A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT appropriating funds to the north carolina partnership for children, inc., for an initiative to promote young children's healthy development.
Whereas, children are born ready to learn but may not have access to the experiences or environments that foster healthy brain development; and
Whereas, young children learn and grow in strong families where parents are able to successfully face the challenge of caring for their children while meeting their work and other responsibilities; and
Whereas, studies of parent education, family support, and home visiting programs have been shown to improve maternal and child health, prevent child abuse and neglect, encourage positive parenting, and promote child development and school readiness; and
Whereas, North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc., (Smart Start) local partnerships have administered parent education, family support, and home visiting programs since 1993 and use community‑based, data‑driven decision making to improve the health, well‑being, and development of children based on the needs and resources of their local communities; and
Whereas, Smart Start provides fiscal and programmatic oversight of all services administered through local partnerships and reports annually to the General Assembly on outcomes for children; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.(a)  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education, the sum of ten million dollars ($10,000,000) for the 2018‑2019 fiscal year to be allocated to the North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc., for an initiative to promote young children's healthy development. Funds allocated to the North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc., pursuant to this section shall be used for (i) evidence‑based parent education programs that give parents tools to increase their knowledge of early childhood development and positive parenting practices and (ii) evidence‑based home visiting programs that help parents by providing education, information, and resources.
SECTION 1.(b)  The North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc., may use up to two percent (2%) of the funds appropriated under this section for statewide program management and evaluation. Funds appropriated under this section shall not be subject to administrative cost requirements under Section 11B.8(b) of S.L. 2017‑57, nor shall these funds be subject to the child care services funding requirements under G.S. 143B‑168.15(b), child care subsidy expansion requirements under G.S. 143B‑168.15(g), or the match requirements under Section 11B.8(d) of S.L. 2017‑57.
SECTION 1.(c)  The North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc., shall report on the success of the healthy development initiative, including any recommendations, to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services by March 1, 2019. The report shall include preliminary outcomes associated with the initiative.
SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2018.