County Director Letters

This page contains Dear County Director Letters that have been issued by the Division of Social Services. We have provided links below to view letters issued by other divisions. Our current year Dear County Director Letters are categorized by the section that issued the letter. A detailed description of what programs are covered by which section is provided below. Letters for previous years are listed by the year in the archive.

Section NamePrograms Covered
Adult ServicesAdult Services
Business Operations/DataFiscal Management, Human Services Business Information Office, Data
Child Support Enforcement Child Support Enforcement
DSS Director OfficeCovers all programs. Letters posted here are letters that have been issued by the Directors Office.
Family Support Child WelfareChild Welfare, Work First Family Assistance (Until Oct. 1, 2008)
Economic Services Food and Nutrition Services, Energy Assistance, Crisis Intervention, Refugee Assistance, Work First Family Assistance (After Oct. 1, 2008)
Performance Management/Reporting and Evaluation ManagementPerformance Management/Reporting and Evaluation Management, Information Systems Support, Information Support, Quality Assurance
Special AssistanceSpecial Assistance

 

Tab/Accordion Items

DateLetter NumberSubject
2/14/2024BG-01-2024County Budget Estimates, SFY 2024-25
3/19/2024BG-02-2024Work First Block Grant/TANF Maintenance of Effort
Attachment - MOE Reclass Form FY 23-24
5/24/2024BG-03-2024Sub-Recipient Self-Assessment of Internal Controls and Risk
2/13/2025BG-01-2025County Budget Estimates, SFY 2025-26
4/10/2025BG-02-2025Sub-Recipient Self-Assessment of Internal Controls and Risk

DateLetter NumberSubject
12/5/2024CSS-24-52CAP Service for Australia - Information Only
12/9/2024CSS-24-53INFORMATION: Incentive Goal Report - Information Only
Attachment - Incentive Goal Report for November 2024
12/20/2024CSS-24-54INFORMATION: Monthly Incentive Payments SFY 2025
Attachment - IV-D Incentives awarded thru December 2024
1/14/2025CSS-25-01INFORMATION: Incentive Goal Report - Information Only
Attachment - Incentive Goal Report for December 2024
1/16/2025CSS-25-02Quarterly ACTS User Certification Report - Time Sensitive Action Needed
Attachment - Quarterly Disclosure Awareness Training PowerPoint
1/17/2025CSS-25-03INFORMATION: Work Number
Attachment - Introduction to The Work Number within the Verification Insights Portal
1/21/2025CSS-25-04CAP Service for Ontario, Canada - Information Only
1/22/2025CSS-25-05INFORMATION: Monthly Incentive Payments SFY 2025
Attachment - IV-D Incentives awarded thru January 2025
1/23/2025CSS-25-06The Administrative Office of the Courts Enterprise Justice - Information Only
1/23/2025CSS-25-07Federal Poverty Guidelines - Information Only
1/23/2025CSS-25-08Records Retention Schedule - Information Only
1/28/2025CSS-25-09County Quarterly Report and Narrative - Information Only
Attachment - County Quarterly Narrative 
Attachment - County Quarterly Report
2/11/2025CSS-25-10INFORMATION: NCID Minimum Password Length Change - Information Only
2/12/2025CSS-25-11INFORMATION: Incentive Goal Report - Information Only
Attachment - Incentive Goal Report for January 2025
2/18/2025CSS-25-12Work First Cash Assistance Sanctions - Information Only
2/25/2025CSS-25-13INFORMATION: Monthly Incentive Payments SFY 2025 
Attachment - IV-D Incentives awarded thru February 2025
3/12/2025CSS-25-14INFORMATION: Incentive Goal Report - Information Only
Attachment - Incentive Goal Report for February 2025
3/18/2025CSS-25-15INFORMATION: CSDW SAML Authentication - Information Only
Attachment - CSDW SAML Authentication Instructions
3/27/2025CSS-25-16INFORMATION: Monthly Incentive Payments SFY 2025
Attachment - IV-D Incentives awarded thru March 2025
4/2/2025CSS-25-17Federal Parent Locator Service (FPLS) State Portal (SSP) Changes - Information Only
Attachment - Federal Parent Locator Service (FPLS) State Services Portal (SSP) Changes Additional Information
4/2/2025CSS-25-18CAP Service for Hungary - Information Only
4/11/2025CSS-25-19INFORMATION: Incentive Goal Report - Information Only
Attachment - Incentive Goal Report for March 2025
4/11/2025CSS-25-20The Administrative Office of the Courts Enterprise Justice System - eCourts - Information Only
4/23/2025CSS-25-21Quarterly ACTS User Certification Report - Time Sensitive, Action Needed
Attachment - Cybersecurity - Recognizing and Avoiding Cyber Threats PowerPoint
4/25/2025CSS-25-22County Quarterly Report and Narrative - Information Only
Attachment 1 - County Quarterly Narrative
Attachment 2 - County Quarterly Report
4/30/2025CSS-25-23INFORMATION: Monthly Incentive Payments SFY 2025
Attachment - IV-D Incentives awarded thru April 2025
5/5/2025CSS-25-24CSS Policy & Procedure Online Manual - Information Only
5/8/2025CSS-25-25INFORMATION: Incentive Goal Report - Information Only
Attachment: Incentive Goal Report for April 2025
6/2/2025CSS-25-26INFORMATION: Monthly Incentive Payments SFY 2025
Attachment - IV-D Incentives awarded thru May 2025
6/4/2025CSS-25-27Statewide Focus on Paternity and Support Establishment - Information Only
Attachment - May 2025 Self-Assessment Scores for All Counties
6/11/2025CSS-25-28INFORMATION: Incentive Goal Report
Attachment - Incentive Goal Report for May 2025
6/26/2025CSS-25-29National Medical Support Notice Changes - Information Only
7/8/2025CSS-25-30The Administrative Office of the Courts Enterprise Justice System - eCourts - Information Only
7/10/2025CSS-25-31INFORMATION: Annual Security Review - Time Sensitive, Action Needed
Attachment - IRS Preparations Guide
7/14/2025CSS-25-32INFORMATION: Monthly Incentive Payments SFY 2025
Attachment - IV-D Incentives awarded thru June 2025

