NC Division of Mental Health Programs and Services

Vol. 4, No. 2
May 1999

North Carolina Division of Mental Health Programs and Services

Carolina Alternatives: Provides mental health (MH), developmental disabilities (DD) and substance abuse (SA) services to citizens in all 100 counties through 40 area authorities for MH/DD/SA services (Area Programs).

Community Alternatives Program for Persons with Mental Retardation/Developmental Disabilities (CAP-MR/DD): A Medicaid program serving individuals with the MR/DD (ICF/MR) in the community instead of in an institution or group home setting.

Developmental Disabilities Section (DD): Provides services for North Carolinians with developmental disability, developmental delay, atypical development, and those at risk for these conditions.

Mental Health Services (MH): Promotes improved quality of life for adults with severe and persistent mental illness and for other persons (and their families) affected by significant mental health problems.

Substance Abuse Services Section (SAS): Branches include Adult; Child, Adolescent, and Women's; DWI/Criminal Justice; Prevention; Employee Assistance; and Drug Regulatory. Specialty functions include Administration; Institutional Services; Research and Planning; Policy; and Educational Services.

Child and Family Services: Facilitates and monitors non-residential and residential child mental health services in each of the 40 Area Programs, as well as in the children's units in the four psychiatric hospitals, and in the two residential re-education centers for children. These services are for children ages birth to 18 (and their families) who have or are at-risk for emotional disturbance.

Thomas S. Services: In order to become members of the Thomas S class, individuals must have resided in one of North Carolina's psychiatric hospitals on or after March 22, 1984, as an adult, and must have a diagnosis of mental retardation or have been treated as such. The treatment of these individuals, based on the District Court's Order, is to be provided in a manner that promotes their independence, enhances their dignity, and is as consistent as possible with societal norms, in view of each person's individual and special needs.

Crisis Services: Works with citizens with psychiatric and/or alcohol and other drug disorders and/or developmental disabilities by initiating and supporting the development and ongoing improvement of crisis response and crisis stabilization services, and crisis prevention services for individuals who are high users of emergency and inpatient services, especially those individuals with multiple, co-occurring disorders.

Willie M. Services: Services for children under age 18 who are seriously mentally, emotionally, and/or neurologically handicapped with accompanying violent or assaultive behavior; who are likely to be involuntarily institutionalized or placed in a residential program; and who are not receiving appropriate treatment, educational, or rehabilitative services. Each child is provided medical treatment, education, training, and care; the least restrictive living conditions appropriate for his/her needs; and placements and services that are actually needed, rather than those that are currently available.

Source

N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, Mental Health Division. (1998, August 4). [Online]. <http://www.dhr.state.nc.us/DHR/DMH/>.(Web address no longer functional.)