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VAYA named as a partner in statewide program

The Franklin Press - 4/21/2017

The N.C. Council on Developmental Disabilities (NCCDD) selected Asheville-based Vaya Health to lead a statewide effort to improve how healthcare providers and other organizations can help individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities (I/DD) successfully live in homes of their own.

NCCDD chose Vaya, a public managed healthcare organization serving 23 westernmost counties, as the recipient of the state's "Supported Living ? Making a Difference" grant. The grant offers $100,000 per year, for up to three years, to build the capacity of supported living programs and share lessons learned to help people with IDD achieve greater independence.

As part of the initiative, Vaya plans to partner with leaders of the Norfolk-based Hope House Foundation, the Community Resource Alliance and the National Leadership Consortium on Developmental Disabilities at the University of Delaware.

"We're pleased to be selected for the NCCDD grant and the chance to truly make a difference," said Vaya CEO Brian Ingraham. "Ultimately, this collaboration will better integrate individuals with IDD into our local communities, increase their level of independence and help them pursue lives of their own design."

Four area and statewide healthcare providers plan to participate in the development stage of the initiative ? Turning Point Services, The Arc of North Carolina, Liberty Corner Enterprises and FIRST, a western N.C. resource center for families of children with disabilities. Each organization will work with individuals currently living in institutions, residential facilities or with family caregivers and help them transition to living more independently in their own homes. These efforts will serve as a learning laboratory for healthcare providers and advocates statewide.

"NCCDD is excited to partner with Vaya Health to launch the supported living initiative," said Chris Egan, executive director of NCCDD. "Through the community living goal of its five-year plan, the council seeks to expand and strengthen North Carolina's capacity to support people with I/DD to have greater access and opportunities for choices in community living."

VAYA Health serves all of Western North Carolina, including Macon and surrounding counties.

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