Ashley Bass-Mitchell

Key discussion topics included State Updates, noting the cancellation of the October State Consumer and Family Advisory Committee meeting and Town Hall due to Hurricane Helene efforts. The CEO Update covered the response efforts in Western North Carolina following the hurricane. A significant portion of the meeting involved a discussion on potential changes to the CFAC Structure, including legislative considerations and the launch of the Tailor Plan. Detailed overview of the 122C requirements for CFACs was provided, focusing on responsibilities such as monitoring contract deliverables, identifying service gaps, and reviewing budgets. Potential structural changes were discussed, presenting three options: keeping the current structure, formalizing regional CFAC groups, or creating a single Alliance CFAC with local subcommittees. Voting procedures for the CFAC structure preference were outlined. Votes were conducted on making the general CFAC meeting a monthly event (passing) and a vote on regionalizing counties (not taken).

The meeting commenced with state updates, including a reminder about Child Abuse Awareness Month. A significant portion of the discussion involved a presentation on Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training by the Mecklenburg County Department of Public Health, detailing the scope, partnerships, and training components, including inquiries about increasing officer training percentages. During public comment, updates were provided on the NC one in Recovery Conference, focusing on Substance Use Disorder (SUD) abuse and CPSS training funding. Concerns regarding the innovations waiver challenges were also discussed. Staff provided updates concerning the CFAC Focus Group Session and MIOS Transition, noting low survey completion rates and advising on protocol for attending the upcoming Alliance Board meeting. Member reports covered updates on the Side by Side meeting, the Mecklenburg Behavioral Health Strategic Plan (MBHSP) focusing on peer support and data-driven strategies, and the Spring Street study. Discussions also touched upon statutory requirements, including identifying service gaps and underserved populations, and establishing goals related to transportation barriers, provider network access, crisis response coordination with the CIT team, and the housing crisis for the IDD Adult population.

The Board meeting agenda covered several items for discussion and action. Key topics included the Chair's Report and CEO's Report, which provided updates on organizational matters. The Consent Agenda included reports from the Audit and Compliance, Executive, and Quality Management Committees. Separate reports were presented for the Consumer and Family Advisory Committee (CFAC) and the Finance Committee. The Finance Committee recommended approval for a Data Modernization initiative contract, totaling $2,515,000, to modernize the enterprise data platform. A special presentation addressed the NC Association of Public Community Health Plans Legislative Priorities for the upcoming 2026 Short Session of the NC General Assembly. The meeting concluded with a Closed Session followed by a Reconvene Open Session and Adjournment.

The meeting included public commentary encouraging voting and discussing recent community violence, prompting staff to investigate crisis support resources in local schools. State updates were discussed, with concerns raised regarding the lack of DHHS representation. Key discussions revolved around CFAC finances, with members seeking greater visibility into the budget, especially concerning allocations following the inclusion of Orange and Mecklenberg counties. Updates on the state budget presentation and the CFAC Retreat were provided. Procedures for exiting members were reviewed, including developing standardized thank-you correspondence. The committee addressed expectations for periodic in-person community engagement, emphasizing that stipends should correspond with provided services. Updates on NC Medicaid Expansion included discussion of a new state toolkit and concerns over the long waitlist for Registry of Unmet Needs (RUN) services. Efforts to improve diversity and outreach, specifically targeting the Hispanic population and other Alliance populations (TBI, I/DD, SUD, MH), were reviewed. Event planning included discussion of a proposed Town Hall/Medicaid Enrollment event at a homeless shelter and the need for a formal proposal regarding a potential podcast.

The meeting included discussions on state updates where staff are developing a plan for MIOS to collaborate with CFAC on an action plan. CFAC members are planning to engage more in the community and recruit a member from the TBI population. A suggestion was made to divide teams based on personal specialty for better focus. The committee agreed to resume face-to-face meetings and identified the top four focus areas: Housing, Transportation, Crisis & Supports, and Provider Networks. Edits to the Wake Charter were reviewed and approved, focusing on responsibilities, authority, compositions (ensuring representation from MH, SUD, IDD, TBI domains), and meeting procedures.