The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is investing $20 million to into trauma-informed transportation for people in mental health crises.The money will take them from emergency rooms to residential treatment. Law enforcement used to handle this usually; but non-law enforcement transportation will offer a safe, therapeutic option instead. “People in crisis need health care, not handcuffs,” said NC Health and Human Services Secretary Kody H. Kinsley. “This program helps people experiencing a mental health crisis receive safe transportation to the inpatient care that they need.” The new transportation program will initially operate in two regions of the state, which will be identified through a competitive request for proposal process. The RFP is now open, allowing qualified transportation vendors to apply for funding. Eligible transportation vendors can access and apply for the RFP on the NCDHHS website.RESOURCESSuicide & Crisis LineThe Suicide & Crisis Line is open 24 hours …