The power of local partnerships
At Vaya Health, we’re inspired by the individuals and communities we serve. Through collaboration with local partners, we helped pioneer a community-based approach that puts people first. We believe that when we work together to make sure everyone can reach their potential, we all benefit.
Meet Drew
Owner & Artist, DMUD Ceramics
Drew is a Vaya member with an I/DD, and he enjoys the freedom of setting his own schedule and creating pottery inspired by nature. He uses an embossing technique with flowers, leaves, and other organic materials to create what he calls Seasonal Impressive Impressed Pots.
“For so many decades, this population was kind of pushed out,” said Michelle Cates, Vaya Olmstead care manager. “They didn’t have any work, they didn’t have a voice, and they didn’t have a purpose. Having employment gives them a purpose, a voice and a place where they are giving back and being received by the community.”
Meet Kelby
Youth Advocate
Through a four-year SAMHSA System of Care (SOC) grant, Vaya is expanding services and access to care for families and youth with mental, behavioral or emotional disorders in five counties. The emphasis on youth involvement is a standout aspect of the grant. Kelby Trejo, a youth advocate on the grant governance board, is already…
“Growing up in the community, we don’t have many opportunities to make choices on our own,” said Kelby. “I want to be able to advocate for youth and make them feel like they can be heard so we can aid them in all areas of their lives, whether it be education, health, employment, or relationships.”
Meet Rebekah
Peer Trainer, Recovery Champion
At the beginning of each Peer Support Training she leads, Vaya Peer Trainer Rebekah McCloy opens with a story about a woman standing silently on the edge of a busy highway, day after day. The woman’s husband, confused and concerned by his wife’s new habit, asked her what she was doing. His wife, who…
“I was that woman. Vaya Health helped me get on a pathway to recovery, which I’m still on today,” Rebekah shares. “Vaya Health saved my life.”
Every month,
on average, we:
17,000
Manage services for approximately 17,000 individuals
5,200
Answer 5,200 calls to our 24/7 Access to Care line
1,600 +
Maintain 1,600+ practitioners and agencies in our network
2,300
Support more than 2,300 N.C. Innovations participants
4,300
Provide care coordination services for 4,300 people
We’re stronger together
Vaya has achieved much success in service of individuals across North Carolina, but we haven’t done it alone. In celebration of our 50th anniversary, we offer our sincere thanks to the many providers, partners, stakeholders, and staff who have joined us on this journey. The shared commitment to the communities we serve continues to make a difference in so many lives.
Our history
Looking Back
1965
Smoky Mountain Area Mental Health opens as an outpatient clinic in Jackson County
1972
In response to national legislation, Smoky Mountain Area Mental Health becomes an area program that provides behavioral health and I/DD services in the seven westernmost counties of North Carolina and changes its name to Smoky Mountain Center for Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services
1999
Smoky Mountain Center receives a three-year accreditation from the Council on Accreditation of Services for Families and Children
2001
As part of statewide mental health reform, Smoky Mountain Center transitions from an area program providing services to a Local Management Entity (LME) that manages, coordinates, facilitates, and monitors behavioral health and I/DD services
2007-2013
Smoky completes mergers with neighboring LMEs, expanding its reach to 23 counties
2016
To better reflect the geography of its growing catchment area, Smoky rebrands as Vaya Health, a name that embodies an organizational commitment to whole-person care and helping members move forward on their path to stability, recovery, and hope
2021
As part of the state’s transition to Medicaid Managed Care, NCDHHS awards Vaya a Behavioral Health and Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities Tailored Plan contract
2022
Vaya finalizes consolidation of nine counties previously managed by Cardinal Innovations Healthcare, increasing the organization’s footprint to serve 31 counties
Looking ahead
As part of Medicaid Transformation—a statewide commitment to improving health through whole-person care—the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services selected Vaya to operate a Behavioral Health and I/DD Tailored Plan for Medicaid and NC Health Choice beneficiaries with significant mental health, substance use disorder, I/DD, or traumatic brain injury (TBI) needs. Vaya will also manage non-Medicaid behavioral health, I/DD and TBI services for uninsured and underinsured individuals.
Since our contract award in June 2021, we’ve been working closely with providers and stakeholders throughout our 31 counties to help ensure a smooth transition for the individuals we serve. Vaya’s Tailored Plan launches December 1, 2022, marking another key milestone in our history.
Thank you for being part of this journey. Let’s move forward together.
Keep exploring
Explore the following resources to learn more about Vaya Health.
- Get to Know Us
- Vaya Stories
- Vaya Health News
- Medicaid Transformation
- Member Microenterprises (supporting small business)
- Event Calendar
THE LATEST NEWS
Vaya Stories
News
Dr. Zenn and Dr. Wade Appear on Spotlight Carolina to Explain Vaya Total Care
Dr. Richard Zenn, Vaya’s Chief Medical Officer, and Dr. Lorena Wade, Vaya’s Deputy Chief Medical Officer, visited with WLOS to …
News
Vaya Health, Asheville Tourists partner to make park experience more inclusive
July 1, 2022 ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Vaya Health is teaming up with the Asheville Tourists to make the ballpark experience …
News
A Vaya Health member offers a friendly face and a warm welcome to visitors at the Asheville Regional Airport
If you watch Logan carefully, you can catch him quickly tapping his ears mere seconds before an overhead announcement comes …
News
N.C. Child and Family Improvement Initiative Already Proving Successful
North Carolina, June 14, 2022 – As part of the NC Child and Family Improvement Initiative, launched on May 1, …
News
Brian Ingraham, President & CEO of Vaya Health, Appears on Spotlight Carolina for 50th Anniversary
Brian Ingraham, President & CEO of Vaya Health, sat down with WLOS to share that we are currently celebrating our …
News
Mental Illness: Myths vs. Facts
Bipolar Disorder MYTH FACT There’s only one type of bipolar disorder. People with bipolar disorder are just moody. Bipolar disorder …