Newsletter Articles

NCDHHS Celebrates 100 Years of Vocational Rehabilitation for People with Disabilities in North Carolina

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) is celebrating the 100 th anniversary of North Carolina's vocational rehabilitation (VR) program, which supports people with disabilities as they prepare for, secure and advance in competitive employment in communities throughout the state.

Public Health Leaders’ Conference Addresses Health Equity

Public health leaders from across the state assembled in Raleigh Jan. 23–24 to share goals and objectives to advance health equity in North Carolina in 2020 and beyond. 

Maternal Health Discussed During U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Visit

North Carolina's efforts to address and improve maternal health across the state were the focus of a listening session held by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on Jan. 27 in Raleigh.

DHHS Mobilizes to Make Progress on NC Early Childhood Action Plan

NCDHHS staff are mobilizing across divisions to make progress on North Carolina's Early Childhood Action Plan. Department leaders recently spent two days working in cross-sector teams to strategize and make plans to leverage and align work in three priority areas for 2020.

Four DHHS Employees Honored with Governor’s Awards for Excellence

Four DHHS employees were recently honored with 2019 Governor's Awards for Excellence: Mindy Jane Coleman of Black Mountain Neuro-Medical Center; Steven C. King of Broughton Hospital; Martha Swindell Brown of Cherry Hospital; and Dr. Susan M. Kansagra of the Division of Public Health.

Vocational Rehabilitation Helps Those with TBI Find, Keep Employment

In North Carolina, nearly 79,000 people sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in 2015. Of those, more than 1,800 died, more than 7,000 were hospitalized and nearly 70,000 were treated and released from emergency departments. For survivors, depending on the severity of a TBI, effects can include impairments related to thinking or memory, movement, vision or hearing, and to emotional functioning that may interfere with finding or keeping a job. This is an area where DHHS’ Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS) can help.

September Recognitions of DHHS Programs, Partners

Governor Roy Cooper recently issued proclamations for numerous awareness efforts and causes the NC Department of Health and Human Services is involved in with the support of partners throughout the state.

DCDEE Opens Nursing, Wellness Room for Mothers

DHHS’ Division of Child Development and Early Education has opened a Nursing and Wellness Room at its main office in Raleigh.

Individual Placement Support Coalition Celebrates Getting People Back to Work

DHHS and partners across North Carolina are helping people get back to work through Individual Placement Support (IPS), a community-based service for adults with serious mental illness and substance use disorders who are entering or reentering the workforce.

2019 Opioid Misuse & Overdose Prevention Summit

The 2019 Opioid Misuse & Overdose Prevention Summit is an event that allows North Carolinians to learn about solutions to address the opioid epidemic. 

DHHS Employees Celebrated at Employee Appreciation Event

DHHS employees were celebrated by department leadership during State Employee Recognition Week from May 5 to 11.

Free, Healthy Meals Available to Students at Risk of Hunger During Summer

Children and teens at risk of inadequate food when school is not in session may receive free, nutritious meals and snacks through the Summer Food Service Program beginning this month.

All in for NC Kids: Q&A with Transylvania County Commissioner Page Ives Lemel

As one way of helping the state drive toward the Early Childhood Action Plan goals, NCDHHS is sharing how leaders and advocates across the state are supporting young children in their communities.

Successful DHHS Partnership to Help Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Deaf-Blind Children Highlighted

Increased cooperation and cross-divisional partnerships were cited as essential to improving DHHS’ service to North Carolina families with Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Deaf-Blind children at the 2019 National Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Conference, held March 5 in Chicago.

Panel Lays Out Challenges and Opportunities in Early Childhood Education

North Carolina has a long history of leading in early education. But panelists participating in the final session of the North Carolina Early Childhood Summit said we must do more to change early learning outcomes for all young children across the state—especially children of color.