Community Events

Benchmarks' Adult Trauma & Resiliency Training

Most adults have experienced trauma, and these experiences shape how they show up at work, in relationships, and in their communities. Adult Trauma & Resiliency is a three-hour interactive workshop that helps participants understand the wide-ranging impacts of trauma and apply practical strategies that strengthen workplace culture, improve retention, and enhance personal connections. Designed for professionals, students, community members, and business owners, this training empowers participants to build more supportive environments and healthier communities.

Date/Time: Monday, Aug. 31, 2026, 1:00-4:00 p.m.

Location: The Winston-Salem Foundation, 751 West 4th Street, Suite 300, Winston-Salem, NC

Registration: Register for the webinar

International Overdose Awareness Day Event

Join the North Carolina Coalition Against Prescription Drug Abuse and the Alcohol Drug Council of NC for the 10th annual International Overdose Awareness Day. The event provides an opportunity to remember loved ones lost, support those in or seeking recovery, and inspire meaningful action to save lives. This year’s program features guest speakers, a tour of the Morse Clinics Mobile Unit, NARCAN training, and the “Hidden in Plain Sight” interactive trailer, which helps adults recognize signs of drug use and emerging trends. We’ll close with a candlelight vigil to honor those we’ve lost and uplift our community with hope. Together, we can build a healthier, safer future for all.

Date/Time: Monday, Aug. 31, 2026, 5:00 p.m.

Location: Halifax Mall - Government Complex, 300 North Salisbury Street, Raleigh, NC

More Information: Download the event flyer

The North Carolina Association of Public Community Health Plans

Winter Conference - Call for Presentations by Sept. 4

The North Carolina Association of Public Community Health Plans' Winter Conference will be held January 12–14, 2027, at the Benton Convention Center in Winston-Salem, NC. It marks a new chapter for the event formerly known as the i2i Conference and will be hosted for the first time by the Association.

The conference seeks engaging and forward‑thinking presentation proposals that honor its legacy while advancing a future-focused vision. Preferred submissions will highlight practical whole-person care strategies and demonstrate meaningful integrated care across behavioral health, physical health, I/DD, community-based services, and social supports. Presentation proposals are due by September 4, 2026.

Sunrise Community for Recovery & Wellness Hosts Free Narcan Training

Arm yourself with the tools to serve your community by joining Sunrise Recovery and Wellness for an important Narcan training hosted by AmeriHealth Caritas. This training offers meaningful guidance on responding to opioid emergencies. The session will provide an introduction to harm reduction and explain how to use Naloxone. Participants are encouraged to bring their questions. In-person and virtual attendance options are available.

Date/Time: Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026, 12:00-1:00 p.m.

Location: AmeriHealth Caritas NC Wellness & Opportunity Center, 216 Ashland Avenue, Asheville, NC

Registration: Register for the training

State Consumer and Family Advisory Committee Meeting

The State Consumer and Family Advisory Committee (SCFAC) advises NCDHHS and the General Assembly on the planning and management of DMH/DD/SUS. Meetings include updates from state agencies, discussions on current issues impacting services, and opportunities for public comment.

The monthly meeting brings together individuals with lived experience of mental health, developmental disabilities, substance use, and traumatic brain injury, as well as family members and advocates, to provide input and guidance in shaping policy and identifying service gaps. All SCFAC meetings are open to the public. Virtual and in-person attendance options are available.

Date/Time: Wednesday, Sept, 9, 2026, 9:00-3:00 p.m.

Location: NCDHHS,1915 Health Services Way, Raleigh, NC

Registration: Register for the meeting

Public Comment: Sign up for public comment

Advancing DSP Practice Through Training and Partnership

In honor of Direct Support Professionals (DSP) Recognition Week, Inclusion Connects invites you to an inside look at the Advanced DSP Training, including its core content, key competencies, and how the curriculum supports everyday direct support work. The session will also share early data from the first three course runs, highlighting successes, challenges, and lessons learned that are guiding continued program development. This session celebrates the expertise DSPs bring to their roles and underscores how community colleges help create accessible, meaningful opportunities for advanced training, professional development, and career growth within the direct support workforce.

Date/Time: Friday, September 11, 2026, 11:00-12:00 p.m.

Registration: Register for the webinar

NC Medicaid Lunch & Learn: Exploring the New Money Follows the Person NC Website

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, Sept. 14, 2026, 12:00-1:00 p.m.

