Press Releases

MEDIA ADVISORY — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and Positive Childhood Alliance NC (PCANC) are holding a community event as Governor Josh Stein proclaims April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in North Carolina. The free, family-friendly event will be held on Wednesday, April 1, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at John Chavis Memorial Park in Raleigh, North Carolina. The public and members if the media are invited to attend, plant pinwheels and enjoy the provided food, beverages and entertainment while supplies last.

PRESS RELEASE — Governor Josh Stein, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, and the North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition (NCHRC) today announced an expansion of Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) programs, an effort to connect people experiencing addiction with support services and help to reduce repeat crime. Entities supported by the expansion are the Fayetteville Police Department, Albemarle Police Department, Gaston County Police Department, Greensboro Police Department and Community Safety Department, New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office, Robeson County

MEDIA ADVISORY — Credentialed media are invited to join NCDHHS leadership for a ribbon-cutting at the Promise Resource Network’s (PRN) new respite center in Cabarrus County on Wednesday, March 25, at 10 a.m. Kelly Crosbie, NCDHHS Assistant Secretary for Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Disorders, will speak at the event.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced major updates to the statewide online mental health bed registry that will reduce wait times and ensure people in crisis receive care as soon as possible. The Behavioral Health Statewide Central Availability Navigator (BH SCAN) is now updated hourly instead of once per day and has been integrated with the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline 988 will be able to connect mobile crisis teams when they are dispatched to someone in crisis to let them know the available mental health beds in their area.

PRESS RELEASE —The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, North Carolina Department of Public Safety, Alliance Health and New Hope Treatment Centers are partnering on a pilot program to improve mental health care for young people involved in the justice system. The $3.5 million investment from NCDHHS will fund a new mental health program operated by New Hope Treatment Centers at the Dillon Juvenile Detention Center (JDC) in Butner.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced a new pilot program to improve Mobile Crisis Teams’ response when someone experiencing a mental health crisis calls for help. The $1.5 million investment to Trillium Health Resources establishes a real-time dispatch process that streamlines response to individuals in crisis wherever they are.

PRESS RELEASE —The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, UNC System and the Social Work Coalition on NC Workforce Development held a kickoff event today to celebrate a new partnership aimed at strengthening the social work workforce in North Carolina. The event recognizing the Public Service Leadership Program (PSLP) coincides with a new report by the Sheps Center for Health Services Research and NCDHHS that identifies a shortage of social workers in North Carolina, particularly in rural areas.

MEDIA ADVISORY — Credentialed media are invited to join the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, the University of North Carolina System, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the North Carolina Social Work Coalition on Workforce in celebrating a new innovative partnership to address the shortage of social workers across North Carolina.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will host a live fireside chat and tele-town hall on Thursday, Feb. 26, from 6 to 7 p.m. to discuss what North Carolina families need to know about recent measles cases and guidance and how vaccines protect children and teens from serious, preventable diseases.

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.