Page 10

North Carolina

10 Standard Work First counties must have the current information and/or detailed policy criteria on the below items placed on file at the county department/agency of Social Services by the beginning of each State Fiscal Year (SFY) for Work First program compliance:

A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), contract, or protocol for collaboration with the below agencies: • Division of Workforce Solutions – NCWorks Career Centers • Domestic Violence Agency • Local Management Entity – Manage Care Organization • Vocational Rehabilitation

Local policy for the following services (guidelines specified, payment limits, etc.) • Benefit Diversion Survey for current SFY • Emergency Assistance • Exemption from the work requirement for single parents of children under age one • Services for low-income families at or below 200% or 150% of the Federal Poverty Level • Services for non-custodial parents (service optional) • Transportation

Electing Counties and Standard Counties have the same level of flexibility in designing their employment services programs to meet the federal participation rates and statewide Work First goals while addressing local circumstances. However, Electing Counties also have the opportunity to establish their own eligibility criteria and benefit levels.

In November 2017, seven (7) counties notified the Department of their desire to be designated as Electing Counties. The Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Social Services, recommends that the following counties be designated as Electing Counties for the next three-year cycle: Beaufort, Caldwell, Catawba, Lenoir, Lincoln, Macon, and Wilson.

The Department has the responsibility to ensure that the Work First program in all counties complies with Federal and State law and the Work First goals. Under State Law, Electing Counties’ caseloads combined cannot exceed 15.5% of the Work First caseload on September 1 of each year.

Representatives from the following agencies of state government reviewed all the Electing County plans: Attorney General’s Office, Child Support Services, Child Welfare Services, Division of Social Services, Fiscal Compliance Monitors, Local Business Liaison Representatives, Office of Economic Opportunity, DHHS Operational Support Team, NC FAST Representatives, and Performance Management.

The caseloads of the counties requesting Electing status, in aggregate, are well below the 15.5% minimum, it was not necessary to rank the plans. The plans for Beaufort, Caldwell, Catawba, Lenoir, Lincoln, Macon, and Wilson will comply with applicable laws, rules, and regulations. All counties will be recommended to the General Assembly to be approved as an Electing County.