North Carolina ranks in the middle of the pack nationwide when it comes to cuts in its mental health budget, according to a study from the National Alliance on Mental Illness.Story continues here >>>
"They say justice is blind. It must be to ignore the plight of the mentally ill in America’s prisons." So writes Matthew Mangino for thecrimereport.org in introducing the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s recent two-part series on mental illness and incarceration. In his editorial "America's 'Mental Health Gulag,'" Mr. Mangino points to North Carolina as well as other states as examples of less than humane treatment and solutions.
Punishing poor is expensive, short-sighted and morally wrong | The Charlotte Observer
November 11, 2011
Two issues have been recently highlighted in the Observer that introduce a punitive aspect to helping those in need. This week, Mecklenburg County commissioners discussed drug testing those in need before they could be helped by the county. Story continues here >>>
Consulting firm hired to find reason for failure – Jefferson Post
November 11, 2011
As Daymark begins its tenure as Ashe County’s mental health service provider, the five counties that make up the New River Service Authority have officially hired a consulting firm to provide answers about why New River Behavioral Healthcare failed.
At Monday’s regularly scheduled Ashe County Board of Commissioners meeting, the five member board unanimously approved the appropriation of up to $12,000 to hire the firm of Martin Starnes and Associates, an outside accounting, auditing, and consulting firm. Story continues here >>>
Ex-con struggles to stay on the outside | Winston-Salem Journal
November 11, 2011
I wanted to believe Michael Graves from the moment I met him.
Graves, 50, saw me walking toward my truck in a parking lot downtown a few weeks ago and approached immediately. I knew — or thought I knew — what was about to happen. I figured he was about to feed me a story and ask for a few bucks. Story continues here >>>
Thomasville Medical gets OK for psychiatric beds
November 11, 2011
State regulators said Thursday that Thomasville Medical Center has been conditionally approved to add 12 inpatient psychiatric beds to its facility. Story continues here >>>
Lawmakers plan to fill Medicaid funding hole :: WRAL.com
November 9, 2011
RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina lawmakers said Tuesday that they wouldn’t push for deep cuts to social service programs to balance a projected $139 million shortfall in the state Medicaid program.
