Latest news with #NorthCarolinaDepartmentofHealthandHumanServices
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
NC Department of Health and Human Services names new State Health Director
RALEIGH, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Dr. Lawrence Greenblatt, a distinguished physician, professor and public health champion, has been appointed as State Health Director and Chief Medical Officer for the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. He will begin his duties on Monday, June 2. Dr. Greenblatt served for three decades as a general internist, educator and leader in Medicaid policy with Duke University Health System, earning recognition for his work to integrate behavioral health and addiction services into primary care. I am honored to be chosen for this important role in improving the health and well-being of the more than 11 million North Carolinians that call this great state home. As a physician and educator, I know the value of making sure every person has access to mental and physical health care when they need it and in the setting that is most appropriate for them. Dr. Lawrence Greenblatt Since 2008, Dr. Greenblatt has led Duke's Medicaid Network, first as Northern Piedmont Community Care, which was part of the statewide Community Care of North Carolina network. He continued as Medical Director of Duke's Clinically Integrated Network under Medicaid transformation in 2021. In 2012, he launched one of the nation's first academic initiatives to promote safe opioid prescribing and expand treatment for opioid use disorder. He also served as Chair of the NC Medicaid Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Secretary of the NC Medicaid Physician Advisory Group. As a long-time advocate for improved mental health care, Dr. Greenblatt has co-led the Durham Crisis Collaborative and actively contributed to local substance use and mental health planning efforts. Dr. Greenblatt is an innovator and public health advocate with a long track record of increasing access to mental and physical health care in North Carolina. He has the vision and experience needed to lead our state's public health efforts as we work to create a healthier North Carolina for all. NC Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Live: Funeral Tuesday for 16-month-old Maddy after tragic death at Lenoir daycare
LENOIR, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — On Tuesday, the community of Lenoir is gathering to say goodbye to 16-month-old Madolyn 'Maddy' Amara-Serenity Mitchell. Her funeral is being held on Tuesday afternoon, just over a week after the toddler's sudden and heartbreaking death on her very first day at Creative Beginnings daycare. The service, set for 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 27, at Waterlife Church, is expected to draw loved ones, neighbors, and members of a grieving community. Community comes together to raise money for family of toddler who died at Lenoir daycare Court documents and a 911 call released last week revealed the desperate efforts of daycare workers after finding Maddy unresponsive. CPR was attempted. Emergency services were called. But by 3:19 p.m. on May 19, Maddy was gone. Alexandra Lee Coffey, a 29-year-old employee at the daycare, is now facing felony involuntary manslaughter charges in connection with the case. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has since ordered the immediate shutdown of Creative Beginnings. Past violations at the daycare point to unsafe sleep practices and inadequate staff training. Tuesday, though, will not be about investigations or court dates. It's about a little girl who was described 'as a ray of sunshine,' a child who loved Minnie Mouse, toy ducks, and her big brothers. Born on Christmas Day, family says Maddy was a gift. Tragedy on day one: Newly released 911 call sheds light on Lenoir toddler's death, daycare worker charged Born on Christmas Day in Hickory, North Carolina, Maddy was a precious gift to her devoted parents, Angel Blankenship and Jovon Mitchell. The joy she brought into their lives and the lives of those around her was immeasurable. The suddenness of Maddy's passing has left our family utterly heartbroken. We were not prepared to say goodbye to our sweet Maddy, and her brief presence among us has deepened the devastation of this loss. The absence of her bright spirit will be felt deeply. Madolyn 'Maddy' Amara-Serenity Mitchell Obituary As mourners gather at Blue Ridge Memorial Park for her burial, the family has made one request: that no staff from the daycare center attend the services. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
NCDHHS offers water safety tips for National Water Safety Month
