Jennifer Fernandez
@jenf-writer.bsky.social
I like dragons, books, movies, dogs and cats. Not necessarily in that order. Reporter for @nchealthnews. Provide writing and editing services through my company, Dragonfire Communications based in Greensboro, N.C.
ICYMI: My latest story for @nchealthnews: www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2025/11/21/m...
NC stagnates on maternal and infant health, gets D+ from March of Dimes
Steps such as Medicaid expansion, extended postpartum coverage and loosening restrictions on CNMs, are considered promising efforts.
www.northcarolinahealthnews.org
November 24, 2025 at 6:36 PM
ICYMI: My latest story for @nchealthnews: www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2025/11/21/m...
My latest for @nchealthnews looks at how the federal food aid delay affects college students: www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2025/11/11/f...
Federal SNAP snafu affects nearly 85,000 NC college students who receive federal food assistance
Another nearly 100,000 students are likely missing out, but lack of knowledge, difficulty, stigma keeps them from signing up.
www.northcarolinahealthnews.org
November 11, 2025 at 5:57 PM
My latest for @nchealthnews looks at how the federal food aid delay affects college students: www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2025/11/11/f...
ICYMI: N.C. child advocates worry about loss of perinatal quality group. www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2025/10/30/p...
Medicaid funding shortfall shutters statewide program helping moms and babies
The state's Perinatal Quality Collaborative has been credited with reducing C-section births, boosting breastfeeding, and cutting infant infection rates.
www.northcarolinahealthnews.org
November 6, 2025 at 5:41 PM
ICYMI: N.C. child advocates worry about loss of perinatal quality group. www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2025/10/30/p...
ICYMI: My story from last week on whooping cough: www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2025/10/03/v...
Whooping cough surges in North Carolina; fading vaccine immunity likely plays a role
Even vaccinated children can catch and spread whooping cough. Here's why experts say booster shots and awareness are key.
www.northcarolinahealthnews.org
October 8, 2025 at 11:17 AM
ICYMI: My story from last week on whooping cough: www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2025/10/03/v...
My latest story for @nchealthnews on addressing #mentalhealth of Black youth in NC:
www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2025/09/26/b...
www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2025/09/26/b...
Stronger Together: Conference focuses on Black youth mental health
College student panel says resources available to help with Black youth mental health, but many friends and families don’t know about them.
www.northcarolinahealthnews.org
September 26, 2025 at 4:37 PM
My latest story for @nchealthnews on addressing #mentalhealth of Black youth in NC:
www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2025/09/26/b...
www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2025/09/26/b...
My latest story for @nchealthnews looks at how federal funding cuts and delays are affecting HIV prevention work in NC: www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2025/07/31/f...
Federal funding cuts, delays undermine HIV response in North Carolina
The temporary loss of key HIV grants forced organizations to cut hours, furlough workers and delay critical public health initiatives.
www.northcarolinahealthnews.org
July 31, 2025 at 9:36 PM
My latest story for @nchealthnews looks at how federal funding cuts and delays are affecting HIV prevention work in NC: www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2025/07/31/f...
Anyone with an elderly or disabled family member looking for an independent living option with support services needs to read this story from @nchealthnews reporter Jaymie Baxley: www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2025/07/28/m...
Rural NC county sees rapid rise in unregulated care homes
Lack of oversight has fueled a growth in unlicensed housing for people with disabilities in Wilson County, leaving them open to exploitation.
www.northcarolinahealthnews.org
July 28, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Anyone with an elderly or disabled family member looking for an independent living option with support services needs to read this story from @nchealthnews reporter Jaymie Baxley: www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2025/07/28/m...
My latest story for @nchealthnews looks at Safe Babies Court, which is part of NC's efforts to transform its child welfare system: www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2025/07/23/s...
Program focuses on youngest kids in NC’s child welfare system
N.C. extends Safe Babies Court pilot to 2027; program aims to strengthen families, prevent young children from being removed from their home.
www.northcarolinahealthnews.org
July 23, 2025 at 4:38 PM
My latest story for @nchealthnews looks at Safe Babies Court, which is part of NC's efforts to transform its child welfare system: www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2025/07/23/s...
