NAMI North Carolina

In March 1984 the first NC Alliance for Mental Illness’ statewide conference was held. At this time, there was no case management, no housing, no clubhouses, no supported employment. But the Alliance had a vision, a belief in themselves, and a commitment to making North Carolina better for themselves and their loved ones. Voted to incorporate, adopted bylaws, l48 members, 7 affiliates (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Greensboro, Winston Salem, Salisbury, Cabarrus), established goals. Elaine Purpel (Greensboro) was elected the first President. Today, NAMI North Carolina has 24 Affiliates across the state, providing an array of education classes, support groups, presentations, and awareness events at no charge to those we serve.

NAMI NC provides mental health advocacy, education, support, and public awareness so that all individuals and families can build better lives. We envision a community where all people affected by mental health conditions can live healthy and fulfilling lives.

NAMI NC serves the needs of those living with mental illness and their families in North Carolina by providing education, support, and referral services. Our peer support services are especially critical to our mission: People who have personally experienced living well with mental illness provide insight and practical coping strategies for those seeking to begin, maintain, or support recovery. For instance, we offer NAMI Peer-to-Peer, a free, eight-session educational program for adults with mental health conditions taught by trained leaders with lived experience; among other things, participants learn to set a vision and goals for the future, partner with health care providers and learn about mental health treatment options, develop confidence for making decisions, and enhance communication skills. We also offer cost-free, peer-led support groups, both for people with mental health conditions and family members, where participants can find knowledge, comfort, and hope in their powerful shared experiences. NAMI Signature programs include Connection Recovery Support Group, Family Support Group, Family-to-Family, Peer-to-Peer, Basics, Homefront, Provider, Smarts for Advocacy, In Our Own Voice, Ending the Silence, Bridges to Hope, and more.

Easterseals PORT Health

In the spring of 1934, the organization launched its first Easter “seals” campaign to raise money for its services. In 1967, the organization changed its name to Easter Seals in response to the overwhelmingly successful campaign. In 2016, the name was modernized to one word, “Easterseals.” Today, Easterseals PORT Health is one of 70 affiliates of the national Easterseals organization and is also one of 55 affiliates of the national United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) organization, one of the largest health nonprofits in the country dedicated to individuals with cerebral palsy and other disabilities. After merging with Easterseals Virginia in 2010, our organization had more than 75 years collective experience of being a powerful force for our neighbors in North Carolina and Virginia who are living with disabilities. In January 2023, we acquired PORT Health and expanded our combined continuum of services to include substance use treatment and pharmacy services. As a result, people across North Carolina and Virginia now benefit from our broader range of comprehensive services for collaborative, whole person care.

Our mission is to provide meaningful and exceptional services so that children, adults and families with disabilities, mental health challenges and substance use challenges can live, learn, work and play in their communities. We believe that children and adults with disabilities, mental health challenges and substance use challenges can be engaged and contributing members of their families and communities if they have the right support. That’s why we provide a comprehensive array of meaningful and exceptional home, facility and community-based services. We believe that front line team members who feel valued and supported in meaningful ways can and do create powerful mission outcomes. That’s why we encourage them to use their voices. We believe that a diverse and inclusive culture that leverages unique strengths, perspectives and viewpoints of its workforce can and will advance our Just Cause, while building a healthy, sustainable organization. That’s why we listen, seek to understand and act to make our organization a safe place for individuals to be their authentic selves.

We have an array of services spreading across the state that include mental and behavioral health, intellectual and developmental disabilities, employment, and residential services.

North Carolina Association of Public Community Health Plans

The North Carolina Association of Public Community Health Plans was formed in mid-2024 as the association for the state's four LME/MCOs. The NCAPCHP is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of North Carolina’s communities through advocacy, collaboration, and support for North Carolina’s four LME/MCOs – Alliance Health, Partners Health Management, Trillium Health Resources, and Vaya Health – and the members, families, and providers we serve. The NCAPCHP works with state/county/local agencies and policymakers, healthcare providers, and community stakeholders to ensure access to high-quality, equitable care for individuals with complex needs. We have a Tailored Plan launch on July 1, 2024.

WellCare of North Carolina (WellCare)

We provide North Carolina healthcare programs that empower members, their families, and the North Carolina community. WellCare of North Carolina (WellCare) has a commitment to ensure, through deep engagement with our members, providers, and government partners, that every WellCare of North Carolina member receives high-quality healthcare and has access to resources that help them live fuller, healthier lives.

