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NCDHHS will host a live tele-town hall on Feb. 6 from 6 to 7 p.m. to discuss Medicaid expansion updates and resources, who is newly eligible and how to apply for health coverage. The tele-town hall will stream live from NCDHHS Facebook, Twitter and YouTube accounts, where viewers can submit questions.
With the support of local organizations and state partners, more than 314,000 North Carolinians have enrolled in Medicaid since the state expanded who is eligible. Outreach efforts continue to reach more than 289,000 people ages 19 through 64 years who are newly eligible for Medicaid and have not yet applied for health care coverage.
NCDHHS' Medicaid expansion website provides eligibility information, how to apply and where to find support. Individuals can also find state and local support teams to help them better understand their health care coverage options, complete Medicaid applications and navigate enrollment. |
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State leaders attended the State Medical Response System Showcase this week at the Triad Regional Healthcare Preparedness Center in Mocksville to discuss the importance of the state medical emergency response team partnership and tour emergency response assets. The crucial partnership between state medical emergency response teams helps the state to prepare for and respond to emergencies and disasters that affect North Carolina residents.
The State Medical Response System Showcase displayed various emergency response assets deployed by the state for intensive support during times of emergencies including hurricanes and other natural disasters, and respiratory illness surges like what was used during the COVID-19 pandemic. Assets that were displayed at the showcase included mobile medical units for emergency departments and in-patient treatment spaces, a mobile incident command post, a mobile morgue support unit, a mobile lab unit and more. |
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NCDHHS Maternal and Child Services Leader Receives National Award
Belinda Pettiford, section chief of the Women, Infant, and Community Wellness Section at NCDHHS' Division of Public Health, was awarded the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) Director’s Award at a recent virtual Human Resources and Service Administration's (HRSA) Maternal and Child Health Bureau Award ceremony. The MCHB Director’s Award is presented to an individual who has made noteworthy contributions to the health of infants, mothers, children, adolescents and children with special health care needs. Belinda has been working in service to North Carolina for more than 30 years to create positive change for women, individuals of reproductive age, children and families, and drive health equity forward. Her expertise, dedication, thoughtful collaboration, and partnership have been recognized not only in North Carolina but across the nation. Read more more HRSA's annual awards and the criteria for each on the website. |
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Side-by-Side Webinar with NCDHHS' Mental Health Division
Join staff from NCDHHS' Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Services on Feb. 5 at 2 p.m. to learn more about policies and programs that affect the Mental Health, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Substance Use Services and Traumatic Brain Injury community. The goal of these monthly webinars is to bring everyone together in one (virtual) place to share ideas for public policy that will improve the lives of North Carolinians. This group includes consumers, families, advisory groups, LME/MCOs, community members and partner organizations. This month’s topic is support for justice-involved populations. Register for the meeting and see a flyer (Spanish) for more information. |
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NCDHHS Assistive Technologist Honored with National Award
Julie Dutchess, an assistive technologist with NCDHHS, received this year’s Joy Zabala Spirit Award in recognition of her dedication and passion for utilizing assistive technology in the workplace for people with disabilities. The award was presented to her at the Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) Conference last week in Orlando, Florida. Julie has spent her career in dedicated service to people with disabilities. She worked in the field of speech therapy in school settings and, inspired by continuing developments in the field of assistive technology, shifted her focus to assistive technology. She came to work for the NCDHHS' Assistive Technology Program (NCATP) in 2008, and this January she celebrated 16 years with the program. Julie currently works out of NCATP’s Sanford office, which provides assistive technology services in nine counties. Read a newsletter article for more about why Julie was chosen for the award and what it means to her. |
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Inclusion Works Lunch and Learn
Join NCDHHS staff to learn about best practices to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) on their path to achieving Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE). This month's webinar is on Feb. 21 at noon and features an Inclusion Works Partner Spotlight and discussion with Work Together NC. Register for the event. |
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