The American Institutes for Research Seeks Online Research Assistance |
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The American Institutes for Research has a new project to help make online research more accessible for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Volunteers with I/DD and their supporters are invited to participate in online research to help test a new way to take a survey. Participants who qualify will receive a $50 gift card. For more information, visit the survey website or download the initiative flyer in English or Spanish. |
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Trillium Health Resources Post Disaster Simulation |
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Trillium Health Resources is hosting a Post‑Disaster Simulation designed to help participants better understand disaster preparedness. This interactive experience walks you through the weeks following a disaster, offering insight into the challenges individuals face as they navigate recovery. The session also highlights the additional barriers encountered by people living with mental illness, developmental disabilities, and substance use disorders. This free event is open to the public and offers a valuable opportunity to build awareness and strengthen community resilience.
Date/Time: Wednesday, July 1, 2026, 8:30-12:00 p.m. Location: Lenoir County Cooperative Extension, 1791 NC-11, Kinston, NC Registration: Register for the simulation More Information: Download the event flyer |
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| National Council for Mental Wellbeing Stigma Associated With MAUD Within Peer Recovery Communities |
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| Join the Providers Clinical Support System – Medications for Alcohol Use Disorder (PCSS‑MAUD) and the National Council for Mental Wellbeing for a case‑based discussion on stigma associated with Medications for Alcohol Use Disorder (MAUD) within peer recovery communities. The session will offer practical strategies to understand, identify and address stigma while exploring evidence‑based recovery pathways that include MAUD. Through real‑world case discussions, participants will examine how stigma shapes treatment engagement and recovery environments. Attendees can expect an informational presentation, interactive breakout discussions and clinical case studies.
Date: Tuesday, July 7, 2026, 1:00-2:30 p.m. Registration: Register for the webinar |
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NC Medicaid Lunch & Learn: NC Strategic Housing Plan |
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Join NC Medicaid for a Lunch and Learn focused on the NC Strategic Housing Plan, a statewide initiative designed to address the housing needs of individuals with disabilities. This session will provide an overview of how the plan supports people who are receiving or eligible for NCDHHS‑funded services, including those experiencing homelessness, living in congregate settings, or at risk of entry into these settings. Josh Walker, Manager of the NCDHHS Strategic Housing Plan, will share insights into the plan’s goals, strategies, and impact across NC.
Date/Time: Monday, July 13, 2026, 12:00-1:00 p.m. Registration: Register for the Lunch & Learn |
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Bringing Questions, Building Solutions: The Link Center Summer Office Hours |
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The Link Center is pleased to introduce a limited Summer Office Hours Series, offering state agency staff working at the intersection of disability and mental health (I/DD, MH, BI, CW, and Medicaid) an opportunity to engage directly with national experts. These monthly sessions provide a collaborative, small-group forum for participants to bring forward real-world questions and challenges.
Attendees will benefit from the extensive experience of Dr. Debra Pinals and Dr. Stacy Nonnemacher, who bring deep expertise in navigating complex service systems, forensic involvement, co-occurring I/DD and mental health needs, complex behavior, autism, and the intersection of mental health and substance use. This series offers a unique chance to connect with leading practitioners and explore solutions to the challenges faced across systems of care.
Date/Time: Tuesday, July 14, 2026, 1:00-3:00 p.m. Registration: Register for the office hours |
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| Benchmarks Training: Person-Centered Thinking The National Learning Community Curriculum |
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Service definitions continue to require providers to participate in 12-hour training programs on Person-Centered Thinking. The 12-hour training approved by the National Learning Community for Person Centered Practices must be provided by an approved trainer.
This training meets those requirements. Participants will gain practical strategies and tools they can immediately apply to strengthen person‑centered practice in their daily work. This training is ideal for providers of mental health or developmental disability services, as well as anyone interested in the practical, real‑world application of person‑centered approaches.
