Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE - September marks National Recovery Month, an opportunity to celebrate any changes towards wellness and a healthier, happier life. It specifically highlights people in recovery from substance use and mental health conditions, while also promoting treatment and recovery practices. The theme of Recovery Month is "Every Person. Every Family. Every Community." — an important reminder that recovery is all around us.

PRESS RELEASE - A new report showcases how North Carolina supported and invested in its child care programs so they could remain open during the COVID-19 pandemic, preserving the state’s early childhood education infrastructure and setting it apart from other states.

PRESS RELEASE - Suicide is a statewide and national public health crisis impacting people of all ages across all socioeconomic, racial and ethnic backgrounds. Suicide awareness is key to saving lives, and with September recognized as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services remembers those affected by suicide and is raising awareness of treatments and resources available to everyone in the community.

PRESS RELEASE - Everyone 6-months and older should get the fall COVID-19 vaccine with their flu shot. Because the COVID-19 virus continues to evolve, the updated COVID-19 vaccine is designed to match the changed virus and help protect people from serious illness, hospitalization and death.

PRESS RELEASE - Effective Tuesday, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will temporarily assume leadership of child welfare services at the Nash County Department of Social Services, as authorized under state law.

MEDIA ADVISORY - North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kody H. Kinsley — alongside NC State Senators Jim Burgin and Norman Sanderson — will host a community discussion in Elizabeth City, N.C, on Sept. 14, at 6 p.m. on improving mental health care in North Carolina. NCDHHS is committed to transforming behavioral health and resilience, as more than three million people in North Carolina have mental health or substance use disorders.

PRESS RELEASE - September is National Food Safety Education Month and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is raising awareness about common foodborne illnesses and steps you can take to prevent them.

PRESS RELEASE - During the current period where COVID-19 cases are increasing, treatment is readily available and appropriate for the majority of North Carolinians. Using antiviral treatments reduces the risk of serious illness and preliminary data indicates treatment is associated with reduced risk of developing long-COVID.

PRESS RELEASE - In an ongoing effort to encourage increased awareness, understanding and recognition of the many contributions made by Deaf people across the state of North Carolina, Governor Roy Cooper has proclaimed September 2023 as Deaf Awareness Month.

PRESS RELEASE - Governor Roy Cooper declared today Overdose Awareness Day in North Carolina. Overdose Awareness Day is about remembering those whose lives have been lost to overdose, honoring family and community grief, and renewing our commitment to ending the overdose crisis in North Carolina. This day also recognizes state, county and community partners as they continue to work together to reduce stigma associated with substance use and increase access to support and services so people can get the help they need to recover.

PRESS RELEASE - The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has announced those who lost Food and Nutrition Services benefits through card skimming, cloning or other forms of fraud are eligible to have their stolen FNS benefits (formerly known as food stamps) replaced.

MEDIA ADVISORY - The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kody H. Kinsley will hold a media availability on Monday, Aug. 28, to provide an important update about Medicaid Expansion. The Secretary will answer questions following a brief statement about the timeline for implementation.

PRESS RELEASE - Medicaid expansion will no longer launch Oct. 1 as the North Carolina General Assembly failed to take needed action to meet that date. The NC Department of Health and Human Services has been working diligently, every day, to be ready for Oct. 1. And now, with five days left and clarity that no votes will be taken, the department is confident that legislators will not sign a budget this month, nor pass separate legislation giving the final authorization to provide health coverage to more than 600,000 North Carolinians. A new launch date will be announced following the needed legislative action, but it will not be Oct. 1.

PRESS RELEASE - As families and children enter a new school year, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is launching new public service announcements to showcase how communities across the state rely on early childhood teachers.

PRESS RELEASE - The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has become aware of a potential scam targeting Food and Nutrition Services beneficiaries. Within the last four days, at least 650 Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards have been compromised statewide, and more than 7,000 cards have been identified as potentially compromised.

MEDIA ADVISORY - North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kody H. Kinsley — alongside NC State Senator Jim Burgin, NC State Representative Howard Penny and Campbell University leadership — will host a community discussion in Lillington, N.C, on Aug. 24, at 6 p.m. on improving the mental health of college students across North Carolina.

PRESS RELEASE - Walter B. Jones Alcohol and Drug Abuse Treatment Center in Greenville, N.C., has been recognized as one of the Best Addiction Treatment Centers in America for 2023 in Newsweek’s annual rankings.

PRESS RELEASE - North Carolina is making it easier for aspiring and current early childhood teachers to get classroom experience and college credit to meet the state’s growing child care needs. The NC Department of Health and Human Services announced today early care and learning teachers can now use their previous training and skills development to qualify for NC Community College credits to earn certificates and further their higher education.

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

PRESS RELEASE - Increases in COVID-19 metrics have been seen in North Carolina and nationally during recent weeks, including in the early warning wastewater monitoring system. North Carolina’s COVID-19 metrics had been trending down throughout 2023 to the lowest levels since the pandemic began. Along with wastewater, increases have been seen in other COVID-19 metrics, including hospital admissions and emergency department visits, according to data on the North Carolina Respiratory Virus Dashboard.