North Carolina § 108A-75 - Report of oversight of social services programs.

§ 108A-75. Report of oversight of social services programs.

The Department shall report to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services (Committee) by August 1 of every year regarding oversight of the local administration of social services programs other than medical assistance. The reports shall include, at a minimum: A copy of the template for the written agreement required by G.S. 108A-74(a1). An evaluation of the implementation of the requirement for a written agreement. A summary of any oversight action taken by the Department pursuant to the agreement or G.S. 108A-74, including a list of any federal or State funds that were withheld as a result of the State's oversight. Beginning August 1, 2021, the reports required in this section shall also include: A summary [of] the circumstances involved with the issuance of any corrective action plans or temporary assumption of local program administration by the State pursuant to G.S. 108A-74. Recommendations for legislative changes related to the authority of the State to supervise local social services administration pursuant to G.S. 108A-74 and related laws. History (2017-41, s. 3.3.) Editor's Note. - At the direction of the Revisor of Statutes, Session Laws 2017-41, s. 3.3 was codified as this section. Session Laws 2017-41, in its preamble, provides: "Whereas, the children and families involved in North Carolina's child welfare system are among our most vulnerable children and most fragile families; and "Whereas, the recent federal Child and Family Services Review (CFSR) and the North Carolina Statewide Child Protective Services Evaluation of the State's Child Protective Services (CPS) program identified troubling gaps and flaws in North Carolina's child welfare system that are allowing too many of those vulnerable children and fragile families to fall through the cracks; and "Whereas, transforming the child welfare system to better ensure the safety, permanency, and well-being of children and families is the right thing to do; and "Whereas, county social services agencies are facing significant resource and administration challenges in areas other than child welfare, such as public assistance and adult services; and "Whereas, a recent audit by the North Carolina State Auditor of Medicaid eligibility determinations by county departments of social services concluded that most of the county departments reviewed in the audit did not consistently meet standards for timeliness and accuracy; and "Whereas, a recent report by the Program Evaluation Division reached similar conclusions regarding county administration of Medicaid eligibility determinations; and "Whereas, North Carolina's Aging Services Plan and a recent report on Alzheimer's and related dementias by the North Carolina Institute of Medicine emphasize the tremendous growth of the aging population and anticipate relying heavily on social services agencies to support the needs of this population; and "Whereas, it has been challenging for the State to effectively supervise administration of complex social services programs in 100 counties and it would be more efficient and effective for the State to supervise fewer local agencies; and "Whereas, it is our charge to spend public dollars wisely and effectively on administration of public assistance; and "Whereas, for the aforementioned reasons, North Carolina requires a plan of action to systematically reform the child welfare system and reduce the number of departments of social services to allow for better supervision and administration of social services programs;" Session Laws 2017-41, s. 11 made this section effective June 21, 2017.