Dear Friends, 

I hope my message finds you and your family healthy and well.

Governor Roy Cooper has proclaimed May as Asian American-Pacific Islander Heritage Month to celebrate the many contributions Asian Americans have made, and continue to make, to North Carolina’s communities, schools and workforce. During Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month we celebrate the efforts and contributions of Asian American Pacific Islanders that can be seen in every aspect of society. 

Please share our newsletter so your friends and family can stay up to date with the latest news, information, and resources relevant to the Cooper Administration. 

Stephanie Pigues 

Office of the Governor 

BE IN THE KNOW

Health Officials Encourage North Carolinians with COVID-19 to Seek Treatment Right Away

Governor Roy Cooper and state health officials are encouraging North Carolinians to seek treatment quickly if they get sick with COVID-19. FDA authorized treatments that can lower the risk of hospitalization and death are widely available. These treatments must be administered early, some within 5 days, and can only be prescribed by a medical professional.

Treatments are available for people who are high risk for severe illness from COVID-19. About two thirds of adult North Carolinians are considered high risk, including older adults, pregnant people and people with certain medical conditions such as obesity, asthma, diabetes or depression. Learn more about the factors that may put you at risk.

“In addition to preventive vaccines which significantly reduce serious illness and death, there are now highly effective and safe treatments available if you get COVID-19 that may only involve taking pills,” said Governor Cooper. “If you test positive, don’t delay because starting treatment early is important.”

COVID-19 often begins with mild respiratory symptoms that feel like a cold or flu, but symptoms may get worse. If think you might have COVID-19 get tested as soon as possible. Stay away from others except to get medical care. Here are three ways to access treatment, which requires a prescription:

• Find a Test to Treat location to get treatment immediately after a positive test, even if you do not have insurance or a regular doctor.
• Talk to your health care provider about treatment.
• Call 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 888-720-7489).

“We have a good supply of treatment available in North Carolina,” said Susan Kansagra, MD, Deputy State Health Officer and Senior Deputy Public Health Director at the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. “Most North Carolinians are eligible for treatment, so we encourage health care providers and patients to have a conversation about treatment options if there has been a recent diagnosis of COVID-19.”

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Governor Cooper Proclaims Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women

Day recognizes the disproportionate rate of violent crimes against Indigenous women across the state

Governor Roy Cooper declared May 5 as a Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, raising awareness on the disproportionate rate of American Indian and Alaska Native women who have disappeared from their homes and lost their lives due to acts of violence. According to a study conducted on behalf of the United States Department of Justice, in some tribal communities Indigenous women face murder rates that are roughly 10 times the national average. In addition, the National Institute of Justice estimates that 84 percent of Indigenous women experience violence in their lifetime.

“The rate of crime committed against American Indian and Alaska Native women is disconcerting and even more disheartening considering the numbers do not capture the many crimes that may go unreported,” said NC Department of Administration Secretary Pamela B. Cashwell. “We must continue to heighten awareness of this issue to ensure full engagement by law enforcement and to help families find closure.” 

To date, there are approximately 90 unsolved cases of missing and murdered Indigenous women and children in North Carolina dating back to 1994. North Carolina has the second largest American Indian population east of the Mississippi and is home to eight state recognized tribes including the Coharie, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Haliwa-Saponi, Lumbee, Meherrin, Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation, Sappony, and the Waccamaw-Siouan.

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Governor Cooper Announces $34 Million for Tuition Assistance for Summer Courses and to Support K-12 Student Learning and Mental Health Needs

On April 22, Governor Roy Cooper directed $34 million in new federal funding to further support postsecondary students in completing their degree or credential and to help address K-12 student learning and mental health needs as students continue to recover from the pandemic. 

The Governor is investing $27 million in creating the Summer Accelerator grant program. The program will provide tuition assistance to public and private postsecondary students who take summer courses in order to accelerate or stay on track towards graduation. 

“Many of the jobs of today and tomorrow require a degree or credential beyond high school,” Governor Cooper said. “This funding will help students who lost ground during the pandemic to get back on track toward their degree and support K-12 students in need of mental health support.”

The Summer Accelerator grant program will provide grants up to $5,000 to cover tuition, fees, books, housing, and other expenses based on the number of summer courses a student is taking. To be eligible for a Summer Accelerator grant, a student must be a North Carolina resident for tuition purposes, enrolled in an academic program leading to a postsecondary degree or credential, and be working towards their first postsecondary degree or credential. Funds will be available for students who take courses during the summer of 2022 and 2023. Students interested in the program should contact their college’s financial aid office.

