Press Releases

MEDIA ADVISORY – North Carolina Health and Human Services Secretary Kody H. Kinsley is attending the Appalachian Regional Commission’s (ARC) 2024 INSPIRE Awards on Wednesday, Sept. 18, at 1 p.m. in Asheville, N.C. ARC will announce $11.5 million in funding for 39 projects in nine states, including North Carolina, to support substance use recovery initiatives. Secretary Kinsley, a member of the Substance Use Disorder Advisory Council, will participate in the announcement and a SUD Recovery-to-Work Ecosystem panel discussion moderated by ARC Federal Co-Chair Gayle Manchin.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) is encouraging everyone 6-months and older to get their seasonal flu shot and COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccines are the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from serious illness, hospitalization and long-term health complications from viruses. Both vaccines have been updated for the new flu and COVID-19 virus strains that will continue to spread this fall and winter.

MEDIA ADVISORY — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services along with FIT Wellness, part of the North Carolina Formerly Incarcerated Transition Program (NC FIT), invites credentialed media on a tour and panel discussion on Tuesday, Sept. 17 at 10:30 a.m. at the FIT Wellness clinic in Raleigh. This event highlights efforts to expand access to behavioral health services for people involved in the justice system, as an estimated 50% of people in prisons and jails in North Carolina identify as having a mental health need and 75% identify as having a substance use disorder.

PRESS RELEASE — More than $554,000 in food benefit dollars have been stolen from North Carolina’s Food and Nutrition Services participants since Aug. 18. No further fraudulent activity has been reported since Sept. 6, 2024, when NCDHHS implemented a block on online transactions originating from Connecticut, Florida, and New York that appeared to be tied to fraudulent activity.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services this week announced a funding opportunity for providers to support recruitment and retention for Direct Support Professionals (DSPs). The investment is part of a series of initiatives to support DSPs, who provide vital services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and play a critical role in the state’s behavioral health workforce. The department is also developing a free online DSP certification program in partnership with the North Carolina Community College System and building a digital platform to support networking and connect DSPs to employment opportunities.

PRESS RELEASE — During Suicide Prevention Week, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced the release of a new report, Transforming North Carolina’s Behavioral Health System: Investing in a System That Delivers Whole-Person Care When and Where People Need It. The report outlines the state’s expansive and strategic efforts to transform the public behavioral health system to deliver high-quality, equitable, accessible care that meets people where they are in their communities.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will host a live fireside chat and tele-town hall on Thursday, Sept. 12, from 6 to 7 p.m., to discuss how educators and community leaders can address youth vaping and best support North Carolina students.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced a confirmed case of measles (rubeola) in a child in Mecklenburg County. This is the first measles case reported in North Carolina since 2018. The child was likely exposed to measles while traveling out of the country. Fortunately, the parents kept the child at home after returning to North Carolina except for one medical visit, during which appropriate precautions were taken to avoid spreading the virus. To protect patient privacy, no further information about the patient will be shared. NCDHHS’ Division of Public Health is working closely with the Mecklenburg County Health Department to ensure readiness to detect and respond to other possible measles cases or exposures.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is holding a public webinar to mark World Suicide Prevention Day on Sept. 10, 2024. This comes as Governor Roy Cooper proclaims the week of Sept. 8 as Suicide Prevention Week in North Carolina. Suicide is a significant public health issue that affects people across all socioeconomic, racial and ethnic backgrounds.

PRESS RELEASE — Governor Roy Cooper declares Aug. 31 Overdose Awareness Day in North Carolina — a day to remember those lost to overdose, honor their families and renew our commitment to ending the crisis.