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Lasting change requires meaningful collaboration from a diverse group of individuals and organizations, especially those who are most directly impacted by policy solutions.
Our team collaboratively engages with leaders and decision makers across sectors and across the political spectrum to advocate for policies that improve health outcomes for North Carolina’s children and families. Through policy analysis and thoughtful coalition building, our team moves the needle forward on a range of legislative priorities, including youth mental health, maternal and infant health, family economic security, and other critical issues.
Our team works hard to develop strong working relationships with state and local leaders across the health, education, early childhood, and child welfare fields. These include other advocates, clinical providers, parent groups, elected and appointed officials, and youth. These relationships allow us to work together to develop strong policy solutions and elevate them to decision-makers who have trust that these solutions serve the best interest of kids.

Lunch and Learn: Youth Mental Health in a Digital Age

Lunch and Learn: Understanding Community Beyond Your Own Experience

Lunch and Learn: Data in Advocacy

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Deep Dive: The 2026 KIDS COUNT Data Book

North Carolina Ranks 32nd in 2026 KIDS COUNT Data Book as NC Child Urges Focus on Supporting Thriving Kids and Families

A thank you, a farewell, and a challenge

NC Child recognizes North Carolina leaders and child advocates at annual reception

Community Spotlight: Gladwell Orthodontics

Community Spotlight: Together We Can

Youth Suicide Trends Show Urgent Need for Coordinated Mental Health Action in NC

Erica Palmer Smith

Misty Herget

Kelvin Stallings

Neil Harrington

Melissa Wajnert Hartzell

Kim Gibson-Forrest

Meisha Evans

Jeff Bachar

Kristi Maida

Leanna Martin

Join us for a Lunch and Learn conversation featuring members of NC Child’s Youth Advocacy Council and @seenandheard_an on youth mental health through the lens of lived experience and advocacy. Panelists will share their perspectives on the challenges young people face today, the role social media and digital culture play, and the supports that help youth feel valued and empowered. Register today at the link in our bio!

Members of the statewide EarlyWell coalition met last week to begin shaping their advocacy priorities for the 2027 session of the North Carolina General Assembly, focusing on strengthening the systems that support young children and their caregivers. Discussions centered around expanding access to evidence-based home visiting programs, strengthening Family Support Network services statewide, and making early relational health a priority within North Carolina’s Rural Health Transformation Program. EarlyWell members will continue planning for their 2027 policy priorities in the months ahead and engaging lawmakers, state leaders, and other partners as the legislative session approaches. The EarlyWell Initiative is co-led by the North Carolina Early Childhood Foundation and NC Child to unite families, early childhood clinicians, advocates, and system leaders around a shared goal: strengthening infant and early childhood mental health and the policies that help children and their caregivers thrive.

We have officially welcomed the 2026–2027 Youth Advocacy Council, bringing together 21 high school students from across North Carolina for their first in-person meeting of the year. The event marked the beginning of a new Council term centered on leadership, advocacy, relationship-building, and the development of a youth-led policy proposal. Council members had the honor of hearing from NC House members Representative Mike Schietzelt and Representative Abraham Penn Jones, and NC Child CEO Erica Palmer Smith. Members were then formally sworn into their term by Wake County District Court Judge David Baker, marking the official start of their service on the Council. The Youth Advocacy Council is rooted in the belief that if decisions are being made about young people, then young people need to be part of those decisions. We're so excited to see what these youth do on the YAC this year.

Suicide Awareness Month may be wrapping up today, but at NC Child, we're focused on youth mental health all year round. Mental health issues can show up early in a child's life, as early as infancy or in preschool, and it's up to all of us to address the crisis. That's why NC Child is working to understand what's causing this crisis and is committed to advancing solutions that help all of North Carolina's children. Visit ncchild.org to learn more.