Funding for the Summer Accelerator program will be provided as grants to the UNC System, the NC Community College System (NCCCS), and independent colleges participating in state need-based grants through the State Education Assistance Authority (NC SEAA). The UNC System is receiving just over $16.3 million in funding and NCCCS and independent colleges (through NC SEAA) are each receiving just over $5.3 million in funding.

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Governor Cooper Proclaims April as World Autism Month in North Carolina

Governor Roy Cooper has proclaimed April as World Autism Month in North Carolina to raise awareness and recognize individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), their families and organizations working to support them.

“People with autism offer so much to our communities, our workforce and our state,” said Governor Cooper. “They and their families deserve our support and understanding as they overcome the challenges of ASD, and I am grateful for the North Carolina organizations working hard to raise awareness and provide resources.”

Autism spectrum disorder is a neurological and developmental disorder that begins early in childhood and consists of a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication. A 2020 report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that the percentage of 8-year-olds that have been identified as having autism in North Carolina—1 in 39, or 2.5 percent—exceeds that national average of 1.85 percent. Compared to other areas in the U.S. that were monitored for ASD prevalence, N.C. had the highest proportion of children with ASD who had received a comprehensive evaluation performed by age 3. 

March 2022 marked the third anniversary of Governor Cooper’s Executive Order 92: Employment First for North Carolinians with Disabilities. The executive order charged state agencies with facilitating welcoming environments across state government where individuals with disabilities could successfully participate in competitive, integrated employment. State employees have credited the designation of North Carolina as an Employment First state with creating a more supportive environment for state employees with disabilities.

In 2018, Governor Cooper and the North Carolina Business Committee for Education (NCBCE) launched LiNC-IT, the first statewide neurodiversity internship program. LiNC-IT supports early career individuals with ASD and helps employers find the talent they need and develop neurodiversity programs to support that talent. Since the program's launch, over 135 individuals have been referred to the program and 70 have completed or are currently in a paid internship. Over 90 percent of participants who completed their internship are now in full time employment.

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Related News: Governor Cooper Announces New Career Coaching Program to Support State Employees with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Governor Cooper Celebrates Earth Day, Participates in Stream Clean-up at Chavis Park

On April 22, Governor Roy Cooper, North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) Secretary Elizabeth S. Biser and North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (NCDNCR) Secretary Reid Wilson celebrated Earth Day by participating in a stream clean-up at Chavis Park in Raleigh.

“North Carolina has a phenomenal network of parks and public lands for communities across the state to enjoy,” Governor Cooper said. “As we celebrate Earth Day, it is important for us to renew our commitment to protecting our environment for generations to come.”

“Protecting our natural resources is our priority at DEQ every day, not just on Earth Day,” said NCDEQ Secretary Biser. “We are investing in our communities, in small ways like today’s clean-up effort, and in larger ways through strategic infrastructure funding to support the environmental and economic health of North Carolinians.”

“This Earth Day, we’re highlighting the importance of access to parks, trails, and greenways,” said NCDNCR Secretary Wilson. “Outdoor recreation improves physical and mental health, enhances quality of life, and connects us with nature, which is the goal of our Parks and Trails for Health (PATH) initiative.”

NCDEQ is the lead stewardship agency for the protection of North Carolina's environmental resources. NCDEQ’s theme for Earth Day 2022 is: Invest in Our Planet, Invest in Our Future. NCDEQ sponsored several statewide volunteer opportunities, including the NCDOT Statewide Litter Sweep, the Great American Cleanup and volunteer opportunities in our state parks, museums and libraries.

NCDNCR oversees the state's resources for the arts, history, libraries and nature, and the department is celebrating its 50th anniversary as a state cabinet-level agency this year. DNCR’s initiative, Parks and Trails for Health (PATH) is designed to encourage physical activity in North Carolina’s parks, greenways and other outdoor spaces. PATH connects people to nature by promoting physical activity, fostering an appreciation for parks and natural areas and promoting diverse experiences and voices in the outdoors.

John Chavis Memorial Park, a public park in Southeast Raleigh, was dedicated in 1938 and named after John Chavis, an early 19th-century free black preacher and teacher. In 2016, the park was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

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Governor Cooper Urges North Carolinians to Prepare for Hurricane Season

May 1-7 is Hurricane Preparedness Week

The first week in May, Hurricane Preparedness Week, encourages preparedness and education about the dangers of hurricanes and remind everyone to be ready for tropical weather. Hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30.

