News & Announcements

As summer temperatures continue to rise, Mecklenburg County, the City of Charlotte, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Emergency Management Office (CMEMO), and homeless service providers are working together to support the needs of the community.

Mecklenburg County residents are invited to join their neighbors from across the community to support our elders and those who care for them on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.  Age-Friendly Mecklenburg, AARP Charlotte, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of N.C. are co-hosting a walk and wearing purple to raise awareness of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older persons. The walk will be held June 4, 2024 at Freedom Park beginning at 9 a.m.

Mecklenburg County has completed a draft of a behavioral health strategic plan and invites residents to review and offer comments, especially people with lived experience, family members, and service providers. Behavioral health generally refers to mental health and substance use disorders, life stressors and crises, and stress-related physical symptoms. In recent years, Mecklenburg County has identified behavioral health as a priority for improving the well-being of residents. 

The week of May 6, 2024 is a time to show your appreciation for teachers across our community and in all of our schools—the teachers who shape young minds, from toddlers to high school seniors. Mecklenburg County salutes its teachers in MECK Pre-K, the County’s innovative program to offer high-quality education for all 4-year-old children residing in Mecklenburg County at no cost to their families.

A child’s life is a story just beginning. You can help write a happy ending.

MECK Pre-K is now accepting applications for the 2024-2025 school year, seven years after first enrolling students for the innovative program.  MECK Pre-K offers high-quality education for all 4-year-old children residing in Mecklenburg County at no cost to their families. The program was developed to address the Board of County Commissioners’ Early Childhood Development priority, which pledges to expand services that promote healthy early childhood development and education from ages birth to 5 years.   

Mecklenburg County and the City of Charlotte have jointly proclaimed April as Child Abuse Prevention Month, which recognizes the importance of families and communities working together to prevent child abuse and neglect.

Mecklenburg County Child, Family, and Adult Services is hosting its 11th annual “Summer Experience Fair,” giving families an opportunity to explore options to keep busy this summer. It’s a time for children, teens, and parents to learn more about the summer camp and educational opportunities available this summer as well as seasonal employment. The fair will be held Saturday, April 6, 2024, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (drop-in), at the  Valerie C. Woodard Center on Freedom Drive in Charlotte.

Help with heating bills is available through Mecklenburg County’s Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP). The deadline for eligible households to apply is March 31. LIEAP is one of several programs that help low-income households with their immediate energy needs, so they do not need to choose between heating their homes and other basic needs. Applicants must meet income guidelines, be responsible for the bill, provide their account number, and show proof of income. 

The Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners has proclaimed November as National Adoption Awareness Month. On Saturday, Nov. 18, Mecklenburg County and N.C. Courts will celebrate National Adoption Day with recently adopted children and their families. Thirty-four youth who have received decrees between October 2022 and October 2023 will be recognized.