Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced the launch of a two-year pilot program in which 22 Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities (PRTF) for youth, operated by seven provider agencies, will begin using an innovative system called Ukeru® to de-escalate crises. Ukeru is a safe and comforting alternative to restraint and seclusion, which are high-risk techniques used to contain someone who is considered a danger to themselves or others.

STATEMENT — North Carolina lawmakers passed a stopgap spending plan also known as a "mini budget" which was signed by Governor Josh Stein today. $600 million was included to support both the Medicaid rebase and the Medicaid Oversight Fund, however, this appropriation equates to a shortfall of $319 million for the Medicaid rebase. Despite careful efforts by NCDHHS to avoid disruptions to service, fully funding the rebase is necessary to maintain the current level of care across the state. To remain within budget, NCDHHS now has two options to address a shortfall from an insufficient rebase;

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and the North Carolina Community College System have partnered to launch an Advanced Training Certificate program for current Direct Support Professionals or people interested in pursuing a career in the field. The DSP workforce is critical in helping people with intellectual and developmental disabilities live, work and thrive in communities of their choice. They provide a wide range of supports from daily tasks like bathing, eating and taking medications to connecting people with community resources and employment

PRESS RELEASE — As children across North Carolina return to school this month, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reminds families that vaccinations are an important part of overall health and back-to-school success.

PRESS RELEASE — As summer temperatures continue to soar, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is urging caution when spending time outdoors or in areas that are not air conditioned. Halfway through the summer season, from May 1 to July 12, 2025, NCDHHS has documented more than 3,300 emergency department visits for heat-related illness, the highest number in the last five years. In comparison, there was an average of 1,675 heat-related illness emergency department visits in the same time period in 2020 to 2024.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has announced the state’s first case of disease associated with West Nile virus in 2025. The case occurred in a resident of Durham County. To protect the patient’s privacy, no further information will be provided.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced a first-of-its-kind partnership with Talkspace, a virtual therapy platform now available for free to justice-impacted teenagers between the ages of 13 and 17 in North Carolina.

MEDIA ADVISORY — Credentialed media are invited to attend a celebration of the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act on July 24 at 10 a.m. in Raleigh, North Carolina. Leaders from the North Carolina Department of Health and Humans Services will highlight programs, services and investments that are improving the lives of North Carolinians with disabilities.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and First Lady Anna Stein, in collaboration with Shatterproof, announced the launch of the Unshame North Carolina (Unshame NC) campaign to end stigma related to substance use disorder. Unshame NC has two primary goals: to increase knowledge and awareness of substance use disorder and medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) as a treatment option.

PRESS RELEASE — In response to a sharp increase in suicide rates among young Black youth, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announces the NC Black Youth Suicide Prevention Action Plan. Coinciding with the Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, this effort sheds light on communities which have been marginalized, where mental health challenges persist, and outlines initiatives to be implemented over the next five years to reduce injury and save the lives of Black youth and young adults.