Women, Infant and Community Wellness Section
News and Highlights
COVID-19 Vaccines Pregnancy, Breastfeeding and Fertility: What You Need to Know
05/13/22 COVID-19 and Pregnancy
2021 North Carolina Family Planning Summary
The North Carolina Title X Family Planning program has played an important role in ensuring access to a broad range of family planning and related preventive health services for low-income or uninsured individuals since 1973. These services include:
- contraceptive services and counseling
- breast and cervical cancer screenings for early detection
- sexually transmitted disease (STD) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) prevention education, counseling, testing and referral
These services help to improve pregnancy planning and spacing and prevent unintended pregnancy. View the 2021 North Carolina Title X Family Planning summary infographic (PDF, 190 KB) for more detailed information.
N.C. Perinatal Health Strategic Plan: 2016 – 2020
North Carolina has been a leader in the maternal and child health (MCH) arena for decades. From the synergy of multiple efforts, the Women, Infant and Community Wellness Section, Division of Public Health, Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) convened a group of partners to draft a statewide plan to include a focus on infant mortality, maternal health, maternal mortality, and the health status of women and men of childbearing age.
The Perinatal Health Strategic Plan (PDF, 12.1 MB; HTML) was released on March 24, 2016 by the DHHS Secretary and Deputy Secretary. This plan includes feedback from over 150 thought leaders throughout the state.
To get involved or to ask questions, send email requests to the Section.
Plan of Safe Care (POSC)
09/11/18: A federal mandate went into effect on July 31, 2017 that requires health care providers involved in delivery and care of infants in North Carolina (and all states) to notify child welfare when an infant is identified by a medical provider
as being affected by:
- Mom’s untreated substance use disorder
or having:
- Withdrawal signs and symptoms
- Signs of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
- A positive urine, meconium, or umbilical cord segment substance test with provider concerns.
This law also requires that a Plan of Safe Care (POSC) is developed for these infants. The POSC English (PDF, 2 MB) and Spanish (PDF, 2 MB) pamphlets provide basic information for patients regarding how and why a Plan of Safe Care is created. Agencies should download the brochures as needed.
Legislation was enacted by the NC General Assembly in December 2015 to establish the NC Maternal Mortality Review Committee (MMRC). The MMRC is charged with reviewing all maternal deaths in the state to determine if pregnancy related or pregnancy associated.
The MMRC also has the responsibility to make recommendations for improvement. The DHHS was awarded a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) grant to support the work of the MMRC in late 2019. This is the first report (PDF, 7.3 MB) of the MMRC based on data from 2014-2016.
Quick Links
OPA Family Planning Clinic Locator - Click the locator link to find a Title X Family Planning Clinic near you and call to make your appointment!
Women’s Preventive Health Services Covered By The Affordable Care Act (ACA) - Preventive Health Services for Women
North Carolina Medical Center Resources - High-Risk Prenatal Care Resource List (PDF, 23 KB)
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What We Do
The Women, Infant and Community Wellness Section develops and promotes programs and services that protect the health and well-being of infants and of women during their child-bearing years. The goal is to improve the overall health of women, reduce infant sickness and death, and strengthen families and communities.
The Women, Infant and Community Wellness Section also offers guidance, consultation and training for professionals who provide women's health services.
Local health departments and other community agencies serving each of the 100 counties in North Carolina provide a variety of these women's health services, including family planning, prenatal care, flu shots and other women's immunizations, and pregnancy care management. For more information on the services near you, contact your local health department.
The Women, Infant and Community Wellness Section is part of the North Carolina Division of Public Health.
Related Sites/Information 04/08/22
- Before, Between, and Beyond Pregnancy
- Division of Child and Family Well-Being
- Division of Public Health
- Immunization Section
- Injury and Violence Prevention Section
- March of Dimes
- Men’s Health Network
- Mom and Baby
- NC Association of Local Health Directors
- Office on Women's Health
- Plan of Safe Care (POSC)
- Preconception Health and Health Care
- Reproductive Health National Training Center (RHNTC)
- Show Your Love: Preconception Health
- Sickle Cell Syndrome Program
- Teen Pregnancy Prevention Initiatives (TPPI)
- Tobacco Prevention and Control Section
Contact
Mailing Address
Women, Infant and Community Wellness Section
1929 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1929
Courier Number: 56-23-01
Physical Address
5601 Six Forks Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27609
Telephone
Main: (919) 707-5700
Fax: (919) 870-4827
Last Modified: 06-06-2022