Many North Carolinians have inadequate access to mental health, developmental disability, and substance abuse services (MH/DD/SAS), and their services for physical and behavioral health are poorly coordinated. Primary care providers (PCPs) often must try to address unmet behavioral health needs with insufficient specialty back-up and information resources. The ICARE Partnership seeks to increase access to quality, evidence-based behavioral health care services for North Carolinians. Our aspiration is embodied in our name - we are partners in creating a healthcare system that is Integrated, Collaborative, Accessible, Respectful and Evidence-Based.

Visit the official ICARE website

Project Goal

To improve patient outcomes by:

1. Increasing collaboration and communication between primary care and MH/DD/SAS providers
2. Increasing the capacity of PCPs to provide appropriate, evidence-based behavioral health services to their patients and the capacity of MH/DD/SAS providers to screen and refer for physical illness

Advisory Group

The following organizations are providing leadership on the Advisory Group for the ICARE Partnership:

• Autism Society of North Carolina
• Duke Department of Psychiatry
• NC Academy of Family Physicians
• NC Area Health Education Centers
• NC Council of Community Programs
• NC Department of Health and Human Services
• NC Division of Medical Assistance
• NC Division of MH/DD/SAS Services
• NC Office of Rural Health and Community Care
• NC Foundation for Advanced Health Programs
• NC Pediatric Society
• NC Psychiatric Association
• NC Psychological Association
• Wake Forest University Health Sciences Department of Pediatrics