Young people deserve to have a voice in the policies that affect their lives. NC Child’s Youth Advocacy Council developed and advocated for a policy proposal to expand peer-to-peer mental health support for young people. This year, that priority was reflected in the state budget, with $350,000 for the Center for Safer Schools to support school safety programs, including peer-to-peer mentoring. During Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, we’re especially proud to highlight what can happen when young people have a voice in shaping solutions that support their health and well-being. NC Child continues to work alongside young people to advance policies that support the mental health and well-being of children across our state. And right now, you can help that work go twice as far. Thanks to the @4earlysuccess, every gift to NC Child will be matched dollar for dollar. Double your impact for North Carolina’s kids today: ncchild.org/give

Register now for our next Child Advocacy Network Lunch & Learn: Understanding Community Beyond Your Own Experience, happening tomorrow! We'll explore how key factors such as geography, transportation, income, institutions, history, age, and access can produce disparate experiences within the same community. This session will feature community engagement experts from across the state and provide an opportunity for discussion, learning, and collaboration. Register at the link in our bio!

There is a youth mental health crisis in North Carolina and around the world. Mental health issues can show up early in a child’s life, as early as infancy or in preschool, and can often present symptoms like anxiety, feeding problems, and behavioral challenges. NC Child is committed to advancing solutions. Today is #WorldSuicidePreventionDay, and North Carolina can be a leader in preventing youth suicide by supporting and investing in programs like the peer-to-peer support model that NC Child's Youth Advocacy Council proposed and was included in the 2026 North Carolina budget. To learn more about NC Child's work addressing youth mental health, visit https://ow.ly/MjgA50ZMcWR

Working for kids means showing up where decisions are made. At NC Child, we work every day to make sure North Carolina’s children are represented in the policies and decisions that shape their lives — from child care and health care to making sure kids have the food they need to grow and thrive. And right now, you can help make that work go twice as far. Thanks to the @4earlysuccess, every gift to NC Child will be matched dollar for dollar. When you give to NC Child, you’re helping us keep showing up, speaking up, and working for policies that help children and families thrive. Double your impact for North Carolina’s kids today: ncchild.org/give

Our 2026 County Data Cards are here, and new data from NC Child shows that the number of children who are food insecure is at the highest level recorded in almost a decade. The County Data Cards are an annual snapshot that outlines 15 key metrics assessing child health and well-being in all of North Carolina’s 100 counties. Our Executive Director, Erica Palmer Smith, says, “The old adage is true—you can’t change what you don’t measure. We all have big dreams for our state's children, and equipping advocates, leaders, and decisionmakers with the latest data on child well-being ensures that those dreams can become a reality.” To download the Data Card for your county, visit https://bit.ly/4yanciz. For more information about child health and well-being, visit the NC Child Data Center at https://bit.ly/45YsBxg.

When we work for kids, big things happen. This summer, NC Child helped secure a major victory: a statewide child care subsidy reimbursement rate floor, ensuring an additional 7,400 children can access child care across North Carolina. And we’re working every day to keep that progress going. Right now, your support can go twice as far. Thanks to the @4earlysuccess, every gift to NC Child will be matched dollar for dollar. Your gift helps NC Child continue working to make sure public policies deliver for North Carolina’s children and families. Give today and double your impact for kids at ncchild.org/give

Kids don’t really work at NC Child… but at NC Child, we work for kids. 💙 Every day, we work to make North Carolina a place where every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential — by advocating for stronger policies, elevating the voices of children and families, and bringing people together to create lasting change. And right now, your support can go twice as far. Thanks to a generous matching gift from the @4earlysuccess, every donation to NC Child will be matched dollar for dollar. That means twice the impact for North Carolina’s kids and families. Give today and double your impact for kids at ncchild.org/give

Register now for our next Child Advocacy Network Lunch & Learn: Understanding Community Beyond Your Own Experience. On Wednesday, September 16, we'll explore how key factors such as geography, transportation, income, institutions, history, age, and access can produce disparate experiences within the same community. This session will feature community engagement experts from across the state and provide an opportunity for discussion, learning, and collaboration. Register at the link in our bio 🔗

Despite its vital importance to overall health, children's oral health is often overlooked. NC Child sought to understand the underlying barriers to oral health access for children across the state and how access to care can be improved. Through holding focus groups and interviews with oral health providers, parents of children with Medicaid coverage, school personnel key in providing school-based oral health services, and with children themselves, we were able to understand crucial factors impacting children's oral health outcomes. Read about our findings in the full Strengthening Smiles: Child Oral Health Barriers and Opportunities in North Carolina report at the link in our bio.

