Sierra Turner has accomplished things she never thought were possible, all with the support of her care management team at Monarch.
When Sierra dances, she feels a sense of comfort and emotional release as she moves her arms, hands and legs to the music. Sierra, who is visually impaired and diagnosed with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), remembers dreaming of dancing as a young girl. However, her performances were limited to her bedroom, and she never felt brave enough to dance in front of others. Now, at 35, Sierra is pursuing not only dance but a variety of other goals she once thought impossible.
In December 2021, Sierra danced in a holiday performance at Victory Church in Raleigh, where she is a member. This was a big accomplishment for her, and her care management team at the time — Peer Support Specialist Rosa Bryant Pulley and Care Manager Christian Hinton — along with her family, were there to cheer her on.
Reaching Goals She Never Thought Possible
Dancing isn’t the only goal Sierra has. With the help of her care management team, she is moving forward with other important goals like finding independent living options, continuing her education and learning how to use public transportation. She is bravely working on things she had only dreamed about, realizing that she has the skills to make her goals a reality.
Christian and Rosa are part of a care management team that helps people like Sierra, who want to live independently and connect to community resources like mental health support, health care and help with challenges such as mental illness or housing.
What is Care Management?
Care management is an expansion of what was formerly known as case management. It is when a professional, called a care manager, helps someone identify and meet their needs. A care manager works closely with the person and their family to figure out what kind of help is needed. This could include medical care, education, mental health support or other services. The care manager creates a care plan, which is a guide to meeting those needs. Care management is a critical part of whole person care, which focuses on meeting the physical, mental and social needs of a person to ensure their overall wellness.
Sierra’s care management team has been there to support her every step of the way. They helped her create a care plan that includes not only Monarch services but also other community programs that can help her reach her goals.
Supporting People with Mental Illness and Disabilities
In 2021, Rosa and Christian joined a special care management team at Monarch, which was created to help people with serious mental illness, substance use disorders, traumatic brain injuries and intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). This team works together to provide a full range of support to help people live better lives.
In February of 2022, Monarch was certified as a Care Management Agency (CMA) by the state of North Carolina. This means Monarch will be providing integrated, team-based care to Medicaid beneficiaries across the state, helping people with conditions like mental illness, substance use and I/DD.
Helping People Connect to Resources
Care management isn’t just about helping people get the services they need; it’s also about connecting them to the right resources. This might include finding ways to pay for medications, helping with doctor visits, finding employment or even finding food for families in need.
Leigh Daughtridge, Vice President of Care Management, Behavioral Health, believes this program is especially helpful in rural communities, where resources can be harder to access. The goal is to create a network of support that helps people get the help they need, no matter where they live.
The Power of Teamwork
Rosa describes care management simply as “a give and take,” where the person receiving help feels welcomed and supported. Christian adds, “It all ties together. I learn something new every day from our staff and the people we support.”
Sierra is thankful for the personalized support she has received. Years after she first dreamed of dancing for others, she is now considering enrolling in dance classes for people who are visually impaired. “I never expected to go down this path when I first started with care management,” she said with a smile. “But I’m glad I’m on this path now.”
If you’d like to learn more about Monarch’s Tailored Care Management services, CLICK HERE or call (866) 272-7826 for more information. The North Carolina Medicaid Division of Health Benefits also offers additional details and information.
Originally posted June 2022.