Governor Stein Proclaims Whole Child Health and Well-Being Month

Whole Child Health and Well-Being Month

2026

By The Governor Of The State Of North Carolina

A Proclamation

Whereas, North Carolina’s children are our greatest natural resource and must be our state’s top priority in civic goals and public policies to improve population health, gain greater value for health care expenditures, expand access to affordable high-quality child care and education, build a robust workforce, and ensure prosperity for all; and 

Whereas, North Carolina’s future economic and social progress depends on investments that provide every child with the opportunity to be healthy, safe, educated, resilient, and prepared for lifelong success; and 

Whereas, despite North Carolina’s collective commitment to children and the availability of health, educational, and community resources for children and families, troubling indicators persist; 63 percent of North Carolina children experience physical, mental, and/or social health problems and risks that threaten their daily functioning, development, and lifelong health; and 

Whereas, only 37 percent of North Carolina children ages 3 to 5 years are on track, healthy, and ready to start school; only 41 percent of North Carolina fourth-graders read at or above grade level; and 1 in 5 North Carolina children have endured 2 to 3 adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and 1 in 10 have endured more than 5 ACEs, which can have lasting negative impacts on health, well-being, and development; and 

Whereas, North Carolina has made meaningful strides in improving the lives of children, recognizing the critical need to mitigate exposure to adversity, build resilience, and improve skills and abilities to ensure each child has a solid foundation for the future; and 

Whereas, a roadmap provided by the Decade of the Child Initiative – crucial information based on the knowledge that early childhood experiences change our brains in ways that make us more or less vulnerable to health problems – is available to guide North Carolina policymakers and the public to strengthen supports and increase the prevalence of positive and protective conditions for every child to be healthy and thrive;

Now, Therefore, I, Josh Stein, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim June 2026 as “Whole Child Health and Well-Being Month” in North Carolina and commend its observance to all residents.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina at the Capitol in Raleigh this first day of June in the year of our Lord two thousand and twenty-sixth and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fiftieth.