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.