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Duplin County health staff outline CFSP rollout, vaccine outreach and accreditation plans
Summary
Health department officials told the consolidated human services board that the Children and Family Specialty Plan will launch Dec. 1, vaccination outreach and accreditation work are underway, WIC funding is secured through November and the department is recruiting for three clinical positions.
Duplin County health department officials told the consolidated human services board on Monday that the state’s Children and Family Specialty Plan (CFSP) will go live Dec. 1 and that the department is preparing community outreach and accreditation work ahead of winter respiratory season.
Annie Murrow of the Department of Social Services said Blue Cross of North Carolina was awarded the CFSP contract in August 2024 and that the plan will be managed under the Healthy Blue Together framework. She told commissioners the CFSP is intended to provide integrated care for children involved with the child welfare system and to support continuity of care when placements change.
Dr. Tracy Simmons, speaking for the health department, said respiratory illnesses have been decreasing in recent weeks but warned flu, COVID-19 and RSV cases are expected to rise as winter approaches. She cited a reported adult flu death in North Carolina on Oct. 8 and urged vaccination, saying, “vaccines are the best way to prevent serious illness, hospitalizations, and death.”
The health department reported it has flu and RSV vaccines available and is awaiting standing orders for COVID-19 vaccination. Staff plan an outreach evening flu-vaccine event on Nov. 19. The department also said it had secured additional WIC funding through November while state and federal guidance related to SNAP benefits is pending further USDA instructions.
On accreditation, the health department said a hybrid site visit is scheduled for Feb. 25, 2026, and requested the board select two members to participate. The department reported its TB annual assessment was completed on Sept. 24 with no corrective actions and encouraged attendance at a county opioid meeting set for Nov. 18 at the Ed Emery Auditorium.
Murrow and Simmons also announced community events and fundraising: an annual foster care and adult bake sale on Nov. 25 at 9 a.m. at the courthouse, a Thanksgiving food drive on Nov. 26 and a Christmas food drive on Dec. 23. The department said it is actively recruiting for three clinical positions and is using a staffing contract to cover gaps due to limited applicants.
The board did not take formal action on these operational updates; staff were presenting information and calendar items. The department asked the board to name two members for the accreditation site visit as the process advances.
