Partners Employee Receives National Recognition from ACAP

Beth Brooks Honored with “Making a Difference” Award Honorable Mention 

June 1, 2026

During a Pride Festival in Winston-Salem, N.C., Partners Member Engagement Manager Beth Brooks wore a t-shirt offering free hugs to attendees as a gesture of affirmation and belonging for individuals who may feel marginalized or isolated.

She has opened her home during the holidays to those who would otherwise have spent Thanksgiving or Christmas alone.

Last fall, she covered the unpaid lunch balances at an elementary school in her community and more recently, she gave her car away to a friend who needed it more than she did. Those who know her will tell you: “That’s just Beth.”

Recently, Brooks’ kind heart was recognized nationally. Partners Health Management is proud to announce that Brooks received an Honorable Mention in the 2026 “Making a Difference” Award presented by the Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP).

ACAP represents 90 health plans across the nation dedicated to improving the health and well-being of people with limited resources or significant health needs through Medicaid-focused community-affiliated health plans. The annual “Making a Difference” Award recognizes employees who exceed expectations in advancing advocacy, care, access and the public good both within and outside of the workplace.

Brooks, who has been with Partners for more than 10 years, was nominated for her extraordinary commitment to community engagement, advocacy, inclusion, and service to vulnerable populations.

As Member Engagement Manager, Brooks has become a trusted and visible presence throughout the communities Partners serves. She routinely organizes and participates in outreach efforts, collaborates

with community stakeholders and works tirelessly to ensure individuals feel connected, supported, and heard.

“Beth exemplifies the mission and values of Partners Health Management every single day,” said Allison Crotty, Partners’ Senior Director of Member Services. “Her compassion, leadership, and commitment to serving others go far beyond her professional role. We are incredibly proud to see her recognized on a national level.”

In addition to her community involvement, Brooks has advocated for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) by participating in I/DD Legislative Day and amplifying the voices and needs of Partners members to legislators. She consistently seeks opportunities to improve access, reduce barriers and support the safety and well-being of underserved populations.

The ACAP award recognizes employees whose work aligns with the principles of advocacy, care, access and the public good, and it demonstrates a sustained commitment to underserved communities.

“For her unwavering advocacy, deep kindness in action and commitment to the people we serve, Beth truly embodies what it means to make a difference,” Partners shared in its nomination materials.

“Partners congratulates Beth on this well-deserved recognition and thanks her for the lasting impact she continues to make on behalf of members, families and communities across North Carolina,” said Partners CEO Libby McCraw.

As for Brooks, her reason for what she does is simple: “I just do what is in my heart.”

For more information about Partners Health Management and its programs, visit the Partners website at www.partnersbhm.org.

ABOUT PARTNERS

Partners Health Management is a leading local management entity/managed care organization (LME/MCO), providing access to care for individuals in central and western North Carolina with the most complex health care needs. Partners manage Medicaid, state and local funding for mental health, substance use disorder, intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD), and traumatic brain injury (MH/SUD/IDD/TBI) services in our covered areas. On July 1, 2024, Partners began administering one of North Carolina’s four Behavioral Health and Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities Tailored Plans and managing members’ physical health and pharmacy services in addition to their behavioral health, I/DD and TBI services.

Partners is one of four LME/MCOs that are the cornerstone of North Carolina’s public MH/SUD/IDD/TBI managed care system, which is designed to improve quality and timely access to care for individuals and families. Established by the General Assembly in 2011, the LME/MCOs are built on a 50-year legacy of county area programs with deep local, community roots. The LME/MCOs ensure access to high-quality provider networks, strong community collaboration to support a robust system of care, and budget predictability through the efficient and effective use of public funds and resources.