In its first quarter report, covering January through March 2022, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services outlined the state’s progress in initiating the implementation of priorities outlined in its Olmstead Plan.
NCDHHS is committed to the ongoing work to continue moving forward to support and facilitate enhanced opportunities for people with disabilities to exercise their right to choose a life that is fully integrated into their community. Read the North Carolina Olmstead Plan for a full explanation of strategies for all 11 priority areas.
North Carolina made notable progress during the first quarter of plan implementation. Much of this progress is built upon the department’s efforts already underway to transform its services and systems to better support community inclusion for individuals with disabilities. Progress was reported in many areas, and the report highlights key successes, including:
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Expanded Medicaid waivers provided more access to home and community-based services and supports.
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Increased wages and expanded access to assistive technology began to address the Direct Support Professional crisis.
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Increased access to Community Support Teams and Assertive Community Treatment programs in rural and underserved communities is helping to address disparities and access to services.
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The State Developmental Centers hired an Olmstead Specialist at the Murdoch Center in December 2021. A specialist was targeted for hire at Caswell Center and J. I. Riddle Developmental Center by mid-2022. These specialists implement enhanced transition planning to assist individuals who choose to return to the community.
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Work continues with Mathematica to establish a quality assurance structure for the Olmstead Plan.
The Olmstead Plan is being implemented within the context of comprehensive and large-scale systems transformation in North Carolina, with input from a broad group of stakeholders. Aligning the plan’s implementation with other key NCDHHS initiatives is critical to the success and sustainability of this systems change. At the same time, this alignment elevates many of the challenges within and across the services and systems that support people with disabilities in North Carolina.
North Carolina’s Olmstead Plan integrates years of work across NCDHHS and North Carolina to refine and redefine policies and programs so they more clearly align with the U.S. Supreme Court’s mandate in the Olmstead decision regarding community integration. The plan builds upon and extends the continuing efforts of NCDHHS’ Transition to Community Living and Money Follows the Person programs. It also expands the work to address the social determinants of health that are at the heart of NCDHHS’ Healthy Opportunities initiative. Visit our website for more information about North Carolina’s Olmstead Plan.