North Carolina DHHS News

Oral Rabies Vaccination Program Resuming for Western NC Raccoons

NCDHHS and USDA Wildlife Services are resuming the oral rabies vaccination program for wild raccoons in western North Carolina. The program was postponed from October 2025 due to the federal government shutdown. Bait distribution runs April 8-25, 2026, covering 16 western NC counties to prevent raccoon rabies from spreading west of the Appalachian Mountains.

Governor Stein Proclaims April Child Abuse Prevention Month

NCDHHS and Positive Childhood Alliance NC recognize April 2026 as Child Abuse Prevention Month following Governor Josh Stein's proclamation. The campaign theme 'Positive Childhoods Start With Us' emphasizes community responsibility to support families. According to the CDC, at least one in seven children in the US experienced abuse or neglect in the past year.

NCDHHS Secretary Visits Eastern North Carolina

North Carolina Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai visited eastern North Carolina to discuss Medicaid, SNAP, and the Rural Health Transformation Program. Discussions included the impacts of federal legislation H.R. 1 on the state's Medicaid program, particularly expanded work requirements and eligibility redeterminations.

North Carolina Child Abuse Prevention Month Event

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and Positive Childhood Alliance NC are hosting a free community event on April 1, 2026, to recognize Child Abuse Prevention Month. Governor Josh Stein has proclaimed April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in North Carolina, with the campaign theme 'Positive Childhoods Start With Us.'

NC Announces $1.5M Expansion of Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion Programs

Governor Josh Stein announced a $1.5 million expansion of North Carolina's Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) programs. This initiative will provide funding to six additional law enforcement agencies to connect individuals with substance use issues to treatment and support services, aiming to reduce repeat crime and improve public safety.

NCDHHS and PRN Groundbreaking for New Respite Center

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) announced a groundbreaking event for a new respite center in Cabarrus County, funded with nearly $1 million from NCDHHS. The center, operated by Promise Resource Network (PRN), will provide a peaceful space for residents to manage their mental health.

North Carolina Updates Mental Health Bed Registry to Reduce Wait Times

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has updated its statewide mental health bed registry, BH SCAN, to hourly updates and integrated it with the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. These changes aim to reduce wait times for individuals seeking mental health crisis care.

Youth Mental Health Care Partnership for Justice-Involved Youth

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, in partnership with other state agencies and private organizations, is launching a $3.5 million pilot program to improve mental health care for young people involved in the justice system. The initiative will fund a new mental health program at the Dillon Juvenile Detention Center.

NC DHHS Launches Mobile Crisis Dispatch Program

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced a new $1.5 million pilot program, Mobile Crisis Dispatch (MC Dispatch), to improve mental health crisis response. This initiative aims to streamline dispatch processes and expedite mobile crisis team responses to individuals in need, aligning with the Governor's executive order.

NC Health and Human Services Partners with UNC System to Address Social Worker Shortage

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) has partnered with the UNC System and the Social Work Coalition on NC Workforce Development to address a reported shortage of social workers in the state. The initiative, launched with a kickoff event on March 2, 2026, aims to strengthen the social work pipeline through programs targeting students from high school to university.