Women's Health Branch
News and Highlights
03/20/20: COVID-19 and Pregnancy
2018 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 2018 North Carolina Title X Family Planning summary infographic (PDF, 541 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’s Health Branch, 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 Branch.
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.
Health Equity Impact Assessment Tool (#impactEQUITYNC)
The Women's Health Branch (N.C. Division of Public Health, Women's and Children's Health Section), the N.C. Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities (N.C. Department of Health and Human Services), and N.C. Child have established a partnership (#impactEQUITYNC) to develop, test, and disseminate a tool to empower public health agencies and communities to evaluate and proactively address the health implications of state and local policies, practices, and programs.
- Access the Health Equity Impact Assessment (HEIA) Tool.
- For more information, contact through email.
Quick Links
07/02/19: 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)
Trainings
Order Forms
- Clinic Form (PDF, 209 KB) - 03/24/20
- Publications (PDF, 376 KB) - 05/15/20
What We Do
The Women's Health Branch 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's Health Branch 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's Health Branch is part of the Women's and Children's Health Section of the North Carolina Division of Public Health.
Related Sites/Information
- Before, Between, and Beyond Pregnancy
- Children and Youth Branch
- Division of Public Health
- Early Intervention Branch (N.C. Infant Toddler Program)
- Every Woman Southeast
- Immunization Branch
- Injury and Violence Prevention Branch
- March of Dimes
- NC Association of Local Health Directors
- Nutrition Services Branch
- Office on Women's Health
- Plan of Safe Care (POSC)
- Preconception Health and Health Care
- Show Your Love: Preconception Health
- Sickle Cell Syndrome Program
- Teen Pregnancy Prevention Initiatives (TPPI)
- Tobacco Prevention and Control Branch
- Women's and Children's Health Section
Contact
Mailing Address
Women's Health Branch
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: May 28, 2020