 

 
DateLetter NumberSubject
12/3/2024CWS-89-2024NC DSS Essential Services Funds for Hurricane Helene - Time Sensitive & Action Required
Attachment - Disaster Recovery Act SL2024-53 Allocations - Adults - CW
12/12/2024CWS-90-2024FY 24/25, Quarter 3 Regional CQI Meetings - Time Sensitive
12/12/2024CWS-91-2024Permanency Roundtables - Information Only
12/19/2024CWS-92-2024Kinnect Family Search and Engagement Training - Information Only
12/20/2024CWS-93-2024"Teaming With Teens" Virtual Events
Attachment - FFA-TWT-STD Video
12/20/2024CWS-94-2024Corrective Action Protocol
Attachment - CAP Protocol
12/31/2024CWS-95-2024Monthly Hot Topic Meetings - Time Sensitive
12/31/2024CWS-96-2024Fingerprint Process - Time Sensitive & Immediate Action Required
Attachment - Criminal History Flowchart - New Process
1/2/2025CWS-01-2025National Training Development Curriculum - Time Sensitive and Action Required
Attachment 1 - NTDC Family Foster Curriculum
Attachment 2 - NTDC Family Therapeutic Curriculum
Attachment 3 - NTDC Family Kinship Curriculum
1/9/2025CWS-02-2025Responsible Individual List Information Request Instructions and Updated Form DSS-5268 - Time Sensitive and Immediate Action Required
Attachment - Updated Form DSS-5268
1/10/2025CWS-03-2025PATH NC Pre-Readiness Survey - Time Sensitive and Immediate Action Required
Attachment 1 - PATH NC Champion Overview
Attachment 2 - PATH NC County IT Requirements
1/17/2025CWS-04-2025Communication Regarding Updates to Child Fatality Reviews - Information, Time Sensitive, and Immediate Action Required
1/17/2025CWS-05-2025Updated PATH NC Implementation Timeline in Response to Hurricane Helene Recovery Efforts - Time Sensitive
Attachment - Partnership And Technology Hub NC (PATH NC) Intake and Assessment Rollout Groups
1/23/2025CWS-06-2025Chafee (NC LINKS) Special Funds - Information Only
2/13/2025CWS-07-2025Kinnect Family Search and Engagement Training - Information Only
Attachment 1 - KinnectU-SEEK-Region 1
Attachment 2 - KinnectU-SEEK-Region 2 
Attachment 3 - KinnectU-SEEK-Region 3
Attachment 4 - KinnectU-SEEK-Region 4
2/13/2025CWS-08-2025Kinship Licensure Update - Information Only
Attachment - DSS-5016A
2/14/2025CWS-09-2025Intake & Assessment User Acceptance Testing-Readout and Next Steps - Time Sensitive
2/18/2025CWS-10-2025Survey for Resource Families (Foster, Adoptive, Kinship) - Time Sensitive, Immediate Action Required
2/27/2025CWS-11-2025Kinnect Family Search and Engagement Training - Information Only
2/27/2025CWS-12-2025Immediate Update for National Training and Development Curriculum - Time Sensitive & Action Required
2/27/2025CWS-13-2025Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) Policy and Practice Training - Time Sensitive & Action Required
2/27/2025CWS-14-2025Webinar on how to Complete the Updated DSS-5268 Responsible Individual List (RIL), and Communications on Finding Placement for Child(ren) in Foster Care - Information Only
3/06/2025CWS-15-2025Annual Child Welfare Staffing Survey
Attachment - Staffing Survey 2024
3/11/2025CWS-16-2025Intake & Assessment User Acceptance Testing-Readout and Next Steps - Time Sensitive
Attachment - PATH NC Adjusted Implementation Timeline
4/3/2025CWS-17-2025Emergency Placement Fund Reallocation - Time Sensitive
4/10/2025CWS-18-2025FY 24/25, Quarter 4 Regional CQI Meetings - Time Sensitive
4/3/2025CWS-19-2025Permanency Matters Office Hours - Time Sensitive
4/15/2025CWS-20-2025Child and Family Services Review (CFSR) Now Available - Time Sensitive
