Section 26-5.3-106 - State's savings - cash fund created - use of money in fund - plan required(1) There is hereby created a family issues cash fund. Moneys shall be deposited in the fund as follows:(a) Any savings to the general fund realized as a result of federal financial participation available to the state based on the implementation of the emergency assistance program authorized by section 26-5.3-104;(b) Any federal funds earned by the expenditure of moneys deposited in the cash fund.(1.5) All money in the fund is subject to annual appropriation by the general assembly and shall be used for the purposes set forth in the plan for improving the child welfare system in the state, developed in accordance with subsection (2) of this section, for the implementation of the emergency assistance program established pursuant to section 26-5.3-104 and for the family resource center program established pursuant to section 26.5-3-103. Federal funds received by the state for the emergency assistance program shall be used only for such program and not for any other purpose. In accordance with section 24-36-114, all interest derived from the deposit and investment of money in the fund must be credited to the general fund. It is the general assembly's intent that no additional state or county general fund money is used to finance the implementation of the plan established in accordance with subsection (2) of this section.(2) The state department shall develop a strategic plan for improving the child welfare system in the state and for using the moneys in the family issues cash fund created in subsection (1) of this section. The plan shall specify the source of general fund savings deposited in the cash fund. The plan shall provide that the moneys in the fund shall, at a minimum, be used for the following purposes: (b) The provision of services aimed at reuniting families and avoiding out-of-home placements;(c) The provision of support services and programs for children and families aimed at preventing out-of-home placements;(d) The examination and assessment of the feasibility and effectiveness of alternative methods for the provision of services and placement procedures for homeless adolescents or adolescents who are at-risk of being placed out of the home;(e) The development and implementation of county pilot programs for at-risk children and their families; and(f) The provision of an expedited procedure for permanent placement of children five years of age or younger who have been placed out of the home.Amended by 2022 Ch. 123, § 100, eff. 7/1/2022.L. 93: Entire article added, p. 2001, § 1, effective June 9. L. 96: (1)(c) repealed, p. 1476, § 36, effective June 1. L. 97: (1.5) amended, p. 1116, § 5, effective May 28; (2)(a) and (3) repealed, p. 1023, § 45, effective August 6. L. 2001: (1.5) amended, p. 252, § 7, effective March 29.