NC Olmstead

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has published the 2024-25 Olmstead Plan to improve community inclusion for people with disabilities. Designed in partnership with key stakeholders and people with lived experience across the state, the plan advances the work to ensure people with disabilities have the resources they need to live and thrive in the communities of their choice. 

2024-25 North Carolina Olmstead Plan

Background

Olmstead v. L.C., 527 U.S. 581 (1999), is a U.S. Supreme Court case that laid the groundwork for people with disabilities to live their lives as fully included members of the community. The case addressed the Americans with Disabilities Act’s (ADA) “integration mandate.” The integration mandate requires that all public entities, including the State of North Carolina, “administer services, programs, and activities” for people with disabilities in the most integrated setting appropriate to the person’s needs. “Most integrated setting” has been defined as one that enables people with disabilities to interact “to the fullest extent possible” with individuals who don’t have a disability. Specifically, the case requires states to provide services in the community for eligible persons with a disability when (a) such services are appropriate; (b) the affected persons do not oppose community-based treatment; and (c) community-based services can be “reasonably accommodated.”

In Olmstead, the Supreme Court also urged states to develop a “comprehensive, effectively working plan” for transitioning people to the community. North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) has initiated the development of its Olmstead Plan under the leadership of the Office of the Senior Advisor on the ADA.

High-Level Objectives of the Olmstead Plan

  • Transformative
  • Comprehensive
  • Realistic
  • Actionable
  • Achievable
  • Goal Oriented
  • Trackable
  • Scalable

The Organizational Structure of Olmstead Planning

  • Olmstead Executive Leadership Team
    • DHHS Leadership
  • Olmstead Plan Stakeholder Advisory (OPSA)
    • Consumer/Family/Advocacy Groups
    • DHHS Divisions/Offices
    • Professional Organizations and Agencies
    • Members of NC General Assembly
  • Staff Work Group
    • Subject Matter Expert
    • Data Expertise

We have partners

Technical Assistance Collaborative (TAC), in partnership with the Human Services Research Institute (HSRI), is working with NCDHHS in developing the Olmstead Plan. TAC/HSRI will:

  • Access relevant data sources
  • Identify gaps in data
  • Assess services, policies, regulations, contracts, and funding patterns
  • Interview key stakeholders (e.g., service recipients, providers, agency staff) to identify opportunities for enhancing compliance with Olmstead
  • Host focus groups to gather input from people with lived experience and families
  • Report to DHHS and OPSA
  • Support OPSA to advise NCDHHS in its work to develop a comprehensive, effective working plan

508 Compliant North Carolina Olmstead Assessment Report

Links

Olmstead Plan Stakeholder Advisory (OPSA) Quarterly Meeting Minutes

Olmstead Plan Implementation

Olmstead News

Contact Us

Holly Riddle, M.Ed., J.D.
Olmstead Manager
Office of the Senior Advisor for the ADA
Office of the Secretary, DHHS

Office: 919-527-7533
Fax: 919-715-4565
Holly.Riddle@dhhs.nc.gov

916 Richardson Drive
2001 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699

Documents