NY Soc Serv L § 36-B (2021)
2021 New York Laws SOS - Social Services Article 2 - Department and State Board of Social Welfare 36-B - Local Flexibility Incentive Pilot Program.

§   36-b.  Local  flexibility  incentive  pilot  program.    1.    The   department, in cooperation with the department of labor,  is  authorized   to  establish  the  local  flexibility incentive pilot program to enable   social services districts or groups of  social  services  districts,  at   local  option, to demonstrate innovations and efficiencies to aid public   assistance recipients in attaining self-sufficiency.2.  Upon application of a social services district, the department, in   cooperation with the department  of  labor,  is  authorized  to  approve   funding  for  pilot  programs subject to the approval of the director of   the budget, separate from state aid that said social  services  district   or social services districts would otherwise be eligible to receive, and   to  waive  state regulations that would impede the successful completion   of a project, provided that the demonstration project is consistent with   applicable state and federal statutes and will not  impair  the  general   health or welfare of the people receiving services under such project or   others receiving services in the applying social services district.  The   department  is  authorized, in consultation with the department of labor   where appropriate to impose appropriate alternative standards  in  place   of any waived requirements.3.   Applications for pilot project approval shall include, but not be   limited to, the name of the applying social services district  or  group   of   social   services   districts,   the   population,   size   of  its   welfare-related   programs   including   medical   assistance,    family   assistance,  safety  net assistance, emergency assistance to families or   its successor programs; size of the population  to  be  subject  to  the   pilot project, the project proposed, with quantified cost savings and an   explanation  of  how  such  project,  if  approved, would result in cost   containment of the amounts described in the application or  improvements   in  the delivery of services and benefits; the start date and completion   date of the project; whether, if successful, the project  would  require   funding in future years; and identification, as necessary, of any rules,   regulations  or  statutory requirements that could impede the successful   completion of the project.4.  If a project is approved, then, notwithstanding  any  inconsistent   provision  of  law,  the department shall provide funding of the project   within amounts available by appropriation  therefor,  provided  that  no   social  services  district  or  group of social services districts shall   receive more than twenty-five percent of  the  funds  available  in  any   single  year.    No  payment  will  be  made until thirty days after the   agreement has been executed. An approved applicant  that  shall  achieve   its  cost-savings goal shall receive full reimbursement for the costs of   such project as such amount shall have been approved by  the  department   in cooperation with the department of labor.  In no case shall the state   or  any of its agencies require remission or repayment of funds saved by   any applicant.  Reimbursement for successful applicants pursuant to  the   provisions  of  this  section  shall not take place until the department   shall have been satisfied as to the savings levels actually achieved.5.   Each  social  services  district  or  group  of  social  services   districts   implementing  a  pilot  project  under  this  section  shall   establish  an  on-going  program  evaluation  and   assessment   program   employing  objective  measurements  and systematic analysis to determine   the manner and extent to which the project  is  achieving  the  intended   primary  objective  of  the  project.    Each  evaluation and assessment   program shall include  an  annual  performance  plan  with  goals  which   establish target levels of performance expressed as tangible, measurable   objectives against which actual achievement can be compared, including a   goal  expressed  as  a  qualitative  standard,  value  or  rate.    Each   participating social services  district  or  group  of  social  services    districts  shall  submit  an  annual  program performance report for the   prior fiscal year to the department, the department of labor and to  the   governor,  the  speaker  of  the assembly and the majority leader of the   senate   documenting   the   performance   achieved  compared  with  the   performance goals established for the pilot project, improvements in the   quality of services provided and any cost savings; an explanation  if  a   performance  goal  was not met and an assessment of the effectiveness in   achieving performance goals.6.   Notwithstanding any provision  of  law  to  the  contrary,  state   reimbursement  for  expenditures  made by a social services district for   administration of any project, including expenditures made in connection   with the development, if performed by a county  employee  or  employees,   implementation  and  operation  thereof,  shall  not  be  subject to any   limitations on  administrative  expenditures,  ceilings  or  caps  which   otherwise  would  apply  to  the  reimbursement  of  such administrative   expenditures.