Transitions to Community Living
March 29, 2014
NAMI Conference
Jessica Keith Special Advisor on ADA, DHHS
Darlene Webb, MH/SUD Care Coordinator Supervisor &
Transitions to Community Living Director, Coastal Care
Federal Focus on ADA and
Olmstead
• Complaint letter and DOJ findings
– The State’s prioritization of investment
in congregate settings at the expense
of community-based settings;
– Many individuals with mental illnesses
have not been provided choices of
where they live
State Response
On August 23, 2012 Acting DHHS
Secretary Al Delia signed a voluntary
agreement with the US DOJ to settle
claims that the state of North Carolina
had violated the American with
Disabilities Act. This implementation of
this project has been titled Transitions
to Community Living Initiative.
Who is the Priority for Transitions
to Community Living Initiative
• Individuals who are living in adult care homes
who have a diagnosis of serious and persistent
mental illness.
• Individuals who are referred to adult care
homes with a diagnosis of serious mental illness
• Individuals who are in treatment in a state
hospital.
• Individuals living in the community who have
diagnosis of serious mental illness who are
considering moving into an ACH
Settlement Agreement Roles
MCO and DHHS
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In-reach
Diversion
Transition planning
Housing slots with rental assistance and
transition supports
ACT fidelity
Supported employment
Quality Assurance and Performance
Improvement
Independent Reviewer
Transformations
• Individuals in first year of moving asked “where do
you think I should live?” In second year in program “I
want to live _________”
• Individuals first In Reached “no, I can’t live on my
own” Following In Reaches “I want to move like my
friend”
• Before wrap around services “I can’t get anywhere”
After training with bus system “I took the bus and
visited my family”
• Before living independently and working with a payee
company “I didn’t buy my family Christmas presents.
Now living Independently and working with a payee
company “I bought my family Christmas gifts this
year”
Transformations
• Before transitioning “I hate where I live” after
transitioning “I love my apartment”
• Before Transitioning and working with a payee
company “my credit is too bad” After
transitioning and working with a payee
company “I finished paying off my debts”
• Before transitioning “No one ever gave me a
chance”
After transitioning “Thank you for giving me a
chance.”
WHAT HAS MADE A DIFFERENCE
• Peer Support: ACTT, Volunteer Network and on MCO
team as In Reach Specialist
• Strong ACTT providers and intensive oversight of
Transition to Community Living Team
• Supported Employment Focus
• Tenancy Support
• Transitions to Community Living Team working closely
with Landlords in Community to create housing
opportunities
• Allotment funding for Individual for start up costs
• Transitions to Community Living Team ensuring a
safety net
• Strong Payee companies
How you Can Be involved
• If you know a person that may be
benefit from Transitions to Community
Living Initiative please contact you
LME/MCO and ask to speak to the
Transitions To Community Living Lead.
Questions
Contact Information
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Darlene Webb, MSW, LCSW
MH/SUD Care Coordinator Supervisor
Coastal Care
Phone: 910-550-2600
www.coastalcarenc.org
Contact Information
• Jessica Keith
• NC Department of Health and Human
Services
• Special Advisor on ADA, Office of the
Secretary
• Phone: 919-855-4800
• Jessica.Bradley@dhhs.nc.gov
• www.ncdhhs.gov