State seeks public comment on updated draft Olmstead Plan, aimed at helping those with disabilities

State officials are seeking public comment on a newly released draft of the Olmstead Plan, aimed at guiding people with disabilities toward independence. 

The 2024-25 Olmstead Plan offers a blueprint for how the state can best assist people with disabilities and help them experience the benefits of inclusive communities.

It further aligns North Carolina’s community integration goals with directives based on the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Olmstead v. L.C.

Much has changed since the release of the previous Olmstead plan, including the legislature’s approval of an $835 million investment in behavioral health. The recent expansion of Medicaid and investments in community living and workforce initiatives have also impacted the landscape.

The state is now seeking public comment through an email listed on the NCDHHS website. The deadline for comment is March 7, and the final two-year plan is expected to be published in April.