DSS reports Ryland's Law dashboard now public; Ash DSS highlights child support and recruitment efforts

Tracy (Speaker 11) updated commissioners on Ash County Department of Social Services operations and statewide changes. She explained that "Ryland's Law" (state legislation created following a child's death) requires new reporting and that the Rylan's Law dashboard is now public record, showing second‑quarter 2025 measurements. Tracy cautioned that statistical reporting should be checked for accuracy as the state data systems and county reporting tools continue to stabilize.

She said Ash County is part of Path NC's third cohort and is implementing a new case management system while also transitioning to eCourts with the administrative office of the courts, creating simultaneous policy and systems changes. Tracy noted the county did sign a data‑sharing agreement but declined to sign an MOU in the prior round because it lacked provisions the county considered adequate to support local obligations.

Tracy also reported that the county's child support unit was among 11 counties statewide to meet all incentive goals and self‑assessment scoring for the reporting period, and she encouraged commissioners to view the ashdss.org site, which now hosts a careers page to support recruitment. She said recruitment and retention remain challenging and urged continued attention to staffing needs.

Next steps: commissioners and staff were encouraged to review the Rylan's Law dashboard for county metrics and to return with any questions; Tracy said DSS will continue refining data reporting and examine the MOU content if it is revised.