History of the Office of Long-Term Services and Supports

In 1999, the North Carolina General Assembly directed the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to develop a comprehensive system of long-term services and supports for older adults, people with disabilities and their families. The department was instructed to develop this system in cooperation with other state and local agencies and representatives of consumer and provider organizations.

In fall 1999, then DHHS Secretary David Bruton, M.D. asked the North Carolina Institute of Medicine to convene a statewide task force to assist in developing a comprehensive long-term care plan. On March 13, 2001, the task force released its final report, making 47 recommendations to improve North Carolina 's long-term care delivery, financing and regulatory systems. To help guide the work of the DHHS and other state policy makers, the task force identified the most pressing recommendations.

Among the recommendations was the creation of the Office for Long-Term Care (renamed the Office of Long-Term Services and Supports) to ensure that the department's efforts were coordinated across divisions and offices. Additionally, a position of assistant secretary for long-term care (renamed assistant secretary for long-term care and family services) was developed to provide leadership for the office. This position reports to the DHHS secretary.