Bill Summary for S 90 (2021-2022)

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Summary date: 

Mar 17 2021

Bill Information:

View NCGA Bill Details2021
Senate Bill 90 (Public) Filed Thursday, February 11, 2021
AN ACT TO DIRECT THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES TO MAKE REFORMS TO IMPROVE SOCIAL SERVICES, THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM, AND CHILD WELFARE SERVICES; TO MAKE APPROPRIATIONS TO TRANSITION TO REGIONAL SUPERVISION; TO IMPROVE INTERCOUNTY COLLABORATION BETWEEN DEPARTMENTS OF SOCIAL SERVICES; AND TO SUPPORT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FAMILY FIRST PREVENTION SERVICES ACT, AS RECOMMENDED BY THE NORTH CAROLINA CHILD WELL-BEING TRANSFORMATION COUNCIL.
Intro. by Krawiec, Burgin, Perry.

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Bill summary

Senate committee substitute makes the following changes to the 1st edition.

Part I.

Deletes the previous content of Section 4, which directed the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to study the statutory requirements of the social services system, juvenile justice system, and the Medicaid and NC Health Choice program applicable to children of foster care. 

Adds the following directives and appropriations to Section 4, effective upon legislative appropriation of funds for the transition to regional supervision and support of child welfare services. Directs the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to establish seven regions for regional supervision of child welfare and social services in accordance with the plan submitted by the Social Service Regional Supervision and Collaboration Working Group (SSWG) as required by SL 2017-41. Requires establishment of the regions and the provision of oversight and support to the regions through State regional staff and the central office team of DHHS on March 1, 2021. Directs DHHS to move forward with the repurposing and redeployment of staff. Directs DHHS to begin procurement of physical office spaces for the regions beginning in March 2023. Requires prioritization of staff to improve the child welfare system. Requires that DHHS move toward full implementation of a regional model with offices by March 1, 2024. Appropriates $914,790 in recurring funds from the General Fund to DHHS, Division of Social Services (DSS) for 2021-22 to support 11 new staff positions pursuant to the SSWG's plan. 

Adds a new section as follows. 

Adds to the responsibilities of county boards of social services charged in GS 108A-9 to include attending education and training for new board members during the first year of service. Makes the requirements effective April 1, 2022, and requires that all current county board members participate in the education and training sessions by April 1, 2024. Directs DSS to collaborate with key stakeholders and the UNC School of Government to create formal education and training programs for new county board members, specifically including a segment on county board liabilities, with training available statewide by September 1, 2021.

Part VIII.

Makes conforming changes. 

Makes conforming changes to the act's long title.