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Medicaid expansion will no longer launch on Oct. 1 as there is still no state budget. A new launch date will be announced following the needed legislative action.
A new launch date will not be determined until the North Carolina General Assembly (NCGA) provides final authority. Without more clarity on when that will occur, NCDHHS is not able to commit to a timeline beyond its control. Work, however, will continue so NCDHHS, county and community partners are ready to go live as soon they are able.
Once Medicaid expansion is launched, it will be transformative for access to health care in rural areas, for better mental health, and for veterans, working adults and their families, while bringing billions in federal dollars to the state. NCDHHS appreciates the leadership of the NCGA and Gov. Cooper in securing the passage of Medicaid expansion more than five months ago. |
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NCDHHS Replacing Benefits for FNS EBT Theft Victims
Those who lost Food and Nutrition Services benefits through card skimming, cloning or other forms of fraud are eligible to have their stolen FNS benefits (formerly known as food stamps) replaced. NCDHHS recently announced that at least 680 EBT cards were compromised statewide, and more than 9,000 cards have been identified as potentially compromised. The compromised cards are being used to steal money from the beneficiaries. Out of an abundance of caution the potentially compromised cards have been cancelled and replacement cards have been issued to FNS beneficiaries. Per the USDA, FNS beneficiaries whose benefits were reported stolen between Oct. 1, 2022 and Aug. 25, 2023 can request to have their benefits replaced by submitting an affidavit to their County Department of Social Services by Sept. 27, 2023. FNS beneficiaries who discover stolen benefits between Aug. 26, 2023 and Sept. 30, 2024 can request to have their benefits replaced by submitting an affidavit to their county DSS within 30 days of discovery. Read an NCDHHS news release for steps you can take to keep your EBT card and account secure. |
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NCDHHS Highlights the Importance of Community Health Workers
This week, (Aug. 28 - Sept. 1) is National Community Health Worker (CHW) Awareness Week. CHWs are frontline public health workers who are trusted members of and/or have an unusually close understanding of the community served. This trusting relationship enables CHWs to serve as a link between health/social services and the community they serve, facilitating access to services and improving the quality and cultural competence of service delivery. During COVID-19, CHWs supported by federal funding through the NC Office of Rural Health (ORH), reached nearly 3.5 million individuals in NC to provide support, education and vaccine access. The state’s COVID response was much stronger thanks to the work of CHWs across the state. Over the past year, the CHWs who focused on COVID have returned to providing a wider range of services, often focusing on chronic illness and helping community members address the non-medical drivers of health, such as food, transportation, housing and personal safety. Through the NC CHW Initiative, funded through a grant by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), ORH has supported the establishment of the NC Community Health Worker Association (NCCHWA), including CHW certification. For more information about CHWs and the Office of Rural Health, visit the NCDHHS website. |
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Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Awareness Webinar
September is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Awareness Month and an opportunity to raise awareness of individuals with FASD. This year marks the 50th anniversary of FASD Awareness Month. FASD is a term for a range of diagnosable conditions that can occur with prenatal alcohol exposure. Individuals with FASD exhibit higher rates of life challenges commonly encountered in substance use and mental health treatment populations, including higher risk of suicide, and exposure to trauma. In honor of FASD Awareness Month, NCDHHS' Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services will host a webinar on Sept. 27 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. to raise awareness for FASD and celebrate the strengths, talents and victories of the estimated one in 20 individuals who suffer from FASD. Register to attend the event via Zoom on Sept. 27 and see a flyer for more information. |
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Finding Success with WorkSource West
Building and supporting a strong and inclusive workforce is central to the NCDHHS' mission and one of its strategic goals. For more than a decade, the state has worked to support individuals with disabilities as they strive for meaningful work and independence through programs offering Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE). NCDHHS' Division of Vocational Rehabilitation helped Kelly Gilliam land a job through WorkSource West’s Vocational Skills Training program in Morganton. NCDHHS’ Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) administers two Community Rehabilitation Programs that offer a range of employment-related support services. WorkSource East, in Goldsboro, and WorkSource West, in Morganton, both provide training programs to Vocational Rehabilitation consumers with specialized needs that range from cognitive and autism, to psychosocial, physical and hearing loss. About three months ago Gilliam began WorkSource West’s Vocational Skills Training program and was eventually hired by Grace Heights Health & Rehabilitation in Morganton. Gilliam flourished in the WorkSource West program and decided to seek employment in food services at the nursing home. Read more in an NCDHHS newsletter article and find out more about the services offered through NCDHHS’ Community Rehabilitation Programs on the NCDHHS website. |
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Suicide Prevention Awareness Webinar
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Suicide is a state and national public health crisis, impacting people of all ages across all socioeconomic, racial and ethnic backgrounds. In 2022, 1,539 people ages 10 and older in North Carolina died by suicide, the 9th leading cause of death in our state. NCDHHS' Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services will host a webinar on Sept. 11 from noon to 1 p.m. to raise awareness for suicide prevention and provide resources for the community when someone feels lost, helpless, hopeless or alone. Register to attend the event via Zoom on Sept. 11 and see a flyer for more information. Remember, you are not alone. Anyone can access crisis or emergency services for mental health, substance use disorders or other emotional distress by calling, texting or chatting the 988 suicide and crisis lifeline 24 hours a day, and seven days a week. |
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