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January, 2024
Community Newsletter
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Consolidation Announcement | |
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Agreement to join Trillium, Eastpointe, and Sandhills Center Approved
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services approved their consolidation agreement. This agreement joins Trillium Health Resources and Eastpointe Human Services. Eastpointe, like Trillium, provides managed care services to the state’s Medicaid population. The approval also includes the consolidation of Eastpointe and Sandhills Center. Trillium will begin operation of the 46 counties in this combined region on January 1, 2024. This transition will take place on February 1, 2024, for members and providers.
For more information and to submit any questions, please visit TrilliumHealthResources.org/Consolidation
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Tommie shares his story
of independence and improved health
Follow Tommie's journey from a tough living situation to a healthier, independent life. Tommie not only discovered a new home. He got the services, support, and community connections he needed to succeed. You can watch his uplifting story on the Trillium Direct Connect YouTube page.
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Josh finds independence and happiness with assistance from The Charles Lea Center
Josh is a Trillium member in Wilmington. With assistance from The Charles Lea Center, he can live independently, connect with his community, and follow his passions. Hear Josh’s story with his spotlight video from The Charles Lea Center!
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Trillium member Mason and brother bring together inclusion and health at Hoggard High School
Trillium member Mason and his brother, Logan, are making big moves at their school in Wilmington. Hoggard High School was recently named a Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools. It also made ESPN’s Honor Roll. It recognizes schools for creating accessible and inclusive campuses for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
This recognition is due to the school’s Unified Club. Logan and Mason participate in the class and club, with Logan serving as the club’s president. The club hosts an inclusive PE class and has over 200 students who participate. Students work alongside their peers in special education. The class focuses on improving athletic skills and training for their favorite sports. Fantastic things can happen when everyone can get and stay active together. Check out the story from WECT!
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Share your Trillium—Member Story | | |
We love to see members reaching their fullest potential. If you have someone who has a positive story to share (and their permission to do so!), please let us know! You can send any pictures and stories to MarketingandMessaging@TrilliumNC.org. | | | |
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Re-Entry Simulation event coming
to Elizabeth City on January 30
A new Re-Entry Simulation event is coming to our Northern Region.
This free event is from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. January 30. It takes place at Elizabeth City State University’s K.E. White Graduate Center (1704 Weeksville Road in Elizabeth City). It follows two previous simulations in Wilmington and Greenville this fall. Simulations provide a hands-on experience of barriers individuals face when released from incarceration.
The simulation is part of a larger effort. It works to ensure individuals released from incarceration have the services and resources to lead full, fulfilled lives.
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Trillium receives Innovation Award for The Healing Place of New Hanover County
Trillium Health Resources, The Healing Place of New Hanover County, and New Hanover County received the “Individual and Family Initiatives” Award. The recognition came from The Center for Integrative Health’s (also known as i2i) Innovation Awards. These honor services and programs that improve approaches to care with cutting-edge methods and partnerships. It recognized the opening of The Healing Place of New Hanover County. The facility houses almost 200 residents focused on their recovery. For more details, visit The Healing Place of New Hanover County website.
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One Community for inclusive fun at NC Aquarium
One Community hosted a night of fun under the sea in October! The sensory-friendly event took place at the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island. Families learned about the underwater life of the coast in a safe and calm environment.
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The NC State Consumer and Family Advisory Committee (NCSCFAC) is hosting an in person and virtual event on "The Future State of Care" on Wednesday, January 10, 12:30 - 3 p.m. The panel will include Joy Futrell, Trillium's CEO, along with CEOs from Alliance Health, Partners Health, and Vaya Health. Please register to attend either by scanning the QR codes or using the links below:
In person RSVP
Virtual option
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Hispanic Heritage Month SUMMIT Event
Promotes Positive Health
Trillium’s first SUMMIT event, “Herencia Hispana/LatinX: ¡Vamos a Hablar!,” put Hispanic Heritage Month into action! SUMMIT events are free opportunities for our communities to gain knowledge and tools to take control of their health. October’s event shared a range of health information addressing gaps in Latinx and Hispanic communities. Trillium leadership and community partners shared their expertise on:
- Dru Fulcher, HIV Awareness
- Dr. Paul Garcia, Cancer Awareness
- Dr. Arthur Flores, Child Preventative Measures
- Yazmin Garcia-Rico (NCDHHS Director of Latinx and Hispanic Policy and Strategy)
- Yesenia Cuello (Executive Director of NC FIELD), Sembrando Salud
- Dr. Giselle Blair, Diabetes Awareness
More SUMMIT events are coming in 2024! Planned future events include Black History Month in February, Intellectual and Developmental Disability and Traumatic Brain Injury Awareness in March, and Alcohol Use Awareness in April. Be on the lookout for more details on the Trillium website and social media.
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Trillium will host FREE public information events regularly around our region. We will share how YOU can take steps to improve your health! Come hear about the health care conditions impacting our African American communities.
February 20, 2024 1 – 5:45 p.m.
