Inclusion Connects

Inclusion Connects is an NCDHHS initiative to connect people with I/DD to more choices and more access to services and supports. The initiative is a collaboration among NCDHHS divisions, including the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services and Medicaid, to provide resources for connecting individuals with I/DD to services and supports available to live, work and play in their chosen communities. 

To enhance the I/DD connection to their community, Inclusion Connects focuses on: 

• Improving access and enhancing the housing array for individuals with I/DD.
• Promoting access to services for all individuals in need of services, including those on the Innovations Waiver Waitlist.
• Addressing the Direct Support Professional (DSP) Workforce Shortage, including connecting DSPs with providers and individuals with I/DD.

Discover the New Inclusion Connects Work Plan

We're pleased to share the Inclusion Connects Work Plan, North Carolina’s roadmap to improving services for people with I/DD. This plan supports the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services’ strategic goals and aligns with the state's goal to enhance community-based services.

View the complete work plan and our detailed strategies for the upcoming year.

Take the first step: Contact your Local Management Entity/Managed Care Organization (LME/MCO) to understand what services are available to you. 

Inclusion Connects is not complete. NCDHHS is actively working with experts and stakeholders to develop a more comprehensive, all-inclusive resource. For feedback or questions, please do not hesitate to contact NCDHHS via email at dmhiddcontact@dhhs.nc.gov.

Engage with Inclusion Connects to learn more about our pillars and how you can benefit from or contribute to our mission. Together, we're building a more inclusive future for individuals with I/DD and their families.

Inclusion Works

In the spirit of fostering inclusive communities, Inclusion Connects is closely aligned with its sister initiative, Inclusion Works. While Inclusion Connects focuses on ensuring individuals have access to services and support, Inclusion Works champions the right to work in an integrated setting for fair pay, specifically for individuals with I/DD. Inclusion Works provides vital services and support to help these individuals find and maintain employment in community settings at competitive wages. Together, these initiatives embody a comprehensive approach to inclusion, promoting equal opportunities for both play and work, affirming that everyone deserves the chance to thrive in every aspect of community life.