Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) earlier this month submitted its Rural Health Transformation Plan to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The plan demonstrates how the state could use $200 million in federal funding annually over five years to improve health across 85 of North Carolina’s 100 counties. CMS is expected to announce funding decisions by December 31, 2025.

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 49th annual holiday parade at the J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center (JIRDC) will begin at 3 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025. Residents and staff invite the entire community to enjoy the parade as the center celebrates "Storybook Holiday Parade." Marching bands, fire trucks, and floats are expected to participate as well as a special appearance by Santa Claus from the North Pole.

PRESS RELEASE — Governor Josh Stein, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, and the Governor’s Recovery Office for Western NC (GROW NC) announce an additional investment to build on the success of the WNC Thrive initiative, one of many NCDHHS efforts to help children and families recover from the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene. This announcement brings the total investment in additional resources for children, youth, and families in the 22 counties hit hardest by Helene, including free after-school, weekend, and summer camp programs, to a total of $3.75 million. Participants in the programs receive mental health support to help cope with post-disaster trauma.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Rural Health is proud to join communities across the nation in celebrating National Rural Health Day today, Nov. 20.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has released A Statewide Call to Action to Reduce Cancer in North Carolina: 2025-2030 North Carolina Cancer Plan to address the complex factors and impacts of cancer that affect North Carolinians. It emphasizes reducing disparities among underserved and rural communities that experience higher rates of cancer, disability and death.

PRESS RELEASE — To recognize and raise awareness of safe antibiotic use, Governor Josh Stein has proclaimed the week of November 18-24, 2025, as North Carolina Antibiotic Awareness Week. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is calling attention to the importance of correct use of antibiotics, and the threat antibiotic resistance poses to people, animals, plants and their shared environment.

PRESS RELEASE — This week, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is celebrating 20 years of QuitlineNC – the state’s free, confidential quit-tobacco service that has helped tens of thousands of North Carolinians quit tobacco for good. Since its launch in 2005 as a telephone helpline, QuitlineNC has expanded to offer support by phone, text, and online video coaching, along with free nicotine replacement therapy such as patches and gum for eligible participants.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) expects to process full November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments by Friday morning. Approximately 600,000 households should see the full benefit amount loaded on their EBT cards by Friday. The development comes following the U.S. House and U.S. Senate resolution to end the federal government shutdown announced late Wednesday evening, and subsequent guidance from the USDA on Thursday to states to issue full benefits.

PRESS RELEASE — Update: As of Nov. 13, 2025, the Oral Rabies Vaccination Program bait distribution over western North Carolina has been postponed to spring 2026. NCDHHS will provide updates as they become available in the coming months. 

MEDIA ADVISORY — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will host a live fireside chat and tele-town hall on Wednesday, Nov. 19, from 6 to 7 p.m. to discuss ways to defend your family from respiratory illness; who should get updated flu, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines; and how to find testing and treatment.

JOINT PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services are alerting providers, parents and caregivers of an outbreak of infant botulism that prompted a nationwide recall of all ByHeart Inc. Whole Nutrition Infant Formula. As of Nov. 10, 15 infants have been reported with suspected or confirmed infant botulism cases due to exposure to Byheart Whole Nutrition infant formula across 12 states according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. There is one suspected case currently under investigation in North Carolina.

MEDIA ADVISORY — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Rural Health is proud to join communities across the country in celebration of National Rural Health Day on Thursday, Nov. 20. National Rural Health Day falls on the third Thursday each November and celebrates the "Power of Rural" by recognizing the individuals, organizations and communities dedicated to addressing the unique health care needs of rural residents.

STATEMENT — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) acknowledges the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision issued late Friday night granting the Trump Administration’s appeal to temporarily halt the distribution of full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. After issuing partial November SNAP benefits to North Carolinians on Friday morning, NCDHHS was on track to issue the remaining full benefits over the weekend. However, due to the White House decision to appeal a court order that would have provided full benefits, NCDHHS paused this effort. In response, Governor Stein and NCDHHS Secretary Sangvai issued these statements.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services received notice Friday afternoon that the United States Department of Agriculture will fully fund November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. While NCDHHS works with federal partners to get the remainder of November processed, beneficiaries could see the additional funds on their EBT cards possibly as soon as this weekend. Partial payments were loaded onto EBT cards Friday morning for more than 586,000 households that rely on SNAP in North Carolina.

PRESS RELEASE — In recognition of National Diabetes Awareness Month, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced the expansion of the Minority Diabetes Prevention Program — an initiative dedicated to reducing the rising rates of diabetes in certain communities. This program provides culturally responsive education, early screening, and personalized resources to empower individuals at high risk for type 2 diabetes to take control of their health.

PRESS RELEASE — As the federal government shutdown continues, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services received guidance from the United States Department of Agriculture to issue partial benefits for November to the nearly 1.4 million people who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. NCDHHS is updating its payment system according to USDA’s specifications to prepare to issue benefits. If federal funding is provided this week as expected, NCDHHS expects all partial benefits to be loaded onto EBT cards by next week, so beneficiaries should check the balances on their cards often. This follows USDA’s statement it would use $4.65 billion in emergency funds to cover about half of the federal SNAP program for the month of November in response to a lawsuit filed by North Carolina and 24 other states.

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.