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Consortium
Members,
Per the vote held by the Consortium members I have listed out below,
in order of priority, the legislative agenda for the Short Session. Please
note that this is a tentative agenda as we go into the session as often times
unexpected issues arise at the general assembly that we must then prioritize.
Thanks so much to everyone who responded to the vote!!
1. Children Services
A. Support funding for a statewide case management system (NCFAST) to enhance
communication between counties. B. Support funding for reclassification of
CPS workers. C.Expansion of the University Education Collaborative to increase
the number of students trained to be CPS workers that also have an obligation
to serve for a number of years in a county DSS agency. D.Supporting funding
for the expansion of MRS. Some costs that may be included is adjustment
to the current caseload level and training that is needed. E. Foster Care/Adoption
increase in payment. - Last session the request was for a $100 dollar increase
but due to a calculation error, the House only set aside enough for a $50
dollar increase. Rep. Barnhart, who was instrumental in helping us obtain
the $50 increase last session would like to see the additional $50 increase
this year. F.Increase funding for State Foster Home Fund (SFHF) care payments
for non IV-E eligible childrenG.Reinstating funding for the legislative Child
Fatality Task Force, which was cut last session. It is a small amount (about
$60,000) that eliminated the Executive Director position. After cutting this
funding they found a need for an Interim Committee on Child Abuse, Neglect,
Foster Care and Adoption that is currently looking at many issues that the
Child Fatality Task Force was charged to work on.
2. Adult Services:
Maintain present funding
for all current services. This means that previous considered cuts such
as the Adult Home Care Case Management, Adult Home Specialist, and Adult Protective
Services would not be acceptable. Other issues to watch and consider:Changes
to Guardianship and/or other matters. Any issues that might arise from the
recent reorganization of the Division of Aging and Adult Services.
3. Day Care:
Include an additional
$15 million in the recurring budget. There was a non-recurring amount of $15
million provided for the Child Care Subsidy Program in FY 02-03. These funds
were not approved for FY 03-04. This amount was critical to meeting the level
of needed services.
4. Medicaid:
Support retaining current
services and oppose reducing eligibility limits
5. Health Choice:
Assure that all eligible
children are served and that there is not Cap placed on the number of eligibles
that can be served
6. Work First:
A. Maintain current level
of funding to support core functions of TANF to include cash payments, employment
services, child welfare services, and child care.
B. Consider addressing a "Standard of Need" cash payment increase as the current
level has not been changed in over a decade. The current payment is woefully
insufficient to meet the needs of these families.
7. Personnel:
Support the rewrite of
the GS 126 State Personnel Act based on the Association's position.
