For Immediate Release: 3/2/2022

Concord, N.C. – The National Alliance on Mental Health, NAMI, has awarded Jerry Earnhardt, MS, LCMHCS, Eastern Regional Director, of Daymark Recovery Services, the 2022 Outstanding CIT Trainer of the Year for his extraordinary public service on behalf of all North Carolinians and for people living with mental illness and their families. This award was presented in Raleigh, North Carolina on February 24, 2022 during the CIT Conference.

CIT is a Crisis Intervention Team training designed for law enforcement agencies and paramedics, teaching how to engage persons who have mental illness or substance use disorders, with a focus on accessing available resources for the person.

January 27, 2022 at 6:26 pm EST
By Joe Bruno, wsoctv.com

CHARLOTTE — The Steve Smith Foundation and Mecklenburg County are partnering to create Charlotte’s first behavioral health urgent care. Smith, legendary Carolina Panthers wide receiver, presented plans to the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners Thursday afternoon at the county’s annual budget retreat.

Forsyth County’s health-care sector will receive about $93 million in funding from the 2021-23 state budget, highlighted by $25 million for a crisis behavioral health program.

Much of the funding is being dedicated to infrastructure projects, such as $14.8 million for a planned Kernersville veterans nursing home facility, and $11 million to Triangle Residential Options for Substance Abusers toward at a new center at 1931 Union Cross Road.

Another major beneficiary is Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest N.C., which gains $6.67 million toward a new headquarters on the Whitaker Park campus.

Sen. Joyce Krawiec, R-Forsyth, said the health-care projects are funded in part because of what she called “smart, restrained budgets” cobbled together by Republican budget writers.

“Because of that responsibility, we’ve seen multibillion-dollar surpluses,” Krawiec said. “This year’s budget builds on that with sweeping tax cuts, critical infrastructure improvements and funding for needed projects that will benefit Forsyth County for years to come.”

Article by: Jule Hubbard/Journal Patriot

Over $1 million a year is being pumped into Wilkes and nearby counties to address substance abuse through grants awarded to Project Lazarus, said Fred Brason, president and CEO of the Moravian Falls-based nonprofit.

Speaking at the Wilkes State of Addiction Community Forum at the Stone Center in North Wilkesboro on Feb. 28, Brason said the grants funded efforts involving multiple organizations.

He emphasized the importance of a cooperative effort at the forum, which featured presentations by representatives of Wilkes Medical Center, the Wilkes Department of Social Services, Daymark Recovery Services, Vaya Health, Wilkes County Adult Probation and the Wilkes Sheriff’s Office.

Celebrate the success of stronger communities through NC's public behavioral health system on #CareForNC Day

On Sept. 18, 2019, North Carolina's Partnership for Community Well-Being is celebrating the success of strengthening communities in our state through #CareForNC Day.

The #CareForNC campaign advocates for a stronger North Carolina through effective supports for people living with mental health challenges, substance abuse disorders and intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD). #CareForNC Day is an opportunity for everyone touched or impacted by the public behavioral health system to make their voices heard.