“North Carolina is prone to the impacts of hurricanes, tropical storms and other severe weather,” said Governor Roy Cooper. “It’s important to be prepared by having a family emergency plan and emergency kit, which will help you to survive the impacts of a storm and recover faster.”

Tropical storms and hurricanes are common in North Carolina. The state is currently recovering from the devastating effects of multiple large storms including Tropical Storm Fred, which caused devastation and six deaths in Western North Carolina last year. In 2020 Hurricane Isaias and the remnants of Hurricane Eta pummeled parts of the state; as did Hurricane Dorian in 2019; Hurricane Florence, Tropical Storms Michael and Alberto in 2018; and Hurricane Matthew in 2016.

“Being prepared also includes having flood insurance, which is not normally part of homeowner’s insurance policies,” said Will Ray, Director of North Carolina Emergency Management. “It’s also important that we all look out for our neighbors, especially the elderly who may be more vulnerable.”

All North Carolinians are strongly encouraged to develop an emergency plan. The plan should include details on how and where you would evacuate, a meeting place, and important phone numbers. Everyone should have an evacuation plan to stay with family or friends, or at a hotel outside the affected area. Staying at a public shelter should be a last resort, not your primary plan. Offer to share your home as a shelter location for family or friends from coastal or flood prone areas.

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Governor Cooper Proclaims May 2 – 6 as Teacher Appreciation Week

Governor Roy Cooper has proclaimed May 2 – 6, 2022 as Teacher Appreciation Week and May 3, 2022 as Teacher Appreciation Day to celebrate North Carolina’s educators and highlight their impact on children and the state.

“North Carolina has the best teachers in the country, and I’m grateful for all they do to ensure our students are safe, healthy and ready to go out into the world,” said Governor Cooper. “Their work is critical to helping us build a brighter future for our communities and workforce.”

Governor Cooper is committed to ensuring teachers have the tools and resources they need to succeed. In November 2021, the Governor signed a bipartisan budget that included an average 5% pay raise for teachers over the biennium, an increase of minimum wage for non-certified personnel, up to $2,800 in bonuses for most teachers and a new state-funded teacher salary supplement for low-income counties to recruit teachers. The budget also included more than $2 million recurring each year of the biennium to expand the Advanced Teaching Roles program.

In December 2021, the Governor extended Executive Order 113 to ensure that the DRIVE Task Force can continue its work to implement their recommendations to prepare, recruit, retain and support a more diverse educator workforce.

One of the DRIVE Task Force recommendations would expand the NC Teaching Fellows Program. In June 2021, the Teaching Fellows program was expanded to include partnerships with three minority-serving institutions: Fayetteville State University, North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University and the University of North Carolina at Pembroke.

Governor Cooper Proclaims Small Business Week in North Carolina

Governor Roy Cooper has proclaimed May 1 - 7, 2022 as Small Business Week to celebrate America’s entrepreneurs and the impact of small businesses on North Carolina’s economy.

“From the mountains to the coast, small businesses are the backbone of our state’s economy,” Governor Cooper said. “As we emerge from this pandemic stronger than ever, we’re committed to providing the educated workforce and resources these entrepreneurs need to succeed.”

“Strong support for North Carolina’s diverse small businesses keeps our overall economy strong,” said N.C. Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders. “The innovation we see from the state’s small business community creates the new ideas, new products, and new jobs that lead to greater growth and prosperity for everyone in our state.”

Small Business Week celebrates the entrepreneurial spirit of small businesses across the state and country. In 2021, North Carolina had more than 964,000 small businesses, accounting for over 99 percent of businesses, with more than 1.7 million small business employees in the state.

In March 2022, state economists announced that the state has recovered to pre-pandemic employment levels and GDP. The North Carolina Department of Commerce’s Strategic Economic Development Plan, First in Talent, identifies key goals to prepare North Carolina’s workforce and businesses for success.

The North Carolina Department of Commerce’s One North Carolina Small Business Program helps tech-oriented small businesses by matching funds to federal technology grants those businesses have won previously. The program has been expanded to include funding to help North Carolina companies apply for the federal grants.

In December 2021, the North Carolina Department of Revenue launched the Business Recovery Grant program. The program provides a payment to eligible North Carolina businesses that experienced a significant economic loss due to the pandemic. The application for Phase 2 of the Business Recovery Grant program will be open from May 2, 2022 to June 1, 2022. Many business owners that did not qualify in Phase 1 are now eligible to apply in Phase 2.