Date: July 15-16, 2026 Location: Ashley Park Apartments Club House, 10300 Pine Lakes Court, Raleigh, NC Registration: Register for the training |
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Elevate Your Expertise at the NCPGP Leadership Accelerator |
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The North Carolina Problem Gambling Program (NCPGP) is launching the new NCPGP Leadership Accelerator, a three‑day advanced training institute offered as a pre‑conference track at the 2026 North Carolina Foundation for Alcohol and Drug Studies Summer School. This immersive program is designed for professionals who have completed gambling‑specific training within the past three years and are actively providing gambling‑related harm services.
Topics include statewide gambling‑harm trends, family‑centered clinical approaches, technology and AI in treatment, sports betting impacts, policy literacy, and strategies for building gambling‑informed organizations. Participants can expect practitioner‑led learning, hands‑on collaboration through the Applied Practice Lab, and insights from state and national experts. Attendees will also have opportunities to connect with colleagues across North Carolina and return to their organizations with practical, ready‑to‑implement tools. This advanced institute is designed to deepen expertise and strengthen statewide efforts to address gambling harm.
Date: July 19-21, 2026 Location: Hotel Ballast, 301 North Water Street, Wilmington, NC Registration: Register for the Leadership Accelerator More Information: Download the event flyer |
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Order Free 988 Print Materials for Your Back-to School Outreach by July 20, 2026 |
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The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is providing free, printed 988 educational materials for schools, local governments and community organizations for Back-to-School outreach.
Sign up today for these new bilingual posters, post cards, flyers, wallet cards and stickers designed for youth. Order materials by July 20, 2026, to receive them by late July to share with your community. |
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| North Carolina Down Syndrome Alliance Lunch & Learn Series NC Innovations Waiver |
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The NC Innovations Waiver offers essential supports for children and adults with Down syndrome and other I/DD, including help with daily activities, home and vehicle modifications, assistive technology, employment supports, crisis services, and caregiver assistance—alongside covered health, dental, and transportation benefits through NC Medicaid. Anyone can apply, yet only 0.05% of North Carolinians with Down syndrome are currently on the waitlist.
Join NCDSA for a Lunch & Learn to understand how these services work and how to get on the waitlist, especially with more than 20,000 people already waiting. You’ll also hear from a North Carolina family benefiting from the waiver and why every family supporting someone with Down syndrome or another I/DD should learn about it.
Date/Time: Wednesday, July 22, 2026, 12:00-1:00 p.m. Join Link: Join for the webinar |
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The Council Presents Educational Webinar Series: ADA 36th Anniversary |
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July 26, 2026 will mark the 36th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA says that employers and places open to the general public must provide reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. But how does a person with a disability successfully request and secure an accommodation? During this session, hear from people with I/DD and other disabilities who have successfully received accommodations. They will share their lived experience and talk about how they did it to help the next person who might need similar access to a job, building, service, or event.
The Council Presents is a monthly webinar series hosted by the North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities. It shares helpful information, resources, and discussions about issues that matter to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Each session includes expert speakers, community updates, and chances to connect with people with I/DD, families, and professionals.
Date/Time: Thursday, July 23, 2026, 1:00-2:00 p.m. Registration: Register for the webinar |
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| The Link Center Shared Learning Groups Virtual Gathering Series Slow Down, Listen, and Respond with Humanity: Suicide Prevention Support Strategies for People with Co-Occurring Conditions |
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When navigating complex, co-occurring conditions, people can often feel trapped and see no way out, placing them at a higher risk for suicide. While every experience is unique, the most powerful intervention often begins when we slow down, listen deeply, and respond with intention. Join this Shared Learning Group as we ground ourselves in lived experiences.
We will discuss critical warning signs and risk factors, while sharing actionable strategies and resources to provide ongoing support and restore a sense of hope. There are four sessions on the same topic for different target audiences. Please register for the session most relevant to you, or whichever best fits into your schedule. See the event flyer for session options.
Date: July 29-30, 2026 Registration: Register for the webinar More Information: Download the event flyer |
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| Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC) Webinar Series Emerging Substances and Over‑the‑Counter Drugs of Abuse: What We Know and How to Respond to Reduce Injury and Overdose |
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Join MAHEC for a two-part webinar series, supported in part by NCDHHS, exploring emerging substances and over-the-counter products linked to misuse in Western North Carolina. Topics include xylazine, kratom, novel potent opioids, and other non-prescription substances increasingly seen in clinical settings. Participants will learn about patterns of use, overdose risks, related medical complications, and patient-centered, low-barrier approaches to care, including risk reduction strategies and medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD).
