What is Trillium?
Trillium Health Resources is a leading specialty care manager (LME/MCO) for individuals with serious substance use, mental illness and intellectual/developmental disabilities in 26 counties in eastern North Carolina. Trillium’s mission is transforming lives and building community well-being through partnership and proven solutions. We help every community and individual we serve to reach their fullest potential. We partner with health care providers and community stakeholders to build and strengthen foundations of well-being, provide individuals with the resources to weather life’s storms, and help deepen connections between citizens and their communities. Trillium remains focused on delivering the right services, in the right amount, at the right time. Below is a Q&A session prepared by CCLCF\’s Care Coordinator, sharing a summary of the mission and the impact of the Trillium pilot program.
For more information, visit www.TrilliumHealthResources.org.
How did CCLCF and Trillium’s partnership start?Â
CCLCF was chosen as one of two care management entities to participate in a time-limited I/DD Integrated Care Pilot project sponsored by Trillium Health Resources. The goal of the project is to provide quality, holistic care for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We provide a team approach with a care coordinator and family navigator to assist individuals and families in navigating the medical care system and educate the member on Medicaid services and long-term supports. A second strategy is to educate providers and practices on their role in whole person care and strengthening their capacity to meet member’s needs.
What are your work objectives?Â
A primary focus of our work thus far includes advocating for members in the local school system, assisting members with referral to the Registry of Unmet Needs (Innovations Waiver waitlist), and providing linkage to community activities and service providers. In addition, we connect members and families to local organizations that address various social determinants of health needs, the external factors that can affect someone’s well-being.
What is the impact you’ve seen from your work thus far?
The response to our program has been overwhelmingly positive and many caregivers have expressed sincere gratitude for the support we provide. Many have described feeling forgotten, lost, and isolated when it comes to supporting their child with an intellectual/developmental disability. Through our program, we have been able to create a safe space for caregivers to ask questions, learn how to advocate for their child, and gain knowledge about the services and supports available right here in our area. In addition, we have been able to develop relationships with several local service providers to enhance referral pathways and streamline communication amongst members of the care team.
Is there anything new planned for the future?
As we look to the future of this project and ways in which we can continue to grow, we hope to increase our partnerships with local organizations in order to expand the opportunities and services we can offer our members. We already have several amazing partners, but are always looking for additional resources and information that can enhance the lives of our members.
What is the best part of this work?
There are many wonderful facets of this program, but the relationships and rapport we are able to build is one of the best parts. Creating space for caregivers to be heard, increasing access to services and supports, and offering new opportunities to develop meaningful experiences are some of the ways we build connections with our members and families. For many, navigating a diagnosis has been isolating and challenging in many ways. Being able to equip and empower our members and families with information and resources that will benefit them for years to come, is incredibly rewarding.