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

Date Letter NumberSubject
June 27, 2024DSS-AS-03-2024NC DHHS Adult Services Platform Updates - Information Only
July 1, 2024DSS-AS-04-2024Adult Services Continuous Quality Improvement Process Updates - Information Only
July 26, 2024DSS-AS-05-2024DHHS LMS & Training Catalogue for SFY 24-25 - Information Only
Attachment - LMS Troubleshooting Tips
November 8, 2024DSS-AS-06-20242024 End of Year DHHS Blanket Bond Reconciliation - Information and Time Sensitive
December 3, 2024DSS-AS-07-2024NC DSS Essential Services Funds for Hurricane Helene - Time Sensitive, Action Required
February 28, 2025DSS-AS-01-2025SAIH Case Management Updates - Information Only
April 23, 2025DSS-AS-02-2025Adult Services Survey Report SFY 2023-2024
Attachment - FY23-24 Annual Adult Services Report
May 1, 2025DSS-AS-03-2025Transition to New County DSS Adult Services Supervisors Listserv
June 11, 2025DSS-AS-04-2025NC OAASIS Transition: Initial County User Access Request Due June 17
June 25, 2025DSS-AS-05-2025Revised Special Assistance In-Home (SAIH) Case Management Programmatic Monitoring Tool an Instructions
July 17, 2025DSS-AS-06-2025DHHS LMS & Training Catalog for SFY 25-26 - Information Only
Attachment - FY25-26 Adult Services Training Catalog
September 4, 2025DSS-AS-07-2025NC OAASIS Important Dates & Information - Information & Time Sensitive
September 22, 2025DSS-AS-09-2025Welcome to NC OAASIS: Launching Updated Forms, Manuals, and User Access - Information Only & Time Sensitive
January 16, 2026DSS-AS-01-2026Adult Services Practice Standards - Information Only
January 26, 2026DSS-AS-02-2026Adult Protective Services (APS) and Guardianship Programmatic Monitoring Tools and Instructions 
January 28, 2026DSS-AS-03-20262025 End of Year DHHS Blanket Bond Reconciliation - Information Only, Time Sensitive
March 2, 2026DSS-AS-04-2026NCDHHS Adult Services Annual Report, SFY 2024-2025
Attachment - NCDHHS Adult Services Annual Report, SFY 2024-2025

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
12/2/2025CSS-25-47INFORMATION: Monthly Incentive Payments SFY 2026
Attachment - IV-D Incentives awarded thru October 2025
12/8/2025CSS-25-48INFORMATION: Incentive Goal Report - Information Only
Attachment - Incentive Goal Report for November 2025
12/15/2025CSS-25-49INFORMATION: Monthly Incentive Payments SFY 2026
Attachment - IV-D Incentives awarded thru November 2025
12/30/2025CSS-25-50INFORMATION: Monthly Incentive Payments SFY 2026
Attachment - IV-D Incentive awarded thru December 2025
1/9/2026CSS-26-01INFORMATION: Monthly Incentive Payments SFY 2026
Attachment - IV-D Incentive awarded thru January 2026
1/12/2026CSS-26-02Quarterly ACTS User Certification Report - Time Sensitive Action Needed
Attachment - MFA-Why We Use It PowerPoint
1/14/2026CSS-26-03County Quarterly Report and Narrative - Information Only
Attachment 1 - County Quarterly Narrative
Attachment 2 - County Quarterly Report
1/14/2026CSS-26-04INFORMATION: Incentive Goal Report - Information Only
Attachment - Incentive Goal Report for December 2025
1/20/2026CSS-26-05Federal Poverty Guidelines - Information Only
2/10/2026CSS-26-06INFORMATION: Incentive Goal Report - Information Only
Attachment - Incentive Goal Report for January 2026
2/23/2026CSS-26-07INFORMATION: Monthly Incentive Payments SFY 2026 
Attachment - IV-D Incentive awarded thru February 2026
3/6/2026CSS-26-08INFORMATION: Incentive Goal Report - Information Only
Attachment - Incentive Goal Report for February 2026
3/6/2026CSS-26-09Records Retention Schedule - Information Only
3/10/2026CSS-26-10INFORMATION: Monthly Incentive Payments SFY 2026
Attachment - IV-D Incentive awarded thru March 2026

 

