Publications

Issue Brief: Care for the Caregivers

October 2021

More than 1 in 5 children in North Carolina have special health care needs – including chronic physical, developmental, behavioral, and emotional conditions. For many parents, grandparents, and foster parents, caring for a child with special health care needs can be a full-time job. Unfortunately, that job is one that does not usually involve a salary or health benefits.

This issue brief from NC Child explores the role that affordable health insurance could play in supporting families of children with special health care needs.

Update for NC Child Supporters

June 2021

2020 was one of the toughest years for kids and families in recent history. Thanks to your support, NC Child pivoted quickly to focus on urgent and emerging needs. And your feedback continues to guide our policy priorities and legislative agenda. Here's an update on that important work.

Five Ways Closing North Carolina’s “Coverage Gap” Helps Kids

May 2021

State leaders have a huge opportunity to get affordable health care to hard-working, low-income families. Expanding Medicaid is a cost-effective solution that would bring coverage to more than 100,000 North Carolina parents with children at home.

The Role of School Nurses in Student Mental Health

May 2021

School nurses are on the front lines of protecting our children’s physical and mental health. They save school districts money by keeping teachers focused on education, and play a key role in ensuring students are well enough to thrive in the classroom.

Fact Sheet: Ensuring Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies

February 2021

In North Carolina, many low-income women qualify for Medicaid coverage during their pregnancy. Unfortunately, this life-saving coverage ends just 60 days after delivery – when many new parents and babies are at their most vulnerable. We can help prevent maternal and infant deaths by ensuring continuous coverage throughout the first year after a child’s birth. Download this fact sheet to learn more.

2021 Child Health Report Card

February 2021

The North Carolina Child Health Report Card, published biannually by the North Carolina Institute of Medicine and NC Child, tracks key indicators of child health and well-being in four areas:
Healthy Births
Access to Care
Secure Homes & Neighborhoods, and
Health Risk Factors

The report provides data on such health concerns and risk factors as asthma, teen births, infant mortality, poverty, and child deaths.

Fact Sheet: HB 272 – NC’s Lead Poisoning Prevention Law is a Powerful Children’s Health Tool

February 2021

Ending childhood lead exposure is a proven strategy to protect young children’s long-term health and development. Even low-level exposure to lead can reduce IQ, harming children’s long-term health, success in school, and earning potential over their lifetimes.
As detection improves and we learn more about the harmful effects of lead on the developing brain, it is critical that the NC General Assembly keep the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention statute up to date.

Fact Sheet: Merge NC Health Choice with Medicaid

January 2021

Some children in North Carolina are moved from Medicaid to NC Health Choice at age six, losing access to some of the vital coverage Medicaid provides – especially children with special health care needs. Fully combining the two programs will reduce administrative overhead, and ensure that every child in North Carolina gets the care they need to thrive.

2021 Legislative Agenda

January 2021

As our state’s families continue to face the devastating impacts of the pandemic, it is important for the NC General Assembly to prioritize investments that help kids survive and thrive - now and in the future.