Carla West

Carla West serves as NCDHHS' Interim Deputy Secretary for Opportunity and Well-Being. She also serves as NCDHHS' Director for Human Services where she leads with a strong commitment to advancing equitable, person-centered services that promote self-sufficiency and improve the quality of life for individuals and families across the state.

Carla provides executive leadership for key Economic Services Programs, including Child Support Services, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Low-Income Household Energy Assistance, and the State Office of Refugee Services. She also oversees the Continuous Quality Improvement efforts across these programs and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

In addition, Carla directs the Division of Aging, overseeing a comprehensive portfolio of programs that support older adults across North Carolina. These include housing and homelessness initiatives, the All Ages, All Stages NC Multisector Plan for Aging, and services funded through the Older Americans Act. Under her leadership, these programs are delivered with a focus on equity, efficiency, and long-term impact to meet the diverse and growing needs of the aging population.

A past president of the Eastern Regional Interstate Child Support Association and former board member of the National Child Support Engagement Association, Carla has long been a driving force in advancing child support policy and practice. She currently serves on the boards of the North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities and the North Carolina Interagency Council for Coordinating Homelessness Programs. Carla holds both a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Bellevue University.