North Carolina DHHS Secretary Update to Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Mental Health Developmental Disabilities & Substance Abuse Services

March 26, 2008 On March 26, 2008, Dempsey Benton, secretary of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), announced plans to ensure basic psychiatric care throughout the state, contract with community hospitals for up to 180-beds for people with mental illnesses, report all institutional deaths to a medical examiner, and end contracts with unqualified private companies providing community support services. The goal is to enable people needing mental health services to remain closer to their communities and avoid placement in out-of-state institutions. Secretary Benton's plans were presented to members of a legislative committee . . .