4/10/2025CWS-21-2025Intake and Assessment Policy Updates to Align with SOP and SDM Changes - Time Sensitive
Attachment - Screening Decision Crosswalk
4/23/2025CWS-22-2025New Fingerprint Process for Prospective Foster Parents - Time Sensitive & Immediate Action Required
Attachment 1 - Criminal History Flowchart - New Process
Attachment 2 - FAQ - Fingerprint Clearance
4/29/2025CWS-23-2025NCDHHS NC Kids Office Hours - Information Only
4/24/2025CWS-24-2025Newly Published Evidence - Based Prevention Services Policy - Information Only
4/29/2025CWS-25-2025The National Youth in Transition (NYTD 2025A) Database Submissions - Immediate Action Required
5/15/2025CWS-26-2025Adoption Assistance Subsidies - Information Only
5/15/2025CWS-27-2025National Training Development Curriculum - Time Sensitive and Action Required
5/16/2025CWS-28-2025Intake and Assessment Policy Updates to Align with SOP and SDM Changes - Time Sensitive
5/16/2025CWS-29-2025CPS History Search in all Systems - Time Sensitive
Attachment - County Staff PATH NC Access form
5/23/2025CWS-30-2025Transition from TIPS-MAPP to MAPP Foundations
Attachment - Transition from TIPS-MAPP to MAPP Foundations FAQ
5/29/2025CWS-31-2025Changes to Subrecipient Monitoring in Child Welfare Services - Information Only
5/30/2025CWS-32-2025Technology Usage Policy Manual - Time Sensitive
Attachment - CW PATH NC Technology Usage Manual
6/2/2025CWS-33-2025PATH NC Intake & Assessment Go-Live Announcement - Time Sensitive
Attachment - CW PATH NC Technology Usage Manual 
6/2/2025CWS-34-2025Announcing Leadership Changes at NCDHHS DSS
6/5/2025CWS-35-2025Family Reunification Services Annual Report and Annual Plan and Office Hours Webinar - Time Sensitive
Attachment 1 - Family Reunification Services Annual Report Template
Attachment 2 - Family Reunification Services Annual Plan Template
6/5/2025CWS-36-2025Intake & Assessment PATH NC Users and Business Team Partnership Group - Groups 2-7 - Time Sensitive 
Attachment - Charter for the Intake & Assessment PATH NC Users and Business Team Partnership Group
6/5/2025CWS-37-2025Intake & Assessment PATH NC Users and Business Team Partnership Group - Group 1 -  Time Sensitive, by June 30, 2025
Attachment - Charter for the Intake & Assessment PATH NC Users and Business Team Partnership Group
6/12/2025CWS-38-2025Kinnect Family Search and Engagement Training - Information Only
6/17/2025CWS-39-2025PATH NC Pilot County Survey - Time Sensitive & Immediate Action Required
6/19/2025CWS-40-2025Education Training Voucher and NC Reach Grant Updates - Immediate Action Required
6/26/2025CWS-41-2025Updated ICPC Consultant Assignments and ICAMA Contact Information for Interstate Services - Information Only
Attachment - NCDHHS DSS Interstate Consultant County List June 2025
6/26/2025CWS-42-2025PATH NC Training Expectations - Time Sensitive
Attachment - SDM Tools and PATH NC Training Courses
6/26/2025CWS-43-2025Permanency Planning, Cross Functions, and CPPS Appendix Updates - Time Sensitive
7/9/2025CWS-44-2025PATH NC Pilot County Survey Results and Next Steps - Information Only
Attachment - PATH NC Pilot County Survey Summary
7/10/2025CWS-45-2025PATH NC Pilot County Survey Results and Rollout Update - Time Sensitive
7/10/2025CWS-46-2025NC Kids Office Hours Cancellation for July 2025 - Information Only
7/17/2025CWS-47-2025Update to Kinnect Family Search and Engagement Training - Information Only
7/18/2025CWS-48-2025FY 25-26, Quarter 1 Regional CQI Meetings

