North Carolina Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai traveled to western North Carolina this week to participate in a Day of Service in coordination with Governor Stein and other Cabinet leaders to show their commitment to Hurricane Helene recovery one year after the storm. The Secretary also met with Buncombe County Health and Human Services and Lincoln County Department of Social Services to learn more about the successes and challenges they face at the county level.
Buncombe County Health and Human Services
Secretary Sangvai began his trip on Monday, Sept. 15, in Buncombe County where he visited Buncombe County Health and Human Services for a site visit and informational meeting with county leadership and staff. Buncombe County Staff acted swiftly in response to Hurricane Helene a year ago, serving a vital role in recovery for thousands of North Carolinians. Over the last year, they have continued to collaborate with local and national organizations to provide critical services such as hot lunches, housing and community care centers.
Secretary Sangvai led a discussion with leadership and staff at the Buncombe County HHS to form a better understanding of the concerns and successes of social services in Buncombe County. One significant success is Buncombe County’s innovative implementation of the evidence-based Sobriety Treatment and Recovery Team Model (START). Buncombe County is a state leader in START, which is changing the lives of people who struggle with substance use in western North Carolina.
Leadership at Buncombe County emphasized their priorities of supporting and maintaining a physically and psychologically safe, stable and resilient workforce, while also building and sustaining a trauma responsive, evidence-based array of services to meet the needs of the community.
Day of Service with MountainTrue
Following his visit to Buncombe County HHS, Secretary Sangvai joined Governor Stein for an afternoon of volunteering with the organization MountainTrue for waterway debris clean up. MountainTrue has been a critical resource for waterway recovery in western North Carolina, and over the last year, they have dedicated their staff and volunteers to clear the rivers and surrounding areas of debris in some of the most hard-hit areas from Hurricane Helene.
“As we approach one-year since Hurricane Helene, the road to recovery is ongoing in western North Carolina and NCDHHS is committed to helping areas hit hardest now and in the months and years to come,” said Secretary Sangvai. “I am grateful for MountainTrue and their mission as together we are working to create safe and healthy communities.”
Lincoln County Department of Social Services
Secretary Sangvai concluded his visit on Tuesday, Sept. 16, in Lincolnton where he met with county leadership and staff at the Lincoln County Department of Social Services.
Lincoln County DSS leadership and staff had an open discussion with Secretary Sangvai about their recent successes and concerns their department is facing. Leadership is seeing larger caseloads and are concerned that without increased staffing, it will be difficult to implement future changes to the Medicaid and SNAP programs from the federal reconciliation bill. The Secretary reiterated his ongoing priorities to bolster workforce and make sure services work for all North Carolinians.
“I am committed to strengthening the health and human services workforce in North Carolina and supporting staff, so they have the resources they need to help the communities they serve,” said Secretary Sangvai. “The collaboration between State and County departments of social services is critical in creating vibrant, healthy and thriving communities across the state.”
Lincoln County DSS Director, Matthew Hillman, talked about the county’s recent adoption of the innovative statewide information system called PATH NC . Child welfare staff discussed how the child welfare information system has impacted their day-to-day work and praised the department’s quick implementation of suggestions to make PATH NC more efficient for staff on the ground.