North Carolina

Note: Recipient-submitted material; content authored by recipient, not ELC
Information current as of October 6, 2021

Management structure for school screening

North Carolina’s Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) directs and manages all activities related to this award. The NCDHHS team consists of (1) DHHS COVID19 testing program director, (2) School Health Nurse Consultant Supervisor and Regional Consultants, (3) DHHS COVID testing and vaccine vendor program director, (4) K-12 Testing Vendor Liaison, (5) DHHS Communications support.

Support provided to school districts

NCDHHS is offering two testing program options for school districts, charter schools, and private schools to select from for the 2021-2022 school year. Both programs will be implemented in line with CDC K-12 testing guidance. Community transmission levels are used to inform district/school plans for details of testing programs. The two options are:

• State-Contracted Vendor Testing: schools may choose to use a state-contracted vendor that is available to all schools performing testing of students and staff. A vendor will be provided at no cost to schools that elect to participate in this program option.
• Independent Testing: schools may choose to perform testing on their own or in partnership with a non-state sponsored vendor. NCDHHS will provide tests at no cost to all schools who elect to perform testing independently.

Additionally, public school districts and charter schools who elect to participate in either:

• State Vendor Program, or
• Independent Testing: schools will be eligible to receive funding to hire temporary school health staff for the 2021-2022 school year.