What mix of human services functions can be included in a CHSA?

G.S. 153A-77(b)(3) authorizes a county to create a CHSA to “carry out the functions of any combination of commissions, boards, or agencies appointed by the board of county commissioners or acting under and pursuant to the authority of the board of county commissioners.” Counties can choose which functions to include in a CHSA. The term “human services” is undefined in the law. A CHSA may incorporate a local health department and/or department of social services, but other agencies, departments, or functions may also be involved. For example, some CHSAs in North Carolina provide services focused on veterans, aging populations, domestic violence services, or transportation. To date, all CHSAs formed in North Carolina have incorporated departments of social services, though not all CHSAs have incorporated public health (Cabarrus County’s CHSA does not include public health). There is, however, no requirement that a CHSA incorporate a county’s department of social services.

There are, however, some limitations. A CHSA may not include:

• A local management entity (“LME”) involved with mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse services (with the exception of the CHSA serving Mecklenburg County);
• A public health authority assigned the power, duties, and responsibilities to provide public health services as outlined in G.S. 130A-1.1;
• A public hospital authority authorized to provide public health services under S.L. 1997-502; or
• A public hospital as defined in G.S. 159-39(a).

See G.S. 153A-76.