It may be #InternationalYouthDay today, but we're focused on North Carolina's youth every day. We believe that our children deserve our greatest efforts and we work to advance thoughtful policy solutions around early childhood education, child health and well-being, and family economic security. We do this through conducting and analyzing evidence-based research and data, collaborating with leaders at the North Carolina General Assembly, and engaging communities across North Carolina's 100 counties. To support our work to advocate for policies that improve the lives of all North Carolina Children, please consider donating at ncchild.org/give. Thanks to the generous support of a funding partner, every gift made will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $25,000.

For our Chief Operating Officer, Misty, it feels like just yesterday she was taking her daughter Marlowe to the store so she could pick out the school supplies that would accompany her through another year of school. Now, they're picking out desk lamps and extra phone chargers before moving into her dorm at Appalachian State next week. Even though the shopping list has changed, Misty still wants her to have everything she needs so she can be excited about all the things she will learn and experience these next four years. Every child deserves the opportunity to be prepared, grow, thrive, and reach their full potential. Whether it's pushing for interventions to keep SNAP strong so kids can get the food they need to grow up strong, or investing in mental health supports to help young people navigate their hardships, or any other number of solutions, the important thing is that we all find a way to take action. Thanks to the generosity of a funding partner, every gift made to NC Child will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $25,000, to help support our work. This back-to-school season, consider making a gift to NC Child that doubles your impact and helps us ensure every child is ready for the year ahead. Donate today at ncchild.org/give.

Our Youth Advocacy Council is comprised of high school students all across the state. They work together to build a policy proposal, meet with their local legislators, advocate at the General Assembly in Raleigh, and speak at our annual State of the Child Summit. We're so proud of these young advocates and all they do to help kids in their own communities and across North Carolina.

Give a gift and double your impact! Thanks to the generous support of a funding partner, every gift made will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $25,000, to support our work to advocate for policies that improve the lives of all North Carolina Children. Give today at ncchild.org/give and thank you in advance for your contribution!

Our 2026 State of the Child Summit was incredible! There were great conversations, passionate speakers and panels, and inspiring commitments to make North Carolina First in Children. Thank you to everyone who joined us!

Our Matching Challenge is still happening! Two NC Child policy wins were included in the State budget that was passed by the North Carolina General Assembly and Gov. Stein earlier this month. Those wins were establishing a child care statewide subsidy reimbursement rate floor and a youth-led peer-to-peer mentoring program. Learn more from our team about these wins here: https://ow.ly/7noQ50ZnuZM Thanks to the generous support of a funding partner, every gift made will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $25,000, to support our work to achieve more successes like these. Your continued support and belief in our mission matters just as much today as it did yesterday. Give today at ncchild.org/donate, and thank you in advance for your contribution!

FINAL CALL! Applications for the 2026-2027 Youth Advocacy Council close TODAY, and you don't want to miss your chance to join this passionate team of youth advocates! The YAC provides high school students with the opportunity to develop leadership skills and shape public policies that can transform outcomes for youth across the state. Apply today at ncchild.org

This month, the North Carolina General Assembly and Gov. Stein worked to pass a State budget that included two policy wins that NC Child and advocates like you have been working toward: establishing a child care statewide subsidy reimbursement rate floor and a youth-led peer-to-peer mentoring program. Learn more from our team about these wins at the link in our bio! While we're celebrating these critical investments that measurably improve outcomes for North Carolina’s children and families, they’re just the beginning. Your continued support and belief in our mission matters just as much today as it did yesterday. Thanks to the generous support of a funding partner, every gift made will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $25,000, to support our work to achieve more successes like these. Give today at ncchild.org/donate and thank you in advance for your contribution! A $50 gift becomes $100 A $250 gift becomes $500 A $1,000 gift becomes $2,000

We're so proud of the Youth Advocacy Council for all of their hard work on their policy proposal for a peer-to-peer mental health model! The NC budget includes $350,000 for the Center for Safer Schools for school safety programs that include Peer-to-Peer mentoring. The YAC is comprised of high school students across the state, and applications are open until Wednesday, July 15. If you know of a high schooler who is interested in advocacy and wants to create change for youth in North Carolina, be sure to have them apply at ncchild.org!

