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Our dedication to supporting communities affected by Hurricane Helene remains steadfast. We’re looking forward to the upcoming APNC Fall Conference from October 28-30 in Atlantic Beach, where we’ll come together not only to share insights and strengthen our professional networks but also to focus on ways we can collectively aid our friends in Western North Carolina during this challenging time. At the conference, we’ll explore opportunities to contribute directly to ongoing relief efforts, from gathering essential supplies to planning future support initiatives. We encourage all attendees to bring their ideas, resources, and compassion as we work together to make a meaningful impact.
In the meantime, the Hurricane Helene Resource Hub on our website is updated daily with the latest support options, so please check back often for new information. We’re all in this together, and we thank everyone for their continued resilience and willingness to help. Our next comprehensive update will be shared on Friday, and as always, we’re here to support our community every step of the way.
Sara M. Howe, APNC CEO
P.S. Check out this video from our Executive Vice President and some of country music's top songwriters! |
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Read an update from our Board Chair, Suzanne Miszur-Porter, Executive Director of The United Way of Rutherford County here. |
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NEW! PHOTOS AVAILABLE: Governor Cooper Travels to Transylvania and Henderson Counties, Visits Local Businesses and Thanks Volunteers and Responders
Governor Cooper traveled to Transylvania and Henderson counties to assess storm damage and recovery operations in Western North Carolina. While in Transylvania County, Governor Cooper met with local elected officials and small business owners before visiting a major employer that suffered damage from Hurricane Helene. In Henderson County, Governor Cooper thanked North Carolina National Guard soldiers at a supplies warehouse before touring Fletcher to survey damage and thank volunteers. Read the entire press release here.
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NEW! Governor Cooper Issues Executive Order to Support Child Care and Health Care Needs During Hurricane Helene Recovery Efforts
Governor Roy Cooper issued an Executive Order to allow the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services to better support state child care and health care needs as the state’s unprecedented response to Hurricane Helene continues. The Order implements new flexibilities regarding child care, public health, NC Medicaid, social services and vocational rehabilitation services to ensure affected North Carolinians have the health care resources and assistance they need in the wake of the storm. Read the entire press release here. |
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NEW! Updates from DHHS
The Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Services (DMH/DD/SUS) is committed to response efforts from Hurricane Helene.
In close partnership, the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Services (DMH/DD/SUS), Division of Health Benefits (DHB), and the Division of Health Service Regulation (DHSR) are temporarily modifying some of the Mental Health, Substance Use Disorder, Intellectual and Developmental Disability, and Traumatic Brain Injury clinical policies to better enable the delivery of care for individuals and providers impacted by Hurricane Helene.
The flexibilities in this bulletin are effective from Sept. 26, 2024, through Dec. 31, 2024 (unless otherwise communicated by DHHS). Additional updates will be provided on the DMHDDSUS Bulletins webpage as they become available.
We are working with county, state, and federal partners to make it faster and easier for uninsured and underinsured individuals to access and receive mental health, substance use, IDD and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) services as well as to support providers as they deliver these crucial services. |
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The City of Asheville is providing important information about Tropical Storm Helene response efforts through AVL Alert. Sign up at http://ashevillenc.gov/avlalert. |
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Please refer to this Medicaid Bulletin for information about payment flexibilities. |
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Provider Enrollment
NC DHHS recognizes the need to promote access to care by enrolling all providers in a timely manner and is committed to ensuring the provision of quality care for our citizens. |
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NEW! Supporting WNC
A hub for community-driven change in Western North Carolina. Centralize your giving and find volunteer opportunities to make a difference. Join others in supporting local causes, donating to nonprofits, or signing up to lend a helping hand. |
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This section provides links to all previous updates related to our Hurricane Helene recovery efforts. Moving forward, only new items will be highlighted in the newsletter, but you can still access all past updates here and at our Hurricane Helene Resource Hub for reference and ongoing support.
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Crisis Intervention Strategies for SUD Professionals
October 15th, 12:00 - 1:00PM
Presented by: Geri Miller, Ph.D.
Description: SUD professionals need to learn and practice a calm and encouraging approach during a crisis. The theoretical approach and specific techniques of crisis counseling assessment and treatment can readily be integrated into the professional’s overall framework. Suggestions on beneficial approaches and techniques are provided.
Objectives:
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Understand theories and techniques of crisis counseling assessment and treatment.
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Describe specific techniques of crisis counseling assessment and treatment.
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Apply approaches and techniques to one’s own SUD work setting.
This training is free to all.
Please register here: https://cvent.me/vxgqDL |
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| Disaster Recovery Survey |
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Taking this survey will help APNC understand the state of the members of our community, and will allow us to better understand the needs of our communities. |
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For those unaffected by the storm, but still looking for ways to help, you can donate to the official North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund here: |
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If you’re looking for ways to give, here are four funds you can support. These funds are getting urgently needed resources to people directly affected and hardest hit by the storm, including communities with less access to philanthropic dollars:
- Appalachian Helene Response Fund: Donate directly to mutual aid efforts or a recovery fund facilitated by Appalachia Funders Network. Recovery fund donations go through Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky; donors can designate support for NC in notes.
- Emergency and Disaster Response Fund: Support relief efforts by frontline nonprofits in 18 WNC counties and the Qualla Boundary, administered by the Community Foundation of Western NC.
- Organizing Resilience: Provide direct relief through mutual aid and community groups, support economic recovery and small businesses, and promote systemic change to prevent future disasters.
- NC Counts: Donate to grassroots organizations doing recovery work in vulnerable communities. NC Counts Coalition is a nonpartisan, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization committed to building a healthy, just, and equitable North Carolina through cross-sector partnerships that advance systemic solutions for communities facing systemic barriers, including BIPOC communities, LGBTQ+, low wealth, immigrant, and other communities
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| NC Disaster Relief Fund |
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APNC has created a Hurricane Helene Resource Hub on our website. This hub serves as a centralized location where you can find all of our messages, updates, and important resources related to disaster recovery efforts. We will be archiving our daily communications and adding key links to help support individuals and communities impacted by the storm.
You can visit the Resource Hub here: |
| Hurricane Helene Resource Hub |
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