September Content
- Building a Culture of Health in Bertie County
- Join the Youth Engagement Community of Practice!
- Meta Settlement, Fund IRL, and You
- 2025 North Carolina High School Survey Shows Improvement in Student Safety, Risk Behaviors
- Monthly SHAC Learning Collaborative Kicks Off in September
- Transform School Culture with Student Leadership
- Understanding Ultra-processed Foods
- Free New Resource for Educators: Soccer at Schools from U.S. Soccer
- Join the Third Cohort of the NC Medicaid Learning Collaborative!
- The New Social Worker Webinar
- 35th Anniversary Celebration at Poe Center
- Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Program Applications Due October 9th
- K-12 Suicide Intervention Guide
- Regional Training for School Social Workers
- September / Octdober Health Observances
 Building a Culture of Health in Bertie County
Across the country, gaps in healthcare are leading to missed vaccinations and well visits, jeopardizing family and child health.
Classrooms are one of the first places where these challenges show up, when learning and well-being are disrupted.
In Bertie County, North Carolina, Healthier Generation is coordinating efforts to help children stay protected without missing valuable school time.
Hear how our Childhood Vaccine Partnership framework helped district leaders, nurses, families, and public health agencies in this vibrant rural community work together to increase vaccine access, confidence, and uptake.
This video was made possible with support from Harris Teeter.
Join The Youth Engagement Community of Practice!
The Youth Engagement Community of Practice is seeking SHAC teams that want to begin or deepen student engagement in their work.
Beginning this fall, participating SHACs will use the SHAC Student Influence Tool: A Framework for Moving from Student Participation to Influence with one current school health priority. Teams will learn alongside other SHACs, receive implementation support, and strengthen the role students play in shaping school health efforts.
SHACs do not need to already have students involved, but participating teams should be prepared to actively engage students during the process.
A brief onboarding is planned for late September, with the Community of Practice beginning in October.
Interested teams should respond by Friday, September 11: https://forms.gle/UXmLnLQPJmZRUyFm6
 Meta Settlement, Fund IRL, and You
Last Wednesday, Attorney General Jeff Jackson announced a landmark child safety settlement with Meta, securing up to $645 million for North Carolina. This settlement holds Meta accountable for the digital harms its platforms have caused to young people. Most importantly, it presents a massive opportunity to fund the very programs North Carolina youth and families need to move beyond the screen and make real-life connections.
In his announcement, Attorney General Jackson called upon the General Assembly to use these settlement funds for three crucial priorities that directly align with the Fund IRL coalition’s work:
- after-school and summer school programs across the state;
- crisis helplines for struggling children; and
- school health personnel.
The General Assembly will ultimately decide how these funds are allocated, meaning the coalition’s advocacy will be more important than ever in the coming months.
Learn more and join the coalition at: Fund IRL North Carolina: Join our Coalition!
Home | Fund IRL North Carolina
2025 North Carolina High School Survey Shows Improvement in Student Safety, Risk Behaviors
"North Carolina public high school students reported improved outcomes in health and safety related behaviors according to the 2025 North Carolina High School Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), presented to the State Board of Education today.
Notably, the report revealed that North Carolina has returned to and exceeded pre-pandemic levels across nearly all reported measures. The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction’s (NCDPI) strategic plan, Achieving Educational Excellence, addresses many of the issues identified in the YRBS: enhancing parent, caregiver and community support and ensuring healthy, safe and secure learning environments.
'The 2025 Youth Risk Behavior Survey reflects meaningful progress, particularly in improving student safety and reducing several risky behaviors,' North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction Maurice 'Mo' Green said. 'At the same time, the findings reinforce the need to help every student feel safe, connected and prepared to learn. In order to become the best public schools in the nation by 2030, we must continue to uplift progress while responding to the continued needs of students in our schools.'"
Read the full press release here.
 Monthly SHAC Learning Collaborative Kicks Off in September
September 21st at 3pm
Note: This meeting is not the typical last Monday of the month.
Microsoft Teams meeting: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/224288924913803?p=KN7bntPgbSFBlV1ts0
Evaluating Student Wellness and Key Recommendations for Improvement
The 2025 Youth Risk Behavior results were recently made available for North Carolina. We are excited to have Caroline Keesler, a Master of Public Health student at UNC Gillings, join us to kick off the monthly SHAC Learning Collaborative in September! Caroline worked this summer with the NC Healthy Schools team for her practicum. As part of her practicum, she worked to align data across several statewide surveys, including Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), School Health Profiles, and Teacher Working Conditions.
Caroline will present two data briefs based on this work:
- Belonging and Connectedness in North Carolina Schools: Student and Faculty Perspectives on School Climate
- Substance Use Prevention in North Carolina High Schools: Health Education, School Policies, and Student Wellbeing
Additionally, the Healthy Schools Team will share a few brief highlights of YRBS data.
We hope these findings will help participants understand the current state of student health and wellbeing across North Carolina, and spark ideas for improving school policies and practices.
