NC H983

Appropriates $500,000 from federal Mental Health Block Grant funds for fiscal year 2019-2020 and $500,000 for fiscal year 2020-2021 to establish two pilot Peer Wellness Centers under the Department of Health and Human Services.

One Peer Wellness Center shall be located in a rural community and one in an urban community, serving individuals with severe mental illness regardless of available funding sources.

Centers must be owned, operated, and staffed by North Carolina Certified Peer Support Specialists and provide services including mental health recovery support, crisis service reduction, and community integration for individuals with severe mental illness.

Grantees must collect data on outcomes using the eight dimensions of wellness model, hospital and crisis service usage, urgent support episodes, and participation in the Transitions to Community Living Initiative.

Department shall submit a report to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services within six months of pilot program completion with recommendations on effectiveness and whether to expand the program statewide.