The Coalition, a statewide group of 40 organizations and their members advocating in partnership to meet the needs of North Carolinians living with mental illness, developmental disabilities, or the disease of addiction, will be hosting a Town Hall meeting from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm on Thursday, March 31 Room 143 of the Leslie Building at Pitt Community College, 1986 Pitt Tech Road in Winterville. The purpose of the Town Hall meeting, which will be open to the public, is to call attention to the devastating effect potential budget cuts would have on individuals and families receiving or seeking services from organizations that provide services to people with developmental disabilities, substance abuse, or mental illness, and North Carolinians who are employed by those who provide these services.

Stories will be shared at the Town Hall meeting like the story of little Mercy, who shortly after birth was diagnosed with Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn. Mercy could not go home until she was 4 months old, and she never would have been able to go home without services she receives through the Community Alternatives Program for Children (CAP/C). Because of the CAP/C program, feeding tubes, a suction machine and tracheotomy supplies and a nurse were waiting for her when she got home. Her

CAP/C case manager linked her with physical therapy sessions, feeding therapy, speech therapy, and vision therapy. Mercy is 2 1/2 years old now, living happily at home thanks to her CAP/C services.

In addition to shared personal experiences, Town Hall Meeting attendees will hear a briefing on the current budget cuts and the future budget outlook, have an opportunity to share their opinions in person and learn how to make a difference on these issues. The Coalition encourages anyone affected by the budget cuts or concerned about future cuts to MHDDSA services to attend these Town Halls. For more information on The Coalition and the Town Hall meetings, visit www.thecoalitionnc.org.