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News You Can Use
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
24-hour Access to Services: 1-800-849-6127 | www.smokymountaincenter.com
Peer support training takes off in WNCpss
 
Peer support training graduates
Smoky peer support specialist training graduates
Smoky's peer support specialist training is not your average week in a classroom.
 
Men and women from across North Carolina - 152 to date - have traveled westward to complete our unique 40-hour course that prepares participants for state certification as a peer support specialist. But participants head home with more than training credits - some say they develop a new outlook on life.
CEO spotlight with Smoky CEO Brian IngrahamCEO
Brian Ingraham
Sometimes, it's the simple things in life that bring the most wide-reaching change. 

As of 2 p.m. on June 20, pharmacies statewide may dispense the overdose-reversal drug naloxone - often sold as NARCAN® - without a prescription. The naloxone bill received unanimous bipartisan support in the Legislature and from Governor Pat McCrory. North Carolina is now the third state in the nation to use a statewide standing order to make the drug available to the general public ...
RALLY FOR RECOVERY 2016rally
5 ways you can help

Save the date! Celebrate recovery with Smoky and partners on Saturday, September 10, at the 2nd Annual Western Regional Recovery Rally at Lake Junaluska in Haywood County.
 
This free event is open to everyone and aims to send the message that people can and do recover from substance use, mental health issues and other challenges. The best support you can give is to attend - and bring a friend! Until then, here are five easy ways you can help:

1
Download, print and share the official rally flyer or this ink-friendly version. 
2
"Like" the rally's Facebook page for event news. Share with your friends!
3
4
Organize a carpool with friends or coworkers.
5
Nominate a person or organization as a Recovery Champion or Recovery Ally of the Year. Download instructions and the nomination form here.
FROM THE DOCTOR with Chief Medical Officer Dr. Craig Martindoc
Dr. Craig Martin
During my surgery rotation in medical school, I practiced my suture closure skills by completing a cross-stitch sampler. I still remember the motto: "The wisdom of the wise is an uncommon degree of common sense." The advice is still good, and - if I may brag - my sewing technique earned me high honors at the end of the rotation. 

My thoughts returned to surgery after the June 12 shooting massacre in Orlando, both physical surgery .... 
News roundup: Medicaid plan goes to Washington

North Carolina's plan to overhaul its Medicaid system is now in the hands of the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Governor Pat McCrory submitted the plan, which shifts the current model to a managed care system, on June 1. The review process is expected to last 18 months, with another 18 months to implement changes.

Also in June, a federal court approved new N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles driver guidelines designed to prevent discrimination against drivers with disabilities, resolving a 2014 lawsuit from Disability Rights NC. N.C. Health and Human Services Secretary Rick Brajer named Jason Edward Vogler as Interim Director of the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services. Tara Myers was named Director for the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services.
AROUND THE WEB: NEWS & RESOURCESarndweb
SAMHSA shares resources to help in light of tragedies 
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has a number of resources available related to tragedies such as the June shooting massacre in Orlando. This includes resources for survivors and community members, providers and first responders. Learn more. Additional resources are available from the National Council for Behavioral Health.
UPCOMING EVENTSevents
"Left behind": Support for suicide survivors
If you've lost someone to suicide, you are not alone. The Suicide Survivors Group will meet as an open group for eight weeks, starting June 28, in Asheville. Learn more.
Man answering phone
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
smokynews@smokymountaincenter.com | www.smokymountaincenter.com

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 | 2016 | © Smoky Mountain MCO