All Nash County priorities are addressed in the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). Click on the links below for Progress Made in 2023.

For the priority area Metabolic Syndrome see Progress in 2023 note tabs for each program below.

DEPC - Faithful Families Program 

Healthy Communities Program 

Harrison Family YMCA Health and Wellness Programs 

Diabetes Awareness Program

For the priority area Poverty see Progress in 2023 note tabs for each program below.

DEPC - Gardening and Nutrition Support Program 

Harrison Family YMCA Food Box Program 

Cooperative Extension Financial Literary Program 

Nash County Senior Services Wellness Programs 

Ripe Revival Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Mobile Market

For the priority area Behavioral Health see Progress in 2023 note tabs for each program below.

Tobacco Prevention and Education 

Substance Use Programs | C.A.R.E 

Empowering Youth and Families Program (EYFP) through Cooperative Extension

There were no significant changes in morbidity and mortality in Nash County during 2023.

-DSS Child Welfare: In 2023, Nash County Department of Social Services (DSS) went under investigation by the North Carolina Department of Health & Human Services (NCDHHS) after two children died in two years while under the care of Nash County DSS. New management was hired as well as receiving an enhanced plan to correct previous actions.

-Nash County Health Department went through staff turnover due to retirement and employees leaving for other various reasons.

An initiative was identified in the 2021-2023 cycle that did not progress is:

-Postnatal Newborn Home Visiting: In 2023 our Postnatal Newborn Home Visiting Program ended due to home visiting restrictions during COVID. This program would send one of the Health Department nurses to a new mom's home to check on mom and the baby. This program was a great benefit to new mom's as they could ask questions and get checked without having to make an appointment at the clinic.

Several new initiatives were identified in the 2021-2023 cycle which are:

-Back to School After Hours Vaccination Clinic: In August and September 2023, the Nash County Health Department created a new initiative to have an after-hours walk-in immunization clinic for back-to-school vaccinations on Tuesday nights from 5-7pm. This gave parents in our community a chance to get their child's vaccinations up to date before school started back or to get caught up on missed vaccinations after the school year starts.

-Pet Connection Center: In August of 2023 a new Pet Connection Center was opened on 3600 Eastern Avenue in Rocky Mount, NC. This facility was initially funded through a $1.5 million grant from the estate of the late Rocky Mount physician Dr. Nancy Shaw and ended up costing $2.7 million in total to build. It is 9,600 square foot and at maximum capacity can hold 65 dogs and 65 cats.

-Opioid Settlement Plans: In December of 2023, Nash County introduced a new Assistant County Manager, Tia Foula, who will oversee the opioid settlement plans. She will be creating and overseeing an action plan for the county by engaging with the community and stakeholders. This plan will continue to develop and we are excited to see what new programs and projects will emerge.

-Lifelong Improvement Through Fitness Together (LIFT): NC Cooperative Extension created an 8-week strength-based training program for aging adults that meets twice a week. This program is available three times a year at the Nash County Agriculture Center & the Southern Nash Senior Center. So far, a total of 117 participants have completed the program and 100% have shown improvements in physical activity and confidence.

-MED Instead of MEDS: NC Cooperative Extension created a 5-week nutrition behavior change and food demonstration program offered twice a year in Nash County. 262 participants have completed this program and 100% of participants have stated that they made at least one healthy behavioral change.

Several initiatives were paused in the 2021-2023 cycle which are:

-Diabetes Awareness Program: In June of 2023 our Diabetes Awareness Program coordinator retired and left the county which caused our diabetes program to be put on pause. The position has not been filled and we are unsure as to whether or not this program will continue.

-Integrated Targeted Testing Services: In December of 2022 our Integrated Targeted Testing Services (ITTS) technician left the county and the ITTS coordinator retired in June of 2023 which caused our ITTS program to be shifted under the Lab Supervisor from Health Education. The program is currently adjusting under new management and creating new relationships with community partners.