Supporting the Well-Being of Children In Foster Care and Families

Means providing the whole-person health care they deserve statewide.

North Carolina’s children in foster care and their families have been subject to a regionally-managed, fragmented system of care, contributing to poor outcomes, placement instability and delays in achieving the security and permanency these families need. That is why it is time for our state to transition to a single source statewide plan, investing in more evidence-based treatments for youth and families, and leveraging resources from across North Carolina to alleviate lapses in care. We support the state’s effort to move away from the current regional approach, building out a robust program to support both youth in foster care and their families across the state.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC)’s Healthy Blue Medicaid plan already provides our families with integrated health care options that treat patients holistically, through a broad array of services and supports that meet their specific needs. We’ll bring this proven, collaborative, family-focused approach to youth in foster care, leading to better outcomes and reducing the burden on the child welfare system — all so families, no matter where they live in North Carolina, can get the care they need to stay healthy and stay together.

Our Vision

From Fragmented to Integrated – Improving North Carolina’s child welfare system through intensive, local coordination supported by a single statewide plan


Statewide Care


Family-Centered Care


Whole-Person Care

 

Mark Washington

 

Mark Washington

Executive Director, Healthy Blue North Carolina

Kristy Kent

 

Kristy Kent

Manager, County Engagement and Healthy Blue DSS Liaison, Healthy Blue North Carolina

Keith Cradle, Ph.D.

 

Keith Cradle, Ph.D.

Juvenile Services Liaison, Healthy Blue North Carolina

Jamilah McClain, LCSW

 

Jamilah McClain, LCSW

Program Manager, Healthy Blue North Carolina

John Thacker, LCMHC, LCAS

 

John Thacker, LCMHC, LCAS

Program Manager, Healthy Blue North Carolina

The Foster Care Advisory Council is a valuable resource that helps ensure foster youth and their families receive the highest quality of coordinated, trauma-informed, family-centered care.

Craig Bass

 

Craig Bass

Chief Executive Officer, Alexander Youth Network

Jan Elliot

 

Jan Elliot

Retired County Director (Pitt County)

Dana Marie Hagele, MD, MPH

 

Dana Marie Hagele, MD, MPH

Clinical Director, Children’s Advocacy Centers of North Carolina

Will Jones

 

Will Jones

CEO, Thompson Child & Family Focus

Jacqueline McKnight, PhD

 

Jacqueline McKnight, PhD

Deputy County Director, DSS Child Welfare Division, Mecklenburg County

Trent Taylor

 

Trent Taylor

Founder and CEO, Watch Me Rise

The Latest


Blue Cross NC Volunteers Pack "Comfort Cases" for North Carolina Children in Foster Care

As part of National Foster Care Month, Blue Cross NC's Healthy Blue Medicaid plan and Comfort Cases, an international non-profit dedicated to providing hope and dignity youth in foster care, teamed up to host a packing party.

 

May 9, 2023


Blue Cross NC Launches Apprenticeship Program for Youth Exiting Foster Care

Innovative program provides career opportunities, wraparound support for young adults transitioning out of North Carolina’s foster care system.

 

May 9, 2023


Nonprofit Launches New Website to Help Fill Gaps for Kinship Caregivers in North Carolina

The website helps kinship caregivers explore their legal options, whether working with child welfare or caring for children outside the child welfare system

 

April 27, 2023


Forsyth County Foster Youth Receive Boost on Path to College

Crosby Scholars Program Receives $500,500 for Foster Care Pilot Program

 

April 17, 2023


Blue Cross NC awards CSCP $500,000 to Pilot a Foster Care Youth Initiative

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina has awarded the Crosby Scholars Community Partnership $500,000 to pilot a five-year Foster Care Youth Initiative

 

December 8, 2022


Triangle Non-Profit Provides Homes for Teens Transitioning from Foster Care to Adulthood

LIFE Skills offers a variety of services including independent living skills classes, transitional and independent housing and mental health support.

 

November 15, 2022


Streamlining Mental Health Services for Children in Foster Care

Foster care advocates in North Carolina are working towards coordinated statewide care for children in need of mental health resources.

 

June 30, 2022


First Lady Kristin Cooper Supports Local Foster Care Community

The Children's Home Society’s Raleigh Family Picnic celebrated the Triangle's local foster care community and included a donation of 60 pre-packed backpacks for children entering the foster care system.

 

June 15, 2022


$2 Million Effort to Address NC Behavioral Health Crisis

Eleven organizations awarded to improve access to behavioral health care services in North Carolina’s rural and marginalized communities. 

 

June 7, 2022


Over 700 “Comfort Cases” Packed for Children in Foster Care

Volunteers gathered for a “Packing Party” event, putting together over 700 packages to be donated to organizations that work with our foster youth.

 

May 20, 2022


New Alexander Youth Network Program to Support LGBTQ Youth

Blue Cross NC and the Guilford Green Foundation & LGBTQ Center are funding a pilot program to help recruit and train foster families to serve LGBTQ youth in foster care.

 

May 19, 2022


Children of Color Face an Invisible Threat. Here’s How We Can Support Them

Here in North Carolina, 69 of our 100 counties have no child psychiatrists; 27 have no psychiatrist at all. Failure to address this challenge now will have long-term consequences.

 

April 26, 2022


Aid For Youths Leaving Foster Care

The Flex Fund is working to provide assistance for youth who have aged out of the foster care system and need housing support.

 

March 27, 2022


The Push for WNC Affordable Housing

NCCEH’s Executive Director Ryan Fehrman on the need for affordable housing options in response to the rental gap in Buncombe County.  

 

January 9, 2022


Dr. McKnight on NC Foster Care 

Dr. Jacqueline McKnight shares her thoughts on the pressing issues facing youth in foster care.

 

December 7, 2021


Tackling Substance Use & Protecting Families 

Investing in prevention and treatment is crucial in building stable communities and protecting children of those dealing with substance abuse.  

 

November 30, 2021


Post-placement Depression & Supporting Adoptive Parents 

Psychological and social changes during parenthood are not unique to biological parents. Supporting parents through post-placement depression is crucial in protecting children.

 

November 12, 2021


Randolph County Program Sparks Hope

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina has partnered with Open Table to develop a model program to help youth in foster care as they transition into life as independent adults.

 

October 20, 2021