Riverfront Convention Center Ballroom B
203 South Front Street New Bern, NC 28560
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Halifax County Inclusive Playground Hosts Grand Opening
Have you seen the new Halifax County inclusive playground? The playground invited families for its grand opening on October 10. The site includes a rubber surface for smooth transport with wheelchairs. It also features doublewide ramps to access slides and sensory-friendly equipment. Drop by the playground at 1310 Main Street in Scotland Neck. You can also visit one of the over 30 other inclusive playgrounds close to you.
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Trillium Training Department receives CIT Program Certification Gold Status
Trillium received the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Program’s Gold Status certification. CIT training instructs police officers and first responders with the skills to identify and support individuals in a mental health crisis. This is the second highest level of recognition an organization can receive. Trillium is one of only two organizations in the state to earn Gold Status. Congratulations to our Training team, especially our CIT staff, for going above and beyond in sharing this life-saving training with our emergency responders!
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Trillium achieves Building Foundation for Inclusion from Human Rights Campaign
Trillium joined the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s All Children —All Families (ACAF) program in 2023 for its child welfare work. Trillium received a Building Foundation for Inclusion as a Private—Child Welfare agency. This recognizes Trillium’s work to improve our services for the LGBTQ+ community, including children in foster care and prospective foster and adoptive parents who are LGBTQ+.
Trillium is proud to play in part in supporting the over one million children, youth, and families across 43 states to benefit from LGBTQ+ inclusive policies and affirming practices. This is just one step forward in the ongoing journey of providing safe, supportive, and loving homes for all families in our communities. Check out the full 2023 Change-Makers Report from ACAF.
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Trillium Continues Narcan Kit Delivery Across Our Communities
Narcan kits help save lives. This fall, Trillium staff continued providing these kits to our community partners. Narcan is a safe medication that reverses the effects of an opioid overdose.
Deliveries this fall included:
- Funds to buy 7,000 kits for the emergency rooms at ECU Health hospitals. This includes Greenville, Windsor, Washington, Ahoskie, Edenton, Roanoke Rapids, and Outer Banks Health in Nags Head.
- Narcan kits distributed to staff at Pamlico County Community College.
- 61 Narcan kits to Brunswick Community College.
These organizations join other community services receiving these life-saving tools. Previous deliveries included police and local health departments. Trillium is proud to partner with our communities to act against the opioid epidemic.
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One Community attends Waccamaw Siouan Tribal Pow Wow
Trillium extends a big thank you to the Waccamaw Siouan Tribe. One Community staff were grateful to be invited to the tribe’s Pow Wow in October. Staff enjoyed meeting tribal members and sharing health information. They were also honored to see the ways the Waccamaw Siouan people carry on their history and traditions.
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Trillium joins
One Community for
Gates County’s
“Baby Love” event
Trillium was proud to partner with One Community for a Community Baby Shower. The Gates County Health Department hosted the event. One Community handed out baby bags for attending new or expecting parents in Gates County. These new parent bags are packed with the essentials for new parents and baby. If you want to contact One Community to share an event, you can email them at info@onecommunitync.org.
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Beaufort County 360 shares appreciation with Trillium during breakfast event
Trillium staff participated in the annual BC 360 Appreciation Breakfast. The event took place on November 2, in Washington. It recognizes organizations for their work helping the people of Beaufort County. Trillium staff accepted a certificate of appreciation.
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Gun locks delivered to Bladen and Hertford Counties Division of Juvenile Justice
Trillium staff dropped off 40 gun locks to Juvenile Justice Offices this fall. Deliveries took place in Bladen and Hertford Counties. Gun locks are crucial for safety. They help prevent accidental firearm discharge. Locks especially lower the risk of accidents for children and unauthorized individuals. This is part of a larger campaign to provide 1,000 gun locks to Juvenile Justice Offices. Trillium previously distributed 1,000 gun locks to Department of Social Services offices.
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Over 120 officers and first responders complete CIT training across Eastern North Carolina
A huge congratulations to our Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) and Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) graduates in law enforcement and emergency services:
- 18 members of the NC Department of Adult Corrections (Probation/Parole) District 2 (Washington, Martin, Tyrell, Dare, Hyde, Pamlico, and Beaufort) completing MHFA.
- 10 members of The Bridge Down East-Ramsey Center completing MHFA. The Center is a non-profit organization that seeks to have a positive impact on the Down East Community in Carteret County with a variety of programs.
- Eight law enforcement officers from Dare County Sheriff’s Office, Nags Head Police Department, and Kitty Hawk Police Department completed the 40-hour of CIT training. The group completed a site visit at the Beach Club of Dare (Monarch). The officers and consumers colored ornaments to go on the tree that they decorated during the visit.
- 12 members from the NC Department of Adult Corrections who completed 40 hours of CIT training. The class consisted of Correctional Officers, Case Managers, and Medical Staff.
- Five officers representing EMS at Nucor Steel in Hertford County and Northampton County EMS.
- 11 officers representing police departments from Greenville, River Bend, Wilson, Ayden, Enfield, the Department of Veteran Affairs, Pitt Community College Campus Police, Appalachian State University and the Pitt County Sheriff’s Office.
