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.' . 3 <br /> '�— <br /> Social Services Reform: <br /> Overview of 2017 Legislation <br /> Sara De Pasquale and Aimee Wall <br /> UNC School of Government <br /> S`L^ 2017~41 (H 630), as amended by S.L. 2017-102 (H 229) <br /> Rylan's Law/Family and Child Protection and Accountability Act <br /> This session law is expansive in scope and addresses may different social services topics. Each <br /> topic that is related to social services system reform is summarized below. <br /> Part I. Regional Supervision and Collaboration <br /> This part focuses primarily on the need to (1) enhance state supervision of the administration of <br /> social services programs by the counties and (2) improve collaboration between counties. The <br /> N.C. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is required to submit a plan for <br /> establishing regional offices to the General Assembly by November 15, 3OlO^vviththe <br /> . <br /> expectation that the system of regional supervision will be operational by March 1, 2020. <br /> In developing the plan, DHHS must take into consideration recommendations from the Social <br /> Services Regional Supervision and Collaboration Working Group (Working Group). The Working <br /> Group will have 18 members representing different groups and stakeholders, including <br /> legislators, DHHS,judiciary, county commissioners, social services directors, and social services <br /> attorneys. There will be two co-chairs, one from the Senate and one from the House of <br /> Representatives. The UNC School of Government is required to convene the Working Group, <br /> facilitate the meetings, and provide administrative and technical support to the effort. The co- <br /> chairs are authorized to establish ad hoc subcommittees to gather information from various <br /> experts and stakeholder organizations. <br /> The Working Group is required to prepare two reports. The first is due by April 15, 2018 and <br /> must include recommendations regarding: <br /> • The size, number, and location of the regional state offices. <br /> • The allocation of responsibility between central/Raleigh, regional, and local/county <br /> officials in supervising and administering social services programs. <br /> • Methods for holding the regional offices accountable for performance and <br /> responsiveness. <br /> *�- <br /> • Information sharing between the regional offices and the boards of county <br /> commissioners regarding local department performance. <br /> Pa8ol—SeptemberZ5i3O17 <br />