AN ACT to establish the strong minds pilot program to support the mental health of caregivers of children birth to five years of age.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (Division), the sum of two hundred eighty thousand dollars ($280,000) in nonrecurring funds for the 2023‑2024 fiscal year. Funds appropriated in this act shall be allocated to the Wake County Smart Start and the Richmond County Partnership for Children to establish the Strong Minds pilot program, an evidence‑based model that uses community health workers (CHWs) to support the mental health of caregivers of children birth through 5 years of age. The Division shall allocate these funds equally among the two local partnerships participating in the pilot program. The Wake County Smart Start and the Richmond County Partnership for Children shall submit a report on the pilot program to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services and the Fiscal Research Division by September 30, 2024. The report shall include, at a minimum, the following:

(1)        The outcomes achieved from the pilot program.

(2)        A plan outlining the potential for replication across other counties, including cost‑modeling recommendations.

(3)        Any other information deemed relevant.

SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2023.