North Carolina provides many services to small businesses through NCWorks, community college small business centers, the N.C. Small Business and Technology Development Center, the Veterans Business Outreach Center, the Rural Center and a toll-free information and referral service known as the Small Business Advisors hotline.

The N.C. Department of Revenue Accepts Applications for Phase 2 of the Business Recovery Grant Program

$200 Million Available as Categories of Eligible Businesses Expand

The N.C. Department of Revenue (NCDOR) announced that it is accepting applications for Phase 2 of the Business Recovery Grant (BRG) program beginning May 2. Many additional businesses now qualify for these grants due to updates to the program’s eligibility criteria. BRG will issue a payment to an eligible North Carolina business that suffered an economic loss of at least 20 percent during the pandemic. The grant amount is a percentage of the economic loss demonstrated by the eligible business or $500,000, whichever is less. The application deadline is Wednesday, June 1, 2022.

“Barbershops, cosmetology businesses, gyms, and other businesses that provide services were hit hard by pandemic and it’s important to expand these grants from the American Rescue Plan to help them.” said Governor Roy Cooper. “Our small businesses are the backbone of our economy and strong support for them is critical.”

Many businesses that did not qualify in Phase 1 are eligible to apply in Phase 2. In addition to COVID-impacted businesses in the hospitality industry such as restaurants and hotels, the BRG is open to all other business industries including but not limited to:

• Farmers and Agribusinesses
• Gyms and Personal Training businesses
• Salons and Barbershops
• Massage Therapy businesses
• Dental Offices
• Law Firms
• Doctor Offices
• Interior Design businesses
• Hardware Stores
• Pharmacies
• Landscape businesses
• Tailors and Dry Cleaning businesses

In addition to COVID-impacted businesses above, the BRG is open to other businesses in all other industries that were affected by the pandemic. A business that received other COVID-19 relief may be eligible for a grant in Phase 2.

Approximately $200 million remains to be granted of the $500 million in American Rescue Plan funds appropriated for the program.

“Our hope is that the expanded Business Recovery Grant program requirements will encourage more eligible North Carolina businesses to apply,” said NCDOR Secretary Ronald Penny. “These funds are available for eligible businesses that suffered a financial loss because of the pandemic and we want to make sure those businesses receive them.”

Two types of grants will be available to eligible businesses for Phase 2:

• A hospitality grant is available to an eligible arts, entertainment, or recreation business, as well as an eligible accommodation or food service business such as a hotel, restaurant, or bar (NAICS code 71 and 72).
• A reimbursement grant is available to an eligible business not classified in NAICS Code 71 and 72.

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BE INVOLVED

Virtual Lunch and Learn Series Offers Leaders Opportunity to Enhance Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Programs in Public and Private Sector

During the next three months, the NC Department of Administration is providing business and government leaders opportunities to join a virtual lunch and learn series that explore ways to enhance and develop diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts within North Carolina’s public and private business sectors. Hosted by the Andrea Harris Task Force’s Business Engagement Group, each of the three free 90-minute webinars features a panel of business experts who will share their experiences, challenges, and successes with programs created to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion. Each webinar also features an audience question and answer session.

“The goal is to continue advancing diversity, equity and inclusion within our state,” said Andrea Harris Task Force Chair and Secretary of the NC Department of Administration Pamela B. Cashwell. “Our workforce, particularly leadership roles, should reflect the diversity of our state. It is my hope that businesses will take information from the lunch and learn series to improve upon disparities within the workplace including equal pay and gender segregated careers.”  

The learning series begins next week and includes topics such as recruiting, on-the-job training and employee business resource groups. Participants can elect to attend any or all three webinars.  

April 22, 2022 – Diversity, Equity and Inclusion External Mentor Programs & Supplier Diversity Programs  

• Moderator: Kevin Price, President & CEO, National Institute of Minority Economic Development  
• Panelists: Kate Weaver, Supplier Diversity Manager, Peapod Digital Labs (Food Lion sister company)  
• Andrew Grier, Supplier Engagement & Diversity Manager, Duke Energy 

May 20, 2022 – Internal Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Training and Employee Business Resource Groups 

• Moderator: Evin L. Grant, Policy Director, NC Department of Administration  
• Panelists: Danielle Pavliv, Chief Diversity Officer, SAS  
• Brooke Cummings, Senior Vice President of Human Resources, Curi 
• Niya Fonville, Director of Externships, Campbell Law School  

June 17, 2022 – Diversity Recruiting and Hiring and On the Job Training 

• TBA 

All participants must pre-register to attend each lunch and learn.

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