May 3, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jean Overstreet
May 3, 2018
Phone: (919) 657-0580
Email: jean@i2icenter.org
www.i2icenter.org
Sandhills Center has affirmed its commitment to whole-person healthcare by becoming an i2i
Center for Integrative Health Champion Supporter. The i2i Center is a statewide collaborative of
leaders who work together to solve the most important issues affecting behavioral healthcare,
intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) services, primary healthcare, and support
services within a comprehensive system of integrated care in North Carolina.
“We are so excited to work with Sandhills Center because they do such a great job partnering
with stakeholders within their nine-county catchment area,” said i2i Executive Director Mary
Hooper.
Hooper cited Sandhills Center’s multipronged approach in the fight against opioid abuse.
Recently, Sandhills Center has expanded its opioid treatment services and enhanced provider
service rates. In addition, Sandhills Center is educating their communities, distributing naloxone
kits, training law enforcement and providing matching funds to fight prescription abuse.
“We are honored to be involved with the i2i Center for Integrative Health,” said Sandhills Center
CEO Victoria Whitt. “The Championship Supporter status allows us to serve as a resource for
policy initiatives, subject-matter expertise, feedback and information. It solidifies our
commitment to individuals and families to improve whole-person outcomes.”
The i2i Center currently is exploring mechanisms to support policy initiatives and collaboratives.
Initial efforts are evolving around consumer empowerment in:
System transformation.
The integration of I/DD and primary healthcare.
Housing and housing supports for individuals transitioning to community living.
Training in business practices that are consistent with the expanding managed care
environment.
The i2i Center currently is organizing its spring conference, “Collaborating for Change,” to be
held June 11-12 in Raleigh, N.C. The conference will offer leaders from behavioral and I/DD
healthcare, primary healthcare and the human services sector the opportunity to convene, discuss
and learn from a variety of experts in preparing for the next stage of transformation across all
parts of our healthcare system.
About i2i Center for Integrative Health
The January 2018 establishment of the i2i Center for Integrative Health represents the evolution
of the NC Council of Community Programs’ 34-year legacy of collaboration and advocacy. The
mission of the i2i Center is to serve as an independent convener that fosters collaborative and
evidence-based initiatives for improving the quality and efficacy of the behavioral health,
intellectual and developmental disabilities, and substance use care and support services systems
within a comprehensive system of whole-person care.
About Sandhills Center
Sandhills Center is a Local Management Entity and Medicaid-funded Managed Care
Organization that acts as an agent of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human
Services. Sandhills Center provides access to publicly-funded mental health,
intellectual/developmental disabilities and substance abuse services for residents in Anson,
Guilford, Harnett, Hoke, Lee, Montgomery, Moore, Randolph and Richmond counties in central
North Carolina.
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