N. Carolina Mental Health Agencies Merge

In order to comply with changing state Medicaid requirements, two regional mental health agencies – including the one serving Southeastern North Carolina – have announced their decision to merge, effective July 1.
The announcement is the latest step in a long application process for Wilmington-based Southeastern Center for Mental Health, Developmental Disability and Substance Abuse Services, or SEC, and the Jacksonville-based Onslow Carteret Behvaior Healthcare Services, or OCBHS. Boards for the two organizations voted to merge at a Sept. 14 meeting, but discussions about the agreement have gone on for months.
The formation of a single regional mental health-care entity is necessary due to a change in state rules that requires a population of at least 500,000 to administer mental health, developmental disability and substance abuse care.