Learn more about NC CANSO here.
_______________________________
GREAT NEWS! NC CANSO NOW HAS NON-PROFIT STATUS! CONTRIBUTE TO OUR EFFORT AND DEDUCT TAXES!
_______________________________
We Challenge Our State!
” . . . In North Carolina, if we are to ensure that life, liberty, and the ability to pursue happiness are available to all, then we have some hard thinking and much shared work ahead as we dismantle unacceptable systems and replace them with services that actually cost less and allow people with disabilities full citizenship and the right to grow healthier.” Read more here!
Let us know what YOU think! It’s important to us. You can comment after the article when you click on the link.
_____________________________________________________
Read: Advocate writes about Dix campus, (click) MH Trust Fund, and upcoming Coalition Town Hall Meetings.
________________
CUSTOMER SERVICES, COURTEOUSLY AND NOW, PLEASE!
In recent weeks, consumers and even providers have contacted our organization with unresolved issues after staff at our LMEs or LME/MCOs have not helped them, often not even having responded to their concerns. Issues span the breadth from serious rights violations to trouble with service authorizations when people have needed more services. The LMEs involved are those which have already become “MCOs” (managed care organizations) or those who have recently merged with others. Truly, are these concerns shared a result of already existing Customer Affairs problems or are they only resulting from all the changes in the systems state-wide? It has been difficult to tell because we suspect as our name has become more familiar, more people are reaching out to us for advocacy. NC CANSO believes that especially during a change to a managed care system, people’s concerns must be heard, responded to, and valued in a person centered, solutions-focused way. Read more here.
_________________________________
Check out articles in Blog, “Doctor, It’s Not That Funny!” and “Eight Minutes.”
__________________________________
NC CANSO Needs YOU! This year, there are more places where our voices are needed. Maybe this year NC CANSO can help you use your Voice!
_________________________________
Are You Making Your Own Choices or Taking Your Chances Regarding Your Services? Read here.
__________________
Why ”NOTHING ABOUT US WITHOUT US”?
Important! Read Here.
____________________
HOW ABOUT YOUR LME?
Is your LME (local management entity) applying with the state to become a waiver manager (or an “MCO” or managed care organization)? The consider this: Through the years, how much “genuine welcome” (good terminolgy found in the original State Plan for Mental Health Reform) has been extended to the consumer community to ensure that the customer’s voice informs quality and progress in your local service system?
Has the LME been open, transparent, and engaging with its local consumer base, or is it more insulated in how it does its planning? Is your local CFAC well attended or is the turnover high? Does your CFAC invite consumers and other community stakeholders to share ideas or concerns on a comfortable level? Does your CFAC (Consumer and Family Advisory Committee) have legitimacy in your larger community and not just with the LME board?
Does your LME administration include asserted community opinion in its quality improvement planning? Is the service system planned well enough to prevent unnecessary hospitalization or crises, which can result in more trauma, stunting growth and recovery? And how empowered is the consumer affairs section of your LME? Does it have a strong voice within the administration? Is the office directed by a well-trained and knowledgable person who himself or herself understands first-hand the perspective of persons needing or using services by having learned from his or her own growth in spite of having a diagnosis? Welcoming consumer responsiveness is foundational to the quality and value of service administration.
These questions point out that successful waiver administration depends on the management style of the LME and on the continued, valued engagement with consumers and other stakeholders inthe communities it serves.
So what about your LME? And is DHHS looking at these elements? We surely hope so, because there is much at risk if we do not have a consumer-informed service system, especially when funds are ever-tightening! We as consumers believe that public dollars must buy VALUE. And we know value.
Change certainly takes patience, but alternately, progress requires patience, hard work, and collaboration. Stay tuned to learn how you can advocate locally and at the state level for changes that bring responsive innovation and solutions. Ω
______________________________
EXERCISES FOR EVERY MOOD (See Living Well section)
______________________________
________________________
New Website brings recovery resources from national thinkers to North Carolina! Personally inspired and developed by local Raleigh citizen, this site will help spread the message that people can live beyond boundaries! Check out Mental Health Advocacy Inc., site here or click on the link below:
http://www.mentalhealthadvocacyinc.org/
______________
* * *
ACRONYMS AND SHORTCUTS List
DHHS North Carolina’s Department of Health and Human Services, the part of our goverment that is lead by the governor’s appointed Secretary of HHS (in our case, we have Secretary Cansler). His office is tasked with directing the funding and services for health and safety needs. Many of our most current interests relate to mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse service needs. However, the Secretary’s department must also work on ensuring primary health care needs, safe drinking water, clean restaurants, and many other areas. SO, Secretary Cansler has developed a new role to help him in his effort toward mental health services in the last two years, the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health within DHHS.
DMH or DMHDDSAS North Carolina’s Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services, a subdivision of the state’s Department of Health and Human Services.
LME “Local Management Entity” A mental health care management organization charged with developing and overseeing an adequate local public service system that allows citizens ease of access to the appropriate services when they need them. LMEs are to ensure service value (quality for the expenditure) and reduce the need for citizens to go to emergency settings by linking them to the right services early when people need them.
LOC The Legislative Oversight Commitee on Mental Health, Developmental Disabilites, and Substance Abuse Services.
DMA The Division of Medical Assistance, the division which is responsible for ensuring that persons eligible for medicaid have necessary services available across our state. Also, DMA is responsible for ensuring that medicaid dollars are used responsibly.
