April 1, 2024 Edition 9

The monthly Provider Insider Newsletter will differ from the Network Communication Bulletins by offering an avenue to highlight community happenings across our catchment area. We will share information on various projects Trillium is working on within our local communities and introduce new skill development/training opportunities available to providers.

• Provider Spotlight: Covenant Case Management Services
• Provider News
• Community Involvement
• Provider Resources
• New Opportunities
• Provider Knowledge
• In Case You Missed It 

Covenant is committed to providing the highest quality care for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.

Their team is comprised of caregivers, community navigators, qualified professionals, recreational therapists, behavioral specialists, OT/PT's (through evaluations), speech therapists, nursing services and a business development professional. Their attorney advocates for individuals on a local, state, and national level.

Covenant also offers self directed services. They are continually seeking innovative ways to serve individuals to give families the best opportunity for a promising future. 

Covenant Case Management Services offers the following Innovations Waiver services:

• Community Navigator
• Community Living and Supports
• Community Networking
• Supported Employment
• Respite Care
• Community Transition
• Individual Goods and Services
• Residential Supports/AFL: Levels I, II, III, & IV
• Supported Living: Transition/Periodic; Levels I, II, & III
• Crisis Intervention Services
• Nursing Respite (LPN/RN)
• Specialized Consultative Services: Occupational/Physical Therapy, Speech & Language Pathology, Behavioral Support Plans, Nursing/Medical Plans, and Business Development/Plans

Making a Referral:

• Referrals must come from MCO Care Coordinators/Managers and include Covenant Referral Form, Psychological Evaluation, Guardianship Paperwork (if over the age of 18), Care Plan/Individual Support Plan, and any additional supporting documentation.
• An intake will be scheduled with the legally responsible person and forms will be completed via ReadySign or USPS mail while MCO Service Authorization is obtained. Services cannot begin until the Intake and Authorization are complete.

Office Locations:

• Corporate Office: 9940 Monroe Road, Suite 201-202, Matthews, NC 28105-5247
• CCMS- Covenant Dream Center III: 1315 Matthews-Mint Hill Road, Matthews, NC 28105-2401
• CCMS-Covenant Dream Center IV: 2000 E Main Street, Albemarle, NC 28001-9106

Contact Information:

• Paul Peters, Owner/Executive Director paul.peters@covenantcasemanagementservices.com (704) 249-7418
• Brandi Jordan, Chief Executive Officer Brandi.Jordan@covenantcovenantcms.com (844) 777-2267 

Visit their website for more information about resources and services offered.

If you or a fellow provider are interested in sharing your story, please contact us at info@trilliumnc.org. Thank you for all you do for our members!



Trillium Health Resources announces a new recovery-focused solution available to providers and their patients.

Through a contract with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), Trillium extends the CHESS Health eRecovery solution to behavioral health providers in our 46 county region. This evidence-based mobile app offers daily check-ins, goal setting, recovery tracking, support group meetings, and a moderated 24/7 online peer community—all provided free of charge. 

“Trillium has a tradition of launching innovative programs such as our inclusive playgrounds and mobile integrated care units. We champion the use of effective technology to enhance the lives of those we serve. eRecovery will support our providers by extending their reach, while providing a bridge to continuous connection and support for those in recovery,” shared Christie Edwards, Senior Vice President of Operations at Trillium. “We are grateful to our partnership with the NCDHHS to make this resource available.”

"We know there is no one-size-fits-all model to recovery," said Kelly Crosbie, MSW, LCSW, Director of the NCDHHS Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services. "We are pleased to provide North Carolinians with an additional, evidence-based tool to support their recovery, when and where they need them."

Any interested behavioral health providers can complete this short form for more information about using CHESS. 



Learn More



The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced the launch of Inclusion Connects on March 14, 2024, a first-of-its-kind initiative in the state to better connect people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families with community-based services which are essential to supporting their health and well-being.

NCDHHS is working with subject matter experts, stakeholders and people with lived experience to develop a comprehensive, centralized resource that lists the services currently available for people with I/DD and how to access them. Once complete, the Inclusion Connects website will serve as a one-stop-shop for people on the waitlist to find services and supports that will enhance choice and community integration. 

Inclusion Connects aligns with NCDHHS’ commitment to enhance community-based supports in North Carolina to ensure every person can live a fulfilled and integrated life within their own community. The department will continue to work to improve community transition resources, housing options, employment opportunities and direct care services that empower people with I/DD and their families to choose where and how to live their best lives.

