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The Governor's Award for Excellence is the highest honor a state employee can receive for dedicated service to the State of North Carolina and its citizens. The Governor's Awards for Excellence program acknowledges and expresses appreciation for outstanding accomplishments that do not fall entirely within the scope of normal duties but are in the nature of a major contribution reflecting credit on the person and state service.

The COVID-19 crisis has provided an important moment for NCDHHS' Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) to lead the country by offering innovative, digital professional development supports to all NC Pre-Kindergarten (NC Pre-K) teachers across the state. While in-person learning is strongly recommended for all NC Pre-K children, DCDEE is working proactively to ensure that families who may need to quarantine are able to continue to readily support their child's learning and stay aligned to their classmates.

Staff from the Elizabeth City, Washington and Wilmington unit offices of DHHS' Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS) recently delivered supplies to the local YMCA in Bertie County to help residents who were impacted by Hurricane Isaias in early August.

Four local WIC agencies were awarded the Loving Support Award of Excellence (LSA) by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for exemplary breastfeeding support practices. The LSA was received by the local WIC programs in Clay, Gaston, New Hanover and Wilson counties.

The Veterans Life Center, a residential program designed to improve the lives of veterans who are experiencing reintegration problems after serving in the military, held a grand opening on Aug. 1. The facility provides temporary housing and services to help veterans achieve self-reliance.

July was first named Minority Mental Health Awareness Month in 2008 and was created to highlight mental health resources and treatment in minority communities.

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, teams within the NC Department of Health and Human Services have worked to ensure telehealth is easier to use for both patients and providers.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) is celebrating the 100 th anniversary of North Carolina's vocational rehabilitation (VR) program, which supports people with disabilities as they prepare for, secure and advance in competitive employment in communities throughout the state.

Earlier this month, Project SEARCH celebrated eight graduating interns with a car parade and certificate ceremony. The program is part of a collaboration between NCDHHS and other groups to assist individuals with disabilities in learning job skills and finding long-term employment

In an effort to hear directly from those served through North Carolina's public behavioral health and intellectual and developmental disabilities system, the NC Department of Health and Human Services has scheduled six additional town hall listening sessions.