S257 - 2026 Appropriations Act. (SL 2026-41)

This section also provides that of the $750,000 dollars in nonrecurring funds appropriated to the North Carolina School for the Deaf for the 2026-2027 fiscal year and the $750,000 dollars in nonrecurring funds appropriated to the Eastern North Carolina School for the Deaf for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to provide the required early intervention services, both schools must, either individually or jointly, contract with Beginnings for Parents of Hearing Impaired Children, Inc., (Beginnings) to provide support and early intervention services to families with children who are deaf or hard of hearing.

By April 1, 2027, Beginnings must report to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee at least the following information:

• A detailed accounting of how State funds were spent by Beginnings.
• An accounting of any other funding received from other sources.
• The number of students served, including generalized data on the age, grade level, and location of students served.
• A description of how Beginnings evaluates the effectiveness and outcomes of its services.
• Outcomes achieved.
• Any other information Beginnings deems relevant to an evaluation of its provision of services.

This section became effective July 1, 2026.