BRIEF: N.C. regional mental health organizations to consolidate

Oct. 02--North Carolina is consolidating its regional mental health organizations from nine to four. As part of the process, Coastal Care of Wilmington will merge into a new agency with Greenville-based East Carolina Behavioral Health.

The boards of the organizations signed a letter of intent to form a new agency by July 1. The new agency will serve 24 counties and have an anticipated budget of about $400 million.

CoastalCare spokeswoman Kate Murphy said the organizations will work to ensure that the transition is the least disruptive it can be for patients, providers and employees.

No offices will be closed, and the new entity will continue to employee about 400.

Check back later for more on this story.

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