NC Policy Watch
Progressive Voices by Executive Director, Vicki Smith (11/3/2011)
Deja Vu in the world of mental health
More than a decade ago, North Carolina' s system for providing services to individuals with mental health needs, developmental disabilities and addictive disease was deeply troubled. Allegations of fraud, mismanagement and conflicted governance signaled poor accountability mechanisms. In response, the General Assembly directed the state Auditor to investigate the situation. In April 2000, the [Continue Reading]
A "perfect storm"? Or are the stars aligning? posted 8/24/11 http://www.ncpolicywatch.com/2011/08/24/a-%e2%80%9cperfect-storm%e2%80%9d-or-are-the-stars-aligning/
Disability Rights NC's Vicki Smith discusses housing the state's mentally ill and the recent DOJ findings in a radio interview with Chris Fitzsimon. It is now archived on the NC Policy Watch website http://ow.ly/69JIf.
A decade after North Carolina embarked on reforming its mental health system, the state finds itself on the verge of a lawsuit by U.S. Department of Justice. Disability Rights NC: DHHS in a "double bind" (video) NC Policy Watch.
Progressive Voices by Executive Director, Vicki Smith (8/8/2011)
A preventable "perfect storm" for people with disabilities
North Carolina's perfect storm was not the result of three weather patterns but three separate exposures of the State's failure to cultivate an adequate community based system of care for people with mental illness and other disabilities. Instead of investing in community-integrated housing and other supports to do right by its citizens with mental health needs and to comply with federal law, the North Carolina General Assembly and DHHS have once again slighted these citizens. http://www.ncpolicywatch.com/2011/08/08/a-preventable-perfect-storm-for-people-with-disabilities/ (8/8/11)
Progressive Voices by Executive Director Vicki Smith (5/9/2011)
Serving people with disabilities: Pay now or pay more later
There's a simple and harsh truth when it comes to serving people with disabilities: If you cut services that allow them to live in the most integrated setting, you will eventually force them into more institutionalized settings. This, in turn, will cost the state more money. Serving people with disabilities: Pay now or pay more later
Look and think before slashing services to people with disabilities (11/30/2010) Read the story. Article also printed at CarrboroCitizen.com.
Radio Interview on 9/18/2010 - Disability Rights NC on warehousing the mentally ill in adult care homes
Progressive Voices by Executive Director, Vicki Smith (9/15/2010)
North Carolina's broken emergency mental health system http://www.ncpolicywatch.com/cms/2010/09/15/north-carolina%e2%80%99s-broken-emergency-mental-health-system/
Progressive Voices by Executive Director, Vicki Smith (5/18/2010)
Children's mental health needs still going unmet. http://www.ncpolicywatch.com/cms/2010/05/18/children%E2%80%99s-mental-health-needs-still-going-unmet/
Documents are provided in PDF format, allowing any computer to open them with the free Adobe Reader.
5-18-2010 Children's mental health needs still going unmet