About Us

Over the last ten years, federal health reform and economic stimulus legislation dramatically broadened opportunities to improve the delivery of health care. In response to this changing landscape, NCHQA expanded its goals beyond its initial mission of improving primary care delivery. North Carolina’s shifting health circumstances have driven the organization to step into the areas of highest need. NCHQA’s multi-stakeholder structure and long history of cooperation toward common goals provides the opportunity to achieve health care improvements that would have been deemed impossible not long ago.

NCHQA is currently pursuing projects in two related areas and considering projects in several more. Current projects are:

1. Rural Opioid and Substance Use Disorder Education, Prevention, and Treatment Capacity

In rural northeastern North Carolina, NCHQA has partnered with a consortium of healthcare providers, first responders, screening sites, local governments and other local community leaders to address the serious epidemic of opioid and other substance use disorders. Through engagement with community stakeholders including many whose families have been affected by substance use disorders, these communities have started to build systems that educate patients, policy makers, and many other community members about the inaccuracies of stigma and the effectiveness of treatment, especially in opioid use disorder. In addition, the capacity for prevention opportunities, screening and treatment has grown exponentially. As a result use of medication-assisted treatment has blossomed and resource options including recovery and peer support have become far more available. Recent studies have shown that availability of Medication Assisted Treatment in primary care markedly reduces opioid related deaths in counties where this resource is available and we are seeing early progress in this regard. The success of this pilot work provides the opportunity to expand the model across all of North Carolina.

2. Peer-Run Mental Health Recovery Alternative Respite and Associated Programming

NCHQA has partnered with Promise Resource Network (PRN), a NC leader operating peer-operated mental health recovery alternatives in Mecklenburg County, to work toward replicating the peer-run respite model in the Triangle region. If successful, this model has potential for spread in many North Carolina Counties. We have convened nearly 30 community leaders across the Triangle region and surrounding areas to build local support and commitment to operating such a respite. Peer-run respites have the dual purpose of 1) adding a critical resource to the existing array of mental health crisis prevention and diversion options for adults experiencing trauma, suicidal ideation, extreme distress, and mental health related crises; and 2) diverting those individuals (when appropriate) from hospitals, emergency rooms, jails, and other less effective and more expensive boarding facilities. In addition to respite programs, NCHQA and PRN are seeking to establish a series of accessible recovery-oriented programs, resources, and local partnerships; and a statewide telephone access system allowing those in distress to reach a trained, sympathetic guide.