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
Executive Director, Healthy Blue North Carolina

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

Keith Cradle, Ph.D.
Juvenile Services Liaison, Healthy Blue North Carolina

Jamilah McClain, LCSW
Program Manager, Healthy Blue North Carolina

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
Chief Executive Officer, Alexander Youth Network

Jan Elliot
Retired County Director (Pitt County)

Dana Marie Hagele, MD, MPH
Clinical Director, Children’s Advocacy Centers of North Carolina

Will Jones
CEO, Thompson Child & Family Focus

Jacqueline McKnight, PhD
Deputy County Director, DSS Child Welfare Division, Mecklenburg County

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