NCDHHS and UNC Host Public Service Leadership Program Kickoff

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Published February 25th, 2026

Detected March 17th, 2026

Summary

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) and the University of North Carolina System are hosting a kickoff event for a new Public Service Leadership Program. This initiative aims to address the shortage of social workers in North Carolina by increasing awareness and equipping students with necessary skills.

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The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), in partnership with the University of North Carolina System and the North Carolina Social Work Coalition on Workforce, is celebrating the launch of the Public Service Leadership Program. This program is designed to combat the shortage of social workers across North Carolina by raising awareness among students at various educational levels and providing them with essential skills to serve children, individuals, and families. The event will also feature discussions on a new report detailing the critical need for social workers, particularly in rural areas and for Medicaid-eligible populations.

This announcement is primarily informational, detailing an event to launch a new partnership. While it highlights a critical workforce shortage in social work, it does not introduce new regulatory requirements or immediate compliance obligations for regulated entities. The focus is on program awareness and recruitment. No specific compliance actions or deadlines are mandated by this notice. Media are invited to RSVP for the event.

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RALEIGH Feb 25, 2026 Credentialed media are invited to join the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, the University of North Carolina System, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the North Carolina Social Work Coalition on Workforce in celebrating a new innovative partnership to address the shortage of social workers across North Carolina.

The Public Service Leadership Program will increase awareness of careers in social work among students in high schools, community colleges and universities and equip them with the skills and knowledge to address the complex needs of children, individuals and families. Leaders will also discuss a new report highlighting the need for social workers in North Carolina and the critical shortage of this workforce, particularly in rural areas and for Medicaid-eligible populations.

What:
Public Service Leadership Program Celebration

Who:
Dr. Dev Sangvai, Secretary, NCDHHS
Kelly Crosbie, MSW, LCSW, Director, Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Disorders, NCDHHS
Peter Hans, President, University of North Carolina System
Lee Roberts, Chancellor, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
Ramona Denby-Brinson, Dean, School of Social Work, UNC-Chapel Hill

When:
Monday, March 2,
11 a.m. - noon

Where:
Carolina Inn
211 Pittsboro St, Chapel Hill, NC 27516

RSVP:
Credentialed media should RSVP to news@dhhs.nc.gov if they plan to attend. Dean Ramona Denby-Brinson and Director Kelly Crosbie will hold a media availability immediately afterward.