North Carolina Health Centers Received Federal Funding
Five rural school-based health centers were awarded $1.25 million to expand preventive and acute care services.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Health — General
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Federal agencies have awarded $1.25 million to five school-based health centers across rural North Carolina. The investment aims to improve access to physical, behavioral, and nutritional health services for underserved communities.
Why it matters
These centers operate in regions where residents face limited access to local mental and physical health providers. The funding will allow these facilities to expand their capacity through mobile units, telehealth, and increased operations at existing sites.
Five rural, school-based health centers in North Carolina received a portion of $1.25 million in federal grants. This effort is part of a larger, $213 million first-year federal program supported by the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
The players
U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
This federal agency is responsible for administering programs that provide health coverage and funding for medical services.
First Health of the Carolinas
This is a private, not-for-profit health care network serving the needs of residents in Moore County and the surrounding region.
Wilson County Health Department
This local government agency provides public health services and programs to residents in Wilson County.
Appalachian District Health Department
This public health organization serves several counties in the rural Appalachian region of North Carolina.
Blue Ridge Community Health Services
This organization provides comprehensive medical, dental, and behavioral health care to residents in western North Carolina.
The details
The grant recipients include First Health of the Carolinas, the Wilson County Health Department, the Appalachian District Health Department, Blue Ridge Community Health Services, and the Mountain Community Health Partnership. These providers plan to reach more patients by utilizing telehealth platforms and mobile clinics while bolstering staffing levels at current rural locations.
Timeline
The program received over $213 million in federal funding during its first year.
Health Landscape
This funding allocation follows a pattern set by the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to address healthcare disparities in rural regions. By targeting school-based facilities, the initiative prioritizes integrated health access within areas currently experiencing a provider shortage.
Residents served by these five centers can expect increased access to preventive and acute care through new mobile and telehealth options. These changes are designed to reduce the travel burden for families needing behavioral, physical, or nutritional health support.
The takeaway
Rural healthcare access often relies on specialized partnerships between federal agencies and community-based organizations to fill service gaps. Families in these areas should monitor their local school-based clinics for updates on when these new mobile or telehealth services become operational.
Further reading
For more news on state medical initiatives, visit the Health — General section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by CBS17.
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