Mark your calendars for July 22nd at noon for a Lunch and Learn highlighting data in advocacy! There will be opportunities to discuss, learn, and collaborate about data-driven advocacy with other advocates working to help kids and families in North Carolina. Register today at the link in our bio!

Are you a high school student looking to gain real experience in policy alongside other incredible youth advocates? Our Youth Advocacy Council is accepting applications from now until July 15th. The YAC gives 9th-12th grade students the chance to develop leadership skills and shape public policies that can make a lasting impact for youth all across North Carolina. Apply today at ncchild.org

Do you know a passionate and community-driven young person who wants to make a positive impact? Encourage them to apply for the NC Child Youth Advocacy Council! The YAC provides students from grades 9-12 with the opportunity to develop leadership skills and shape public policies that can transform outcomes for youth across the state. Apply at the link in our bio by July 15th!

Today, the legislature sent a state budget to Gov. Stein's desk, and in it was a huge win for North Carolina's children and families: the passing and establishment of a statewide child care subsidy reimbursement rate floor! We could not be more thankful for advocates' steadfast commitment to this dream, and we are so grateful to our legislators for investing in the success of our children.

Applications are open for our Youth Advocacy Council! The Council is an advocacy group of 9th-12th graders in North Carolina who learn foundational skills to advocate for policy solutions. The Youth Advocacy Council has members statewide and is primarily remote, but there are in-person opportunities to advocate at the state and local levels. If you know a high schooler who is interested in policy, leadership, and making a difference, encourage them to apply at ncchild.org by the July 1 deadline!

While the outcomes vary slightly across programs, evidence-based home visiting programs, such as Family Connects, can increase positive parenting practices, improve child health and school readiness, and decrease the risk of child abuse and neglect.

Since January 2025, half of the 100 counties in North Carolina have experienced a net loss in child care programs. Research has shown that when children participate in early childhood education programs, they are more likely to read at grade level, graduate high school, go off to college, and have higher lifetime earnings. Learn more about the financial realities of early childhood education in the Building Blocks and Bottom Lines report at ncchild.org

For more than 20 years, Christopher James has advocated tirelessly for children and families involved in the child welfare system. Since becoming a foster parent himself, Christopher and his family have fostered more than 70 children. In addition, he has become the adoptive father of three and will soon welcome a fourth adopted child. Christopher’s commitment continues to extend far beyond the family's home. Today he is in his second year of serving on NC Child's Parent Advisory Council, helping ensure the lived experiences of North Carolina families being directly impacted by these systems, are the voices that help shape the solutions. Through every role—foster parent, adoptive father, advocate, mentor, and community leader—he continues to mobilize action for families across the state. Christopher's dedication is improving the lives of North Carolina families every day. Together, we can help build a North Carolina where every child has the foundation they need to thrive. This Father’s Day, we invite you to make a gift to NC Child in honor of a dad, grandfather, or mentor who built a strong foundation in your life. Visit ncchild.org/give.

We're looking for new members to join our Youth Advocacy Council! The YAC is an advocacy group of 9-12 graders in North Carolina who learn foundational skills to advocate for policy solutions. The YAC has members statewide, and is primarily remote, but there are in-person opportunities to advocate at the state and local level, and even to speak at our annual State of the Child Summit! If you know a high schooler who is interested in policy, leadership, and making a difference, encourage them to apply at https://bit.ly/4elHZrk

Today, nearly one in five of our kindergarteners has untreated tooth decay. A similar percentage of all children haven’t accessed preventative dental care in the past year. We have the opportunity to improve oral health outcomes for our children, and right now, too many of North Carolina’s kids still aren’t able to access the basic services they need. Over the last few years, NC Child has traveled across the state talking to parents, children, providers, and community leaders about oral health access in their communities. Learn more about our recommendations by reading our Teeth Talk report at https://bit.ly/4xyM0Bm

