DHHS Head Wos Coming to Winston-Salem

By Staff

North Carolina’s embattled Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Secretary, Dr. Aldona Wos is coming to Winston-Salem following months of misstatements and a scuttled, Forsyth County based attempt to appoint an anti-Pre-K activist with voter registration issues to head up North Carolina’s Pre-K program. Wos will come a week after the Republican Super Majority in the State Senate approved a budget which many in health care, disability, and mental-health care advocacy see as a direct attack on North Carolina’s sick, disabled, elderly, and those suffering with mental illness.

Wos, Medicaid Director Carol Steckel, and a panel of health leaders from the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services (DMH/DD/SAS) and the Division of Medical Assistance (DMA), will address concerns of Consumer and Family Advisory Committee (CFAC) members from across the state on May 30, 2013, at a Regional CFAC Meeting to be held at CenterPoint Human Services. CenterPoint CFAC Chair, Tim Blake, has been working since January to coordinate this event. Blake explained, “From the beginning, we felt the Secretary’s participation was critical. We now have additional confirmations from Ms. Steckel; Jim Jarrard, the former Acting Director of DMH/DD/SAS; Kathy Nichols, Lead Waiver Program Manager with DMA; Lisa Jackson, Waiver Program Manager with DMA; Bill Bullington, Mental Health Program Manager II – LME Team; and Dr. Courtney Cantrell, Assistant Director of Behavioral Health, DMA. The State will be well represented.”

The meeting will focus on the Governor’s proposed plans for Medicaid Reform and other concerns that impact the public Mental Health, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services System. Questions from CFAC members are being compiled and will be provided to State leaders in advance. If time allows after the CFAC meeting, a Question & Answer session from non-CFAC attendees will be conducted via a moderator.