The following article describes steps for getting started on the Annual Plan including State Plan Setup, adding implementing agencies (IAs), and adding implementing agency staff to N-PEARS.
State Plan Setup
Login and select Start Annual Plan
An introduction section displays. Click “I understand, continue”
The Manage Implementing Agencies section appears. Select “Add Implementing Agency” to add implementing agencies for your state.
The Find Implementing Agency form appears. Any agencies that have been added to N-PEARS in previous years can be selected from a drop-down list. If an implementing agency is not listed in the drop-down, click “create a new agency.”
The Add Implementing Agency form appears. Add the agency name and select the category that best represents the agency.
Next, give implementing agency staff access to the IA plan. Multiple users can be added, as needed. For each IA staff member that needs access to N-PEARS enter user details and click “Send Invite.”
When the “Send Invite” button is clicked, N-PEARS sends an “Account Sign-up” email to the user. If the user has not yet signed up for their account, the system will list their invite as pending. If needed, State Agencies can resend invites to IA users. State Agencies can remove users from an IA by clicking the “X.”
Once all IA details and users have been added, click “Save Implementing Agency.”
- A new implementing agency plan and the associated users have been successfully added to the system. User details are now listed within each agency.
Select “Continue”. The Gross Income Limit page appears. Select a Gross Income Limit in accordance with the State. Then, click “Save and Continue”.
State Plan setup is complete. Select “Begin Annual Plan” to begin entering plan data.
NOTE: When N-PEARS is launched, no existing agencies will be listed in the drop-down. The drop-down will be populated for FY2025 plans and following.
NOTE: FNS recommends that primary State agency account holders consider the appropriate staff to add as implementing agency users in the system. There are no restrictions on the number of users at this time; however, FNS recommends that only those directly involved in the plan and report submission should be added, to prevent issues with multiple users working in the system at once. N-PEARS has three main user categories: Implementing Agency, State Agency, and Regional Coordinator users, each with their own unique permissions.
NOTE: If you need to remove an Implementing Agency, please contact N-PEARS Support at support@pears.io or by calling 785-789-3100.
NOTE: Once you select "Begin Annual Plan," most Setup Options can no longer be changed.
NOTE: After the Setup Module is complete, State agencies can still invite users, remove users, and resend invite emails via the "Manage Implementing Agencies" page located within the bottom left menu.