Gregory and his wife may have expected a quieter season of life after more than 40 years of marriage, but today their home is bustling with sound and activity. They have been raising five grandchildren and creating a home filled with love, support, and structure. Stories like Gregory’s highlight a larger reality: too many families throughout North Carolina are navigating crises without the support they need. Grandparents and relatives are stepping in every day to keep children safe and families connected, often while facing significant emotional, financial, and logistical challenges themselves. At NC Child, we work to change the systems that impact families like Gregory’s by advocating for policies that strengthen economic security, improve access to health and mental health care, support kinship caregivers, and help children remain safely connected to family and community. This Father’s Day, we honor fathers, grandfathers, and caregivers like Gregory who step up when children need them most. We invite you to help build a North Carolina where every family has the support they need to create the stability and resources for all our children to thrive by visiting ncchild.org/give today.

On Saturday, the NC Child Youth Advocacy Council convened in Wilmington for their final in-person meeting of the 2025-2026 term to present their policy proposal to a panel of non-profit leaders and elected officials on a tangible way to improve youth mental health for themselves and their peers across the state. Wilmington Mayor Pro Tem Kevin Spears (@martinluther_kongjr) was the keynote speaker, and the panelists reviewing the proposal consisted of State Representative Deb Butler (@deb_butlernc), who represents District 18 in the North Carolina House of Representatives, New Hanover County Commissioner Rob Zapple (@robzapple), Wilmington City Council Member Chakema Clinton-Quintana (@chakemaforilm), and NC Child Board Member Velva Jenkins. The Council's proposal centers on establishing school district-led peer support circles facilitated by trained high school students alongside trained adult advisors. The circle model is designed to provide students with a structured space to discuss everyday challenges, build healthy coping skills, and strengthen peer connections while maintaining clear escalation protocols for situations in which a student may be experiencing a mental health crisis or requires immediate intervention from qualified professionals. The event concluded with an awards ceremony after the presentation, highlighting the hard work and dedication of the Youth Advocacy Council.

Meet Anna Nall, our Research Intern! We are so grateful to have her as a part of the NC Child team!

Senior Director of Policy and Research Neil Harrington presented at the Kenan Institute of Private Enterprises Conference on Market Based Solutions to Wealth Inequality today where he spoke on the economic impacts of child care alongside Samantha Cole at @ncdeptofcommerce

Fathers, caregivers, and father figures play an important role in building up the lives of children. These special people taught us meaningful life lessons and made sure we were safe, healthy, and ready to take on the world. This Father’s Day, honor the dads, uncles, grandparents, caregivers, and father figures who help build brighter futures for North Carolina’s children by making a gift in honor of a caregiver at ncchild.org/give

Do you know a North Carolina high school student who is passionate about making a change in their community and wants to sharpen their leadership skills? Encourage them to join our 2026-2027 Youth Advocacy Council. Applications are open now and will close on July 1. Learn more and apply at the link in our bio 🔗

Meet Misty Herget, our Chief Operations Officer! We are thrilled to have her as a part of the NC Child team!

At our Voices for Children Reception earlier this spring, we recognized four North Carolina leaders and advocates for their exceptional service and commitment to our state's children and families. Each of these individuals have inspired action, advocated for change, championed policies, and have made a tremendous impact, and we're grateful for all they do to ensure that every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential. Read more on our blog at the link in our bio 🔗 [Pictured left to right: H.E.A.R.T.S. Executive Director Tameka Brown, advocate Chelsea Gray, Sen. Jim Burgin, Halifax County Schools Superintendent Dr. Eric Cunningham.]

Applications are open for the 2027 NC Child Youth Advocacy Council! We're looking for passionate high school students who are eager to learn new skills, connect with peers across the state, and make a difference in the lives of North Carolina's young people. Applications close on July 1st. Learn more and apply at the link in our bio 🔗

Yesterday, Pamela from our Parent Advisory Council shared her story at the Medicaid Educational Briefing hosted by the KBR Charitable Trust. We are thankful for our PAC members and how they show up and advocate for children and families in our state who need our attention today.

