The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will join the North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities for a statewide virtual and in-person town hall on Aug. 10 at 6 p.m. Following opening remarks, NCDHHS Secretary Kody H. Kinsley and NCDHHS Director of the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Services Kelly Crosbie will respond to questions from both in-person guests and virtual participants on Zoom. The department will also provide updates on a number of initiatives:
- Medicaid Expansion: With the upcoming implementation of Medicaid expansion, NCDHHS will be able to use existing funding for harm reduction, prevention and direct support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and traumatic brain injury.
- 1915(i) Services: This month, the LME/MCO’s began providing an array of home and community-based services to Medicaid beneficiaries with serious mental health diagnoses, IDD and TBI.
- Justice Release, Reentry, and Reintegration Initiative: Alliance for Disability Advocates North Carolina has been supported by the NCCDD to provide individualized re-entry services and supports for people with IDD being released from prison. Recognizing the value this program adds, NCDHHS will continue to fund this program and expand its reach into the TBI community starting Oct. 1, 2023.
- Caregiving Workforce Strategic Leadership Council: NCDHHS, NC Commerce and other state leaders are working together to ensure there is access to high quality care in North Carolina’s behavioral health, IDD and TBI communities. North Carolina’s system does not work unless there are enough direct support professionals and providers to provide services.
- Competitive Integrated Employment: NCDHHS wants to be sure people with IDD have choices and work in integrated settings for fair pay if they want to. NCDHHS is updating its website and providing clearer communication about efforts for members and providers.
- Items in the Governor’s Budget in Support for People with IDD: Increasing the direct care workforce rate, increasing the personal care service rate and adding 2,000 more Innovations Waiver slots.
There are nearly 200,000 people in North Carolina with intellectual/developmental disabilities and more than 215,000 people with traumatic brain injuries. Everyone deserves access to health care that includes medical care, behavioral health care and community-based services. People with IDD and TBI should be able to live and get the services in the setting that is the best fit for them to thrive. NCDHHS is committed to helping people live healthy, independent lives in their communities.
To request to attend the event in-person, email townhall@nccdd.org. Limited space is available in-person at the Hilton Garden Inn Raleigh-Cary and seating is open on a first-come, first-served basis per sign-up.
For more information on I/DD and TBI, visit the NCDHHS websites: Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Traumatic Brain Injury.
What: NCDHHS and NCCDD Partner to Host Town Hall for People With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.
Who: Kody H. Kinsley, Secretary, NCDHHS
Kelly Crosbie, Director, Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services, NCDHHS.
When: Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023, 6 - 7:30 p.m.
Where: Hilton Garden Inn Raleigh-Cary
131 Columbus Ave. Cary, NC 27518
Livestream will be available via Zoom.
Media: Secretary Kinsley will be available for brief Q&A following the event.