Press Release



Trillium receives $2 million to help address homelessness in 46 counties

Trillium received $2,011,461 in federal grant funds to help end homelessness across our counties. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) grants will go to provide sustainable housing assistance to individuals and families with disabilities in need of safe, affordable housing. 

Trillium received the majority of the grant awards for Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) services. These services combine affordable housing assistance with supportive services to help low-income persons with disabilities live independently.

Additional grant awards included $228,647 for Rapid Rehousing (RRH). RRH provides quick re-entry into housing when only limited financial assistance is needed in a specific timeframe. Both sets of funding will be used to support current program participants. 

“Trillium recognizes the benefit these housing interventions can provide for our families,” Amy Modlin, Trillium’s Head of Housing, said. “Having safe, decent and affordable housing is a critical component of health and well-being.”

Find additional information on Trillium’s Housing Services here.



Read More



Join Aces for Autism for a 5k Color Run around their new clinic in Winterville!

The race will be on April 27, 2024. Festivities will begin at 9AM with the run officially getting kicked off at 10AM. Registration is already open. 

Be sure to complete your registration by April 10, 2024 to guarantee yourself a race t-shirt. Festivities will include food trucks, kid's zone and more! Proceeds for this race will go to support Aces for Autism programming. 

Register as an individual or a team and join Aces for Autism for a great day of food, family and FUN!  

Registration fee is $30.00 for ages 13 & older, and $15.00 for ages 0-12.

Time: 9:00AM-1:00PM

Address: 654 Worthington Road, Winterville, NC 28590

If you have any questions about this race, please contact the race director at frontoffice@acesforautismnc.com

Rain date: May 11, 2024

Register Here



Trillium Health Resources offers free family weekends at Victory Junction

Trillium has partnered with Victory Junction, a camp providing life-changing experiences located in beautiful Randolph County, just outside of Greensboro, N.C. Trillium and Victory Junction will offer family weekends for Trillium members of all ages and abilities. The Victory Junction experience fosters independence, inspires confidence, and builds community through fun and exhilarating opportunities at no cost to the family. 

Victory Junction provides a state-of-the-art, fully accessible, and adaptively equipped facility. There is an on-site medical center, food service with special foods to meet a variety of needs, and cabins that sleep up to eight individuals. All activities are by choice, with options to choose from at all times. A Family Pal will also be with families to serve as a guide and provide support throughout the weekend.

Applications are open to all Trillium members and their families or natural supports, regardless of age or diagnosis. Interested families can complete a short form available here. Victory Junction will follow up with an application. 

As Trillium has recently started serving members in 18 new counties, including Randolph, Guilford, and others in the Mid-State region, we are thrilled to share unique opportunities such as Trillium Family Weekends at Victory Junction.

Learn More Here



A new, all-inclusive playground at Engelhard Recreational Park will soon be under construction. Equipment includes a rubber surface to allow for smooth transport with wheelchairs, doublewide ramps to access slides and other elements, and equipment that will appeal to children with sensory issues. The playground will provide an opportunity for individuals of all ages and abilities to play together outside.

Trillium is providing $377,000 for construction of the playground, located at 33478 US-264 in Engelhard. Cunningham Recreation, the recreation and playground installer selected for the project, uses research-based programs and education to deliver the most tailored play and recreation environments in the world.

“Trillium is so excited to start on this playground in Engelhard and continue making a positive impact on the community,” says Joy Futrell, Trillium’s CEO. “This playground will help children with all abilities to better enjoy play time with their peers, and family members can participate in outside play together. By focusing on the power of play rather than our differences, this park will eliminate the stigma of disabilities.” 

News Release



Provider Resources

Trillium’s Claims Department can receive provider questions through the KACE ticket system. The email address to assist providers with their claims-related questions or issues is Claimssupport@TrilliumNC.Org. Please remember as with any email submitted with PHI to submit the data securely.

This link is also available on Trillium’s website under For Providers.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.



This is a reminder to Trillium providers that disaster plans need to be reviewed and updated, staff trained/re-trained, and contingency and communication plans developed.

For 2024 disaster plan submission you will go to a link to share your 2024 Disaster Plan and important contact information. 

This requested information includes:

• Contact information for your designated “Disaster Point of Contact”
• Corporate site address and facility phone number
• Any residential sites currently in your contract (address, phone numbers)

Please note, you will need to enter each site as a separate submission. Disaster plans must be submitted here.

Disaster Plans are due no later than May 1, 2024. If no updates are needed to your 2024 Disaster Plan, you must still resubmit the plan with a new cover page displaying the current year and disaster contact info. To confirm your disaster plan was received just check the "send me a copy of my responses" option at the end of the Disaster Plan Submission form. Failure to submit your Disaster Plan for 2024 by the deadline (May 1, 2024), may result in an audit and/or plan of correction.

