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 Releases
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 — 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 sustained investments to strengthen infrastructure to support people living with SPMI/SMI through Transitions to Community Living (TCL). Today, the State reaffirms its commitment to the principles of Olmstead, and to continuing to maintain and strengthen accessible and high-quality services and supports for this community.
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 — 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.
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.
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.
PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced today that the 100th Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) location in North Carolina will soon open, marking a significant milestone in efforts to reduce drug misuse and overdose deaths. The announcement comes as NCDHHS recognizes International Overdose Awareness Day on Aug. 31 to raise awareness of services and care available for people who need it.
PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Buncombe County Health and Human Services (BCHHS) Division of Public Health and Henderson County Department of Public Health have been informed of a measles case in a resident of another state who traveled through Asheville while infectious. To protect the individual’s privacy, no additional information about this case will be released.
PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is sharing additional exposure details related to recent rabies cases in baby goats at a mobile petting zoo located in Iredell County.
PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has confirmed multiple rabies cases in baby goats at a mobile petting zoo located in Iredell County. Several goats at Farm Adventures have tested positive for rabies by the North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health and may have been in direct contact with people at events while infectious.
PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services in partnership with the North Carolina Department of Public Safety will hold the first meeting of the NC Crisis System of Care Advisory Committee on Wednesday, Sept. 2, from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. in Room 240 of the Albemarle Building, 325 N. Salisbury Street in Raleigh. The meeting is open to the public.
PRESS RELEASE — Public health officials with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services are reporting a case of rare illness caused by Naegleria fowleri, an amoeba (one-celled living organism) commonly found in warm freshwater, in a central NC teen. The patient is critically ill and receiving medical care. To protect the family’s privacy, no further information will be released.
PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is seeking interested residents to join the NC Rare Disease Advisory Council. This Council advises the Governor, NCDHHS and the General Assembly on research, diagnosis, treatment and education relating to rare diseases or conditions.
MEDIA ADVISORY — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) will host a live Spanish-language Cafecito and tele-town hall on Tuesday, Aug. 25, from 6 to 7 p.m. to discuss how new federal and state laws will impact NC Medicaid, who will lose coverage under these new rules and how to prepare for upcoming changes to the program.
PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) is partnering with the UNC School of Social Work to expand access to suicide prevention training to UNC system universities and community college campuses across the state in 2026-27.
PRESS RELEASE — As children and teens across North Carolina return to school this month, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reminds families that vaccinations remain an important part of overall health and school success.
PRESS RELEASE — While the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services works to strengthen the state’s crisis care system, new survey results show that North Carolinians are satisfied with the mental health and substance use services they receive through the LME/MCOs. NCDHHS conducts a survey each year as a reporting requirement for the Community Mental Health Services Block Grant award from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). These promising results come just two years after the NCGA made a historic investment in mental health care in North Carolina, indicating NCDHHS efforts to support a robust, comprehensive mental health care system are working.
STATEMENT — Following the Aug. 10, 2026, Executive Order on childhood vaccines, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reaffirms the importance of vaccines to protect children and encourages parents and caregivers to consult their pediatricians or health care providers. State Health Director and NCDHHS Chief Medical Officer Dr. Larry Greenblatt made the following statement: