NC Center for Health and Wellness at UNC Asheville

08/21/2025

El Centro de Salud y Bienestar de Carolina del Norte (NCCHW) se ha asociado con Smart Start del Condado de Transylvania para aprender más sobre la experiencia de personas que cuidan niños como familiares, amigos o vecinos en el oeste de Carolina del Norte — ¡y queremos escuchar su opinión!

El cuidado FFN (por sus siglas en inglés) se refiere al cuidado de niños que se brinda en el hogar del niño o en el hogar del cuidador, y lo ofrecen personas de confianza como abuelos, tías, tíos, amigos o vecinos. Este tipo de cuidado suele ser informal, pero es muy importante para muchas familias.

Los resultados de esta encuesta se usarán para apoyar mejor a quienes ofrecen este tipo de cuidado y para promover acceso a cuidado infantil de alta calidad para todos los niños.

La encuesta toma entre 10 y 15 minutos, y todas las respuestas son completamente anónimas. Al terminar, podrá participar en un sorteo para ganar una tarjeta de regalo Visa.

Si tiene preguntas sobre la encuesta o cómo se utilizarán sus respuestas, puede comunicarse con Alex Mitchell (anielson@unca.edu).
Enlaces a la encuesta:
Si usted cuida niños como familiar, amigo o vecino – https://forms.gle/jUYDzyqmKgJch4UB6
Si usted es papá o mamá de un niño que recibe este tipo de cuidado – https://forms.gle/92tYGG8ukAucbYNB9

08/21/2025

The North Carolina Center for Health and Wellness has partnered with the Smart Start of Transylvania County to research the experience of Family, Friend, and Neighbor Care providers in Western North Carolina, and we want to hear from you!

FFN care refers to childcare arrangements provided by relatives, friends, or neighbors within the child's home or the caregiver's home. It's often an informal arrangement, where the caregiver may be a grandparent, aunt, uncle, or other trusted individual. Results of this research will be used in advocacy efforts to better support FFN providers to offer high quality childcare to all in their care.

This survey should take approximately 10-15 minutes and all responses are anonymous. At the end of the survey, you will have the chance to enter a raffle drawing for a Visa Gift Card. If you have any questions about the survey or how your data will be used you can reach out to Alex Mitchell (anielson@unca.edu).
Survey Links:
If you are a provider of FFN Care- https://forms.gle/jUYDzyqmKgJch4UB6
If you are the parent of a child in FFN care- https://forms.gle/92tYGG8ukAucbYNB9

06/16/2025

Training the next generation of health professionals and supporting regional health partnerships are crucial to our community’s health and well-being. Engaged with both, the NC Center for Health and Wellness (NCCHW) at UNC Asheville is proud to introduce our new intern, Emma Hoosier!

Emma, a junior at the University of North Carolina Asheville, is working with us to better understand our healthcare workforce shortage and access issues across WNC and potential policy solutions.

The WNC Health Policy Initiative is a partnership between the NC Center for Health and Wellness (NCCHW) at UNC Asheville, Mountain Area Health Education Center - MAHEC, with generous funding from the Dogwood Health Trust, and works to inform strategies for improving the health and wellbeing of all people of WNC through scholarship, collaboration, policy development and advocacy. Learn more about WNC HPI at www.wnchealthpolicy.org

UNC Asheville Career Center

06/13/2025

NCCHW is pleased to announce a new and comprehensive resource “The Social Bridging NC Toolkit: Promoting Social Connectedness and Expanding Awareness about Social Isolation and Loneliness.” This toolkit was developed by the North Carolina Center for Health and Wellness (NCCHW) at the University of North Carolina Asheville in partnership with the NC Department of Health and Human Services Division of Aging. Click the link to view the toolkit: https://socialbridgingnc.org/toolkit

This toolkit was developed to raise awareness about how social isolation and loneliness can negatively impact health, share evidence-based practices for improving social engagement and connectedness, and provide resources and guidance to help others create similar programs for their communities.