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCT) — May is National Water Safety Month and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is reminding residents to take proactive steps to enjoy outdoor activities safely. 'Every North Carolinian deserves to enjoy the summer season without risk to their health or safety,' said Dr. Kelly Kimple, Interim State Health Director and NCDHHS Chief Medical Officer. 'By taking small, thoughtful actions — like supervising children near water, staying cool during extreme heat and practicing safe grilling — we can all stay safe this summer.' Drowning remains the leading cause of death for children ages 1-4. NCDHHS urges everyone to keep these water safety practices in mind: Actively Supervise: Drowning can happen silently and in seconds. Always keep a close eye on children near water. Secure Pool Areas: Keep gates and doors closed and locked. Remove pool ladders when not in use. Know the Water: Be aware of currents, depth changes and undertows at beaches, lakes and rivers. Stay Healthy: Don't swim when ill with diarrhea to prevent spreading germs. Check Water Quality: Ensure pools are properly disinfected. Local health departments routinely inspect public pools, spas and splash pads. Be Cautious in All Recreational Waters: Lakes and rivers may carry bacteria or harmful algae blooms. Check advisories before swimming. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Yahoo
Worker charged, daycare license suspended after 16-month-old child's death
One person has been charged with manslaughter, and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has suspended the license of a daycare in Lenoir after a 16-month-old child died there earlier this week. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: 16-month-old dies at Lenoir daycare; investigation underway Channel 9 reported when the child, identified as Maddy, was found unresponsive at Creative Beginnings of Lenoir Monday afternoon. First responders said Maddy didn't wake up after a nap. NCDHHS sent out a notice Wednesday afternoon saying it was suspending the daycare operator's license 'based on the agency's findings that the public health, safety, or welfare requires emergency action.' The report says the Division of Child Development and Early Education got information about an incident at the daycare on May 20, the same day that Maddy died. The report doesn't reference Maddy's death, specifically. The daycare was ordered to close at the end of the business day on Wednesday. The operator of the daycare, Kids Time of Lenoir LLC, can appeal the administrative action. Channel 9 learned that one woman has been criminally charged in connection with the case. According to court records, 29-year-old Alexandra Lee Coffey is charged with involuntary manslaughter. She was booked into custody in Caldwell County. Officials said the daycare has been cooperating with the investigation. A GoFundMe has been created to help Maddy's mother and siblings. This is a developing story, check back for updates. (VIDEO: 2-alarm fire destroys daycare under construction near Cabarrus-Mecklenburg County line)
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
NC Health Secretary warns of impact from potential federal cuts to SNAP, Medicaid
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Dev Sangvai raised concerns Thursday about how the proposed federal funding cuts could impact residents who rely on critical assistance programs, specifically SNAP and Medicaid. According to the North Carolina Department of Health, approximately 1.4 million North Carolinians currently benefit from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which helps lower-income individuals and families purchase food. Currently, the federal government funds 100% of SNAP benefits and 50% of administrative costs to administer it, according to the NCDHHS. The proposed federal cuts would significantly alter this funding structure, potentially putting assistance at risk for many recipients. 'Right now, as I mentioned, the program is federally funded,' Dr. Sangvai explained. 'Some of the proposals that are coming out shifts that federal burden to the state level, and our state is already in a pretty tight situation financially. Depending on how the program plays out, it could cost North Carolina anywhere from $140 million to $700 million more per year.' The Health Secretary also expressed concerns about proposed Medicaid changes, which include implementing work requirements and increasing the frequency of eligibility determinations beyond the current annual review. These changes could result in coverage disruptions for North Carolina residents who rely on Medicaid for healthcare coverage. While Dr. Sangvai acknowledged that program improvements are necessary, he advocated for a more methodical approach to implementing changes. 'What's going to happen is individuals are going to have to balance: do I pay the heating bill, do I pay rent, or do I eat? It's a pretty precarious situation if these benefits go away,' he warned. The NC Department of Health and Human Services is monitoring the federal proposals closely as they move through the legislative process. For more information on SNAP benefits or Medicaid in North Carolina, visit the NCDHHS website here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
