Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and Positive Childhood Alliance NC (PCANC) recognize April as Child Abuse Prevention Month, proclaimed by Governor Josh Stein. North Carolina's 2026 Child Abuse Prevention Month campaign theme, "Positive Childhoods Start With Us," reminds us that everyone has a responsibility to create the conditions children and families need to thrive.

READOUT — North Carolina Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai, and NCDHHS Deputy Secretary for Opportunity and Well-Being Michael Leighs, traveled to eastern North Carolina this week to meet with leadership and participate in discussions with the Dare County Department of Health and Human Services, Chowan County Department of Social Services (DSS) and ECU Health Chowan Hospital.

MEDIA ADVISORY — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and Positive Childhood Alliance NC (PCANC) are holding a community event as Governor Josh Stein proclaims April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in North Carolina. The free, family-friendly event will be held on Wednesday, April 1, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at John Chavis Memorial Park in Raleigh, North Carolina. The public and members if the media are invited to attend, plant pinwheels and enjoy the provided food, beverages and entertainment while supplies last.

PRESS RELEASE — Governor Josh Stein, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, and the North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition (NCHRC) today announced an expansion of Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) programs, an effort to connect people experiencing addiction with support services and help to reduce repeat crime. Entities supported by the expansion are the Fayetteville Police Department, Albemarle Police Department, Gaston County Police Department, Greensboro Police Department and Community Safety Department, New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office, Robeson County Sheriff’s Office, and Harnett County Sheriff’s Office. The announcement follows the pioneering work of the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office and the Fayetteville Police Department.

MEDIA ADVISORY — Credentialed media are invited to join NCDHHS leadership for a ribbon-cutting at the Promise Resource Network’s (PRN) new respite center in Cabarrus County on Wednesday, March 25, at 10 a.m. Kelly Crosbie, NCDHHS Assistant Secretary for Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Disorders, will speak at the event.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced major updates to the statewide online mental health bed registry that will reduce wait times and ensure people in crisis receive care as soon as possible. The Behavioral Health Statewide Central Availability Navigator (BH SCAN) is now updated hourly instead of once per day and has been integrated with the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline 988 will be able to connect mobile crisis teams when they are dispatched to someone in crisis to let them know the available mental health beds in their area.

PRESS RELEASE —The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, North Carolina Department of Public Safety, Alliance Health and New Hope Treatment Centers are partnering on a pilot program to improve mental health care for young people involved in the justice system. The $3.5 million investment from NCDHHS will fund a new mental health program operated by New Hope Treatment Centers at the Dillon Juvenile Detention Center (JDC) in Butner.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced a new pilot program to improve Mobile Crisis Teams’ response when someone experiencing a mental health crisis calls for help. The $1.5 million investment to Trillium Health Resources establishes a real-time dispatch process that streamlines response to individuals in crisis wherever they are.

PRESS RELEASE —The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, UNC System and the Social Work Coalition on NC Workforce Development held a kickoff event today to celebrate a new partnership aimed at strengthening the social work workforce in North Carolina. The event recognizing the Public Service Leadership Program (PSLP) coincides with a new report by the Sheps Center for Health Services Research and NCDHHS that identifies a shortage of social workers in North Carolina, particularly in rural areas.

MEDIA ADVISORY — 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.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced it received $75.8 million from the Administration for Children & Families, Office of Child Care in American Relief Act Disaster Supplemental Funds for Child Care. These funds will support child care infrastructure recovery in areas affected by Hurricane Helene and Tropical Storm Debby. More than 230 child care facilities were impacted by Hurricane Helene, and more than 100 child care facilities were impacted by Tropical Storm Debby.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will host a live fireside chat and tele-town hall on Thursday, Feb. 26, from 6 to 7 p.m. to discuss what North Carolina families need to know about recent measles cases and guidance and how vaccines protect children and teens from serious, preventable diseases.

MEDIA ADVISORY — Credentialed media are invited to join NCDHHS leadership for a ribbon-cutting at the Promise Resource Network’s Raleigh Recovery Café on Tuesday, Feb. 24, at 11 a.m. Kelly Crosbie, Director of the NCDHHS Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Disorders, will speak at the event.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced 22 measles cases in North Carolina since late December 2025. As cases continue to rise across the state, NCDHHS urges vaccination for everyone ages one year and older and recommends health care providers consider early vaccination for infants living in or routinely visiting certain areas in North Carolina.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today released a report detailing progress increasing access to quality mental health, developmental disability, and substance use services for all North Carolinians. The year-one progress report on the NCDHHS Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Services (DMH/DD/SUS) 2024-2029 strategic plan highlights achievements in the seven priority areas geared toward creating a comprehensive mental health care system that works for everyone.

PRESS RELEASE — Today Governor Stein signed an executive order to improve behavioral health care and public safety in North Carolina. Executive Order 33 directs several cabinet agencies to take action strengthening how the state’s behavioral health and criminal justice systems coordinate and serve the public. The Governor was joined by Kelly Crosbie, NCDHHS’ Director of the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services; Secretary of Public Safety Jeff Smythe; Secretary of Adult Correction Leslie Dismukes; Director of State Human Resources Staci Meyer; legislators; law enforcement officials; and behavioral health professionals and advocates.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is sharing resources and urging vaccination as measles cases increase across the state. The latest update to the Measles Cases and Outbreaks Dashboard shows 15 cases in North Carolina since late December 2025, with the first hospitalized case announced last week. As cases persist, NCDHHS is launching new outreach tools to share measles information

PRESS RELEASE — With another winter storm coming to North Carolina, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is reminding residents to prepare now. A little planning can help prevent injuries and keep families safe in upcoming cold temperatures and potential snow.

PRESS RELEASE — Today Governor Josh Stein visited RHA Health Services’ Alamance County Behavioral Health Center in Burlington to host a roundtable discussion with community leaders highlighting the critical role that crisis and mental health services play in keeping North Carolinians healthy and safe. The Alamance Center is a partnership of county, state, and local management entities (LMEs) that supports individuals with developmental disabilities, substance abuse, and other behavioral health needs.

MEDIA ADVISORY — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) will host a live Spanish-language Cafecito and tele-town hall on Tuesday, Jan. 27, from 6 to 7 p.m. in partnership with LATIN-19 and with the Duke Department of Family Medicine and Community Health. During this event, participants will discuss simple steps to protect you and your family from respiratory illness; who should get updated flu, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines; and how to find testing and treatment. The panel will also provide resources for families and offer a broader perspective on how respiratory illnesses impact Hispanic and Latino communities.