The LME/MCO system continues to make strides to improve behavioral health care, as demonstrated by the opening of a new peer-run respite center, The Retreat at Fernwood, in Wake County. The Retreat at Fernwood is a direct result of the public system working to meet the needs of individuals in crisis. A partnership between Alliance Health, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), Promise Resource Network, and Wake County, this innovative facility opened its doors on December 30 to provide essential support for individuals facing mental health, substance use, or behavioral health crises.
Community-based peer respite centers are part of the growing effort to offer less restrictive, more personalized behavioral health services. They are voluntary resources designed to support individuals seeking mental health assistance outside of traditional, often clinical, environments. The facility offers a home-like atmosphere where people can receive 24-hour access to peer support specialists—individuals who bring lived experience to their role and can relate to those in need of support.
With $150,000 each from Alliance Health and Wake County, along with nearly $2 million in start-up and operational funding from NCDHHS, the project has become a beacon of support for adults aged 18 and older. The Retreat at Fernwood can accommodate up to six individuals at a time for stays of up to 10 days. There are no insurance requirements, no need for assessments, authorizations, or referrals—ensuring that anyone in need can access services promptly, whether it’s a planned or unplanned stay, or a transition from inpatient services back to the community.
By prioritizing peer support and offering a home-like alternative to emergency rooms and inpatient stays, The Retreat at Fernwood is another way the public system is helping individuals begin their path to recovery in a safe and welcoming environment, demonstrating the profound impact the public system can have on improving lives across North Carolina.
For more information, visit Alliance Health’s website here.
About the North Carolina Association of Public Community Health Plans
The North Carolina Association of Public Community Health Plans (NCAPCHP) is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of North Carolina’s communities through advocacy, collaboration, and support for North Carolina’s four LME/MCOs – Alliance Health, Partners Health Management, Trillium Health Resources, and Vaya Health – and the members, families, and providers we serve. The NCAPCHP works with state/county/local agencies and policymakers, healthcare providers, and community stakeholders to ensure access to high-quality, equitable care for individuals with complex needs.
For more information, please contact [email protected] or visit www.NCPublicHealthPlans.com.