DateLetter NumberSubject
3/24/2022DCFW-01-2022North Carolina Psychiatric Access Line (NC-PAL) Consultation Services Available to Providers - Immediate Action Required

 

DateLetter NumberSubject
7/13/2021DIR-01-2021Public Charge Rule
7/28/2021DIR-02-2021NC FAST Core Functions Certification and Level 1 Training Program – Group 5 Rollout
Attachment 1 - NCFCTP Timeline
Attachment 2 - NCFCTP Phased Roll-In by Program
8/17/2021DIR-03-2021National Voter Registration Act Reminders and Upcoming Summer Training - Time Sensitive & Action Required
2/8/2022DIR-01-2022Medicaid Access Communication Service
7/27/2022DIR-02-2022Felon Eligibility Requirement Changes
9/6/2022DIR-03-2022Resident Subsistence Unified Inland/Coastal Recreational Fishing Licenses
12//2024DIR-01-2024Rental Assistance_1 Emergency Rental Assistance Program - Time Sensitive, Action & Response Required
Attachment - Disaster Recovery Act SL2024-53 Allocations - Rental

 

DateLetter NumberSubject
11/27/2024EFS-WF-06-2024Work First Program Electing County Block Grant Planning Cycle for 2026-2029 - Action Required
Attachment 1 - Submission Instruction Online
Attachment 2 - Electing County Status Designation Survey FFYs 2026-2028
12/2/2024EFS-FNSEP-31-2024ChopChop Magazine - Information and Action Required
12/6/2024EFS-FNSEP-33-20242025 Cost-of-Living-Adjustments (COLA) Mass Change in Social Security Administration, Supplemental Security Income and Veterans Affairs Benefit Amounts - Information and Action Required
Attachment 1 - Notice of Food and Nutrition Services Recipients (English)
Attachment 2 - Notice of Food and Nutrition Services Recipients (Spanish)
Attachment 3 - NC DHHS Division of Social Services (Multilingual Language Notice) DSS-8567
Attachment 4 - DSS-8560 (English) Caseworker Desk Reference
Attachment 5 - DSS-8560 (Spanish) Caseworker Desk Reference
 
