Dr. Jennifer Green, Cumberland County public health director, briefed commissioners on two preventive and outreach programs funded in recent budgets: Healthy Conversations and Connected Care.

Healthy Conversations uses trained barbers as community health connectors. Sheena Butler said the program expanded from 10 to 20 participating barbers in year two and has documented more than 3,700 completed conversational surveys and 573 blood‑pressure screenings across 26 outreach events. Butler said about half of respondents reported intentions to adopt behaviors such as taking blood‑pressure readings, increasing physical activity or advocating for family health; the program also provides referrals through an NC Care 360 portal.

Connected Care is a case‑management partnership between the public‑health department and Department of Social Services that screens for social determinants of health and helps residents connect to employment, educational resources, housing assistance and specialty clinics. Sanquis Graham said the program received 263 referrals in year two, connected 1,642 community members through outreach and provided financial assistance to 116 families (primarily housing or utility help). The program uses NC Care 360 to close referral loops and track outcomes; staff asked commissioners to continue support for program tracking and capacity to scale.

Commissioners praised both initiatives and asked for clarifications on NC Care 360 enrollment and referral procedures. Officials said NC Care 360 is a statewide platform developed through Medicaid expansion that allows partner agencies to submit, follow up on and track referrals with client consent.