Press Releases

MEDIA ADVISORY — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is celebrating Older Americans Month 2024 Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. at the North Carolina State Farmers Market where people can celebrate aging and learn about local resources during Older Americans Month. The fair is free and open to the public. Sign language interpreters will available, and the event will be closed captioned as well.

MEDIA ADVISORY — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services invites media to a press conference in Goldsboro announcing the new name of the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services: Employment and Independence for People with Disabilities. This name change marks an important milestone for the vocational rehabilitation program in North Carolina, reflecting the real progress achieved by people with disabilities over the last century and celebrating the potential and accomplishments of North Carolinians on their journey to independence.

PRESS RELEASE — The Harnett County EMS team of Morgan Langdon and Jonathan Murphy earned the top spot at the 32nd annual Paramedic Competition held this week in Greensboro, earning the state title for the first time.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Aging is partnering with the N.C. area agencies on aging and local service providers to distribute fans to eligible recipients through Operation Fan Heat Relief from May 1–Oct. 31.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will host a live Spanish-language Cafecito and tele-town hall on Tues., April 30, from 6 to 7 p.m., to discuss cancer prevention, guidance, resources and care for the Hispanic/Latino community.

MEDIA ADVISORY — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services invites media to a press conference in Morganton announcing the new name of the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services: Employment and Independence for People with Disabilities. This name change marks an important milestone for the vocational rehabilitation program in North Carolina, reflecting the real progress achieved by people with disabilities over the last century and celebrating the potential and accomplishments of North Carolinians on their journey to independence.

MEDIA ADVISORY — Leaders from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and state legislators will join the NC Council on Developmental Disabilities on Thursday, May 2, for a town hall to discuss key priorities for North Carolinians with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including choice and access to community-based services.

PRESS RELEASE — As part of an ongoing effort to transform North Carolina’s behavioral health crisis response system, the NC Department of Health and Human Services today announced a $22 million investment to expand community crisis centers and peer respite care across the state. This investment will increase North Carolina’s capacity for community-based crisis treatment by 20%, helping to ensure people experiencing a behavioral health crisis have alternative options to emergency departments or community and state psychiatric hospitals when seeking care.

MEDIA ADVISORY — North Carolina Health and Human Services Secretary Kody H. Kinsley will be the keynote speaker at the second annual ‘Why Us Kids?’ rally in Franklin, NC. The event was created by Gracie Parker, an 11-year-old youth mental health activist who shares her lived experience to raise awareness of the ongoing youth mental health crisis and advocate for school-based, trauma-informed support services for students of all ages across the state.

MEDIA ADVISORY — Leaders from the NC Department of Health and Human Services, NC Department of Public Instruction and State Board of Education will join a roundtable with Guilford County Schools on Wednesday, April 24, to discuss the importance of school-based resources in improving physical and behavioral health outcomes for North Carolina children and families. NCDHHS received a historic $835 million to transform behavioral health care in North Carolina, with $80 million specifically focused on children and family well-being. Of that funding, this year, NCDHHS is investing $7 million in services like school-based telehealth to ensure children have better access to behavioral health support and treatment.