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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
To our readers: Changes ahead!
At Smoky, we strive to share news and information you'll find useful in your personal or professional life - or both. In the coming months, we'll be updating the look and content of our online communication tools, including this newsletter, to bring you information that interests you most in a user-friendly format. Stay tuned for changes ahead, and thank you for reading! 
Firefighters are region's newest CIT grads  fire
 
Fire chief 
Hendersonville now boasts western North Carolina's first fire department trained in Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) tactics to de-escalate behavioral health crisis situations.
"We go on so many calls that involve mental illness or substance abuse," Chief Joseph Vindigni said. "It's difficult sometimes to know how to interact with those patients. Having a class like this will enhance our ability to address those situations."
CEO spotlight  with Smoky CEO Brian Ingraham ceo 
Brian Ingraham
Communication, ideally, is a two-way street. At Smoky, we want to know what our communities need from us, what's working and what isn't.



Recently, our Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) graduates are telling us the training is making a real difference on the ground in western North Carolina. CIT teaches law enforcement officers and first responders advanced skills and knowledge to de-escalate crisis situations. I'll share their words directly.  
Naloxone video 
"Empowering the People"
'It helps people breathe again' naloxone 
Talking about naloxone
 
Our partners at the N.C. Harm Reduction Coalition joined with NaloxoneInfo.org to create a 4-minute video to teach the general public about naloxone, which can temporarily reverse opioid drug overdoses and has saved more then 4,000 lives in North Carolina alone. Watch and share!
Project SEARCH: Young adults explore careers at Mission Health  search 
 
Eleven young adults with developmental or intellectual disabilities are learning how to succeed in a competitive workforce this fall through internships at Mission Health. Mission is western North Carolina's newest host site for Project SEARCH, a national nonprofit program that's spread to 400 sites in 46 states and six countries.
FROM THE DOCTOR with Chief Medical Officer Dr. Craig Martin 

Dr. Craig Martin
Were you raised to believe in the Golden Rule? Not the one that says "He who has the gold rules," but the version endorsed by most spiritual traditions, which says, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." doc



September is National Recovery Month, and I've been reflecting on recovery and rules. Recovery is the process in which people live, work, learn and participate fully within their communities. So, what about rules?
2ND ANNUAL WESTERN REGIONAL RECOVERY RALLY rally

WNC to rally for recovery Sept. 10 in Haywood County, everyone welcome 
 
Western North Carolinians from all walks of life will rally on Sept. 10 in Haywood County to spread the message that people can and do recover from addiction, mental illness and other life challenges. The 2nd Annual Western Regional Recovery Rally is a community celebration that encourages people to speak openly about recovery and fight the stigma that can prevent others from seeking help.  
Transition into Adulthood Fair coming Oct. 1 fair 
 
We're a proud sponsor of the 6th Annual Regional Transition into Adulthood Fair on Oct. 1 in Asheville. The event, organized by Missions Children's Hospital and the Family Support Network of WNC, promotes greater independence for individuals with disabilities. Topics include high school transition planning, navigating adult services and planning for the future. For information, contact Kerri Eaker at 828-213-0047 or [email protected].
AROUND THE WEB: NEWS & RESOURCES aroundweb 
What individuals in recovery need to know about wellness 
This free resource from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) defines wellness, how it affects quality of life for people with mental illness and offers suggestions for real-life benefits. Learn more.


Two county commissioners on advisory board honored
The N.C. Association of County Commissioners has named Wilkes County Commissioner Gary Blevins a co-winner of the 2016 M.H. "Jack" Brock Outstanding County Commissioner Award. In August, ABC News13 named Transylvania County Commissioner Page Lemel its Person of the Week for her 33-year summer camp leadership. Blevins and Lemel serve on Smoky's County Commissioner Advisory Board.
UPCOMING EVENTS upcevents 
WCU offers: 'An evening with Kevin McCauley' 
Smoky supports Western Carolina University in hosting Dr. Kevin McCauley on Oct. 10 as he re-lives the precarious time of early sobriety in "Memo to Self." The event is from 5 to 7 p.m. at the university's Health and Human Sciences Building, room 212, 4121 Little Savannah Road, Cullowhee. View the trailer or register for free.


Charlotte to host The Arc of NC conference
The Arc of North Carolina will hold its 2016 State Conference from Sept. 8-9 in Charlotte. The event celebrates victories, honors individuals in the field and connects families and professionals. Learn more.
 
Poverty forum coming to Asheville in October 
Pisgah Legal Services will host Marian Wright Edelman on Wednesday, Oct. 5, at its 6th Annual Poverty Forum. Edelman is president and founder of the Children's Defense Fund. Go online to learn more or purchase tickets.



Activist, others to speak at 2016 NAMI NC conference 
The N.C. chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) will hold its annual statewide conference Oct. 7-8 in Raleigh. Speakers include Dior Vargas, a feminist mental health activist, and Dr. Amy Tiemann, a parenting and child safety expert. 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



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



Smoky Mountain LME/MCO | 200 Ridgefield Court, Ste. 206 | Asheville | NC | 28806