S105 - 2021 Appropriations Act. (SL 2021-180)

Overview: Section 9I.15.(a) of S.L. 2021-180 directs the Division of Social Services (DSS), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), to use funds to resume deployment of the North Carolina Families Accessing Services through Technology (NC FAST) system as it relates to case management functionality for child welfare. This section directs DSS to deploy the child welfare case management component of the NC FAST system statewide before October 1, 2022.

Section 9I.15.(b) of the act requires DSS to release a request for proposal (RFP) for at least one significant augmentation to the child welfare component of the NC FAST system within 30 days from the date DSS receives federal approval of its procurement plan. DSS must enter into a contract to augment and enhance the child welfare case management component of the NC FAST system within 150 days of releasing the RFP.

Section 9I.15.(b1) of the act provides $3,500,000 in nonrecurring funds for each fiscal year of the 2021-2023 fiscal biennium to ensure that the child welfare case management component of the NC FAST system includes the capability to automate licensing and placements.

Section 9I.15.(c) of S.L. 2021-180 repeals Part III-N of S.L. 2019-240, which postponed the deployment of NC FAST case-management functionality for the child welfare system and aging and adult services' programs.

This section became effective July 1, 2021.