The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will hold a discussion on the Olmstead Plan and its mission to improve the lives and well-being of people with disabilities at the i2i Center for Integrative Health Spring 2025 Conference. The event is open to credentialed media and will take place on Monday, June 9, at the Hilton Raleigh North Hills Hotel from 1:30-4:30 p.m.
The Advancing Success pre-conference session will explain what is involved in transitioning people to community settings, supporting choices for where people work and play, and connecting people to community-based services.
The North Carolina Olmstead Plan guides NCDHHS’ efforts to help people with disabilities live fully integrated lives in their communities. This plan takes commitment, support and collaboration across a wide range of partners — from people with disabilities and their friends and families, to advocates, providers, government agencies and communities. Attendees will span all of these partner groups.
The session will highlight groundbreaking initiatives from NCDHHS’ Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Services that help to bridge the gap in services. Participants will also learn more about new NCDHHS initiatives to increase visibility of the Innovations Waiver and outreach to people on the waitlist about services available to them right away.
In addition, people with disabilities will share their experiences. Providers will also discuss how they overcame challenges to help people with disabilities transition into their communities.
What: Advancing the Olmstead Plan Session at i2i Center for Integrative Health Spring 2025 conference
Who: Deb Goda, Director, Olmstead and Transitions to Community Living, NCDHHS
Ginger Yarbrough, MPA, NADD-DDS, CPHQ, Chief Clinical Officer, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Traumatic Brain Injury, and Olmstead, Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services, NCDHHS
Dr. David Clapp, Deputy Director, Behavioral Health and Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities, NC Medicaid, NCDHHS
Niki Ashmont, Acting Director, State Operated Healthcare Facilities, NCDHHS
Kenneth Bausell, Senior Director, Employment and Community Access, NCDHHS
Gregory Daniels, Associate Director, Behavioral Health and Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities, NC Medicaid, NCDHHS
Steve Strom, Director, Money Follows the Person (MFP) Demonstration Project, NCDHHS
Dr. Tamara Smith, Associate Director, Olmstead and Transitions to Community Living, NCDHHS
Josh Walker, Olmstead Housing Director, NCDHHS
When: Monday, June 9
1:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Where: Hilton Raleigh North Hills Hotel
3415 Wake Forest Rd, Raleigh, NC 27609
Media: Credentialed media should RSVP to news@dhhs.nc.gov.
The media is also invited to hear NC Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai speak at the i2i conference on June 10. Secretary Sangvai will provide an overview of the current behavioral health landscape in North Carolina and the department’s mission to transform mental health care to create a system that works for everyone. His session, “Behavioral Health in North Carolina: Policy, Progress, and Priorities,” will highlight key investments made by the state, the progress of Tailored Plans, potential impacts of federal Medicaid changes, and ongoing legislative efforts to strengthen behavioral health services for all North Carolinians.
What: Behavioral Health in North Carolina at i2i Center for Integrative Health Spring 2025 conference
Who: Dev Sangvai, Secretary, NCDHHS
When: Tuesday, June 10
4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Where: Hilton Raleigh North Hills Hotel
3415 Wake Forest Rd, Raleigh, NC 27609
Media: Credentialed media should RSVP to news@dhhs.nc.gov