Individuals and families with interest in the mental health, substance abuse and intellectual/developmental disability service system are invited to a community forum Tuesday, Sept. 3.

The event will be held from 6-8 p.m. at the Isothermal Community College Polk Campus, located at 1255 W. Mills St., Columbus, NC 28722.

Western Highlands Network and Smoky Mountain Center are partnering to serve the 23 western and foothills counties of Western North Carolina. Beginning Oct. 1, Smoky Mountain Center will become the local manager of Medicaid and state-funded services.

Individuals, families and interested community members are invited to attend this forum to:

• Learn about the change in management of your service funds;

• Find out more information about Smoky Mountain Center;

• Ask questions about the partnership between Western Highlands Network and Smoky Mountain Center.

For more information, call Smoky Mountain Center Customer Services at 1-888-757-5726. For access to services, call Western Highlands anytime at 1-800-951-3792.

You can also visit www.westernhighlands.org/partnership or www.smokymountaincenter.com/partnership.

– article submitted by Lou Parton