WellCare has been dedicated to serving families, children, seniors, and individuals with complex medical needs. We partner with healthcare providers to develop and deliver high-quality, cost-effective healthcare solutions through Medicaid, and Medicare. 

WellCare Medicaid is the second-largest Medicaid health plan in North Carolina, providing health coverage to over 450,000 residents, including eligible low-income adults, children, pregnant women, elderly adults, and people with disabilities.

Our Wellcare of North Carolina (Wellcare) Medicare plans offer health coverage for individuals aged 65 and older, as well as younger individuals with disabilities, and North Carolina residents with End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a transplant, also known as ESRD).

WellCare of North Carolina by Celtic Insurance Company is available through The Health Insurance Marketplace, with government subsidies available for qualifying individuals. We provide the necessary benefits and tools to empower our members to take charge of their health. WellCare of North Carolina is a Centene Corporation company. For more information, visit www.WellCareNC.com.

Our mission is to ensure, through deep engagement with our members, providers, and government partners, that every WellCare of North Carolina member receives high-quality healthcare and has access to resources that help them live fuller, healthier lives.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina

Blue Cross NC, the leading not-for-profit health plan in North Carolina, is committed to making health care more affordable, easier to navigate and accessible for all. Since 1933, the health insurer has created programs and initiatives to provide North Carolinians the opportunity to be healthy. Blue Cross NC serves its customers and communities of more than 4.2 million members, including approximately 1.1 million on behalf of other Blue Plans. Blue Cross NC is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Visit Blue Cross NC online at bluecrossnc.com. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.'

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) has proudly served North Carolinians for nearly a century. We are a not-for-profit, fully taxed company – and the largest health insurer headquartered in North Carolina.  North Carolina is our home, our employees live and work in nearly every county across the state. And we have a longstanding tradition of collaborating with healthcare providers and community partners to increase access to care. We are accelerating our efforts to improve the health and well-being of our customers and communities so that more North Carolinians have the opportunity to be their healthiest.

WakeMed Health & Hospitals

Serving the community since 1961, WakeMed is a not-for-profit health care system founded and based in Raleigh, N.C. WakeMed exists to improve the health and well-being of our community by providing outstanding and compassionate care to all. WakeMed’s 1,003-bed system comprises a network of facilities throughout the Triangle area, including three full-service hospitals, eight emergency departments, a dedicated Children’s Hospital and Rehabilitation Hospital, two exceptional Trauma Centers—a Level I Trauma Center in Raleigh and a Level III Trauma Center in Cary, and more than 165 physician and physical therapy practice offices. WakeMed’s mission-driven team includes nearly 12,000 employees, 1,200 volunteers and 1,300 affiliated physicians, along with the more than 800 physicians and advanced practice providers with WakeMed Physician Practices—all representing the best minds and the biggest hearts and the finest quality in health care and community health. For more information, visit www.wakemed.org or follow WakeMed on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Mission

WakeMed is committed to improving the health and well-being of our community by providing outstanding and compassionate care to all.

Vision

WakeMed will be the provider of choice and the preferred partner for quality healthcare and community health by:

  • Collaborating with physicians, employees, volunteers and others to engage, educate and guide our community to take charge of their health and well-being

  • Transforming patient care delivery through high quality, coordinated services for the best value.

  • Ensuring we are the best minds and biggest hearts

Values

  • We foster trust while demonstrating transparency, accountability, integrity and honesty in all that we do.

  • We provide a quality experience to all we serve and ensure dignity and respect throughout the healing process.

  • We are a leader in patient safety, innovation and education.

  • We empower and respect physicians, nurses, volunteers and all members of our healthcare team while recognizing achievements and encouraging development.

  • We ensure sound financial stewardship by operating a well-managed, goal-directed, fiscally responsible organization.

  • We partner with others whose culture and values enhance our ability to improve the health of our community.

Mental Health Project

As an organization dedicated to improving the health and well-being of our community, WakeMed is setting the stage to become a leading provider of mental health services for adults, children and families in our area. The WakeMed Behavioral Health Network brings together outpatient and inpatient mental health providers to streamline referrals, ensuring patients receive the right care by the right providers. The Network also provides coordinated resources to address patients’ social determinants of health, such as transportation, housing, food and access to care.

WakeMed is partnering with Wake County in operating WakeMed Mental Health & Well-Being – WakeBrook – a 28-bed inpatient, non-profit hospital for adults facing chronic mental health issues. In 2027, WakeMed plans to open a 150-bed Mental Health & Well-Being Hospital in Garner, NC. It will be located on the same campus as a 45-bed acute care hospital, representing the inseparable link between our physical and mental health.