The Benefit Bank of North Carolina - Public Comment Opportunity

North Carolina intends to implement the Benefit Bank model throughout the state. The Benefit Bank of North Carolina is an outreach effort that integrates technology and service strategies to connect low and moderate income North Carolina households to a range of tax credits, public benefits and services, and other work supports they need in order to be economically secure. Originally modeled in the state of Ohio, similar models have been implemented in Pennsylvania, Kansas, Arkansas, Mississippi, Florida, and South Carolina.

North Carolina will provide federal ARRA resources, leveraged with private resources, to implement the Benefit Bank technology platform and service delivery infrastructure statewide. Federal ARRA Workforce Investment Act funds and TANF Emergency funds totaling $7,569,230.00 will be provided to support this initiative. North Carolina intends to contract with the organization Connectinc, which will follow the Benefit Bank model and will assume the role of State Affiliate for the Benefit Bank of North Carolina.

Based in Battleboro North Carolina, Connectinc has for the past 10 years used technology-supported case management and resource information to assist individuals in connecting to opportunities that benefit their families and communities. Through funding from the private sector, and public state and federal funds, Connectinc has served thousands of North Carolina citizens including TANF recipients, dislocated workers, and low-moderate income citizens and families. Connectinc will contract with the Manpower Development Corporation and Solutions for Progress Inc., to purchase and customize the Benefit Bank software technology (Solutions for Progress Inc.), and to assist in the establishment of the statewide Benefit Bank local site infrastructure, the central telephone service option, and the subsidized employment program that will provide 257 new jobs for low income North Carolinians.

The State of North Carolina welcomes your comments concerning the Benefit Bank of North Carolina. Click on the site below to e-mail your comments through March 31, 2010. You may also view a summary of this project by clicking on the following link: Benefit Bank of NC project summary

 

To comment, click here and check the box for Benefit Bank of NC Project.