Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will host a live fireside chat and tele-town hall on Tuesday, May 13, from 6 to 7 p.m. to discuss how people can support their mental well-being, find resources and get help for themselves or someone else who is struggling with mental health or experiencing a crisis.
PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced the release of a new dashboard highlighting the success of North Carolina’s Peer Warmline. The Warmline is a free resource for people experiencing emotional difficulty, mental health issues, substance use challenges, or for those who just need to talk with someone who understands what they are going through. Since launch, warmline counselors have received more than 67,000 calls, and 99% of callers who responded to a recent survey expressed satisfaction with the support they received. The dashboard launch coincides with Mental Health Awareness Month in May.
PRESS RELEASE — The Cape Fear Valley Cumberland EMS team of Jessica Haines and Hannah Thompson claimed the top honors at the 33rd annual North Carolina Paramedic Competition held on Sunday, May 4, in Greensboro, earning the state title for the first time.
PRESS RELEASE —The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced the launch of a digital resource to help people with disabilities in the workforce. North Carolina DB101 was guided by beneficiaries and their experiences with the goal to simplify how to apply for, access and understand public benefits. This new resource will help North Carolinians navigate programs such as social security disability insurance, food and nutrition services and Medicaid.
PRESS RELEASE — The SUN Bucks food program is back for 2025 and is expected to provide benefits to more than one million school children in North Carolina this summer. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction are partnering again to administer the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer program known as "SUN Bucks."
MEDIA ADVISORY — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NC DHHS), Harnett County Schools and Hazel Health are gathering on Wednesday, May 7, to officially kick off their partnership that will bring virtual mental health care services to over 400,000 of North Carolina’s K-12 student population.
MEDIA ADVISORY — The 33rd annual North Carolina Paramedic Competition will take place Sunday, May 4, at the Joseph S. Koury Convention Center. Six groups from across the state will compete for the title of Top Paramedic Team during the annual NC Emergency Medical Services Expo.
PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Aging is partnering with North Carolina area agencies on aging and local service providers to distribute fans statewide to eligible recipients through the Operation Fan Heat Relief program from May 1 – Oct. 31, 2025.
PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is asking people and providers to be on alert for mpox cases following the detection of mpox particles in multiple sewage samples found through routine wastewater testing. This year there have been two cases of mpox in North Carolina and the new wastewater detections were determined to be another type, clade I, not previously found in North Carolina. These detections indicate potential undiagnosed or unreported cases. At this time, the risk to the public remains low.
READOUT — North Carolina Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai today visited Cherry Hospital in Goldsboro, one of three psychiatric hospitals operated by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. Cherry Hospital serves 38 counties in the eastern region of the state with a mission to provide excellent psychiatric care to individuals with the greatest need and the fewest resources.