Identical to H 102, filed 2/19/19.

Amends GS 131D-10.9B, which created the Permanency Innovation Initiative Fund (Fund) to support service provided by Children's Home Society of North Carolina to children in or at risk of entering foster care. Current law requires the Fund be used to support permanency training services, among other identified strategies. Expands the description of permanency training services to mean services provided by the Children's Home Society to support county departments of social services (departments) to implement child-focused permanency services, advance permanency-focused services for children in the legal custody of departments, and provide training and support services to caregivers and family members who are supporting the permanency goal of children in the legal custody of departments.

Appropriates $2.25 million from the General Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services, recurring for each year in the 2019-2021 biennium, to provide additional funds to the Fund in accordance with GS 131D-10.9B, as amended. Specifies additional funds are to be supplemented by all available federal matching funds.

Effective July 1, 2019.