Topics Related to Child Development and Early Education

This week, NCDHHS Secretary Sangvai read the book Stand Tall by Molly Lou Melon, a book about self-esteem and resilience, to a group of students at Creekside Elementary School in Durham.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced it received $75.8 million from the Administration for Children & Families, Office of Child Care in American Relief Act Disaster Supplemental Funds for Child Care. These funds will support child care infrastructure recovery in areas affected by Hurricane Helene and Tropical Storm Debby. More than 230 child care facilities were impacted by Hurricane Helene, and more than 100 child care facilities were impacted by Tropical Storm Debby.

PRESS RELEASE — Today, Attorney General Jeff Jackson and Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai responded to reports that the federal government may be freezing child care funding to all 50 states. At this time, North Carolina has not received official notice from the federal government about this action.

PRESS RELEASE — To address the severe staffing shortage that is a key contributor to the state’s child care crisis, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) is partnering with 16 North Carolina institutions of higher learning to establish "Child Care Academies," a shortened intensive training and certification that prepares participants for careers in child care at no cost to them. This workforce initiative is funded by the Division of Child Development and Early Education using funds from a federal Preschool Development Grant.

PRESS RELEASE — Policymakers, employers and local leaders came together in Raleigh for the premiere of a new, short documentary on North Carolina’s child care crisis — "Take Care" — and to participate in a discussion on how to create lasting solutions that support children’s healthy development, allow parents to work and keep businesses running.

READOUT — North Carolina Health and Human Services Secretary Kody H. Kinsley traveled to Henderson and Buncombe counties Thursday to survey damage and meet with people impacted by Hurricane Helene. Secretary Kinsley was joined by Senators Jim Burgin and Julie Mayfield and began the day meeting with people who have relocated to one of the state-operated shelters in Fletcher, N.C. The group then traveled to the Henderson County Department of Public Health and spoke to Health Director Dave Jenkins and Social Services Director Lorie Horne. The visit to Henderson County concluded with a stop by

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is supporting child care facilities to reopen as safely and quickly as possible after Hurricane Helene to ensure families in storm-impacted communities have access to child care services. More than 200 facilities in the 25 major disaster counties in western North Carolina were impacted by the storm, with 55 centers having damage that will prevent them reopening for the foreseeable future.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today released an update to its Early Childhood Action Plan to address key actions the department is taking to improve early childhood development in North Carolina. As Governor Roy Cooper proclaims this week as Week of the Young Child in North Carolina, the updated action plan and efforts to improve children’s behavioral health in North Carolina support the department’s mission to ensure all children get a healthy start in life and develop to their full potential in safe and nurturing families, schools and communities.

MEDIA ADVISORY — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Director of Child Development and Early Education, Ariel Ford will participate in two upcoming child care forums in North Carolina. The events seek to raise awareness to the child care crisis in the state and the need for more child care opportunities in North Carolina which support children’s healthy development and learning, allow parents to work and keep businesses running.

PRESS RELEASE — Recognizing the role everyone plays in helping North Carolina’s children reach their full potential, Governor Roy Cooper declared April as Child Abuse Prevention Month. This Child Abuse Prevention Month, community organizations, government agencies, businesses, faith groups and other stakeholders will come together to focus on creating partnerships to prevent child maltreatment from occurring and the importance of building hope for children and families.