five Actions to Add to Your Back-to-School List for a Safe, Supportive, and Healthy Year, What is Mental Health First Aid?, and What Recovery supports are available at Trillium?
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