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NC Healthy Schools hosts monthly opportunities for a SHAC Learning Collaborative.
These monthly meetings are the last Monday of each month at 3:00pm (unless scheduled otherwise, due to holidays, etc.) and are open to all SHAC representatives (or those considering joining a SHAC) to come learn more about what other PSUs are doing, hear about various resources, and share about your activities.
These meetings will primarily focus on SHACs and the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child model. There will be opportunities to discuss general questions, e.g., building the team, partnerships, use of data, action planning, and questions relevant to your WSCC efforts.
Email Susanne.Schmal@dpi.nc.gov to be added to the monthly calendar invitation.
 Transform School Culture with Student Leadership
Peer Group Connection-Middle School and When Students Lead provide evidence based leadership curricula taught by your staff, that turns students into peer leaders and advocates who strengthen your school's climate from the inside out.
Peer Group Connection equips older students to guide their younger peers through the transition into middle school. When Students Lead helps students take the lead on the issues that matter most to your school community.
We're offering a limited number of fully grant-funded spots for Middle Schools ready to elevate student leadership — full program cost covered, plus a budget to support rollout at your school.
Apply Today!
Complete our brief application (3-5 minutes to complete) to learn more about When Students Lead or Peer Group Connection Middle School and how these programs can support your students!
- Applications close September 4th
- Notifications to selected schools on September 10th — in time to plan for the year.
Click Here to Apply!
(Application Link:https://forms.gle/pZMsgXF4AHabe5nB9)
Questions about this opportunity? Contact Jordan Harris, Lead Program Manager at: jharris@supportiveschools.org
Learn more about Center for Supportive Schools at supportiveschools.org
Understanding Ultra-processed Foods
Understanding what ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are and how they may impact health is important. Processing the Facts about Ultra-processed Foods developed in collaboration with Healthy Eating Research can help. This new resource explains what UPFs are, how they differ from other types of processed foods, and what research says about their potential health impacts. It also offers practical tips to help people identify UPFs and make informed food choices.
Free New Resource for Educators: Soccer at Schools from U.S. Soccer
Soccer at Schools is a free national initiative from U.S. Soccer, delivered through Soccer Forward, U.S. Soccer's social impact and legacy arm, in partnership with Bank of America. The free Soccer at Schools platform helps educators bring soccer into the school day through advocacy resources, an Activities & Skills Library featuring instructional videos, and practical implementation tools. Beginning in mid-to-late August, the platform will also include SHAPE America-aligned PE lesson plans and a free 90-minute digital professional learning course for educators. Representatives from eligible Title I elementary schools who complete the digital training will also be able to apply for a free Soccer at Schools equipment kit for their school while supplies last.
Educators can create a free account and explore the platform at socceratschools.ussoccer.com.
 Join the Third Cohort of the NC Medicaid Learning Collaborative!
The North Carolina Medicaid Learning Collaborative (MLC) helps Public School Units make school Medicaid feel less like a puzzle and more like a plan.
Through free, practical support, participating PSUs receive:
⭐ Step-by-step learning sessions and technical assistance led by a Medicaid expert (Sarah Broome) 🤝 A learning community of NC colleagues doing the same work 🛠️ Tools, resources, and strategies you can actually use 💬 Individualized technical assistance and ongoing support 💰 Help strengthening Medicaid processes so reimbursement can be reinvested in services for students
Whether your PSU is just getting started with school Medicaid or looking to strengthen an existing program, there’s a seat for you.
👉 Ready to learn more—or ready to join us?
Bring your Medicaid questions. We’ll bring the expertise, tools, and a community to help you figure it out together. 💚
For questions related to the MLC, please contact La’Shanda Person, Innovation Program Manager with Rural Opportunity Institute, la'shanda@ruralopportunity.org
The New School Social Worker Webinar
September 21, 2026 @ 1:00
We will discuss what to know about working in a school setting, the collaborations with SISP and other school staff, evidence-based practices and data collection, and becoming indispensable.
We will also share and connect resources to practice.
This webinar is open to all school social workers who are within their first 3 years of practice in NC public schools (no student interns for this session).
 35th Anniversary Celebration
Celebrating Healthy Minds & Healthy Bodies
September 17 | 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
The Poe Center is celebrating 35 years, and we're plannng an unforgettable evening dedicated to the people, programs, and purpose that have shaped our journey.
Join us on Thursday, September 17 for a special anniversary event. Enjoy delicious food and drinks, explore exclusive experiences, and celebrate the impact of 35 years of creating healthier futures for children and families across North Carolina.
Don't miss out on this exciting milestone! Purchase your tickets today.
During the evening, guests will enjoy:
- Access to our state of the art theaters and exhibits.
- Live cooking demonstrations by Chef Ryan Conklin, CEC, Director of Culinary & Nutritional Services, UNC Health Rex.