Yesterday, members of our Youth Advocacy Council visited the General Assembly and met with legislators to share their policy proposal around youth mental health. We want to extend a huge thank you to Chairman Bell, Rep. Lopez, Rep. Gable, Rep. Pittman, Rep. Ferguson, Rep. Buansi, Rep. Johnson-Hostler, and Sen. Murdock for their time and attention in meeting with these students and hearing them advocate for youth mental health in our state.

Mother’s Day provides us the opportunity to pause and reflect on the people who have shaped us - the ones who show up, speak up, and love in ways that stay with us forever. This Mother’s Day, we invite you to be a part of shaping that change by making a gift in honor of someone who has shown up for you – someone who has loved, advocated, and stood in the gap when it mattered most. When you give, we’ll send a beautiful, personalized Mother’s Day card to your honoree, letting her know the impact of your generosity that supports building a brighter path for children and families across our state. Visit ncchild.org/give to make your gift today!

NC Child was in Marshall yesterday for the Madison County State of the Child. Special thanks to the Madison County Health Department and Madison County Partnership for Children & Families for hosting with us, and thank you to everyone who came out and took part in the conversation about the issues facing children in mountain communities like Madison.

Yesterday, our Executive Director Erica Palmer Smith was a guest on Capital Tonight on Spectrum News to talk about the biggest issues facing children in North Carolina, including access to high quality early childhood education and the crisis of youth mental health. You can check out the interview here (running from the 6:00 to 14:00 minute mark). https://ow.ly/LAbE50YW7Hg Thank you, Tim, for having us on!

Every mother wants the same thing for her children - to thrive in a world that sees them for who they are, not the challenges they face. What Samantha wants is simple - for her children to be seen, their abilities recognized, and their opportunities to reflect their true potential. That shouldn’t be something a parent has to fight hard for, and that is why NC Child exists. Together with our network of advocates, partners, and supporters, we work to fix the systems that stand in the way of children and families so parents like Samantha don’t have to carry this burden alone. When you support NC Child, you are directly dismantling the barriers that keep North Carolina’s children from thriving. Because of you, mothers like Samantha have a voice at the table. This Mother’s Day, we invite you to be a part of shaping that change by making a gift in honor of someone who has shown up for you – someone who has loved, advocated, and stood in the gap when it mattered most. When you give, we’ll send a beautiful, personalized Mother’s Day card to your honoree, letting her know the impact of your generosity that supports building a brighter path for children and families across our state. Visit ncchild.org/give today!

Bill Alert! Yesterday, Senator Jim Burgin filed SB 1042, which would provide a $75 million investment in child care in North Carolina. Our child care system has reached a crisis point, and that's left families without access to reliable, affordable care that they need for their children. This bill takes meaningful steps to solve the child care crisis by investing in the system and requiring the development of a statewide subsidy reimbursement rate floor, one of NC Child's top priorities. We are grateful to Senator Burgin for putting children and families first and for championing legislation that stabilizes the child care system throughout the state.

Every day across North Carolina, parents and caregivers are doing everything they can to help their children thrive, providing unconditional love and strength that adapts to whatever their child needs. Mother’s Day provides us the opportunity to pause and reflect on the people who have shaped us - the ones who show up, speak up, and love in ways that stay with us forever. This Mother’s Day, we invite you to be a part of shaping that change by making a gift in honor of someone who has shown up for you – someone who has loved, advocated, and stood in the gap when it mattered most. Hannah learned early that motherhood wouldn’t be soft in the ways people imagine - for her, it would be sacred, and it would be strong. A love that asked her to listen differently, to see differently, and to speak up in ways she never expected. “Jermar may not use many words, but he has taught me a language deeper than speech, one rooted in presence, patience, and truth. This is what it means to be his mom, to stand in the gap, to move with purpose, to love in action… this is what motherhood means to me.” Visit ncchild.org/donate and we’ll send a beautiful, personalized Mother’s Day card to your honoree, letting her know the impact of your generosity that supports building a brighter path for children and families across our state.

NC Child is focused on three main areas to improve the lives of all North Carolina kids and families: Early Childhood Education, Child Health & Well-Being, and Family Economic Security.

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