04/30/2025

UNC Asheville is doing our annual fundraising drive, and you can contribute directly to our critical NCCHW programming by donating now and designating Other-> NC Center for Health and Wellness. Your support can help us continue to serve communities across the state in addressing chronic diseases, preventing falls, and other critical services.

Make your gift now!

11/26/2024

We asked our amazing NCFPC Partners to tell us their best tips for a fun and safe Thanksgiving gathering. Here are their responses! You can always find tips throughout the year on StandingStrongNC.org

Tip #4 link for Safe and Sturdy Footwear:https://static1.squarespace.com/static/64c7f39261414e37b0c3d914/t/66df9a4939ccce6c2f85ce72/1725930057554/STEADI_Feet_Footwear_Guide_O.pdf
Tip #8 link for the Home Safety Guide:https://static1.squarespace.com/static/64c7f39261414e37b0c3d914/t/64cbefcc99f0b84d2e04f8ec/1691086798721/STEADI-Brochure-CheckForSafety-508+%281%29.pdf

11/09/2024

In response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, the NCCHW and Social Bridging NC has compiled a short list of regional, long-term resources that support mental and emotional health, provide general aid, and protect against scams/fraud.

Hurricane Helene Relief Resources In response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, the North Carolina Center for Health and Wellness has compiled a short list of regional, long-term resources that support mental and emotional health, provide general aid, and protect against scams/fraud. Ge...

10/24/2024

Volunteers created a mutual aid hub in the small community of Barnardsville after Hurricane Helene. The experience, residents say, has forged a bond between generations living here.

10/17/2024

We know many in our community have been affected by Hurricane Helene, and our hearts go out to all who are facing challenges in its aftermath. We stand together in support of those impacted, and our thoughts are with you as we navigate this difficult time. Thankfully, our staff is safe and we are now gradually getting back online. As we come together to recover, we will be sharing more resources to support our community in the days ahead. Please see some links below for hurricane related relief and assistance.

Public Safety Information: https://www.ncdps.gov/our-organization/emergency-management/hurricane-helene
Mental Health Resources: https://www.vayahealth.com/helene-recovery/
NC DHHS Hurricane Recovery Resources: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/assistance/hurricane-helene-recovery-resources

Find resources below related to Hurricane Helene response and recovery efforts. This information will continue to be updated as recovery moves forward.

09/10/2024

Join us for the first Annual Health is Wealth Summit on Saturday, October 5th 2024! All community members are welcome to attend for free. Register here: https://mahec.net/home/event/74082

The Health is Wealth Summit will bring together community members, medical and public health professionals, policymakers, and community-based organizations to increase awareness and engagement in local efforts to mitigate and disrupt poverty and its effect on health and wellness across Western NC.

07/16/2024

We are thrilled to announce the NC Center for Health and Wellness at UNC Asheville is now hiring a Senior Project Manager for the Health Policy Initiative and would like to extend this opportunity to all qualified candidates across Western North Carolina and beyond. All applications must be submitted through the UNCA portal. The deadline to apply is 08/01/2024.
LEARN MORE AND APPLY HERE: https://jobs.unca.edu/postings/7424

Location: Western North Carolina/Asheville, NC (Hybrid role)
Job Description: The role of the Senior Project Manager for the Health Policy Initiative (Senior PM HPI) is both strategic and operational. This person will collaboratively lead the strategic visioning and implementation of activities for the initiative. It requires working with internal and external partners and staff, including one project coordinator and a research associate, to oversee all functions, policies, and processes related to the operation of the WNC Health Policy Initiative and its activities.
Learn more about WNC Health Policy Initiative: www.wnchealthpolicy.org

07/11/2024

We are excited to announce that people and partners around the state now have an opportunity to directly support the programs and work of the NC Center for Health and Wellness! Please check out our new landing page with the UNC Asheville Foundation. Designations include our General Fund, Healthy Aging NC, NC Falls Prevention Coalition/Standing Strong NC, and/or Campus-Community Collaboration! Donation Link: https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/47772/donations/new?a=8387310

Please contact us directly with any questions about our programs and you can read more about our work here:https://healthyagingnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/NCCHW-5YearReport-Digital.pdf

Join me and make a gift to NCCHW at UNC Asheville!