Some NC women are putting plans for children on hold or stepping up their contraception choices, citing fears of restricted reproductive health care access. The latest from @nchealthnews reporter Rachel Crumpler: www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2025/07/21/h...
‘Too afraid to not have access’: Abortion restrictions can affect family planning decisions
Some women are putting plans for children on hold or stepping up their contraception choices, citing fears of restricted reproductive health care access.
www.northcarolinahealthnews.org
July 21, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Some NC women are putting plans for children on hold or stepping up their contraception choices, citing fears of restricted reproductive health care access. The latest from @nchealthnews reporter Rachel Crumpler: www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2025/07/21/h...
Powerful story on abortion access and the pain of ending a wanted pregnancy --“I’m not going to be a walking tomb," one woman told @nchealthnews reporter Rachel Crumpler. www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2025/07/14/a...
Abortion for fetal anomalies is legal under NC’s law — but getting one can be a complicated process
The state’s 2023 law permits abortions for “life-limiting” anomalies during the first 24 weeks of pregnancy, but it leaves some people behind.
www.northcarolinahealthnews.org
July 14, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Powerful story on abortion access and the pain of ending a wanted pregnancy --“I’m not going to be a walking tomb," one woman told @nchealthnews reporter Rachel Crumpler. www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2025/07/14/a...
The latest story from @nchealthnews looks at how the 'Big Beautiful Bill' could affect health care in NC: www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2025/07/10/b...
The ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ has passed. Here’s how it could affect health care in NC
Officials warn that sweeping federal cuts to Medicaid, food aid and clean energy programs could unravel key safety nets across the state.
www.northcarolinahealthnews.org
July 10, 2025 at 9:56 PM
The latest story from @nchealthnews looks at how the 'Big Beautiful Bill' could affect health care in NC: www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2025/07/10/b...
Last week, NC officials announced the launch of a new system to track child welfare cases. It's been a long time coming and apparently is going a lot better than the last time NC tried to enact a statewide system. www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2025/06/19/n...
NC launches new system to track child welfare cases
The $65 million PATH NC system will allow social workers to get data on what’s happening for NC’s most vulnerable kids.
www.northcarolinahealthnews.org
June 27, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Last week, NC officials announced the launch of a new system to track child welfare cases. It's been a long time coming and apparently is going a lot better than the last time NC tried to enact a statewide system. www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2025/06/19/n...
When school ends, so do federally subsidized free- and reduced-price meals for low-income students. My latest story for @nchealthnews offers some ideas on how families can access food programs this summer: www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2025/06/26/f...
Summer is one of the hungriest times for at-risk children. Here’s how to find meals for your child this summer in North Carolina.
From food pantries to new SUN Bucks program, here’s how to find meals for your child this summer in North Carolina.
www.northcarolinahealthnews.org
June 26, 2025 at 6:26 PM
When school ends, so do federally subsidized free- and reduced-price meals for low-income students. My latest story for @nchealthnews offers some ideas on how families can access food programs this summer: www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2025/06/26/f...
NC is reporting its first case of #measles this year in a child who visited Forsyth and Guilford counties. The state had one case last year. More than 1,200 cases have been reported in the US this year, the first major outbreak since 2019.
June 24, 2025 at 8:04 PM
NC is reporting its first case of #measles this year in a child who visited Forsyth and Guilford counties. The state had one case last year. More than 1,200 cases have been reported in the US this year, the first major outbreak since 2019.
From @nchealthnews story on SNAP cuts: “I understand as a nonprofit executive trimming fat from a budget. We’re not serving lobster in our pantry.” Read more: www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2025/06/05/s...
Proposed SNAP cuts trouble NC food assistance programs
Private philanthropy won’t be able to make up the difference at food banks if SNAP and Medicaid are slashed.
www.northcarolinahealthnews.org
June 5, 2025 at 11:26 PM
From @nchealthnews story on SNAP cuts: “I understand as a nonprofit executive trimming fat from a budget. We’re not serving lobster in our pantry.” Read more: www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2025/06/05/s...
A bill that would shorten the practice period for teen drivers passed the NC House Transportation Committee. It was changed to reduce the nine-month practice period to six months only through the end of this year.
April 30, 2025 at 3:02 PM
A bill that would shorten the practice period for teen drivers passed the NC House Transportation Committee. It was changed to reduce the nine-month practice period to six months only through the end of this year.
