Provider Stonewalling via Paperwork Nitpicking?

Video from Jordan Institute Leadership Congress

From Dr. Gary Nelson
Jordan Institute for Families, UNC-CH School of Social Work
Leadership in Transition to Accountable Behavioral and I/DD Care Team

On June 8th, 2012, over 100 leaders of North Carolina’s behavioral health and I/DD system – including those from state health and human service agencies, local government, the General Assembly, provider groups, faith organizations, universities, and consumers – convened to shape the plans for making ours the best public system in the country. The working session was convened by the Leadership in Transition team at the Jordan Institute for Families at UNC. 

The 100 participants brought their wide-ranging perspectives to bear, collaborating to identify the most critical steps forward for the system. The link below takes you to a video that captures the energy and the momentum in the room that day. 

The recommendations that emerged and were voted on that day include:

• Utilize data to become less reactive. Identify a few meaningful citizen outcomes to measure performance and make the data accessible to all through multiple venues.

• Keep all citizens informed through public engagement, education and training so all citizens can become stakeholders of the system.

• Connect across systems to develop a one stop shop to access services.

• Employ regulations and incentives for good and poor performers.

• Gather around a shared vision and outcomes.

• Ensure an appropriate level of funding.

On July 4th, North Carolina lost Steve Jordan, the director of the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse. His thoughtful leadership of the system and his guidance through our process were indispensable. We wish his family and his colleagues peace and healing.

In the coming weeks, the Jordan Institute for Families will be finalizing the recommendations and delivering them in a report summarizing the activities in 2011-12 that led up to the Leadership Congress. All June 8th participants, members of the General Assembly, and the Governor will receive that report.

More commentary on the Leadership Congress and Steve Jordan.

My full speaking notes as a consumer parent from the Leadership Congress.

Parent Perspective: Voice from the Rally

The Coalition rally sponsored in part by The Arc of North Carolina was held in downtown Raleigh by the Legislative Building Tuesday, May 22, 2012. There was an impressive turn out considering what many of these parents and caregivers had to undertake just to travel to the State capital with their children in hopes their voices would be heard.

Pat, her daughter Casey and son Jason, and support friend Christy awoke at 4:45 am to travel to Raleigh, a round-trip mission of over 260 miles...

You may recognize Casey and Jason from this post.

P.S. Dearest Casey and Jason, It was SOOO nice to meet you both! Thank you Casey for the beautiful hug you gave me - you are sunshine! Love, Crystal