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4 North Carolina

WORK FIRST STATE PLAN TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES (TANF)

INTRODUCTION

Vision and Mission The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) works to advance the health, safety, and well-being of all North Carolinians in collaboration with a wide array of partners and stakeholders. Much of this work involves managing the delivery of services to North Carolina’s most vulnerable populations, including children, seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income individuals and families. NCDHHS touches the lives of millions of North Carolinians. Our goals reflect the wide range of programs administered and service populations.

Goals NCDHHS believes health is affected by many factors beyond the medical care provided within the four walls of a hospital or clinic. While access to high-quality medical care is critical, research shows up to 80 percent of a person’s health is determined by social and environmental factors and the behaviors that emerge as a result. A substantial body of research has established that having an unmet resource need, including experiencing food insecurity, housing instability, unmet transportation needs and interpersonal violence or toxic stress, can significantly and negatively impact health and well-being. It can also increase health care utilization and costs. To that end, NCDHHS has innovative programs to help connect people to needed resources to improve their health and wellbeing.

Departmental Goals for 2026-2028 are: • Advance health equity by reducing disparities in opportunity and outcomes for historically marginalized populations within NCDHHS and across the state. • Build an innovative, coordinated, and whole-person — physical, mental and social health — centered system that addresses both medical and non-medical drivers of health. • Turn the tide on North Carolina’s opioid and substance use crisis. • Improve child and family well-being so all children have the opportunity to develop to their full potential and thrive. • Support individuals with disabilities and older adults in leading safe, healthy and fulfilling lives. • Achieve operational excellence by living our values — belonging, joy, people focused, proactive communication, stewardship, teamwork, and transparency.

These goals support our key work to: • Buy health insurance for North Carolinians through our Medicaid program, including working with underserved communities to improve access to quality health care and reduce health disparities. • Safeguard public health by protecting communities from communicable and chronic diseases, epidemics, and contaminated food/water. • Protect the safety, security and well-being of children and vulnerable adults. • Support individuals with disabilities and older adults in leading healthy and fulfilling lives.