Press Releases

As part of a shared commitment to behavioral health and the well-being of children and families, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and UNC Health will partner to convert the R.J. Blackley Alcohol and Drug Abuse Treatment Center in Butner, N.C., into a 54-bed inpatient psychiatric hospital for children and adolescents.

Residents in Moore County who have missed the Dec. 7 deadline to join, switch or drop a Medicare health plan or drug plan coverage due to the widespread power outage will still be able to sign up after today.

Older adults and people with disabilities can now apply for the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ Low Income Energy Assistance Program. The state began accepting applications from this group of residents on Dec. 1.

The national 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is now receiving phone calls. Text and chat service continues uninterrupted.

NCDHHS is appealing the Superior Court ruling in the Samantha R. et al. vs. NCDHHS and the state of North Carolina court case.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services released an updated North Carolina Dental Opioid Action Plan to provide clear steps and solutions for dentists and their staff, patients, families and communities to address the opioid epidemic.

With the goal of keeping families and communities safe from firearm injury and death, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is releasing a white paper describing public health strategies to reduce firearm violence and misuse.

In observance of Family Engagement Month this November, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is proud to announce new early learning resources for families with young children.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will host a live fireside chat and tele-town hall on Monday, Nov. 14, from 6 to 7 p.m., to discuss diabetes prevention and management, the impacts of COVID-19 for people with diabetes and the importance of protection from the virus.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Rural Health is proud to recognize the selfless, community-minded spirit of health professionals and volunteers in North Carolina communities during National Rural Health Day 2022.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is refreshing the COVID-19 dashboards to enhance design and user experience.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is reporting the first pediatric death from flu for the 2022-2023 flu season.

J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center will host the 46th Annual Holiday Parade on Thursday, Dec. 1, at 3 p.m. This year’s theme is A Superheroes Holiday Parade, and the community is encouraged to dress in superhero clothing to support our JIRDC and community health care heroes.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will host a live Spanish-language Cafecito and tele-town hall on Tuesday, Nov. 1, from 6 to 7 p.m., to discuss updated COVID-19 boosters for everyone ages 5 and up, testing and treatments, flu vaccines and what North Carolinians need to know before they go to seasonal gatherings.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is reporting the first flu-related death of the 2022-23 flu season.

Several western North Carolina communities were selected for a United States Postal Service pilot program to increase access to COVID-19 tests. People living in zip codes that begin with 287, 288 and 289 can order free, self-swab PCR test kits by visiting ineedacovid19test.com between now and Jan. 15, 2023.

With food prices rising, more North Carolina families with young children are using benefits from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) to access healthy, nutritious food.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will host a live fireside chat and tele-town hall on Tuesday, Oct. 18, from 6 to 7 p.m. to discuss updated COVID-19 boosters for children 5 to 11, as well as testing and treatment options and annual flu shots.

Children and teens 5 and older can now receive the updated COVID-19 booster, specifically made to protect against the latest COVID-19 variants. The new booster is becoming available in North Carolina following the Food and Drug Administration’s emergency use authorization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendation.

Public health officials with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services see a decrease in flu vaccinations compared to previous years and urge North Carolinians 6 months and older to get their flu shot before the end of October, as flu season in the state typically peaks in the winter.