Press Releases

MEDIA ADVISORY — Credentialed media are invited to join NCDHHS leadership for a ribbon-cutting at the Promise Resource Network’s Raleigh Recovery Café on Tuesday, Feb. 24, at 11 a.m. Kelly Crosbie, Director of the NCDHHS Division of 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 released a report detailing progress increasing access to quality mental health, developmental disability, and substance use services for all North Carolinians. The year-one progress report on the NCDHHS Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Services (DMH/DD/SUS) 2024-2029 strategic plan highlights achievements in the seven priority areas geared toward creating a comprehensive mental health care system that works for everyone.

PRESS RELEASE — Today Governor Stein signed an executive order to improve behavioral health care and public safety in North Carolina. Executive Order 33 directs several cabinet agencies to take action strengthening how the state’s behavioral health and criminal justice systems coordinate and serve the public. The Governor was joined by Kelly Crosbie, NCDHHS’ Director of the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services; Secretary of Public Safety Jeff Smythe; Secretary of Adult Correction Leslie Dismukes; Director of State Human Resources Staci Meyer; legislators; law enforcement officials; and behavioral health professionals and advocates.

PRESS RELEASE — Today Governor Josh Stein visited RHA Health Services’ Alamance County Behavioral Health Center in Burlington to host a roundtable discussion with community leaders highlighting the critical role that crisis and mental health services play in keeping North Carolinians healthy and safe. The Alamance Center is a partnership of county, state, and local management entities (LMEs) that supports individuals with developmental disabilities, substance abuse, and other behavioral health needs.

PRESS RELEASE — In recognition of Maternal Health Awareness Day, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is launching the “I Gave Birth” campaign to support better birth outcomes for mothers in North Carolina in the weeks after childbirth. “I Gave Birth” collaborates with 48 participating hospitals and providers to improve postpartum care during the “fourth trimester,” which is the first 6-8 weeks after childbirth. Each new mother receives a bracelet to serve as a visual reminder for the mother, her family and medical providers for vigilant monitoring of the mother’s physical and mental well-being.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is recognizing one year of service for Secretary Dev Sangvai. In 2025, Secretary Sangvai worked to advance key priorities including increasing access to and improving affordability of care, investing in whole-person health by prioritizing mental health and supporting North Carolina’s most vulnerable children.

MEDIA ADVISORY — Credentialed media are invited to attend the opening of a new resource for people reentering their community following incarceration. NCDHHS Director of the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Disorders Kelly Crosbie will be on-site to celebrate the opening of AYA House in Rowan County on Friday, Jan. 16, at 10:30 a.m.

PRESS RELEASE — The federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) today awarded North Carolina $213 million through the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). These funds will improve health care access for rural North Carolinians. In November, North Carolina submitted its application for these funds with bipartisan support from the state’s congressional delegation. These funds are awarded for 2026, and North Carolina will be eligible for more funding each year for the next five years.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced the launch of the Licensed Workforce Loan Repayment Program, a $20 million initiative to recruit and retain licensed professionals who provide mental health, substance use, intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), and traumatic brain injury (TBI) services in rural and underserved communities.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced the opening of the state’s second Mobile Opioid Treatment Program. The unit is operated by New Season Treatment Center in Greensboro and will serve Greensboro and surrounding areas in the Triad. Mobile OTPs dispense medicine for people with a substance use disorder, which is considered the most effective treatment. Morse Clinics launched the first mobile OTP unit in Wake County in the summer.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and First Lady Anna Stein today unveiled a pilot program focused on helping people who have severe mental health needs and are involved in the justice system successfully reenter their communities while reducing their likelihood of reoffending. The $9.5 million investment will create Forensic Assertive Community Treatment (FACT) teams based in Pitt, New Hanover, Wake, Durham, Buncombe, and Mecklenburg counties.

PRESS RELEASE — First Lady of North Carolina Anna Stein and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services celebrated the opening of the Jubilee Home for women in Durham on Thursday. Serving as reentry support for women who are released from prison or jail, the center will provide mental health, housing, employment, and other services to assist in improving outcomes.

MEDIA ADVISORY — Credentialed media are invited to attend as First Lady Anna Stein and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announce a new program to help people with severe mental illness released from detention on Monday, Nov. 3 at 10:30 a.m.

MEDIA ADVISORY — Credentialed media are invited to attend a ribbon cutting ceremony for a new community-based housing support for women in Durham, North Carolina, on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, at 11 a.m. Jubilee Home, is a recipient of NCDHHS funding to support people involved in the justice system in North Carolina. Much like the Jubilee men’s home, in active operation since 2020, the women’s home provides a safe space for justice-involved women to live in community with one another and receive wraparound supports: including mental health care, substance use treatment, employment resources and general wellness care as they begin their healing journey post-incarceration.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), CHESS Health and Diamond Mind, LLC, have launched an initiative to provide specialized resources and services for military veterans and mental health providers through the Connections app – the state’s free digital recovery platform.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Trillium Health Resources and Integrated Family Services PLLC celebrated the state’s continued investment in building a comprehensive mental health system today with a ribbon-cutting at a new Behavioral Health Urgent Care (BHUC) in Pitt County. The facility will open its doors to clients on Monday, Oct. 27. NCDHHS is committed to ensuring there is someone to contact, someone to respond and a safe place to go if you are experiencing a mental health crisis.

MEDIA ADVISORY — Credentialed media are invited to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony for a new peer respite mental health wellness center in western North Carolina on Oct. 23, 2025, in Henderson County.

MEDIA ADVISORY — The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, Trillium Health Resources and Integrated Family Services PLLC are hosting a ribbon-cutting on Monday, Oct. 20, for a new Behavioral Health Urgent Care (BHUC) in Pitt County. The facility is scheduled to open on Monday, Oct. 27.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced the creation of the AdvaNCe Health Together Learning Community, a new initiative developed in partnership with national consulting firm Open Minds and Trillium Health Resources, a North Carolina LME/MCO. AdvaNCe Health Together is a training and collaboration model that will help Community Behavioral Health Clinics prepare to meet certification standards in their goal to increase access to care across North Carolina.

PRESS RELEASE — Governor Josh Stein, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and the North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities along with members of the community celebrated October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month on Friday at a reception at the Executive Mansion in Raleigh. The event highlighted the personal stories of workers with disabilities and employers who are building a strong and disability-inclusive workforce in North Carolina.