Registration: Register for the Lunch & Learn

Side by Side with DMH/DD/SUS: FASD Awareness Month

Parents Speak: Living with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

Join DMH/DD/SUS for a special webinar in recognition of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Awareness month. FASD, caused by prenatal exposure to alcohol, affects 1 in 20 people in the US. Although this is a public health care crisis and its prevalence has risen since the pandemic, this lifetime developmental disability continues to be unrecognized, misdiagnosed, and misunderstood. Only 10% of people who have FASD are correctly diagnosed.

Awareness of FASD in the community is important to provide services and support that address the diverse needs of youth and adults with FASD; the effects are evident in all systems of care. This event will give an overview of FASD, followed by a panel discussion with family members who will share their experiences of living with a person with an FASD.

Date/Time: Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, 2:00-3:30 p.m.

Registration: Register for the webinar

More Information: Download the event flyer

Closed Captioning and American Sign Language Interpreters will be provided.

North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities Self-Advocate Discussion Series

Prepare for the 81st Anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month

The North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities (NCCDD) hosts a monthly Self-Advocate Discussion Series webinar every third Wednesday. These sessions help North Carolina self-advocates stay informed and engaged in conversations about social and systems change, offering a welcoming space to connect with others, share lived experiences, and strengthen personal storytelling for impact.

Join NCCDD to get ready to celebrate, learn, and share. In October 2026, National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) will have its 81st anniversary. The month honors the important contributions people with disabilities make at work and reminds us that progress happens step by step, even during times of change. NDEAM is led each year in October by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy. During this session, we will share stories and ideas to celebrate this important month.

Date/Time: Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, 1:00-2:00 p.m.

Registration: Register for the webinar

The Path to Prevention: Foundations for Suicide Prevention

We all have a role to play in supporting mental health and preventing suicide. Parents, coaches, faith leaders, educators, healthcare professionals, coworkers, friends, and neighbors can make a meaningful difference by recognizing when someone may be struggling, offering support, and connecting them to helpful resources.

The Path to Prevention is a community-centered summit and training event created for individuals who want to strengthen their understanding of mental health and suicide prevention. Whether you are new to these topics or looking to build confidence in recognizing concerns and guiding others to support, this event offers practical and accessible knowledge and tools to help you make an impact in your community. Register by Sept. 10.

Date/Time: Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2026, 10:00-3:00 p.m.

Location: Life Enrichment Center, 3805 Tarheel Club Road, Raleigh, NC

Registration: Register for the summit

More Information: Download the event flyer

Beneficiary/LRP Alignment of 1915(i) Eligibility and Care Plan/ISP to the Birth Month

Join DMH/DD/SUS and NC Medicaid for an important webinar that explains the Department’s upcoming shift to align 1915(i) Eligibility Timelines and the Care Plan/ISP with each beneficiary’s birth month. This session will walk you through why the Department is making this change and how the new timeline will work once the process is fully in place. Attendees will gain a clear understanding of the purpose of moving to a birth month alignment and learn what the updated timeline will look like from beginning to end. This is a valuable opportunity to stay informed and prepare for the adjustments that will support a more consistent and streamlined experience for beneficiaries and providers.

Date/Time: Thursday, September 17, 2026, 1:00-2:00 p.m..

Registration: Register for the webinar

Brain Injury Advisory Council Meeting

The purpose of the Brain Injury Advisory Council (BIAC) is to review the nature and cause of traumatic and other acquired brain injuries in North Carolina. The Council also makes recommendations to the Governor, the General Assembly, and the Secretary of Health and Human Services regarding the planning, development, funding, and implementation of a comprehensive statewide service delivery system to address the needs of brain injury survivors. All BIAC meetings are open to the public. Virtual and in-person attendance options are available.

Date/Time: Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, 9:00-1:00 p.m.

Location: NCDHHS,1915 Health Services Way, Raleigh, NC

Registration: Register for the meeting

Public Comment: Sign up for public comment

In-Person Advocacy Training: From Emotions to Advocacy

The Exceptional Children's Assistance Center (ECAC) will host Wrightslaw for a full-day, in-person training. From Emotions to Advocacy is designed to help families and caregivers turn frustration into effective advocacy during the special education process. Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings can feel overwhelming, emotional, and intimidating. Wrightslaw's nationally recognized training will provide practical strategies, knowledge of special education law, and tools to help you communicate with confidence, collaborate effectively, and advocate successfully for children with disabilities.

