For Immediate Help

Please call 1-800-951-3792 and we will guide you through the process and help find an appropriate provider of services.

Procedure for Accessing the Crisis Continuum of Care

Important Announcements:

Child Mental Health Group Home Transition Information

Western Highlands Network Offers Mental Health First Aid Training

This is a 12 hour certification course that teaches participants how to intervene during a mental health or substance abuse crisis and during the early stages of a developing mental health or substance abuse disorder until professional help can be obtained. This international course began in Australia and is now being taught in 10 countries, including the United States. Topics covered include depressive and mood disorders, anxiety disorders, non-suicidal self injury, psychosis, substance use disorders, and eating disorders.

Click here for more information and registration.

Arts Access NC Announces A Statewide Needs Assessment

Survey for People with Disabilities and Their Families: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Z7DW5LZ

Survey for People with Disabilities and Their Families:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ZVNS3YN You may also request a hard copy to be mailed to you or we can also give you the survey over the phone. Call 919-271-3001.

More about the Survey: In partnership with VSA Arts and the NC Arts Council, Arts Access seeks to develop a statewide arts and disability network to promote opportunities for people with disabilities to experience quality arts education, community cultural activities and nurture individual artistic talent. Information from the survey will be used to develop programming, educator training, and future grant opportunities. VSA Arts (formerly Very Special Arts) partnered with North Carolina during the 1980’s and 1990’s as an official affiliate but has been dormant since that time. This assessment will determine the interest in reviving that partnership. The project coordinator is Betsy Jones Ludwig. There will be a written survey, interviews and focus groups around the state. Please contact Betsy if you would like to participate. Phone: 919-271-3001, email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Asheville Community Performance Project

In the spring of 2009, Homeward Bound of Asheville whose mission is to end chronic homelessness in our city undertook an innovative, bold and ambitious project. This involved the use of the performing arts to constructively engage all citizens in the community life of Asheville, generate new concepts for creating an inclusive community and provide the resources to carry on Homeward Bound’s mission. The result will be a community play, which will feature local residents from all walks of life, to be performed twice a year, incorporating new stories and songs on an annual basis. Click here to view a brochure or go to www.justhome.org.

Changes in Federal Cost of Living Increase for SS and SSI recipients could effect Medicaid/Medicare benefit

In 2008, the federal government determined that the Cost of Living Increase (COLA) for those receiving Social Security and SSI would be 5.8%. At the same time, the State of NC raised the income limits for Medicaid by only 4%. This resulted in a 1.8% difference, which has meant that many individuals will either lose their Medicaid benefits or have them greatly altered in the form of large deductibles. The deductible amount to meet will be $2768.00. Those that earn even $1.00 over the limit will be at risk of losing their Medicaid benefit until that deductible is met every 6 months.

This 1.8% difference will affect many of our consumers, as the new income limits will reduce their discretionary income, and the deductible is an amount many will have great difficulty meeting.

Western Highlands Network has no oversight over this situation, however is happy to provide information regarding contacts for advocacy about this issue. Please click here to view a list of legislative contacts to advocate on behalf of consumers.

Further information about this subject will be distributed as it becomes available.

Quality Improvement Advisory Council:

We are currently looking for members for the Quality Improvement Advisory Council.
Please download the application and send it to:

Kris Booker
Western Highlands Network
356 Biltmore Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801

WHN Local Business Plan 2007-2010

Download the PDF file (1.8 Mb)

WHN Needs Assessment March 2009

Download the PDF file (5.0 Mb) (This document is designed to be printed as a double sided document)

Support Connections Directory

A Support Connections Directory, compiled by the Provider and Consumer Relations Department and CFAC is ready for distribution.

The directory contains descriptions of face-to-face support groups and telephone support networks for consumers and families dealing with mental illness, developmental disabilities, and/or substance abuse in the eight counties of the Western Highlands Network. Although family members or professionals lead most of the groups, there are a number run by and for adult consumers. This is a heart-warming sign that many consumers are taking the challenge of recovery upon themselves. There are also some adult-supervised support groups for teenagers.

We hope that at least one of the support connections listed in our directory will be just what you, or someone you know, are looking for.

Click here for a printer friendly booklet.

If you would like a copy of the Directory, please contact:

Rose Stouder ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ),
WHN System of Care Coordinator

Western Highlands Network
356 Biltmore Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801
828-225-2785

The WHN Consumer and Family Advisory Committee (CFAC) needs new members! The CFAC is a group of dedicated consumers and family members, each representing one or more of the disability areas and residing in one of the eight counties covered by Western Highlands. Our CFAC is currently seeking additional members - we need your help.

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Western Highlands Network | 356 Biltmore Avenue | Asheville, NC 28801

Consumers: 828-225-2800 or 1-800-951-3792 | Providers: 828-225-2785 or 1-800-671-6560 | Fax: 828-225-2784