North Carolina is one of 11 states providing social services programs through a state-supervised and county-administered system. Five alternative structures for administering social services programs could improve efficiency and reduce administrative costs for counties, but statutory and perceived barriers inhibit counties from considering different structures. Administering programs at the county level is considered a major strength of North Carolina’s social services system. The General Assembly should eliminate the population threshold to establish a consolidated human services agency, authorize district departments of social services, and direct the Department of Health and Human Services to develop a plan to simplify and streamline supervision of county departments of social services.
Relevant Legislation:
- S.L. 2012-126: Promoted efficiency and effectiveness in the administration of human services and strengthened the local public health infrastructure by establishing a public health improvement incentive program and ensuring the provision of the ten essential public health services.