The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is seeking applicants to develop recommendations of Governor Pat McCrory’s Task Force on Mental Health and Substance Use, including employing case management and other targeted strategies to help those with mental health and substance use issues across the state.
The budget signed by Governor Pat McCrory supported this initiative by providing $20 million to implement task force recommendations. Two pilot programs will provide case management to individuals going through critical transitions. One pilot program will establish Facility-Based Crisis (FBC) centers for children and adolescents.
Many recommendations build upon foundations already in place, such as the Crisis Solutions Initiative, Mental Health First Aid training, Crisis Intervention Team training, the Transitions to Community Living Initiative, Critical Time Intervention, the naloxone statewide standing prescription order, programs for Veterans and local recovery courts. To read the full report of task force recommendations, click here.
Two areas of focus for applicants remain open while a third closed earlier this week:
- Child Tiered Case Management Pilot. Case managers will work closely with juvenile justice and child welfare offices to provide assessments, develop person-centered plans of care, and link children/youth and their families to other recovery supports. This approach can assist with preventing youth from moving deeper into the justice system. Application period closed Nov. 14.
- Comprehensive Case Management for Adults with Mental Health Treatment Needs and Substance Use Disorder Treatment Needs (AMH/ASU). A community-based behavioral health provider would provide around the clock coverage in the hospital Emergency Department (ED) to ensure individuals discharged would be immediately linked to community supports – preventing or shortening future ED visits. Applications are due by 5 p.m. on Nov. 23, 2016.
- Facility-Based Crisis Services for Children and Adolescents. Community-based, non-hospital residential setting facilities are specialized and cost-effective alternatives for individuals in crisis who need short-term intensive evaluation, treatment intervention or behavioral management to stabilize crisis situations. Applications are due by 5 p.m. on Dec. 7, 2016.
“These initiatives will help us build on our progress to divert people in mental health and substance use crises from emergency departments and county jails into the treatment they need,” said Interim Senior Director of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services Jason Vogler, Ph.D. “They also give youth and adults much needed support to be successful in recovery and integration into their communities.”
Pilot programs will build on existing resources and successful initiatives; therefore, Local Management Entities-Managed Care Organizations (LME-MCOs) are eligible to apply. More information is available here.
Co-chaired by N.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark Martin and DHHS Secretary Rick Brajer, the task force brings together the three branches of government and key stakeholders to address mental health and substance use issues in North Carolina.
The recommendations focus on better use of existing resources, improving interagency collaboration and encouraging public-private partnerships.