The Federal Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) posted guideline requirements for all entities that receive Medicaid funds and this applies to all of our Medicaid providers. For your reference, we have attached the Final Rule that will assist you in locating the requirements to the federal rules that apply to each of your situations.

Our contract with providers requires that you have an adequate disaster planning and training process in place within your organization. While it is our desire that no one has to contend with all that a hurricane or flood brings, the reality is that North Carolina has dealt with its fair share of these kinds of disasters in the past. We know that the best way to cope when a disaster strikes is preparation. Please connect with your local emergency management services, know your local resources, and stay connected with Trillium in the event of an emergency.

In addition, Trillium has a list of disaster preparedness resources listed on our website.

Please email Sarah Hartz or call Trillium's Provider Support Service Line: 1-855-250-1539 for assistance.



Read More Here



Trillium EthicsPoint

EthicsPoint is a secure and confidential system available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for anyone to report suspected violations of potential fraud, waste and abuse, or confidentiality incidents. You can access EthicsPoint through website submission at EthicsPoint—Trillium Health Resources or by calling toll free 1-855-659-7660.



New Opportunities

Trillium's Training Department will be offering multiple trainings focused on cultural competency, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and bias for providers.



Learn More Here



Register Here



Provider Knowledge

April is Autism Acceptance Month. The theme, “Celebrate Differences,” will be running for its 5th year.

Join us as we raise awareness to promote autism acceptance, to celebrate each individual’s unique differences, and to foster inclusivity and connectedness.

It’s a time to renew our commitment to honor the unique perspectives of people living with autism and support children with autism and their families, helping each child reach their full potential.

Visit the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website for resources, statistics, screening & diagnosis information, fact sheets, and more.



The provider agency is expected to inform Trillium if a staff member cannot deliver a service and either the agency cannot provide back-up staff, or back-up is offered but declined by the member/guardian. This reporting is required bi-weekly using the Innovations Incident Reporting for Failure to Provide Back-Up Staffing form. The updated form can be found here.

Please ensure the following form fields are completed in their entirety:

·        Covered period

·        Name of Provider Agency

·        Provider Site Location/Address

·        Date of missed service

·        Member’s first and last name

·        Member’s date of birth

·        Service(s) missed

·        Number of hours missed

·        Reason for missed hours

·        Name/Number/Email of person completing the form

Reporting Reminders:

Back-up staffing reports are required when:

o  individual/LRP declined back-up staff

o  staff is out sick

o  staff is out due to extended leave

o  staff had an appointment

o  staff is on vacation

o  staff resigned

o  staff was terminated

o  staff did not show to work

o  other (no available staff

Back-up staffing reports are not required during “services breaks,” defined as:

o  holidays

o  family vacations

o  weather conditions

o  member/family illness

o  scheduling conflicts with member/family

Back-up Staffing Reporting Submission

o Hours missed from the 1st-15th of the month are due by the 22nd of the month.

o Hours missed from the 16th to the end of the month are due by the 7th of the following month.

o Back-up staffing reports must be emailed to Trillium, Zixsecure, at incidentreporting@trilliumnc.org.

Thank you for your diligent efforts in submitting back-up staffing reports promptly. If you have any questions, please reach out to incidentreporting@trilliumnc.org.



NC Launches Additional Phone Support for People Experiencing Mental Illness or Substance Use Disorder

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is launching a new Statewide Peer Warmline on Feb. 20, 2024. The new Peer Warmline will work in tandem with the North Carolina 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by giving callers the option to speak with a Peer Support Specialist. Peer Support Specialists (or “peers”) are people living in recovery with mental illness and/or substance use disorder who provide support to others who can benefit from their lived experience. 

Re-verification Requirement

You should have received a Re-verification Notification from NCTracks. If you have not responded, please act now. If you do not submit the re-verification application and pay the application fee by the due date, your Medicaid claims will not be paid.

Network Communication Bulletins 2023

Click above for more information.

Have Questions/Need Support?

If you have questions, need additional information, or require technical assistance, please contact our Network Management Department at NetworkServicesSupport@TrilliumNC.org or call Provider Support Services at 1-855-250-1539 during the hours of 7 a.m.–6 p.m. EST, Monday–Saturday. 

We appreciate your commitment to helping us achieve this mission by meeting the needs of members!

Provider Insider is a newsletter for the Trillium Health Resources provider community. Please send comments and suggestions about this publication and its contents to NetworkServicesSupport@TrilliumNC.org.