STATEMENT — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is returning control of child welfare services to the Bertie County Department of Social Services, effective today. NCDHHS temporarily assumed leadership in August 2025 after identifying serious concerns about child safety. Since then, the state and county have worked collaboratively to stabilize and improve child welfare services and ensure appropriate standards of care.
Press Releases
PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has posted findings of a public health investigation to identify the source of exposure for a previously reported rare brain infection case caused by Naegleria fowleri, an amoeba (one-celled living organism) commonly found in warm freshwater.
PRESS RELEASE — Today Governor Stein and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced $1.25 million in federal funding through the North Carolina Rural Health Transformation Program to expand preventive and acute health care, provide nutrition support, and address behavioral health needs. Five organizations will receive funding: the Appalachian District Health Department, Blue Ridge Community Health Services, First Health of the Carolinas, Mountain Community Health Partnership, and Wilson County Health Department.
PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services received three federal grants from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) totaling almost $7 million to improve the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, enhance Mobile Crisis Teams and provide treatment for Substance Use Disorders (SUD) for pregnant and postpartum women. September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and these grants will help NCDHHS continue its efforts to lower suicide deaths and attempts in North Carolina.
PRESS RELEASE — Today the United States Department of Justice (USDOJ) acknowledged significant strides North Carolina has made in improving community inclusion for people with serious and persistent mental illness (SPMI) and severe mental illness (SMI). USDOJ and the State of North Carolina filed a joint motion asking the federal district court to terminate its oversight of the Transition to Community Living settlement agreement as a result of the State having met major requirements with the agreement’s terms. Since 2012, NCDHHS has overseen the implementation of the settlement terms through
PRESS RELEASE — Today, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services commemorated 988 Day with the unveiling of 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline signage to put in state government parking lots throughout Raleigh. These efforts, in partnership with the North Carolina Department of Administration, are bringing awareness to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and support NCDHHS’ broader crisis response efforts.
MEDIA ADVISORY — Credentialed media are invited to attend an event commemorating 988 Day on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026, at the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Headquarters. NC Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai and other leadership will unveil new 988 signage that has vital information to help those in mental health crisis.
MEDIA ADVISORY — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will host a live fireside chat and tele-town hall on Tuesday, Sept. 8, from 6 to 7 p.m. to discuss how new federal and state laws will impact NC Medicaid, including who will need to meet a new work and community engagement requirement, who will lose coverage under these new rules and how to prepare for upcoming changes to the program.
PRESS RELEASE — Today Governor Stein, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, and the Governor’s Recovery Office for Western North Carolina announced the application window will open soon for $20 million to build and expand child care programs in communities impacted by Hurricane Helene and Tropical Storm Debby. This funding is part of a total $75 million federal grant for Helene- and Debby-impacted areas announced earlier this year through the American Relief Act’s Disaster Supplemental Funds for Child Care.
PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services released a toolkit today to share information about new rules for NC Medicaid. The Know What’s Next toolkit includes flyers, social media posts, a rack card and a wallet card in English and Spanish.