S257 - Appropriations Act of 2017. (SL 2017-57)

Overview: Sec. 11E.3 of S.L. 2017-57 directs the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Division of Public Health, to use funds appropriated in each biennium to administer a competitive grant process for local health departments based on maternal and infant health indicators, with the goals of improving North Carolina birth outcomes, improving the overall health status of children five and younger, and lowering North Carolina's infant mortality rate.

The plan for administering the competitive grant process must include the following components: (1) a request for application process to allow local health departments to apply for and receive State funds on a competitive basis, (2) a requirement that the Secretary prioritize grant awards to those local health departments that are able to leverage non-State funds in addition to the grant award, (3) a guarantee that funds received by the Department to implement the plan supplement and do not supplant existing funds for maternal and child health initiatives, and (4) an award of grants to local health departments for up to two years.

No later than July 1 of each year, the Secretary of DHHS must announce the recipients of the competitive grant awards and allocate funds to the grant recipients. After awards have been granted, the Secretary must submit a report to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services that includes the identity and a brief description of each grantee, each program or initiative offered by the grantee, the amount of funding awarded to each grantee, and the number of persons served by each grantee.

No later than December 1 of each fiscal year, each local health department receiving funding pursuant to this section must submit to the Division of Central Management and Support, a written report of all activities funded by State appropriations.

This section became effective July 1, 2017.