2005 North Carolina Code - General Statutes § 108A-27.6. Standard Program Counties – Duties of county departments of social services and county boards of commissioners.

§ 108A‑27.6.  Standard Program Counties – Duties of county departments of social services and county boards of commissioners.

(a)       Except as otherwise provided in this Article, the Standard Work First Program shall be administered by the county departments of social services. The county departments of social services in Standard Program Counties shall:

(1)       In consultation with the Department and the county board of commissioners, establish outcome and performance goals for each Standard Program County, based on economic factors and conditions in that county, aimed at reducing child poverty by means of goals that measure the increased numbers of persons employed, the increased numbers of hours worked by and wages earned by recipients, and other measures of child well‑being;

(2)       Determine eligibility of persons and families for the Work First Program;

(3)       Enter into Mutual Responsibility Agreements with participants if required under the State Plan and ensure that the services and resources that are needed to assist participants to comply with their obligations under their Mutual Responsibility Agreements are available;

(4)       Comply with State and federal law relating to Work First and Title IV‑A;

(5)       Develop the County Plans for submission by the counties to the Department;

(6)       Ensure that participants engage in the minimum hours of work activities required by the State Plan and Title IV‑A;

(7)       Ensure that the components of the Work First Program are funded solely from authorized sources and that federal TANF funds are used only for purposes and programs authorized by federal and State law;

(8)       Monitor and evaluate the impact of the Work First Program on children and families, including the impact of the Program on the economic security and health of children and families, child abuse and neglect, caseloads for child protective services and foster care, school attendance, and academic and behavioral performance, and report the findings to the Department quarterly; and

(9)       Provide monthly progress reports to the Department, in a format to be determined by the Department.

(10)     Ensure that all Work First cases are reviewed no later than three months prior to expiration of time limitations for receiving cash assistance to:

a.         Ensure that time limitations on assistance have been computed correctly;

b.         Ensure that the family is informed about public assistance benefits, including child care, Medicaid, and food stamps, for which the family is eligible even while cash assistance is no longer available;

c.         Provide for an extension of cash assistance benefits if the family qualifies for an extension; and

d.         Review family status and assist the family in identifying resources and support the family needs to maintain employment and family stability.

(b)       In consultation with the Department, a county department of social services may delegate any of its duties under this Article to another public agency or private contractor. Prior to delegating any duty, a county department of social services shall submit its proposed delegation to the Department as the Department may provide. Notwithstanding any delegation of duty, a county department of social services shall remain accountable for its duties under the Work First Program.

(c)       The county board of commissioners shall appoint a committee of individuals to identify the needs of the population to be served and to review and assist in developing the County Plan to respond to the needs. The committee membership shall include, but is not limited to, representatives of the county board of social services, the board of the area mental health authority, the local public health board, the local school systems, the business community, the board of county commissioners, and community‑based organizations representative of the population to be served.

(d)       The county board of commissioners shall review and approve the County Plan for submission to the Department. (1997‑443, s. 12.6; 1999‑359, s. 5(e).)