The council has repeatedly failed to investigate questionable deaths in state-run and private mental health facilities. Advocates from other states criticize the agency for not pursuing change through aggressive litigation. While some other states routinely file class-action lawsuits, North Carolina's council has filed one suit in recent years on behalf of a mental health client. Families across the state complain of delayed abuse and neglect investigations - or of no investigations at all. One Mecklenburg children's advocacy group has stopped referring clients to the council altogether.
Critics say the council's staff is largely caring and dedicated.
They blame the problems on poor management, questionable priorities and, most of all, the group's home within state government. For years, disability advocates and some members of the council's governing board have fought to move the group to the private sector, where the agencies in most other states make their home. At least one board member has resigned over the issue, saying the group will never be influential in government. One of the council's former executive directors is suing the state, alleging she was fired after she pushed for independence. They have tremendous power to effect systematic change through the court system, but I don't see them doing that.