Topics Related to Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Services

The Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) Legislative Caucus will be holding a Listening Session on March 26th from 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm at the NC General Assembly. Speaker slots are being filled, but North Carolina individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and family members can attend.

Over the last six years, 38 states have legalized sports gambling with 30 of these states permitting online sports betting. In March of 2024, North Carolina became the most recent state to join this majority allowing online sports betting. Nationwide calls to problem gambling helplines and reports of harm related to gambling have been on the rise. North Carolina is no exception.

Join recovery professionals, advocates, and community members for two days of networking, discussions, and workshops focused on strengthening recovery efforts across North Carolina. The symposium is free of charge.

Join us each month to learn about policies and programs that affect the MH/IDD/SU/TBI community. The goal of this webinar is to bring everyone together in one (virtual) place. This group includes consumers, families, advisory groups, LME/MCOs, community members and partner organizations. Side by side, we will work together to better understand and improve our system. We will listen closely to one another and we will share ideas for public policy that will improve lives in NC. This month’s topic was Substance Use Services and Programming.

In this webinar, DMHDDSUS shares resources available through the Connections App, a free digital tool that provides peer support and care management tools for individuals during treatment and recovery. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has partnered with CHESS Health and Trillium Health Resources to provide critically needed support for North Carolinians working toward recovery from substance use disorders.

The Innovations Waitlist Dashboard provides valuable insights into needs of individuals on the waitlist, working to ensure they receive the services and support necessary to thrive in their communities. The Innovations Waitlist Dashboard combines data from LME/MCOs to provide monthly insights on individuals on the waitlist.

Hurricane Helen Impact UpdatesLandscape AssessmentEnvironment of Care InvestmentsPresentation (PPT, 799 KB)

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will host a live Spanish-language Cafecito and tele-town hall on Thursday, March 13, from 6 to 7 p.m., to discuss how people can support their mental well-being, find resources for youth and adults in North Carolina and get help for themselves or someone else experiencing a mental health crisis.

PRESS RELEASE — As part of its Direct Support Professional Workforce Plan, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is announcing $3 million to recruit and retain direct support professionals. This workforce is critical in helping people with intellectual and developmental disabilities live, work and thrive in communities of their choice. They provide a wide range of supports from daily tasks like bathing, eating and taking medications to connecting people with community resources and opportunities.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced more than $11 million in funding to community-based diversion programs and reentry services that strengthen support for people involved in the justice system. Providing alternatives to incarceration when appropriate and supporting people upon their release with things like housing and employment are critical to stop the cycle of justice system involvement, which improves health outcomes for people and efficiency across our health and justice systems.