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May 17, 2024
Last week, NCDHHS held a webinar about the new Community and Partner Engagement Initiative, how NCDHHS works with people with lived experience and partners to make policy and service decisions, and how communities can engage with the department. To learn more, go to ncdhhs.gov/GetInvolved.
 
Birth controls pills.
Contraceptive Services Will Soon Be Available at Pharmacies Statewide
Soon people statewide will be able to receive contraceptive services at pharmacies without a prescription from another medical provider, including counseling and education from a pharmacist about options for contraception and other preventive services, dispensing of contraception and connection to ongoing care if needed. Retail and independent pharmacies in North Carolina now provide contraceptive services in 84 NC counties. To fill coverage gaps, Ingles Markets Pharmacies will begin contraceptive services at pharmacies in select counties in the western part of the state by the end of May 2024, and Walgreens will provide services in select counties in the central and eastern parts of the state by the end of June 2024. This expanded access is particularly beneficial in rural areas that have fewer providers and are considered maternal health and contraceptive deserts. You can view the participating pharmacies closest to you on this map. More than half of all pregnancies in North Carolina are unintended, which can unfortunately lead to poor maternal and infant outcomes. Expansion of contraceptive services improves the health of moms, babies and families across the state.
 
Someone watching a webinar.
Side-by-Side Webinar with NCDHHS' Mental Health Division
Join staff from NCDHHS' Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Services on June 3 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. Side by side, we will work together to improve our system. Register for the webinar on June 3 via Zoom and see a flyer for more information.  
 
 
A doctor taking a patient's blood pressure.
Medicaid Expansion Workforce Development Planning Launches
This week, leaders from NCDHHS and the NC Department of Commerce formally launched a collaborative process of developing a report to the North Carolina General Assembly on opportunities to provide workforce development services in conjunction with the state’s Medicaid expansion. In the historic legislation that approved Medicaid expansion, the General Assembly charged the Department of Commerce with leading the development of a comprehensive workforce development plan, along with various stakeholders. The plan will cover services such as job training assistance, career paths and job readiness, job placement, resources for job seekers, recruiting services, and healthcare workforce support, as well as how to determine the success of workforce development programs. In addition, NCDHHS is working with the Department of Commerce to help individuals enrolled in Medicaid and other relevant social service programs access appropriate workforce development services. The Department of Commerce and NCDHHS will report to the General Assembly on their plans and recommendations later this year. For more information on Medicaid expansion, visit the NCDHHS website.
 
 
Eight people around "inclusion works."
Inclusion Works Lunch and Learn
Join NCDHHS to learn about best practices to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and Traumatic Brain Injury on their path to achieving Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE) on June 19 at noon. Each Lunch and Learn will cover a different topic related to the Inclusion Works initiative, which helps support individuals to find jobs in the community. These information sessions are led by NCDHHS staff and include time for a question-and-answer session with attendees. This month's webinar features workplace assistive technology and a demonstration of the Exploring Paths to CIE Guide. Join the June 19 webinar via Zoom. Previous Lunch and Learn presentations and recordings can be accessed on the Inclusion Works website
 
            
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