Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced an $11 million investment in treatment services designed to keep children who have complex behavioral health needs in homes and communities, and out of inappropriate boarding. The department is partnering with Rapid Resources for Families to expand access to family-based therapeutic programs, enabling children to receive trauma-informed treatment in a home-based setting.

PRESS RELEASE — The NC Department of Health and Human Services this week celebrates the second anniversary of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. In the past two years, 988 crisis counselors in North Carolina have responded to nearly 190,000 calls, texts and chats, providing critical access to mental health and substance use crisis support. In its second year of service, the number of North Carolinians contacting 988 each month has nearly doubled.  

PRESS RELEASE — More than half a million North Carolinians have now enrolled in Medicaid expansion since the program began seven months ago. Beneficiaries are now able get the quality health care they need at low cost. Governor Roy Cooper was joined by North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kody Kinsley, Dr. Karen L. Smith MD, FAAFP, a family physician in Raeford and Verlina Lomick,CHW-IV, Director of Community Outreach & Advocacy for Kintegra Health and health care advocates to celebrate reaching this major milestone, which had originally been projected to take as long as two years.

PRESS RELEASE — As temperatures remain high, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is encouraging residents to enjoy recreational waters safely and be aware of possible health risks, including harmful algal blooms. Certain infections are also more common during summer such as primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), vibriosis and cryptosporidiosis.

MEDIA ADVISORY — As part of the national “Summer of Giving,” North Carolina Health and Human Services Secretary Kody H. Kinsley will be donating blood on Wednesday, July 10, at The Blood Connection in Raleigh. The Blood Connection, in partnership with GLAAD, has joined the national “Summer of Giving” blood drive campaign to encourage all eligible individuals to donate.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services continues to respond to the recent increase in syphilis and congenital syphilis cases with NC Medicaid now covering point of care rapid testing for syphilis and HIV. This new coverage, effective Jan. 1, 2024, allows Medicaid recipients to access rapid testing directly from their Medicaid-enrolled provider.

PRESS RELEASE — Today, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper and the NC Department of Health and Human Services announced new actions leveraging the state’s Medicaid program that will encourage hospitals to relieve a potential $4 billion in existing medical debt for approximately two million low and middle-income North Carolinians and ease the burden of medical debt in the future.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is launching its Behavioral Health and Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities Tailored Plans, a new kind of NC Medicaid Managed Care health plan, on Monday, July 1.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today released a multi-year Direct Support Professional Workforce Plan. This plan aims to address the critical shortage of DSPs who provide in-home and community-based services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in North Carolina. Implementation will begin on July 1.

PRESS RELEASE — Natural disasters and incidents of mass violence continue to impact individuals, families and communities. NCDHHS today launched a new, multilingual Disaster and Behavioral Health Resources Communications Toolkit to provide communities with tips, guidance and resources to support mental and emotional health before, during and after a disaster.

MEDIA ADVISORY — In partnership with the Alamance County Government, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, RHA Health Services, and Vaya Health, the Alamance Behavioral Health Center will offer an array of mental health services, substance use recovery support, and services for individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities.

PRESS RELEASE – This year, North Carolina is celebrating 50 years of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, better known as WIC.

PRESS RELEASE — Today, Governor Roy Cooper hosted Administrator of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Services Cindy Long to celebrate the launch of SUN Bucks, the state’s newest food assistance program to help prevent child hunger. Governor Cooper thanked six philanthropic partners in North Carolina who are contributing generously to support SUN Bucks, joining leaders from the NC Department of Health and Human Services (NC DHHS) and the NC Department of Public Instruction (NC DPI) to successfully launch the program.

MEDIA ADVISORY — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will host a Spanish-language webinar on Thursday, June 6, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., to discuss the new NCDHHS Community and Partner Engagement Initiative with North Carolina community advocates, partners, leaders and other members of the Hispanic and Latinx community. The public, media and interested organizations are invited to participate in the discussion.

PRESS RELEASE— The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will host a live, Spanish-language Cafecito and tele-town hall on Thursday, May 30, from 6 to 7 p.m., to discuss vaping prevention for youth in North Carolina as well as ways parents and caregivers can support their families. 

MEDIA ADVISORY — Leaders from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will join providers, advocates, educators and partners across the state at the Let’s Talk about Different Abilities 2024 conference hosted by Grupo Poder y Esparanza in Charlotte on Saturday, June 1. The Spanish-language conference is an opportunity for Spanish-speaking parents and caregivers of people with disabilities to learn about the systems and resources available to support them and their families in North Carolina.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will host a live fireside chat and tele-town hall on Wednesday, May 29, from 6 to 7 p.m., to discuss vaping prevention and resources for youth in North Carolina as well as ways parents and caregivers can support their families.

PRESS RELEASE — As summer approaches, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is emphasizing the importance of safe swimming, heat safety and safe grilling practices to help prevent illness, injury and death. May is National Water Safety Month, and May 20-26, 2024, is the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s 20th annual Healthy and Safe Swimming Week. NCDHHS is encouraging families and individuals to focus on safety as everyone gathers for outdoor activities in anticipation of Memorial Day.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will host a live, Spanish-language Cafecito and tele-town hall on Tuesday, May 21, from 6 to 7 p.m., to discuss maternal health in North Carolina and provide resources to support physical and mental well-being before, during and after pregnancy.

MEDIA ADVISORY — In honor of Women’s Health Week, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is celebrating the expansion of contraceptive services in independent and chain pharmacies across the state. Soon people statewide will be able to receive contraceptive services at pharmacies without a prescription from another medical provider, including counseling and education from a pharmacist about options for contraception and other preventive services, dispensing of contraception and connection to ongoing care if needed.