Disability Action Network NC

We are sowing seeds of change!

SO proud of our team at i2i conference today in Raleigh. ❤️

Come see us next week at the i2i Conference in Raleigh. We are presenting: “Rooted in Community: Civic Power as a Path to Better Disability Outcomes” on June 9th at 3 pm.

AND we have an exhibit table! We have some fun giveaways to celebrate our grassroots movement to improve the lives of people with disabilities and their families from the ground up. We are becoming rooted in communities across the state - sowing seeds of change.

📣 **DAN NC is heading to the i2i Spring Conference 2026!**

Join our team for:
**"Rooted in Community: Civic Power as a Path to Better Disability Outcomes"**
🗓️ Tues, June 9 · 3–4 PM
Featuring Cheryl Powell, Lynn Martin & Mike Kondratick

Better disability outcomes start with civic power — voting, organizing, showing up. Your vote is your voice!

Attending i2i? Come join the conversation!

Yes! The people most likely to lose coverage are those holding the system together. Let’s help others understand this.

National Alliance for Caregiving

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released an interim final rule on Medicaid work requirements that will determine who can access essential Medicaid coverage.

We appreciate that CMS exempted many family caregivers from work requirements and recognized that caregiving is demanding work. But exemptions only matter if people can actually claim them.

We remain concerned that eligible caregivers risk losing coverage not because they fail to qualify — but because of paperwork and administrative barriers. And the rule's narrow definition of medical frailty puts people with serious health conditions like cancer at greater risk of losing coverage.

"Between the looming documentation requirement and a medical frailty standard that's more restrictive than states expected, the people most likely to lose coverage are the ones already holding our care system together." — Jason Resendez, President & CEO of the National Alliance for Caregiving

Family caregivers deserve clear pathways to verify their status, fewer administrative barriers, and stronger protections. The care they provide is complex, demanding, and saves Medicaid and Medicare billions of dollars annually.

Read our full statement: 🔗 https://www.caregiving.org/nac-responds-to-the-interim-final-rule-from-the-centers-for-medicare-medicaid-services-cms/

We love seeing communities getting together for fun around North Carolina. Send us your events to highlight what’s going on around the state.

The Centers for Exceptional Children

Please join us for our Exceptional Families Summer Picnic, Friday June 5th, 6-8 PM. Meet old and new friends at a beautiful, accessible playground! Main dish provided, families will sign up to bring sides/desserts. Bring a blanket or folding chairs. Register below.
LOCATION:
King Recreational Acres Accessible Playground, 229 S Main St.
King, NC 27021

Questions? Email Erin with our Family Support Network at [email protected]

REGISTER HERE
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfsIN856_08VxVFjJPEB_PoKPqSrSKuAYoIL_c1xZEfYTwULg/viewform

WE CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU!

TONIGHT (Tuesday, May 26th) at 7 pm. It’s not too late to register. Registrants will get a copy of the presentation.

Your vote is your voice, and every voice deserves to be heard. Join Disability ACTION for a free webinar designed to empower the developmental disability community at the polls. We'll cover accessibility options, how to register, making your voting plan, and navigating new barriers to voting. No matter the obstacles, your vote counts. Let's make it happen together.

Register at the link below:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/Hoa_uq_KQdWBwnrrs9cjbg

Just in case you missed it, we have another LME-MCO merger in NC. Vaya Health and Partners Health are merging to become “Vaya Partners”.
https://www.ncpublichealthplans.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Vaya-Partners-Consolidation-Announcement-May-2026.pdf

Vaya Health
Partners Health Management

Big news! We’re thrilled to announce Vaya Health and Partners Health Management are merging.

Effective Oct. 1, we will become Vaya Partners, bringing together the best of both organizations to better serve members, families, providers, and communities. Read the full announcement on our website https://www.vayahealth.com/news-and-stories/vaya-health-and-partners-health-management-merger/ and stay tuned for more updates on this exciting new chapter!

OUR VISION
Our Vision:

A more inclusive North Carolina where every person with a disability and their families are valued, included, and thriving. No exceptions.

Included: People with disabilities and their families with primary and secondary mental health issues, with intentional focus on our more marginalized populations in our state.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Our Lumbee Tribe Health and Human Services team has some tips for you.We hope everyone is practicing some self-care.