North Carolina Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai has been making the rounds in western North Carolina, putting in appearances to acknowledge the strength and fortitude the region has shown in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. The health chief's itinerary, which was part of a greater Day of Service initiative, featured multiple stops—including one at Buncombe County Health and Human Services and another at Lincoln County Department of Social Services—providing a platform to discuss both progress made and hurdles yet overcome since the disaster struck a year ago.
Lauded for their swift action post-cyclone, the staffers at Buncombe County Health and Human Services have been working in concert with various organizations, providing essentials from sustenance to shelter, their commitment unwavering despite the calamity's challenges—and Secretary Sangvai did not miss the chance to recognize their efforts, and in a statement obtained by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, he expressed the state's ongoing commitment. Buncombe County's success with the Sobriety Treatment and Recovery Team Model, a forward-thinking approach to addiction, has not gone unnoticed, leading Secretary Sangvai to hold discussions aimed at better apprehending both the triumphs and trials of social services in the region.
The Day of Service also saw Sangvai joining Governor Stein with the local non-profit MountainTrue in waterway debris cleanup efforts, MountainTrue having established itself as a mainstay in the pursuit of ecological recovery within the storm-ravished zones of western North Carolina. “As we approach one-year since Hurricane Helene, the road to recovery is ongoing in western North Carolina and NCDHHS is committed to helping areas hit hardest now and in the months and years to come,” Sangvai conveyed, expressing gratitude for the partnership.
In a following stop at Lincoln County's social services hub, challenges such as surging caseloads and staffing concerns were laid out in the open, with officials emphasizing the need for additional support in light of forthcoming changes to Medicaid and SNAP programs—and Secretary Sangvai reaffirmed his dedication to strengthen the workforce and ensure services reach every North Carolinian. "The collaboration between State and County departments of social services is critical in creating vibrant, healthy and thriving communities across the state," Secretary Sangvai stated, highlighting the necessity of seamless cooperation.
