In 2024-2025, the WNC Health Policy Initiative partnered with the WNC Early Childhood Coalition and other regional partners in the early childhood/childcare space to address the expiration of pandemic-era federal stabilization grants, along with other challenges facing the child care sector. On July 2, 2026, the NC General Assembly finally passed the 2026-2027 budget, which includes several funding several allocations and policies to support early childhood centers and providers.

On May 1, 2025, North Carolina Governor Josh Stein officially proclaimed May as Mental Health Awareness Month. Mental health is a critical issue for Western North Carolina, with 11% of respondents to regional health assessment surveys report having considered suicide in past year, up from 7% in 2021, and 20% report being unable to access needed mental health services. In the wake of Hurricane Helene, greater resources, awareness, programs, and policy supports are needed to support the mental health of all Western North Carolinians.

On March 10th, North Carolina Governor Josh Stein announced an executive order establishing a new Task Force for Child Care and Early Education “to identify strengths and gaps in the current system, recommend key public and private investment in child care infrastructure, and work to recruit and retain a strong child care workforce.”