Walter Dalton Talks Partnerships

Comments from Walter Dalton on Mental Health/Developmental Disabilities/Substance Abuse:

"One thing I have heard from different providers is that we need a louder voice at the table. We need a place at the table. We need to define that table we need to make that table big."
We need a comprehensive task force to amplify that voice.


On solving problems:
"In solving the prolems we have and the problems we have are great. We can talk about policies.
I want to listen to you I want to hear what you say. You put the right person in the right place at the right time and policy will happen."

On the issue of community crisis centers:
"We need more community crisis centers. Patient case management is a huge problem when someone is in distress they need to know where their care is going to be."

On the issue of Medicaid:
"Medicaid is an issue in every state. In North Carolina we moved 5 year olds from SCHIP to Mediciad to access more state dollars. The High Risk Pool will help access other private money so we can maximize Medicaid dollars."


On Mental Health Parity:
Do you think the General Assembly should go back in and amend the law to include substance abuse?
"I think that is a great idea. You have to take everything one step at a time. Need to see the bill so we can expand coverage."