Article from the NCCDD FY 2022-2023 Annual Report

NCCDD Holds Statewide I/DD Town Hall Meeting 

Secretary Kinsley and Director Crosbie spoke to a packed house at the I/DD Townhall in August in Cary, NC.

Over 300 people attended a statewide hybrid Town Hall Meeting on August 10, 2023 to discuss issues impacting people with I/DD living in North Carolina. The meeting was held in person at the site of NCCDD’s quarterly Council meeting, Hilton Garden Inn in Cary, as well as online. 
The event featured Kody Kinsley, Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), and Kelly Crosbie, Division Director from the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Services (DMH/DD/SUS). They provided updates and discussion on the state I/DD budget, 1915(i) Medicaid services, Medicaid Expansion, and more. Attendees had a chance to ask questions during the meeting. 

Bryan Dooley, Chair of NCCDD, opened the meeting by welcoming everyone and briefly sharing his own struggles with service and daily living disruptions due to the Direct Support Professionals (DSP) workforce shortage and the Innovations Waiver waitlist. 

Dr. Charlrean Mapson, Chair of NCCDD’s Community Living Committee and a parent of a child with I/DD, also spoke on how the workforce shortage is critical to the point that finding and keeping DSPs is nearly impossible. 

Director Kelly Crosbie (left), NCCDD Chairperson Bryan Dooley (middle), and Secretary Kody Kinsley (right)Secretary Kinsley started the Town Hall discussion by emphasizing that North Carolina is in a state of urgency like never before when it comes to waiting lists and the DSP workforce. He expressed his frustration with how these issues have escalated to the point where they are now. However, he feels that the state is heading on the right track.  

“There is more traction and more of a sense of collective action and purpose than ever before,” said Kinsley. “Governor Cooper understands the issue, and it is striking a chord and being heard by the General Assembly,” he added. 

The hybrid townhall included guests who joined online and shared their experiences around the wait list.

In spite of obstacles to resolve the issues, the progress of the 1915(i) Medicaid services and Tailored Care Management are gaining momentum to help bring the vision of “whole-person health” to reality. 

Secretary Kinsley said he feels strongly that when we point fingers and cast blame, there is no way to move forward. Instead, we need to focus on building a continuum that provides choice for all people and builds opportunities to lead better lives. There is no one-size-fits-all for the 

I/DD community. Building a community involves meeting people where they are in their own lives. 

Director Kelly Crosbie spoke on the importance of being informed. She emphasized that she continues to meet with many families who don’t understand the system – they don’t know where to go or what to do or even what services are available to them. She feels there should be a stronger focus on helping people to learn about and navigate North Carolina’s systems of services and supports. 

A question-and-answer session was then opened to the audience. Secretary Kinsley and Director Crosbie fielded questions on several topics and issues, including the Samantha R. case and its potential impact on community-based services, an explanation of 1915(i) entitlement services, the need to bring more psychiatrists and psychologists into the North Carolina public service sector, DSP wage disparity and more.

You can watch the Town Hall Meeting on Facebook. 

NCCDD Advocates on Behalf of I/DD Community at NC General Assembly 

NCCDD members and staff met with North Carolina General Assembly legislators to educate them about issues that are important to the I/DD community.In March, members and staff of NCCDD met with North Carolina General Assembly legislators to educate them about issues that are important to the I/DD community. 

The issues included the dual crises — the DSP shortage and the Medicaid Innovations Waiver waiting list length. 

The average pay rate for a DSP in North Carolina is just $13 per hour. That low pay and high need has created a DSP crisis in this state. In addition, over 17,000 individuals with I/DD in North Carolina are on the Medicaid Innovations Waiver waiting list, hoping to receive services to help them live in the community instead of care facilities. The wait on this list for assistance is often more than 10 years. 

The group at the I/DD Caucus meetingThe group then attended the House Committee on Health hearing and then met with Senate Health Appropriations committee. Those members included Senators Michael Lee, Jim Burgin, Joyce Krawiec, Kevin Corbin, Mike Woodard, Sydney Batch as well as Representatives Zack Hawkins and John Bradford. 

NCCDD Chair and Staff appear with Senator Joyce Krawiec after she receives an Advocacy Award from the I/DD Legislative Caucus.Bryan Dooley, chair of NCCDD, said, “We tried to raise the profile of the Council in all areas including employment, the DSP crisis and the waiting list. I don’t think we had any breakthroughs, but it was a productive meeting. Hopefully there will be a follow-up.” 

Additional time was given for the NCCDD attendees to meet individually or in small groups with other legislators. The NCCDD group displayed still photos from their film “Unmet” in a meeting room for legislators and visitors to view.