Buncombe County Health & Human Services

Buncombe County Health & Human Services BCHHS provides core services that address the health, safety, and well-being of our residents. We strive to have open and honest dialogues with our followers.

Since 1992, Buncombe County has been developing a plan for an integrated Health & Human Services system. This system brings together the Departments of Health, Social Work Services, to create a streamlined group of services that address the health, safety, and well-being of residents in our community. We know that health and safety cannot be achieved in isolation or through the work of a single agency. It occurs through the choices that individuals make and their ability to choose good options. An integrated Health & Human Services gives individuals and families the tools and supports they need so they are better able to make those good choices. At the community level, Health & Human Services plays a vital role in keeping our community strong and working to align our community resources in ways that are efficient and lead to better outcomes for our citizens. We will correct inaccurate or misleading postings in a timely manner. We will not delete posts unless they violate our policies. SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY:

Buncombe County Health and Human Services have the right to delete posts and comments made that we find inappropriate. Any post or response which contains spam, defamatory comments, profanity, un-related or off-topic comments, un-related or off-topic photos, website links, or advertising are not allowed and will be removed or hidden, and are considered inappropriate. Any Facebook user that posts inappropriate comments or links will be banned and reported. Buncombe County Health and Human Services Facebook Administrators are NOT required to answer or respond to any post or comments made on our page. If you have an emergency please DO NOT post your emergency to our page, contact the proper authority. Programs

Public Assistance
Buncombe County Public Assistance provides low-income individuals and families with assistance to support their self-sufficiency through job training and employment services, food assistance, quality health care, and health care coverage, energy and utility assistance, and other economic supports for families. Public Health
It is the mission of the Department of Health to promote and protect the public's health and to assure through community partnerships that all people in Buncombe County have the opportunity to make healthy choices within a healthy environment. Social Work Services
The Mission of Buncombe County Social Work Services is to partner with individuals, families, and communities to strengthen their efforts toward independence, permanence, and safety. Veterans Services
Buncombe County Veterans Services Office offers assistance to our nation’s veterans, service members, and their families in obtaining a wide range of services.

Did you know that when a positive case of measles is identified in Buncombe County, Communicable Disease Nurses average ...
04/10/2026

Did you know that when a positive case of measles is identified in Buncombe County, Communicable Disease Nurses average about 100 phone calls for just one case?

Our nurses spend hundreds of hours conducting contact tracing and preventing the spread of the disease. Work includes:

👉 Identifying all the people who were potentially exposed.
👉Finding the immunization status of all the potentially exposed individuals.
👉Determining if quarantine or isolation is needed.
👉Determining if vaccination or other measures are recommended.

Last time we had a positive measles case in the County was on February 12, and we could not be here without our Communicable Disease Nurses. Happy Public Health Week!

(Peep our expertly-photoshopped staff 👀)

🦝💉  It's that time of the year again when our wild neighbors get a much-needed dose of the rabies vaccine. This rabies p...
04/10/2026

🦝💉 It's that time of the year again when our wild neighbors get a much-needed dose of the rabies vaccine.

This rabies program from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services and the North Carolina Department of Health & Human Services has been delivering rabies vaccines to raccoons since 2005.

How it works:
- Starting in April 13, baits containing the oral rabies vaccine will be distributed via fixed-wing and rotary-wing airplanes and ground vehicles in Buncombe County.

- In urban areas, including Asheville, these baits will be delivered by hand.

- Baits consist of a sachet containing the rabies vaccine. To make the baits attractive, the packets have a fishmeal coating or encased inside hard fishmeal–polymer blocks about the size of a matchbox.

🐶 What happens if your pet eats the bait? This vaccine has been shown to be safe in over 60 different species of animals, including domestic dogs and cats. Eating a large number of baits may cause a temporary upset stomach.

If you find a bait:

1. Leave it where you found it unless it is on your lawn, driveway, or other area unlikely to attract raccoons. Using gloves, you can move the bait to an area of thicker cover where raccoons are more likely find it.

2. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after any contact with baits. An intact bait will not harm you, but the fishmeal smell may get on your skin.

3. If a bait is broken and the liquid vaccine is visible, use gloves to place the bait in a bag and dispose of it with your regular trash. Once the bait has ruptured, it will no longer be effective. Please note: Anyone who comes into contact with the liquid vaccine should wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and water and call the phone number listed on the bait or 828-250-5000 for further instructions and referral.

🙌 As part of Public Health Week, we are sharing some recent accomplishments from our dedicated staff.🥒 🍅 🧺   The Buncomb...
04/09/2026

🙌 As part of Public Health Week, we are sharing some recent accomplishments from our dedicated staff.

🥒 🍅 🧺 The Buncombe County WIC clinic has received a grant that allows the clinic to write prescriptions to the farmers market for clients to receive fruit and vegetables as part of their supplemental nutrition in the WIC Clinic. This is a great program that supports both families and farmers.

In addition, WIC:

- Experienced a 5.6% increase in WIC participation since October 2024.
- Implemented a statewide service model policy change that reduced barriers to food access and increased the number of participants receiving WIC food benefits.
- Is a current recipient of the USDA Breastfeeding Award of Excellence – Premium Level

Thank you, WIC staff, for your continued support of young families.

Buncombe County is transitioning to a new mass notification system to improve the speed and reliability of emergency ale...
04/02/2026

Buncombe County is transitioning to a new mass notification system to improve the speed and reliability of emergency alerts. This upgrade follows a cyber‑attack that affected our previous provider, and the new system allows us to deliver critical information to residents more securely.

Because we have moved to a new system, previous CodeRED accounts are no longer active, and all residents must sign up again to continue receiving BC Alerts.

Sign up today:
Text BCReady to 67283 or visit buncombeNC.gov/bcalerts
Stay informed. Stay safe.

04/01/2026

Don't let ticks and mosquitoes fool you! When spring weather beckons you to the great outdoors, remember to take simple precautions before heading out to avoid small bites that can lead to big health impacts, such as Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

🧴 Use EPA-approved repellent

👖 Wear long clothing

👀 Check for ticks

🍃 Avoid bushy areas

🫧 Use permethrin on clothes

The Buncombe County Health and Human Services Board is now meeting for its regular monthly meeting. Items for discussion...
03/27/2026

The Buncombe County Health and Human Services Board is now meeting for its regular monthly meeting. Items for discussion include an update on the FY 2027 billing guide and a report from the HHS Director David Sweat.

View the agenda and the recording here: https://engage.buncombecounty.org/M53516

This week, the Buncombe County Social Services Team got much-needed fun at work, including lunch from Hark Buncombe Coun...
03/20/2026

This week, the Buncombe County Social Services Team got much-needed fun at work, including lunch from Hark Buncombe County, musical chairs, and a scavenger hunt.

This Social Work Month, we want to take a moment to thank our social workers who work every day to uplift people, defend justice, and transform lives. We are proud of you!

03/19/2026

🪴 All ages are welcome to Generations in Bloom, an event where you can paint your own planter and bring it home with you! Choose from a herb, flower, or vegetable plant.

Welcome the planting season with us! This event is free.

Details
Location: East Asheville Library
Date: Thursday, March 26
Time: 2 to 4 p.m

March is Social Work Month, and Buncombe County proudly celebrates the dedicated professionals who support, strengthen, ...
03/11/2026

March is Social Work Month, and Buncombe County proudly celebrates the dedicated professionals who support, strengthen, and advocate for our community every day. Thank you to all our social workers for the vital work you do for children, families, and residents across the county.

03/10/2026

Save the Date! Age-Friendly Buncombe County and Givens Communities are partnering once again to host the second annual Age-Friendly Summit on June 6!

This year's theme is Health Span Matters: Thriving Across the Years, with topics including healthy aging, staying engaged, reaching financial goals, and more.

Stay tuned, more details and a registration link are coming soon!

Address

40 Coxe Avenue
Asheville, NC
28801

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

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