Date/Time: Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, 9:30-4:30 p.m.

Location: Forsyth County Central Library, 660 West 5th Street, Winston-Salem, NC

Registration: Register for the training

More Information: Download the event flyer

The Council Presents Educational Webinar Series: Work Together NC

Work Together NC is a statewide initiative focused on the transition to and through adulthood for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The goal of Work Together NC is to help individuals find the community supports they need to transition and thrive as adults. This might include finding a job or a place to volunteer, post-secondary education, housing, social and recreational opportunities, and more. Presenters include Anna Ward, WTNC Director and NCCDD Member; Jacklyn Boheler, WTNC Project Coordinator; and Kenneth Kelty, WTNC Backbone Team Member and NCCDD Member.

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, Sept. 24, 2026, 1:00-2:00 p.m.

Registration: Register for the webinar

Opioid and Prescription Drug Abuse Advisory Committee Meeting

Join DMH/DD/SUS for the quarterly Opioid and Prescription Drug Abuse Advisory Committee (OPDAAC) meeting. The session will focus on medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and highlight best practices, special considerations, and innovative programs from across the state. Attendees can engage with leading subject matter experts, connect with peers, and gain new insights through focused dialogue. This is a quarterly meeting, and the public is invited to attend. 

Date/Time: Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, 9:30-12:00 p.m.

Registration: Register for the meeting

DMH/DD/SUS Supports the Fort Bragg Suicide Prevention Run

Hope. Unite. Connect. We’re Stronger Together.

DMH/DD/SUS will provide a resource table at the Fort Bragg Suicide Prevention Run: "Hope. Unite. Connect. We’re Stronger Together." The event is open to the entire Fort Bragg community and will feature more than 20 on‑site resources, along with an opportunity to earn ACE Annual Training credit. Join us as we come together to strengthen resilience, build connections, and promote community well‑being. Register now, and direct any questions to the Suicide Prevention Program team. For guidance on base access, email Kayreen Gucciardo, Veterans Services Coordinator at DMH/DD/SUS.

Date/Time: Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, 7:30 a.m.

Location: Fort Bragg Fairgrounds, Howell Street and Bragg Blvd.

Registration: Register for the run

More Information: Download the event flyer

FASD United: National FASD Impact Week

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: Sept. 27-30, 2026

Location: Washington, DC

Registration: Register for the awareness week activities

2026 Family and Youth Treatment Court Virtual Conference 

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: Sept. 29-30, 2026

Registration: Register for the conference

More Information: View conference agenda

Assistant Secretary Kelly Crosbie to Speak at the Growing Well Conference

Hosted by Appalachian Institute for Health and Wellness

The second annual Growing Well Conference will bring inspiration, education, and connection to those supporting children and youth with special health care needs in rural western North Carolina. This year’s theme, “Moving Mountains for People with Special Health Care Needs,” underscores resilience and collaboration across complex health and social systems.

Attendees will hear from top state and national policy leaders and autism advocates, including Georgia Commissioner Kevin Tanner, North Carolina Assistant Secretary Kelly Crosbie, and Dr. Andrea Davis of California, alongside providers, researchers, educators, and individuals with lived experience.

Sessions will explore medical management, behavioral therapies, cross-system collaboration, and transition planning for youth entering adulthood. Participants will gain practical strategies to address disparities, strengthen caregiver communication, support early identification of developmental needs, and apply evidence-based tools for families navigating complex conditions.

Date: Oct. 4-6, 2026

Location: Leon Levine Hall of Health Sciences, 1179 State Farm Road, Boone, NC

Registration: Register for the conference

Assistant Secretary Crosbie to Speak at the Recovery Alliance Initiative Summit

OneNC: Whole Person, Whole Recovery Systems

The Recovery Alliance Initiative (RAI) Summit, themed OneNC: Whole Person, Whole Recovery Systems, will feature Secretary Crosbie alongside other insightful speakers, data-informed discussions, collaborative sessions, and meaningful networking opportunities to strengthen local response efforts. Whether working in prevention, treatment, recovery, harm reduction, policy, or community leadership, attendees will find valuable information and connections.

Designed for community leaders, service providers, advocates, and stakeholders, this free summit builds on county-level Substance Use Disorder needs and gaps assessments to advance actionable solutions. Participants can expect a focused environment for sharing best practices, aligning strategies, and supporting whole-person, whole-community recovery systems across North Carolina.

