GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1999

H	1 

HOUSE BILL 1348

Short Title:  Funds/TANF Family Initiative.	(Public)

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Sponsors: Representatives Howard, Gardner, Berry, and Fitch (Primary Sponsors).

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Referred to:  Appropriations.

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April 27, 1999

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS FOR A FIVE-COUNTY PILOT PROGRAM TO PROVIDE ENHANCED SUPPORT SERVICES FOR WORK FIRST FAMILIES.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.(a)	There is appropriated from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Block Grant to the Department of Health and Human Services the sum of three million three hundred seventy-six thousand two hundred forty dollars ($3,376,240) for the 1999-2000 fiscal year for the establishment and first-year implementation of a five-county Targeted Family Initiative Pilot Program.  The purpose of the Pilot Program is to establish a comprehensive approach to enabling Work First families to move from dependency to self-sufficiency. It is the intent of the General Assembly that the same level of funding shall be appropriated from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Block Grant for the 2000-2001 fiscal year for second-year implementation of this Pilot Program.
Section 1.(b) The Targeted Family Initiative Pilot Program shall be implemented in the following five counties in the first year: Bertie, Hertford, Hyde, Tyrrell, and Washington.  The Department shall allocate these funds to a community-based organization selected by the Department to administer the Pilot Program and to provide or arrange for the provision of job search, transportation, child care, recreation, enhanced education, and affordable housing services to eligible Work First families.  These services shall be developed and administered in a way that promotes family empowerment and self-sufficiency, family and community responsibility, and employer participation. Funds provided for the Pilot Program shall be allocated and used in accordance with State and federal laws and regulations governing the Work First and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families programs.  The Department shall establish guidelines for applying for and administering Pilot Program funds and services.
Section 1.(c) The Department of Health and Human Services shall report on the progress of Pilot Program implementation to the Joint Legislative Public Assistance Commission on or before May 1, 2000.
Section 2. This act becomes effective July 1, 1999.