- Six officers representing Morehead City, Emerald Isle, and Atlantic Beach Police Departments completed 40 hours of training at Carteret County Community College.
- 15 members of the NC Department of Adult Corrections completed the 40-hour requirements of training. Corrections Officer Lyle Delap, a new NCDAC CIT instructor, assisted with the role-play exercises required through the training.
- Six officers representing EMS for Hertford and North Hampton Counties. Special thanks to Nucor Steel for hosting this training.
- Six officers representing EMS in Gates County.
- 15 law enforcement personnel from N.C. Probation/Parole, Nash County Sheriff’s Office, Halifax County Sheriff’s Office, Wake County Sheriff’s Office, Roanoke Rapids Police Department, and Rocky Mount Police Department completed 40 hours of training at Nash Community College.
- 10 New Hanover County CIT 911 Dispatchers. All have successfully completed 16 hours of CIT Training at the New Hanover County Government Building.
If you or someone you know dial 911 during a mental health emergency, make sure you request a CIT Officer.
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Victory Junction Family Weekends return in 2024
Trillium Family Weekends at Victory Junction return this spring! We’re so excited to welcome our members and families back to enjoy a camp of inclusive fun. Upcoming dates include March 8–10 and April 12–14. Come experience the magic of camp! The deadline to apply is February 28 and April 3 respectively, and spots are limited. Use the Spring 2024 Interest form to begin your adventure, or find more information on the Victory Junction flier.
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Markisha Jackson
Meet Markisha Jackson! Markisha has been a Network Development Coordinator for over two years. She led the development of High Fidelity Wraparound (HFW) for Trillium’s region. HFW brings together a team of resources to help youth and their families live healthy, fulfilled lives. This team assists in setting specific priorities and goals. Families connect with the support they want and need. The team then helps the family create a unique plan for future success.
Expanding HFW in Trillium’s catchment is one of Markisha's biggest accomplishments. She knows the power of bringing together communities to support one another. She also enjoys learning and growing with HFW. She values the team atmosphere and enjoys working with her coworkers across Trillium. Markisha feels both the collaboration and support from her colleagues.
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Melanie Whichard
Meet Melanie Whichard! Melanie works as a Provider Compliance Coordinator. She describes her daily focus as finding solutions. Her role assists providers and members in resolving complaints. She also addresses provider concerns and handles grievances. She is dedicated to helping providers resolve any concerns. Her mind is also always looking toward the best interest of a member or members involved. Melanie's 12 years of service have ensured our members receive the quality of care they need and deserve. Working alongside dedicated teams that embody the spirit of collaboration is part of what Melanie loves about Trillium.
Melanie has a deep love for what she does and where she lives. Eastern North Carolina is a place where even strangers wave at each other in passing. Trillium is grateful to have staff like Melanie. We love to see our staff make our communities shine a little brighter, inside and outside the office.
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Ed Hall
Meet Ed Hall! Ed is Trillium’s Director of Juvenile Justice Systems Engagement. His role is key in bridging the gap between Trillium and the juvenile justice system. He previously worked as a District 1 Chief Court Counselor. Ed uses that experience to collaborate with Division of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention staff. He passionately advocates for the success of justice-involved youth. Alongside Trillium, he offers resources that can make real differences and raise hope for families.
In October, Ed completed the National Certified Public Manager program. Ed values building his skills to be a better manager and leader. He then wants to use those skills to create even stronger leaders in his team. Ed’s passion and dedication to both his role and community are already making an impact. His commitment to his neighbors and excitement to build strong leadership will go far in transforming lives.
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Share your Trillium—Provider Story | | |
Have a Trillium staff member who’s gone above and beyond serving our communities? We want to hear from you! Let us know the incredible things our staff are doing for the health and well-being of Eastern North Carolina. Email us at MarketingandMessaging@TrilliumNC.org. | | | |
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Reset your health in 2024 with Dry January
Dry January is a 31 day challenge for a total body and mind reset. Imagine a month of improved focus, boosted energy levels, and better sleep—all while saving money and time as we break free from the typical routine. It’s not too late to make your January alcohol-free. Who knows where a Dry January could take you in 2024? Follow Trillium on social media for more benefits and support for Dry January and beyond.
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A look back at previous awareness months
This past summer brought us amazing stories of our neighbors and communities here in eastern North Carolina and beyond. Take a look back at the following awareness months recognized:
- November is Native American Heritage Month! It is a celebration of the heritage and traditions of Indigenous people. It also raises awareness of the health disparities Native American communities’ face. Better health outcomes are only possible with the preservation and respect of Native American traditions and knowledge.
- December 1 is World AIDs Day. The day brings global attention to the ongoing battle against HIV/AIDS. It is crucial to acknowledge the progress made and the challenges that persist. Advances in treatment have transformed HIV from a once-debilitating diagnosis to a manageable condition. Let us unite in recognizing achievements, honoring those affected, and renewing our commitment to a future free from the harm of HIV/AIDS.
Take a look back on these awareness months and more on Trillium’s social media pages.
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Recent Trillium News Releases | | | | |