Date: Oct. 8-9, 2026

Location: McKimmon Center at NC State, 1101 Gorman Street, Raleigh, NC

Registration: Register for the summit

Benchmarks Destination 2026

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: Oct. 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

Carolina Institute for Neurodevelopmental Disabilities 45th TEACCH Autism Program Conference Thriving with Autism: Strengthening Neuroaffirming Practices

Join the Carolina Institute for Neurodevelopmental Disabilities for the 45th TEACCH Autism Program Conference. The event brings together educators, clinicians, researchers, autistic advocates, and families to explore approaches that honor neurodiversity and support authentic wellbeing. This year’s sessions highlight evidence-informed strategies and lived experiences that inspire stronger, more inclusive practices across schools, healthcare, and community settings.

Featured speakers will dive into topics ranging from early developmental supports and neuroaffirming classroom design to adult assessment, healthcare equity, and human-rights-centered care. Participants will leave with practical tools for strengthening neuroaffirming approaches across the lifespan. This is a hybrid event with in-person and virtual attendance opportunities.

Date: Oct. 15-16, 2026

Location: UNC Friday Conference Center, 100 Friday Center Drive, Chapel Hill, NC

Registration: Register for the conference

North Carolina Down Syndrome Alliance 2026 Buddy Walk

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, Oct. 18, 2026

Location: Sugg Farm, 2401 Grigsby Avenue, Holly Springs

Registration: Register for the Buddy Walk

The Council Presents Educational Webinar Series: NCCDD Five-Year State Plan

The North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities (NCCDD) will share its newly adopted 2027–2031 Five-Year State Plan, which guides the Council’s priorities and funding to improve services and opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) across the state. Developed with extensive public input, the plan reflects the needs and lived experiences of North Carolinians concerned with I/DD. Effective October 1, 2026, the plan outlines future investments and the community-driven insights that helped shape them.

Date/Time: Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026, 1:00-2:00 p.m.

Registration: Register for the webinar

North Carolina Rehabilitation Association Annual Conference

Beyond the Horizon: Pushing Past Limits and Seeing What's Next

Join the North Carolina Rehabilitation Association (NCRA) for the 2026 Annual Conference, welcoming rehabilitation professionals, community rehabilitation partners, special educators, and all allies of the disability community. This year’s event offers rich professional development, meaningful networking, engaging vendors, and a relaxing beachside setting in North Carolina.

A room block is available at Lumina Resort and can be accessed through the NCRA conference link, or by calling the resort directly and using group code CRA. The room block expires on October 2, 2026, so early reservations are encouraged. Let NCRA 2026 be your opportunity to learn, connect, and enjoy time with colleagues.

Date: Nov. 2-4, 2026

Location: Holiday Inn Resort Lumina on Wrightsville Beach by IHG, 1706 N Lumina Ave, Wrightsville Beach, NC

Registration: Register for the conference

More Information: Download the conference flyer

NASDDDS Directors Forum

& Annual Conference

Beyond the Referral: The TULA Care Pathway to Ongoing Remote Support and Independence

Join Inclusion Connects for an engaging overview of how the Technology Ultimate Living Assistant (TULA) program supports members from the first referral through long term remote support services. This webinar will explain the referral process, describe the assessment approach, and highlight how TULA collaborates with members, families, providers, and care teams to put technology supports in place that strengthen independence, safety, and quality of life. The session will also walk through how to access TULA and enabling device supports. Referral is the starting point, not the finish line. TULA partners with members and care teams every step of the way to empower greater independence and enhance quality of life.

Date: Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026,1:00-2:30 p.m.

Registration: Register for the webinar

AMERSA 50th Anniversary Conference

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: Nov. 12-14, 2026

Location: 2500 Calvert Street NW, Washington, DC

Registration: Register for the conference

Carolina Complete Health Offers Provider Claims Clinics

Carolina Complete Health will host its 2026 Provider Claims Clinics for Behavioral Health and Federally Qualified/Rural Health Clinic providers to support meaningful conversations around claims payment and processing concerns. These two‑day events will take place August 20–21, 2026, in Raleigh and December 14–15, 2026, in Charlotte, with one day dedicated to BH providers and the other to FQHC/RHC providers. Providers interested in attending can select the day and time that best fits their schedule. Questions about the clinic can be directed to Carolina Complete Health.

Date: Dec.14-15, 2026

Location: Charlotte, NC

Registration: Register for the clinic

More Information: Download the clinic flyer