Partners in Care Initiative

Helping Families Navigate Complex Systems

Effective January 1, 2025, First In Families of North Carolina (FIFNC) was awarded a 30-month grant through the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Mental Health.

This initiative expands the work of FIFNC and its 13 chapters across North Carolina to better support caregivers of individuals living in the community who experience:

  • Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD)
  • Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
  • Severe and Persistent Mental Illness (SPMI)
  • Substance Use Disorders (SUD)

The purpose of this grant is to broaden and deepen the impact of FIFNC’s family-centered support network while addressing the social determinants of health affecting caregivers and their families. A central focus of this work is helping families meet needs outside of formal service systems, strengthening the wellness and resilience of the entire family system.

A Human Approach to Family Support

Supporting Families and Strengthening Community Reentry

Through conversations with LME/MCO partners and families across North Carolina, a key priority for this initiative is improving successful community reentry for youth and adults experiencing disability.


Families navigating disability, behavioral health challenges, and complex life circumstances often encounter overlapping systems and limited support. In response, this grant includes a hands-on intake process designed to assist families experiencing crisis situations.


Caregivers frequently play a crucial role in preventing individuals with complex behavioral health needs from entering the criminal justice system or emergency departments. By strengthening caregiver support, FIFNC aims to help families maintain stability and avoid unnecessary crisis interventions.


Staff participating in this initiative receive training in Trauma-Informed Communication and help families access critical resources such as 988 and other community-based supports. The goal is to help caregivers build stronger community connections and navigate systems more effectively during difficult times.

Designed for Families Under Stress

Strengthening Infrastructure to Support Families

As part of this initiative, FIFNC will also invest in infrastructure improvements that enhance the organization’s ability to serve families across the state.



These improvements include:

  • Expanded staff training and capacity building
  • A rebuild of the FIFNC website to improve accessibility and usability
  • Enhanced data collection and reporting systems, including CRM and Salesforce tools

These upgrades will help FIFNC better support caregivers in future planning, crisis prevention, and overall family wellbeing, while ensuring the organization can respond more effectively to the needs of individuals and families statewide.

Partner Organizations

Two partner organizations will contribute their expertise and services to support this initiative.

AKALAKA

AKALAKA is a sibling-run organization in North Carolina that offers learning cohorts designed to help families navigate complex systems, plan for the future, and connect with community resources.


Participants receive step-by-step guidance and coaching to develop personalized plans and strengthen their advocacy skills. These cohorts help families build confidence and clarity as they work toward their planning and support goals.

Starfire Council of Cincinnati

Starfire Council partners with communities across the country to support Family Projects that build stronger connections and inclusive communities.


Families lead these projects with funding support from Starfire and guidance from experienced facilitators. Past projects have included community gardens, accessible playgrounds, and neighborhood improvement efforts.



Starfire also provides training and collaborative learning opportunities. Many families who participate go on to mentor and support other community projects, strengthening peer leadership and community engagement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers About the Partners in Care Initiative

  • What is the goal of the Partners in Care Initiative?

    The goal of Partners in Care is to help families navigate complex systems when dealing with mental health challenges, substance use recovery, or other life disruptions. Many families don’t know where to start or have tried programs that didn’t work. We provide a relationship-based approach that helps you move forward with clarity and support. Our focus is on connection, not bureaucracy.

  • Do I need a mental health diagnosis to qualify?

    No formal diagnosis is required to access support through Partners in Care. If you or someone in your family is experiencing stress, confusion, or difficulty accessing services, this initiative may be a good fit. We’re here to assist families who are falling through the cracks or feeling overwhelmed. It’s about need—not paperwork.

  • Is there a cost to participate?

    No, there is no cost to families for participating in the Partners in Care Initiative. This program is grant-funded and offered as part of our statewide mission to serve North Carolina families in need. Our goal is to remove barriers, not add to them.

  • How is this different from a typical referral service?

    Unlike traditional referral services that hand you a list of phone numbers, we walk with you through the process. A staff member takes the time to understand your situation and follows up after steps are taken. If something isn’t working, we adjust and try again. Our approach is grounded in relationships, not red tape.

  • How do I get started?

    You can begin by contacting your local First in Families chapter and mentioning the Partners in Care Initiative. If you’re not sure which chapter to call, our main office can direct you to the right team. From there, we’ll schedule time to talk and start developing a care plan tailored to your family’s goals and needs.