Latest on Medicaid Plan to Address Child Welfare System

NC DHHS published the latest version of the North Carolina’s Child and Family Specialty Plan, the fourth Medicaid managed care plan included in the North Carolina Medicaid Transformation.  Big changes were included in this update after a stakeholder input process was completed.  Comments on this draft plan were requested by March 4th.  Eligibility:  The most…

NC’s Olmstead Plan

North Carolina published the NC Olmstead Plan December 20, 2021.  Many states are in the process of creating an Olmstead Plan based on the US Supreme Court decision in 1999.  North Carolina had not formalized a plan on how to address the decision prior to this time.  Secretary Kinsley calls this a “living, breathing document”…

i2i Advocacy Education and Strategy Presentations

i2i remains true to its mission to progress the public MH/IDD/SUD system by including all perspectives in legislative and policy making deliberations.  Over the past few months, i2i has provided several educational opportunities to offer  strategies for strong advocacy.  Advocacy and collaboration are critical components of policy shifts and the emphasis of these presentations is…

How to Impact a Stalled State Budget

The State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2021-2022 began on July 1, 2021 with no budget passed by the NC General Assembly for the year.  The Senate had passed their version of the budget in late June and the House passed their version in August.  Reports indicate that the House and Senate have negotiated their differences and…

North Carolina Olmstead Plan Draft Published for Feedback

Olmstead v. L.C. was a US Supreme Court decision made in 1999 that determined that unjustified segregation of individuals with disabilities constitutes discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act.  The primary plaintiffs had mental illness and developmental disabilities and were admitted to a State psychiatric facility.  They were kept there due to lack of community-based…

Reducing the Registry of Unmet Needs

The Registry of Unmet Needs of the Innovations Waiver provides State leaders with an indication of individuals who are eligible and waiting for intellectual/developmental disability (I/DD) services in North Carolina.  The Innovations Waiver is a home and community-based Medicaid program with the goal of promoting choice, control and community integration as an alternative to institutionalization….

Promise Resource Network (PRN) Opens Peer Run Respite Program in Charlotte

This month Promise Resource Network celebrated the opening of its new Peer Run Respite – Retreat@The Plaza a new trauma informed alternative to hospitals, emergency departments and involuntary commitment for people experiencing mental health crises in Charlotte.   In the PRN press release, CEO Cherene Caraco said, “the demand for trauma-informed alternatives that enhance healing, resilience…

House and Senate Pass State Budget Bills

There was a moment in this Long Session of the NC General Assembly when it appeared there may not be a budget passed for the biennium of State fiscal years 2021-2022 and 2022-2023.  But the Senate did finally present and quickly pass their proposed budget in late June and the House took some time before…