§108A-25. Creation of programs; assumption by federally recognized tribe of programs

(a)        The following programs of public assistance are established, and shall be administered by the county department of social services or the Department of Health and Human Services under federal regulations or under rules adopted by the Social Services Commission and under the supervision of the Department of Human Resources:

(1)        Repealed by S.L. 1997-443, s. 12.3, effective August 28, 1997.

(2)        State-county special assistance.

(3)        Food and Nutrition Services.

(4)        Foster care and adoption assistance payments.

(5)        Low income energy assistance program.

(b)        The program of medical assistance is established as a program of public assistance and shall be administered by the county departments of social services under rules adopted by the Department of Health and Human Services.

(b1)      The Work First Program is established as a program of public assistance and shall be supervised and administered as provided in Part 2 of this Article.

(c)        The Department of Health and Human Services may accept all grants-in-aid for programs of public assistance which may be available to the State by the federal government. The provisions of this Article shall be liberally construed in order that the State and its citizens may benefit fully from the federal grants-in-aid.

(d)       Each Community Care network organization designated by the Department of Health and Human Services as responsible for coordinating the health care of individuals eligible for medical assistance in a county is hereby deemed to be a public agency that is a local unit of government for the sole and limited purpose of all grants-in-aid, public assistance grant programs, and other funding programs.

(e)        When any federally recognized Native American tribe within the State assumes responsibility for any social services, Medicaid and NC Health Choice healthcare benefit programs, and ancillary services, including Medicaid administrative and service functions, that are otherwise the responsibility of a county under State law, then, notwithstanding any other provision of law, the county shall be relieved of the legal responsibility related to the tribe's assumption of those services.

(1937, c. 135, s. 1; c. 288, ss. 3, 31; 1949, c. 1038, s. 2; 1955, c. 1044, s. 1; 1957, c. 100, s. 1; 1965, c. 1173, s. 1; 1969, c. 546, s. 1; 1973, c. 476, s. 138; 1975, c. 92, s. 4; 1977, 2nd Sess., c. 1219, s. 9; 1979, c. 702, s. 1; 1981, c. 275, s. 1; 1997-443, ss. 11A.118(a), 11A.122, 12.3; 2004-203, s. 41; 2007-97, s. 3; 2010-31, s. 10.19A(b); 2014-100, s. 12C.3(c).)