Date/Time: Friday, August 7 and August 21, 2026, 12:30-1:30 p.m. Registration: Register for the webinar series |
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NC Medicaid Lunch & Learn: All Ages All Stages |
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Join NC Medicaid for an informative overview of North Carolina’s Multisector Plan for Aging (MPA), known as All Ages All Stages. This statewide initiative provides a comprehensive roadmap to enhance quality of life and promote well‑being for older adults across North Carolina. Caylee Weaver, Planner/Evaluator, NCDHHS Division of Aging will discuss the vision, goals, and collaborative efforts behind the plan.
Date/Time: Monday, August 10, 2026, 12:00-1:00 p.m. Registration: Register for the Lunch & Learn |
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Bringing Questions, Building Solutions: The Link Center Summer Office Hours |
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The Link Center is pleased to introduce a limited Summer Office Hours Series, offering state agency staff working at the intersection of disability and mental health (I/DD, MH, BI, CW, and Medicaid) an opportunity to engage directly with national experts. These monthly sessions provide a collaborative, small-group forum for participants to bring forward real-world questions and challenges.
Attendees will benefit from the extensive experience of Dr. Debra Pinals and Dr. Stacy Nonnemacher, who bring deep expertise in navigating complex service systems, forensic involvement, co-occurring I/DD and mental health needs, complex behavior, autism, and the intersection of mental health and substance use. This series offers a unique chance to connect with leading practitioners and explore solutions to the challenges faced across systems of care.
Date/Time: Thursday, August 13, 2026, 1:00-3:00 p.m. Registration: Register for the office hours |
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Optimizing Outcomes: Maternal Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders Summit |
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The Maternal Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders Summit will will bring together healthcare and public health professionals from across North Carolina to advance maternal mental health care. This year’s Summit will feature updates on screening, treatment, and integrated care approaches for maternal mental health and substance use disorders, while also highlighting strategies to reduce stigma and expand access to care. Participants will engage in peer-to-peer learning across perinatal care regions, explore emerging recommendations and resources, and identify practical strategies to support practice change and improve outcomes for perinatal patients and families.
Date/Time: Friday, August 14, 2026, 8:00-3:30 p.m. Location: DoubleTree Atlantic Beach Oceanfront, 217 West Fort Macon Road, Atlantic Beach, NC Registration: Register for the summit |
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NC Medicaid Quarterly Money Follows the Person Roundtable |
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Join NC Medicaid for the third quarterly Money Follows the Person (MFP) Roundtable. This session will feature a panel discussion with LME/MCO representatives highlighting innovative housing initiatives and creative strategies being used to address housing challenges for the populations we serve. MFP is a state program that helps NC Medicaid-eligible North Carolinians living in inpatient facilities move into their own homes and communities with supports. For more information about the program, how to apply, and additional details, visit the MFP webpage.
Date/Time: Friday, August 21, 2026, 12:00-2:00 p.m. Registration: Register for the roundtable |
| Pathways to Hope: A NAMI FaithNet Event Where Faith and Mental Health Unite |
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This is a free national conference bringing together faith, community, and mental health to reduce stigma and strengthen hope. This unique gathering features inspiring keynote speakers, locally curated workshops, and powerful conversations at the intersection of faith and mental health. With in-person, hybrid, and virtual options available, participants across the country can join in ways that work best for them. Reserve your spot today and be part of a growing movement to build understanding, connection, and support in communities nationwide.
Date: August 21-22, 2026 Registration: Register for the conference More Information: Visit the conference website |
FASD United: National FASD Impact Week |
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Join advocates and professionals from around the country for three days of advocacy, action, collaboration, & community. Impact Week is your opportunity to use your voice to give FASD a seat at the table. Through workshops, collaborative sessions & symposiums, we will empower the community to envision a brighter future for people with FASD & gather at Capitol Hill to educate our legislators on this "not rare" disability.