- The unveiling of a new Cranium Connection program, designed especially for middle and high school students.
- A silent auction filled with items from local businesses, sports tickets, signed memorabilia, and one-of-a-kind experiences.
- Beer from Trophy Brewing, wine, and a specialty cocktail made with honey from the Poe Center’s beehives.
- Delicious heavy hors d’oeuvres from Empire Eats.
Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Program Applications Due October 9th
The North Carolina Division of Public Health, Women, Infant, and Community Wellness Section has released RFA A426 – Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Program (AP3).
Deadline for Submission: October 9, 2026
The Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Program (AP3) is a primary prevention program (i.e., prevention of first pregnancies) that is administered by the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Initiatives (TPPI) of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), Division of Public Health, Women, Infant, and Community Wellness Section, Reproductive Health Branch. AP3 invests in the future of North Carolina by ensuring that young people across the state have the tools to make healthy, responsible decisions. It provides essential education, supports academic achievement, encourages parent/teen communication, promotes responsible citizenship, and builds the self-confidence of its participants. AP3 is mandated by North Carolina General Statutes (NCGS) 130A-131.15A.
The objectives of AP3 are as follows:
- Increase knowledge that supports the prevention of pregnancy and/or STIs, including HIV;
- Improve attitudes and beliefs that support the delay of sexual activity for the prevention of pregnancy and/or STIs, including HIV; and
- Improve attitudes and beliefs that support the use of condoms for the prevention of pregnancy and/or STIs, including HIV.
Eligibility: For-profit agencies need not apply. Public or private non-profit entities (e.g., schools, local health departments, non-profit community-based organizations) are eligible to apply to this RFA if they meet the following criteria:
- Entities must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) issued by gov.
- Entities must have at least 5 years of experience delivering youth programs in North Carolina, not limited to previous NCDHHS funding.
- Applications are desired from all 100 counties, however those ranking in the top quartile (i.e., the top 25) for fertility rates among females aged 15 to 19 based on a five-year average between 2020-2024 (referred to as “priority counties”) will receive priority.
- The priority counties are as follows: Alleghany, Anson, Ashe, Bertie, Bladen, Columbus, Duplin, Edgecombe, Graham, Greene, Halifax, Lenoir, Northampton, Onslow, Richmond, Robeson, Sampson, Scotland, Swain, Tyrrell, Vance, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Wilkes. Applicants in these counties shall receive a demonstrated need score as described in the RFA.
Entities that currently receive primary prevention funding for teen pregnancy prevention from NCDHHS may not apply to implement an additional primary pregnancy prevention program in the same county they currently serve but may propose a new program in a different county.
How to Apply: The RFA is posted on the Program’s website: www.teenpregnancy.ncdhhs.gov/funding.htm, and attached to this email. The budget template and instructions are also attached.
Potential applicants are also encouraged to submit an optional Notice of Intent no later than September 9, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. by completing the survey found here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/AP3-RFA-NOI
Email all applications electronically to: tppi-rfa@dhhs.nc.gov
How to Obtain Further Information: Inquires about this RFA are to be sent to tppi-rfa@dhhs.nc.gov, and may be directed to the following Teen Pregnancy Prevention Initiatives staff:
Deborah Hamlin-Aggrey, Program Consultant, Deborah.hamlinaggrey@dhhs.nc.gov
Sarah Hoffert, Program Consultant, Sarah.hoffert@dhhs.nc.gov
Nancy Warren, TPPI Team Lead, Nancy.warren@dhhs.nc.gov
 K-12 Suicide Intervention Guide
As the new school year begins, we are pleased to release a new guide to support schools in identifying and responding to students at risk for suicide or experiencing suicidal behaviors. Grounded in SPRC’s Comprehensive Approach to Suicide Prevention, this actionable guide is designed to be used by a multidisciplinary team, which may include school health and wellness staff, administrators, educators, and safety teams.
Regional Training for School Social Workers
Piedmont-Triad Region
October 20th | 9:00-4:00
This regional training series equips school social workers with the latest updates, critical response strategies, and practical tools needed to navigate today’s complex student needs. Participants will engage in learning focused on DPI guidance, effective crisis response, and identifying and addressing human trafficking. The day is designed to strengthen readiness, confidence, and impact in real-world situations. Professional development contact hours will be provided by NCDPI.
Presented by NC DPI (Pachovia Lovett) and the NC Human Trafficking Commission. Registration is required.
September / October Health Observances Include:
- September is National Fruit and Veggies Month
- September is National Suicide Prevention Month
- September is National Cholesterol Education Month
- September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month
- September is National Food Safety Education Month
- September 29th is World Heart Day
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- October 3rd is Great Trails State Day
- October 4th - 10th is National Mental Illness Awareness Week
- October 21st is Unity Day
- October is Bullying Prevention Month
- October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
- October is Health Literacy Month
- October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
- October is American Diabetes Month
- October is National Farm to School Month
- October is Lung Cancer Awareness Month
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