Advocacy

Benchmarks provides a unified and expert voice on child welfare, mental health, juvenile justice and developmental disabilities issues.  Benchmarks staff understands behavioral health and what is necessary to effectively influence the various aspects of the human services network including the local and state entities, private and public provider and funding sources that are a part of this system.

Advocacy efforts are educational and recognize effective and efficient practices.    Advocacy and education are essential to Benchmarks and to the state so that those children, adults and families with vital needs for support are not overlooked.  Instead they must have a system of support so that these individuals and families can overcome issues that without assistance could make them long term challenges to the communities and state rather than contributing citizenry.

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Legislative Support

Benchmarks provides representation before the legislature and state agencies on policy and implementation issues impacting member services and funding.  Grass roots advocacy, studies to support quality behavioral healthcare services, and proactive legislative work to introduce bills supporting member needs are all a part of the daily and ongoing work of Benchmarks.

Benchmarks provides input on policies and programs to state agencies including DHHS, DPT, and DJJDP. Benchmarks is a proactive partner and facilitates regular face to face meetings with DSS, DMH, DMA, DHSR, DPI, DJJDP and ValueOptions in order to ensure the development and fiscal support of programs that improve the outcomes for those in need of behavioral health and human services.

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Workgroups

Benchmarks members collaborate through a number or “member workgroups”. Workgroups include teams focused on child welfare, juvenile justice, mental health, foster care, community based services, and quality practices. Members can join groups and network statewide for information and problem-solving with fellow members and the state. Listservs generate exchange of ideas and provide a venue for questions and answers. For more information on workgroup, go to Get Involved.

Benchmarks members have ongoing opportunities to meet with DHHS, DJJDP, and DMA through active workgroups. Members also participate in collaborative CABHA meetings with the NC Council of Community Programs. Benchmarks staff and members collaborate with national, state and local organizations through a breadth of relationships and dialogue with experts from fellow nationally accredited members who share a commitment to best practices.

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Information Sharing

In addition to information shared through workgroups, members benefit from various weekly communications, reports, as well as organization management and training programs conducted at various locations throughout the state and offered at preferred pricing to members of Benchmarks.

Members receive regular email updates regarding state fiscal and policy issues, feedback from the Rules Commission regarding proposed changes, and issues discussed in the Legislative Oversight Committee (LOC) meetings.

Friday conference calls provide members updates on the most pertinent issues and activities of the organization and key programs that are upcoming or in the process of being planned.

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Resources

Benchmarks provides its members a breadth of resources and support services.  In addition to industry and legislative reports, member workgroups, educational and training programs, and management support, resources include critical relationships with national and state organizations that are a part of the human services network and vital to member education and operations.

Lists of outside resources and the organizations that provide Benchmarks and its members vital support in the areas of child welfare, foster care, juvenile justice and mental health can be found in both Collaborative Organizations and Resources.

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Member Services

Benchmarks is comprised of North Carolina’s finest behavioral health and human services agencies. These agencies are nationally accredited and provide a continuum of services summarized as follows:

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