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Virtual Events Planned For New Behavioral Health Provider

The board of commissioners in both Forsyth and Davie counties asked the state for permission to change the behavioral health provider that serves Medicaid recipients. KERI BROWN/WFDD

Forsyth and Davie counties are holding virtual events to learn more about a new behavioral health provider for some of its most vulnerable residents.

Both counties had asked the state for permission to disengage from Cardinal Innovations and realign with Partners Health Management. North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen recently approved their requests.

Forsyth County officials say they had a list of complaints about Cardinal, including problems placing children into social services, and with transitions of care after emergency room visits and hospitalizations. The company responded that it had worked with the county and made improvements.

Partners Health Management will officially oversee services for both counties beginning November 1. It will serve individuals who receive Medicaid or state-funded services for intellectual or developmental disabilities, mental health or substance use disorders. 

Forsyth County Deputy Manager Shontell Robinson says the county is working closely with Partners to help ensure a smooth transition, which came sooner than expected.

“Because of the expedited date, we really are focusing on continuity of care for the members, making sure no one falls through the cracks and ensuring that providers are paid," says Robinson. "And then after, we will really start working on a lot of our wish items, adding and enhancing other services for the community.”

Partners will hold virtual introduction events in both English and Spanish for residents in Forsyth and Davie counties over the next several weeks. The first is a community listening session on September 14.

Follow WFDD's Keri Brown on Twitter @kerib_news

Keri Brown is a multi-award winning reporter and host at 88.5 WFDD. She has been honored with two regional Edward R. Murrow awards for her stories about coal ash, and was named the 2015 radio reporter of the year by the Radio Television Digital News Association of the Carolinas (RTDNAC).Although she covers a variety of topics, her beats are environmental and education reporting.Keri comes to the Triad from West Virginia Public Broadcasting, where she served as the Chief Bureau Reporter for the Northern Panhandle. She produced stories for the state's Public Television and Radio programs and was honored by the West Virginia Associated Press Broadcasters Association for her feature and enterprise reporting.She also served as an adjunct instructor at Wheeling Jesuit University and Bethany College in West Virginia. She worked with the Center for Educational Technologies in Wheeling, WV, and other NASA centers across the country to develop several stories about the use of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) concepts in the classroom.Keri's journalism career began at WTRF-TV 7 in Wheeling. She worked in several roles at the station, including the head assignment editor. She also was a field producer and assignment manager at WPGH-TV Fox 53 in Pittsburgh.Keri is a graduate of Ohio University. When she's not in the studio or working on a story, she enjoys watching college football with her family, cooking, and traveling.Keri is always looking for another great story idea, so please share them with her. You can follow her on Twitter @kerib_news.

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