Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Governor’s Crime Commission announced $750,000 in funding to expand hospital-based violence prevention and intervention programs in North Carolina. Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center was awarded a portion of the funds to support its regional hospital-based violence intervention project and expand its use across its footprint.

MEDIA ADVISORY — Members of the media are invited to speak with North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kody H. Kinsley and other state and hospital leaders Wednesday about measures to reduce firearm violence.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will host a live fireside chat and tele-town hall on Thursday, Nov. 2, from 6 to 7 p.m., to discuss how people can access support to help quit smoking, vaping or using tobacco, as well as other ways they can care for their health and manage stress.

MEDIA ADVISORY — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is enhancing access to its buildings for people with disabilities. The NCDHHS Division of Vocational Services local office in New Bern will update its parking lot with new accessible icons on parking spots on Friday. The office will be the first to replace the old “handicapped” parking symbol with the new accessible icon with the help of the Accessible Icon Project.

PRESS RELEASE — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today released an advisory for consumers not to buy or feed WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches to toddlers and young children because the product may contain elevated levels of lead. This announcement comes after a joint investigation by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, local health departments, the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services and the FDA.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced recent updates to the NC State Health Improvement Plan, which includes priorities for addressing the full set of factors that impact a person’s health and updates data on the progress of improvement.

PRESS RELEASE — This week, Southwestern Child Development announced it will be closing seven child care centers in North Carolina’s westernmost counties effective Oct. 31, 2023. Combined, these early care and learning programs serve nearly 300 children from birth through 5 years old, the majority of whom receive child care subsidy or NC Pre-K services. Southwestern, county departments of social services and NCDHHS are working with other area child care providers, Head Start programs and local public schools to ensure as many children as possible continue to have access to quality early care and learning.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is awarding $4 million to support choice and inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the workforce. This award will help expand and enhance services that support individuals to work in their communities. It also furthers a top priority of the department to build a strong and inclusive workforce.

PRESS RELEASE — Two cases of mpox were reported to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services over the past six weeks, the first cases in North Carolina residents since April 2023. In addition to the two cases, mpox virus was recently detected in one out of 12 wastewater sites where monitoring is being conducted. These cases and wastewater detections were all in different counties, suggesting increased spread of mpox in North Carolina.

PRESS RELEASE — October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is committed to raising awareness of the contributions made by employees with disabilities through its continued focus on building a strong and inclusive workforce across North Carolina.