12/13/2024EFS-FNSEP-34-2024Energy Disaster Funds DCDL 2024 - Time Sensitive, Action & Response Required
12/17/2024EFS-FNSEP-35-2024Hurricane Helene Disaster-SNAP (D-SNAP) Funding for County Departments of Social Services - Information and Action Required
1/10/2025EFS-SA-01-2025Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA) and Signature Attestation Policy Updates
1/15/2025EFS-FNSEP-01-2025Economic and Family Services 100 County Virtual Regional CQI Meeting - Information Only
Attachment - January 2025 100 County Regional Meeting Agenda
1/29/2025EFS-FNSEP-02-2025TOP and DOR: Tax Season Virtual Training - Action Required
Attachment - Affidavit
2/10/2025EFS-FNSEP-03-2025Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) Hurricane Helene Program Integrity Review - Action Required
2/13/2025EFS-FNSEP-04-20252025 FNS Application Time Standards Chart - Information Only
Attachment - 2025 FNS Application Time Standards Chart
2/21/2025EFS-FNSEP-05-20252025 Claims Management Plan (Fraud Plan) - Action Required, Time Sensitive, Response Required
Attachment - Claims Management Plan Template
3/3/2025EFS-FNSEP-06-2025Economic and Family Services Regional In-Person Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Meeting Schedule - InformationOnly
Attachment - Meeting Agenda
3/6/2025EFS-FNSEP-07-2025ChopChop Magazine
3/6/2025EFS-WF-01-2025Work First Benefit Diversion and Services for Low Income Families Survey for State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2025-2026
Attachment - Work First Program Benefit Diversion and Services For Low Income Families Survey State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2025-2026
3/20/2025EFS-FNSEP-08-2025Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Weatherization Waiver - Time Sensitive, Action & Response Required
Attachment 1 - LIHEAP Weatherization Waiver Announcement
Attachment 2 - LIHEAP Weatherization Waiver
Attachment 3 - Public Review of LIHEAP Weatherization Waiver and Comment Sheet
3/28/2025EFS-WF-02-2025Work First Two - Parent Participation Rate and New Reports
4/1/2025EFS-RA-03-2025Refugee Cash Assistance and Refugee Medical Assistance Change of Eligibility Period Shortening from twelve (12) months to four (4) months - Information Only
4/2/2025EFS-FNSEP-09-20252025 North Carolina SUN Bucks (S-EBT) - Benefits Issuances - Information Only
5/2/2025EFS-FNSEP-10-2025Energy Programs Outreach Plan (EPOP) - Time Sensitive, Action & Response Required
Attachment - Energy Programs Outreach Plans Form
5/7/2025EFS-WF-03-2025Memorandum of Agreement (Amendment) between DSS and DMH/DD/SUS - Action Required
Attachment - Memorandum of Agreement (Amendment)
5/13/2025EFS-WF-04-2025Supplemental Benefit Payment for Select Active Work First Cash Cases - Information Only
6/20/2025EFS-FNSEP-11-2025Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Block Grant Plan - Time Sensitive, Action & Response Required
Attachment 1 - Public Notice: LIHEAP Block Grant Plan
Attachment 2 - Detailed Model Plan (LIHEAP)
7/9/2025EFS-FNSEP-12-2025Evaluation of North Carolina's Use of the Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) Funds - Information Only
Attachment 1 - Office of Inspector General (OIG) Letter
Attachment 2 - North Carolina Department of Health Services (NCDHHS) Response to OIG Letter

DateLetter NumberSubject
7/1/2021PM-REM-01-2021County Holiday Schedule
Attachment - County Holiday Schedule
11/23/2021PM-REM-02-2021DSS-5027 Turnaround Printing
7/14/2022PM-REM-01-2022County Holiday Schedule
Attachment - County Holiday Schedule
6/22/2023PM-REM-01-2023County Holiday Schedule
7/26/2024PM-REM-01-2024County Holiday Schedule

 

DateLetter NumberSubject
4/24/2020PC-01-2020Planning for weather-related disasters - Congregate Sheltering during Coronavirus Pandemic (COVID-19)
Attachment 1 - COVID-19 Operational Decision-Making /Shelter Facility Opening Checklist
Attachment 2 - Sheltering in COVID-19 Affected Areas
Attachment 3 - Preparing to Register and Stay in a Red Cross Shelter
Attachment 4 - Feeding in COVID-19 Congregate Shelters
7/13/2023PC-01-2023Updated Information on Individual Repatriation
Attachment - Welcome Back to the United States Letter
   
   
   
   
   
   

 

DateLetter NumberSubject
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

 

DateLetter NumberSubject
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

 

DateLetter NumberSubject
February 4, 2021NCFAST-21-0204NC FAST Document Management System Enhancement Project Update

 

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