Issue Summary:

 The state’s NC FAST project has received negative responses from federal funding agencies.  Apparently, the narrowing of the scope of work of the project has caused the feds to be more cautious in working with state officials on NC FAST.  A major deficiency observed is the lack of business operations leadership with the project (that existed during the NC FAST planning stages). 

N. C. is to receive approximately $6 million of Food Stamp Incentive funding.  The funds have no strings and the state can use them as they wish.  These funds should be used to benefit DSS programs.

Position or Policy Recommendation for Board Action: 

The Technology Committee recommends to the NCACDSS Executive Board that the association convey to DHHS and DSS leadership the need for business leadership to be brought back to the planning and implementation of NC FAST.

The Technology Committee recommends that the NCACDSS Executive Board take a position on the use of the anticipated $6 million of Food Stamp Incentive funding that is to be returned to N.C.  We further recommend that these funds, secured by county DSS food stamp staff, be reinvested in technology solutions to benefit the families these workers serve.

General Information for Dissemination

·        Deana Oden, NC FAST project manager with DIRM, reviewed the revised scope of NC Fast which includes (1) a re-evaluation of automated tools available to serve as the Front Office CRM Workbench heart of the reengineered service delivery model for N.C and (2) implementation of a web-based On-Line Verification system that provides a unified request for verification of client information from several sources internal and external to DHHS.

·        Hank Bowers reported that the Data Warehouse project was on track.  A new vendor contract is being sought.  There are some concerns about software maintenance. 

·        Mr. Bowers also reported on the Timekeeping (Day Sheet) project.  A lot of progress has been made with new coding schemes and development of a web-based day sheet.  The project is on hold due to budget constraints.  Some counties (Durham, Catawba) are using their own software to batch and send information to the state.  It would cost approximately $250,000 for the state to complete this project. 

·        The committee agreed that, with the increasing reliance on web-based solutions, more information is needed regarding worker access to computers and the internet.  Will Brown agreed to prepare a survey which the committee would send to the counties.

·        The committee approved its Scope of Work for the year.

To provide input or seek additional information, you may contact:

Jay Burrus or Roy Young

Attachments:  (List here)