Introduction

This document is a series of technical assistance bulletins that will be provided to you over the coming months from NAMI North Carolina. Mental health reform is occurring across our state and is being driven by local communities as they plan for services within their communities. In our first correspondence to you we urged NAMI members to be involved in the planning process and to seek to become members of committees responsible for developing the local business plan. You have responded to that call and results of our survey of NAMI affiliates show that nearly all affiliates are involved in the planning process in their community and have a representative at planning committees.

So the next question is, "Now that we are on the planning committees, what can we collectively advocate for to improve services in our community and across our state." This series of technical assistance bulletins tries to begin to answer that question. We hope to provide you with ideas and options to consider in your community based on research evidence and experience. We hope you will advocate for their inclusion in the local business plan being developed in your community.