Public Meeting on Mental Health Reform on Feb. 11 in Smithfield

MEDIA ADVISORY

SMITHFIELD – A public town hall meeting on Mental Health Reform will be held by the North Carolina Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services on Monday, Feb. 11, on the campus of Johnston Community College , 245 College Road , Smithfield .

The public meeting, hosted by state MH/DD/SAS Division Director Mike Moseley, will be held from 6-8 p.m. in the Paul A. Johnston Auditorium on the Johnston Community College campus . Key members of the state's MH/DD/SAS leadership team will be on hand to share information and answer questions from the public about the ongoing state mental health reform efforts. The purpose is to share information and listen to concerns about ongoing system transformation efforts. The event is open to the public and all are invited to attend.

Since the passage of the landmark mental health reform legislation in 2001, the Division has been working to ensure that mental health, developmental disabilities and substance abuse services are managed and delivered in a more person-centered manner with an emphasis on best practice approaches. Every year, North Carolina spends more than $1.8 billion to provide mental health, developmental disabilities and substance abuse services to more than 300,000 citizens.

For more information, contact Michelle Edelen, Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services at (919) 715-2780 or at contactdmh@ncmail.net .

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DRIVING DIRECTIONS :

From I-95 – Take exit number 95 towards US-70 Business/Smithfield/Goldsboro. Turn left onto US-70 Business. At second traffic light, turn left onto College Road . JCC is on the left. Look for the Paul A. Johnston Auditorium/ Performing Arts Auditorium Lobby.

US-70 East – Take the US-70 Business exit towards Smithfield . Continue on US-70 Business ( Market Street ) through Smithfield . Proceed under the railroad overpass and at the next traffic light, turn onto College Road . JCC is on the left. Look for the Paul A. Johnston Auditorium/ Performing Arts Auditorium Lobby.

Web site available at www.johnstoncc.edu for map and directions.