Secretary Dev Sangvai of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) recently marked his one-year anniversary leading the department. During his tenure, initiatives launched include the PATH NC child welfare information system, the Children and Families Specialty Plan, and the NC Black Youth Suicide Prevention Action Plan. In a press release, Sangvai stated, "The Department launched many new programs in 2025 to make North Carolina healthier, and I look forward to continuing these efforts with our team and partners as we build a health care system that truly works for everyone."
Over the past year, more than 700,000 North Carolinians gained coverage through Medicaid expansion, and the state’s medical debt program delivered $6.5 billion in relief to over 2.5 million residents. Investments in rural health, including a $213 million award from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, aim to strengthen care in these communities. New initiatives also include the launch of a Vaccines for Children provider map and expanded health care services at 13 state-operated facilities.
Children’s welfare in North Carolina has seen notable developments with the introduction of PATH NC, a system designed to protect children and improve outcomes across the state. The Children and Families Specialty Plan offers comprehensive care for Medicaid-enrolled youth, particularly those involved in the child welfare system, addressing both physical and mental health needs. In response to rising suicide rates among Black youth, the department launched the NC Black Youth Suicide Prevention Action Plan. Secretary Sangvai has also emphasized engagement with county partners to improve health and well-being across the state.
Sangvai’s approach to mental health includes investments in new facilities, such as the Behavioral Health Urgent Care in Pitt County and the Life Changing Behavioral Health Urgent Care for children and adolescents. Two mobile opioid treatment programs have been launched in Raleigh and Greensboro, with additional programs planned to open in 2026. The department continues to prioritize mental health infrastructure, aiming to reduce opioid-related deaths and expand access to treatment while addressing barriers and stigma surrounding mental health and addiction.