Date: August 27-30, 2026 Location: Washington, DC Registration: Register for the awareness week activities |
| Assistant Secretary Kelly Crosbie to Serve on Panel at The Council Presents Educational Webinar Series: Olmstead 101 |
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This session will be a Panel Discussion including the history of the Olmstead Decision, national Olmstead policy achievements, an overview and implementation update of the North Carolina Olmstead Plan, and an opportunity for self-advocates and panelists to talk about how the Olmstead Decision has impacted the lives of people in North Carolina and across the country. We will hear from state experts, including Bryan Dooley, self-advocate; Deb Goda, former Director of NC DHHS Olmstead Section; Kelly Crosbie, Assistant Secretary of the DMH/DD/SUS; Corye Dunne, Director of Policy of Disability Rights North Carolina, and C. Talley Wells, Executive Director for NCCDD and former Georgia “Olmstead Case Lawyer.”
The Council Presents is a monthly webinar series hosted by the North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities. It shares helpful information, resources, and discussions about issues that matter to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Each session includes expert speakers, community updates, and chances to connect with people with I/DD, families, and professionals.
Date/Time: Thursday, August 27, 2026, 1:00-2:00 p.m. Registration: Register for the webinar |
NC Medicaid Lunch & Learn: Exploring the New Money Follows the Person NC Website |
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Join NC Medicaid for an informative and highly interactive learning session designed to introduce you to the new Money Follows the Person (MFP) NC website. This hands-on presentation will guide participants through the site’s updated features, improved navigation, and expanded resources aimed at supporting individuals transitioning from institutional settings to community-based living. The session will be facilitated by Molly Markey from UNC Cares, who will provide expert guidance and ensure participants leave with a clear understanding of how to use the website effectively.
Date/Time: Monday, September 14, 2026, 12:00-1:00 p.m. Registration: Register for the Lunch & Learn |
2026 Family and Youth Treatment Court Virtual Conference |
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The 2026 Family and Youth Treatment Court Virtual Conference is a two‑day event bringing together judges, attorneys, coordinators, clinicians, child welfare professionals, peer support specialists, and community partners for training and collaboration. The program includes keynote speakers, panel discussions, four plenaries, and more than 20 concurrent sessions. Sessions are organized into Youth Treatment Court, Family Treatment Court, and joint FTC/YTC tracks, allowing attendees to tailor their experience to their specific roles and court types.
Date: September 29-30, 2026 Registration: Register for the conference More Information: View conference agenda |
Benchmarks Destination 2026 |
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Join Benchmarks for a meaningful and memorable annual conference bringing together behavioral health leaders, innovators, and partners from across North Carolina and beyond. Experience several days filled with fresh ideas, valuable conversations, and opportunities to connect. Destination 2026 will inspire learning, spark collaboration, and create shared experiences.
Date: October 13-16, 2026 Location: Cherokee Conference Center, 40 Convention Center Drive, Cherokee, NC Registration: Register for the conference Sponsorships: Sign up to be an event sponsor More Information: Download conference agenda |
North Carolina Down Syndrome Alliance 2026 Buddy Walk |
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The North Carolina Down Syndrome Alliance (NCDSA) Buddy Walk is the organization's largest event of the year. Each year, nearly 2,000 participants come together for a day that feels like a true family reunion, bringing together individuals with Down syndrome, their families, friends, and supporters from across the state.
Registration is free! Register your team by June 30 to earn your team incentive. New teams will get a free custom yard sign with a QR code to your team's page. Returning teams will get a free Walk of Fame route marker sign.
Date: Sunday, October 18, 2026 Location: Sugg Farm, 2401 Grigsby Avenue, Holly Springs Registration: Register for the Buddy Walk |
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Whether you're developing policy, teaching, conducting research, or delivering frontline care, the AMERSA Annual Conference equips you with the latest tools and information to bridge the gap between research and practice. Register today and mark your calendar for November 12-14, with pre-conference workshops available on November 11. The AMERSA Annual Conference brings together a multidisciplinary community committed to advancing substance use education, research, clinical care, and policy. Date: November 12-14, 2026 Location: 2500 Calvert Street NW, Washington, DC Registration: Register for the conference |
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