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North Carolina's Health and Human Services and Commerce leaders have released a report announcing a plan to strengthen the state's caregiving workforce. The report was developed by the Caregiving Workforce Strategic Leadership Council, a group convened by NCDHHS, the Department of Commerce, educational institutions and other key organizations deeply engaged in health care.
Following the state’s greatest areas of need, the Council chose to focus on three areas: nursing, behavioral health and direct care professionals. North Carolina faces significant shortages of all three professions, in particular behavioral health, in which 94 out of 100 counties have a shortage of mental health professionals.
The action steps in the report cover several different targeted areas, including enhancing data collection to better understand the need, increasing the availability of loan repayment programs and apprenticeships and expanding access to training.
In 2023, NCDHHS commissioned a study by NC Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) to make recommendations to enhance the direct care workforce. The report and recommendations, which address the shortage of Direct Care Workers (DCWs), including Direct Support Professionals (DSPs), are now also posted on the NCDHHS website. Late last year, NCDHHS announced a rate increase to enable providers to increase wages for DSPs they employ. Read more about how NCDHHS is helping to support direct support professionals.
Read more about the next steps and implementation for nursing, behavioral health and direct care professionals in a news release and the report. |
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This week, NCDHHS hosted a tele-town hall to discuss how people can support and improve their mental well-being, where to find resources, when to reach out for help and how to support loved ones who are struggling or in crisis. Rates of depression and anxiety have nearly quadrupled and around one in four adults navigate these conditions. Suicide has become the second leading cause of death for people between the ages of 10 and 40 in the state. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 to anyone struggling with mental health, suicidal thoughts or substance use, as well as those seeking help for a loved one in crisis. People can call or text 988, or chat online at 988lifeline.org, to connect with a live counselor and receive free, confidential support in English or Spanish. |
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Since the state expanded who is eligible for Medicaid on Dec. 1, 2023, more than 314,000 North Carolinians have enrolled in the program and now have access to comprehensive health care, according to NCDHHS’ Medicaid Expansion Enrollment Dashboard. The dashboard was updated on Jan. 12 and will continue to be updated monthly.
Large numbers of those enrolling through Medicaid expansion are young adults and/or live in rural areas. Nearly one in three are between 19 and 29 years old. New enrollees disproportionately live in rural communities with Anson, Edgecombe, Richmond and Robeson counties having some of the highest enrollment rates of adults to date.
People are also accessing the medicines and care they need to stay healthy. Medicaid covered more than 150,000 prescriptions for new enrollees and more than $2.5 million in claims for dental services since Dec. 1, 2023. NCDHHS’ Medicaid Expansion website includes information on eligibility, FAQs and ways to apply for health coverage. To learn more about or apply for NC Medicaid, visit Medicaid.nc.gov. |
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