Reporters for @nchealthnews have been delving into how Trump administration cuts to health care and the environment are affecting NC. Here's the latest from Will Atwater: www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2025/04/17/d...
Disrupted systems: How EPA cuts are shaking up community health and climate research
Canceled grants and shifting federal priorities are halting progress — and prompting a legal fight to protect climate initiatives and health.
www.northcarolinahealthnews.org
April 17, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Reporters for @nchealthnews have been delving into how Trump administration cuts to health care and the environment are affecting NC. Here's the latest from Will Atwater: www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2025/04/17/d...
A bill that would further reduce the practice period for young drivers stalled in the Transportation Committee of the N.C. House today. Read my original story on the bill for @nchealthnews:
www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2025/04/16/g...
www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2025/04/16/g...
NC House bill would further shorten practice period for teen drivers
Legislators first reduced that time during the pandemic. Since then, the crash rate among 16-year-old drivers has risen 13 percent.
www.northcarolinahealthnews.org
April 16, 2025 at 5:04 PM
A bill that would further reduce the practice period for young drivers stalled in the Transportation Committee of the N.C. House today. Read my original story on the bill for @nchealthnews:
www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2025/04/16/g...
www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2025/04/16/g...
NC lawmakers will be discussing bill to reduce young drivers' practice time today at 10 a.m. Read my story for @nchealthnews:
www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2025/04/16/g...
www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2025/04/16/g...
NC House bill would further shorten practice period for teen drivers
Legislators first reduced that time during the pandemic. Since then, the crash rate among 16-year-old drivers has risen 13 percent.
www.northcarolinahealthnews.org
April 16, 2025 at 1:25 PM
NC lawmakers will be discussing bill to reduce young drivers' practice time today at 10 a.m. Read my story for @nchealthnews:
www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2025/04/16/g...
www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2025/04/16/g...
My latest story for @nchealthnews looks at how school-based #telehealth is expanding in NC. www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2025/04/11/s...
School-based telehealth expands further in North Carolina
Advocates say school-based telehealth care reduces absenteeism, ensures students receive routine care, and can even boost test scores.
www.northcarolinahealthnews.org
April 11, 2025 at 10:05 PM
My latest story for @nchealthnews looks at how school-based #telehealth is expanding in NC. www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2025/04/11/s...
Are you a federal worker, contractor or recipient of federal funds who has been affected by recent cuts to DHHS or the CDC? @nchealthnews wants to hear from you.
Are you in NC and affected by the federal DHHS, CDC cuts and restructuring?
Let us break down how health policies ultimately affect you, your family, and your health. Gain unparalleled insights into N.C. with our essential statewide newsletter, delivered to your inbox twice…
www.northcarolinahealthnews.org
April 2, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Are you a federal worker, contractor or recipient of federal funds who has been affected by recent cuts to DHHS or the CDC? @nchealthnews wants to hear from you.
Wonder what NC legislators are doing about health care issues? The latest story from @nchealthnews takes a look at some of the key bills introduced this session:
This week at the NC General Assembly: Reproductive health, nursing practice scope, paid family leave and more
Lawmakers introduced legislation on reproductive health, nursing practice scope, paid family leave and more.
www.northcarolinahealthnews.org
March 28, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Wonder what NC legislators are doing about health care issues? The latest story from @nchealthnews takes a look at some of the key bills introduced this session:
Want to know what is happening in the NCGA? Here's the latest from @nchealthnews editor Rose Hoban:
Disability advocates, families push lawmakers for more services, funding
People with disabilities have come from across the state to press the legislature for funds for services, increased pay for caregivers.
www.northcarolinahealthnews.org
March 27, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Want to know what is happening in the NCGA? Here's the latest from @nchealthnews editor Rose Hoban:
Really interesting read by my @nchealthnews and @cltledger colleague Michelle Crouch on North Carolina's organ procurement organizations.
Turf war erupts over organ donation services
Organ donation manager sues to block Atrium Health from firing them at Wake Forest Baptist medical center
www.northcarolinahealthnews.org
March 25, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Really interesting read by my @nchealthnews and @cltledger colleague Michelle Crouch on North Carolina's organ procurement organizations.