local management entity

Overview
A local management entity (LME) "is a county program or public authority that is responsible for the management of public policy for the citizens the system is intended to support and serve."

client view
From the viewpoint of individuals needing services, an LME acts as a sort of "front door" for obtaining those services. The LME does not provide the services, but offers the client a choice of providers for the services s/he may need and assists with any difficulties the client may be having in obtaining services from the provider(s) chosen.

Usage
This phrase seems to be used solely with respect to social services in North Carolina; presumably other states have their own terminology. (Other English-speaking countries mostly handle social services in a completely different way from the United States, so it is not surprising if the term is not found outside the US.)

Listing

 * Alamance-Caswell-Rockingham Local Management Entity (: covering Alamance, Caswell, and Rockingham Counties)
 * The Durham Center
 * Pathways

Reference

 * Local Management Entity page at Wake County Human Services