 
DateLetter NumberSubject
12/11/2025CWS-83-2025Kinnect Family Search and Engagement Training - Information Only
Attachment 1 - Kinnect Region 4
Attachment 2 - Kinnect Region 5
Attachment 3 - Kinnect Region 6
Attachment 4 - Kinnect Region 7
12/4/2025CWS-84-2025National Training Development Curriculum (NTDC) Update - Time Sensitive, Action Required
Attachment 1 - NC Therapeutic Family Foster Parent Pre-Licensure Training Curriculum
Attachment 2 - NC Kinship Family Foster Parent Pre-Licensure Training Curriculum
Attachment 3 - NC Family Foster Parent Pre-Licensing Training Curriculum
12/11/2025CWS-85-2025Transition from TIPS-MAPP to MAPP Foundations has resumed - Information Only
Attachment - Q&A - Transition to MAPP Foundations
12/19/2025CWS-86-2025Educational Training Voucher (ETV) and NC Reach Virtual  Workshops & Updates - Immediate Action Required
1/2/2026CWS-01-2026Kinnect Family Search and Engagement Training and Coaching Sessions - Information Only
1/2/2026CWS-02-2026Human Trafficking Prevention Month Awareness - Webinars and Resources - Information Only
1/6/2026CWS-03-2026FY 25-26, Quarter 3 Regional CQI Meetings - Time Sensitive
1/15/2026CWS-04-2026ACF Notification Regarding Use of Social Security Survivor Benefits - Time Sensitive
1/15/2026CWS-05-2026Updates to Safety and Permanency Policy - Time Sensitive
1/15/2026CWS-06-2026DSS 1515 Foster Home Fire Inspection Safety Report Revised - Time Sensitive, Action Required
Attachment - DSS 1515 Foster Home Fire Inspection Safety Report
1/15/2026CWS-07-2026Train-the-Trainer National Training Development Curriculum on NCSWLearn.org - Time Sensitive, Action Required
1/15/2026CWS-08-2026Statewide Trauma-Informed Assessment Initiative and Communities of Practice Kickoff - Time Sensitive
Attachment - Communities of Practice Flyer
1/26/2026CWS-09-2026Pause in Quality Assurance Case Reviews - Time Sensitive
1/29/2026CWS-10-2026Resource Families Survey (Foster, Adoptive, Kinship) - Information, Time Sensitive, & Immediate Action Required
2/12/2026CWS-11-2026Submitting CFSP Medicaid Help Center Tickets - Information & Time Sensitive
2/26/2026CWS-12-2026Evidence Based Services Plan for Families Referred for Evidence-Based Prevention Services - Information and Time Sensitive
2/26/2026CWS-13-2026Guidance on Claiming Administrative Time for Child Welfare Social Work Staff - Information, Time Sensitive, & Immediate Action Required
2/26/2026CWS-14-2026Updated PATH NC Implementation Timeline for 2026 - Time Sensitive
Attachment 1 - Roll Out and Training Dates
Attachment 2 - PathNC Factsheet
Attachment 3 - Ongoing Grouping
3/5/2026CWS-15-2026Intake & Assessment and Ongoing Case Management PATH NC Users and Business Team Partnership Group - Time Sensitive, by April 10, 2026
Attachment - Charter for the Ongoing Case Management PATH NC Users and Business Team Partnership Group
3/5/2026CWS-16-2026Ongoing Case Management PATH NC Users and Business Team Partnership Group - Time Sensitive, by enclosed Dates per Regional Group 
Attachment - Charter for the Ongoing Management PATH NC Users and Business Team Partnership Group
3/5/2026CWS-17-2026Youth Needs Assessment Survey for Ages 14-21 - Immediate Action Required
3/5/2026CWS-18-2026Kinnect Family Search and Engagement Training - Information Only
3/5/2026CWS-19-2026Leadership Transition - Information Only
3/12/2026CWS-20-2026Responsible Individual List (RIL) Search in PATH NC - Time Sensitive, Action Required
Attachment - Responsible Individual List (RIL) Search in PATH NC Instructions
3/12/2026CWS-21-2026Launch of the North Carolina Child Welfare Trauma-Informed Assessment - Information Only, Time Sensitive
Attachment - NC DSS Trauma Informed Assessment Flyer

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
12/3/2024DIR-01-2024Rental Assistance_1 Emergency Rental Assistance Program - Time Sensitive, Action & Response Required
Attachment - Disaster Recovery Act SL2024-53 Allocations - Rental
4/22/2024DIR-02-2024Overview of the MOU Process for SFY 2024-2025 and SFY 2025-2026
1/7/2025DIR-01-2025State-County Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Update for State Fiscal Years 2024-2025 and 2025-2026
Attachment 1 - Performance Measures At-A-Glance
Attachment 2 - N.C.G.S. § 108A‑74
7/31/2025DIR-02-2025Rylan's Law (HB630) Dashboards - Public Website Go-Live - Information Only

 

DateLetter NumberSubject
12/1/2025EFS-FNSEP-23-20252026 Cost-of-Living-Adjustments (COLA) Mass Change in Social Security Administration, Supplemental Security Income and Veterans Affairs Benefit Amounts - Information and Action
Attachment 1 - Notice of Food and Nutrition Services Recipients (Spanish)
Attachment 2 - Notice of Food and Nutrition Services Recipients (English)
Attachment 3 - North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Division of Social Services (Multilingual Language Notice) DSS-8567
12/3/2025EFS-FNSEP-24-2025Merit Based Requirements for Eligibility Determination Functions for FNS SNAP
12/9/2025EFS-SA-04-2025Special Assistance (SA) and Special Assistance In-Home (SAIH) Rate Adjustments for 2026, and Upcoming POST-COLA Reports in NC FAST - Action Required, Time Sensitive
1/2/2026EFS-FNSEP-01-20262026 FNS Application Time Standard Chart - Information Only
Attachment - 2026 FNS Application Time Standards Chart
2/2/2026EFS-FNSEP-02-2026FNS Administrative Reimbursement Rate Reduction - Clarification on Contracted Services - Information
2/4/2026EFS-FNSEP-03-2026Claims Management Plan (Fraud Plan) - Action Required, Time Sensitive, Response Required
Attachment - Claims Management Plan Template
2/20/2026EFS-FNSEP-04-2026Discretionary Exemptions Applied - November 2025 ABAWD Cohort - Action Required
3/11/2026EFS-WF-01-2026Work First Services for Low Income Families Survey for State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2026-2027 - Time Sensitive, Response Required
Attachment - WF Services Survey
3/16/2026EFS-FNSEP-05-2026Economic and Family Services Regional In-Person Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Meeting Schedule - Information Only
Attachment - Meeting Agenda

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
7/24/2025PM-REM-01-2025County 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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