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Your monthly resource for news and information about behavioral health and intellectual/ developmental disabilities in western North Carolina and beyond
200 Ridgefield Court, Suite 206, Asheville, NC 28806 | 828-225-2785
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 Reinvest 2016 giving back to WNC communities
Smoky's 2016 community reinvestment initiative already underway
A dozen initiatives and activities are underway or in the works that will develop new behavioral health crisis facilities, improve healthcare services and help people recover from drug and alcohol addiction throughout western North Carolina.
Reinvest 2016 is our new initiative to give back to local communities in the form of new projects, facilities, services and supports for mental health, addiction and intellectual or developmental disability services. We've dedicated more than $10 million this fiscal year from our fund balance reserves to support projects that we and our local partners believe will bring the most benefit to the people we serve.
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The word "reinvest" has a commonsense definition - to put a return on an investment back into the same place. Several years ago, the General Assembly invested in a public model of managed care that organizations (MCOs) like Smoky use today to manage Medicaid behavioral health and I/DD services. Now, we're putting cost-savings from responsible management back into western North Carolina. We've already committed $10.2 million from our fund balance reserves for activities in the fiscal year ending in June.
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Program to help kids in foster care, families
Buncombe and Henderson counties will be pilot sites for a state initiative to use enhanced behavioral health services to reduce the number of children in foster care or residential facilities. Partners in the High-Fidelity Wraparound Pilot include Smoky, the Department of Social Services, Youth Villages and comprehensive care providers.
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| VIDEO: Inclusive clothing means fashion for all
The nonprofit Runway of Dreams has teamed up with designer Tommy Hilfiger to launch adaptive versions of select children's styles. The nonprofit's founder, Mindy Scheier, started the organization after she had trouble finding jeans for her son, who has muscular dystrophy. Check out the new styles or watch the video to learn more about adaptive clothing.
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| News roundup: Tillis weighs in on addiction
U.S. senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina advocated in an op-ed in the Charlotte Observer for passage of the federal Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act to combat increased opioid addiction. The act includes funds for education, grants and expanded availability of naloxone, which can reverse overdoses. "Drug addiction doesn't discriminate based on one's gender, race, or socio-economic status," Tillis wrote. "There are CEOs of companies, straight-A students, and PTA parents who have suffered from opioid addiction."
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FROM THE DOCTOR with Chief Medical Officer Dr. Craig Martin
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National task force calls for universal depression screening
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has called for primary care providers to screen all adults for depression, even if they don't have obvious risk factors. Read more.
'Triple P' promotes positive parenting in NW counties
The Appalachian District Health Department is promoting the Positive Parenting Program (Triple P) in Watauga, Ashe and Alleghany counties. Triple P supports parents, shares parenting strategies and encourages community support. Learn more.
Building hope: Tiny houses for people with mental illness
An N.C. man has a plan for stable housing and productive work for people with mental illnesses. Thava Mahadevan hopes to build 10 tiny houses in Chatham County for people with mental illness and limited incomes. Read more in the News & Observer.
Survey seeks feedback on child mental health services
The N.C. School Mental Health Initiative is conducting a survey to learn about current services tha t support child social and emotional well-being to help shape policy recommendations. Access the survey online through March 7.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
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Recovery film 'The Anonymous People' to screen in Burnsville
Smoky and the Mitchell-Yancey Substance Abuse Task Force will host a free screening of the recovery film "The Anonymous People" on March 7 in Burnsville. The event also features artist Douglas Lail of the "Hello, My Name Is..." project, which features portraits and personal recovery stories.
High Country NAMI Family-to-Family class begins in March
The High Country chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) will begin a new Family-to-Family class beginning March 2 in Ashe County. The free, 12-session program is for friends and family of people living with mental illness. Learn more.
Asheville NAMI event features speaker from Smoky
The Western Carolina NAMI chapter will hold a forum on recovery on March 10 in Asheville. The event features speaker Richie Tannerhill, a Smoky Peer Trainer living in recovery.
'Coming Home': Making the transition to the community
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Need services or help in a crisis?
Need information about services or help in a behavioral health crisis? In western North Carolina, call Smoky toll-free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-849-6127. (TTY: Relay NC 711). Our specialists are always available help you get you the assistance you need.
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Smoky Mountain MCO
200 Ridgefield Court, Suite 206, Asheville, NC 28806
Business calls: 828-586-5501 | 24-hour Access to Services: 1-800-849-6127
Smoky manages services for mental health, substance use disorder and intellectual/ developmental disabilities in the North Carolina counties of Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Caldwell, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes and Yancey.
News You Can Use | February 2016 | © Smoky Mountain MCO
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