Press Releases

Next week, North Carolina’s youngest children who are eligible for food assistance benefits will begin to receive extra monthly benefits tied to the COVID-19 pandemic for the 2021-2022 school year.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services joins partners across the state and nation in celebrating the “Week of the Young Child” April 2-8, 2022. The annual event honors young children, their families and the adults who shape their early development.

Recognizing the importance of caring connections, supportive environments and positive experiences for all children and families, Governor Roy Cooper declared April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in North Carolina.

A new model led by a partnership among Duke University, UNC Health, and the NC Department of Health and Human Services is transforming how to support children’s health and well-being.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today released a coordinated action plan to address the urgent crisis of children with complex behavioral health needs who come into the care of child welfare services. The action plan represents the work of a multi-sector team of stakeholders that is working to transform the way that the child welfare, behavioral health and other systems that support children and families work together.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will host a live fireside chat and tele-town hall on March 10 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. to discuss COVID-19 vaccines for children ages 5 and older.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced the launch of the Division of Child and Family Well-Being to help achieve its vision of children who are healthy and who thrive in safe, stable and nurturing families, schools and communities.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today launched its first online data dashboard visualizing information and trends about the statewide early care and learning network.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced it has received approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to continue the Student Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) food assistance program for eligible K-12 students through the 2021-22 school year under new rules. North Carolina is still awaiting federal approval for Child Care P-EBT (previously called “Children Under 6”) and cannot issue benefits to this group until USDA approval is received.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has begun issuing $413 million in food assistance payments to an estimated 1.1 million eligible children through the Summer Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer food assistance program. Children who are eligible for the summer receive a one-time payment of $375 on their family’s P-EBT card.