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8 North Carolina

In accordance with federal law, TANF funds, as well as Maintenance of Efforts (MOE) funds must meet one of four purposes. The four purposes under TANF are:

1. Assist needy families so that children may be cared for in their own homes or in the homes of relatives; 2. Reduce dependence of needy parents by promoting job preparation, work, and/or marriage; 3. Prevent or reduce the incidence of out-of-wedlock pregnancies; and 4. Encourage the formation and maintenance of two-parent families.

STATE WELFARE LEGISLATION

North Carolina General Statute 108A-27 provides for TANF program development by local county governments. The law refers to counties as Standard or Electing. Standard Counties operate the state’s Work First program based on the policies written in the Work First Manual, while Electing counties have additional flexibility in program design that allows the county to determine the county’s eligibility criteria and payment options. All counties have maximum flexibility in designing their employment programs to meet local needs. However, state law provides that Electing Counties, when combined, can contain no more than 15.5% of the state’s Work First cases. The state and each Electing County’s eligibility criteria are described later in this document. Throughout this plan, all references to “Electing counties” refer to those counties that have been approved as Electing.

STATEWIDE SOCIAL SERVICES REFORM AND WORK FIRST GOALS

Rylan’s Law (Session Law 2017-41) is state legislation enacted in July 2017 which governs a legislatively required statewide reformation of North Carolina’s social services programs. Recent studies indicated more accountability and oversight are needed for county departments of social services to produce better performance and outcomes. Effective March 1, 2020, Rylan’s Law required the establishment of regional offices that provide closer, more direct, regional supervision and support to county departments of social services. Each county department of social services is part of a region of counties, and state-level DSS staff monitor and support these regions. The Regional Support model means the state will provide regional supervision and support to the counties, which continues to locally administer social services. This approach does not supplant, abridge, or in any other way change the traditional role of the counties in administering social services.

Among other important changes, Rylan’s Law requires all 100 county departments of social services to enter into an annual performance agreement with NCDHHS for all social services programs, excluding Medicaid. The agreement contains performance requirements and administrative responsibilities that were developed in consultation with county departments of social services. Ultimately, a data dashboard will be available to the public, so counties and citizens can easily access program data and performance.

Included in the performance metrics are goals for the Work First program. The goals and performance measures established below will reinforce efforts to improve the work