Advocacy and Issues Committee 2002-2003 Annual Report 

Advocacy Committee

Annual Report

 

Given the extremely long Legislative Session of 2002, efforts to be heard regarding our funding, our programs, and our services continued well into the Fall. Once the budget was passed, efforts began again to prepare for the 2003 Legislative Session.

 

• The committee met to plan.
• The committee met with our partners NCSSA, the Association of County Boards of Social Services, and the Covenant to establish Legislative agenda.
• Addressed loss of Sharnese Ransome and added role of new Executive Director and DHHS Legislative Liaison staff replacement.
• Developed list of top 10 Legislative agenda list.
• With membership input, selected top 5 Legislative Agenda list.
• Worked with various NCACDSS committees regarding issues:

1. Adult Services

• SA Demo Project
• At Risk Case Management Funding

1. Children’s Services

• HB 402 DSS Worker Right to Entry
• Foster Care Increase

1. Day Care

• Full Funding for Child Day Care

 

• Following passage of House Budget, met to review program funding losses.

1. Adult Home Case Management
2. Adult Home Specialist
3. Numerous Medicaid cuts
4. Child care subsidy changes and Bills of concern

• Worked with Executive Director to develop position papers and approach to addressing Bills of concern.

 

• Following passage of Senate Budget and appointment of conferees, met to review and strategize;
• Developed issue priority list

1. Funding for Adult Home Specialist and Adult Care Case Management
2. Medicaid coverage for pregnant women and infants with incomes between 151% and 185%
3. Increase NC Health Choice
4. Increase Foster Care rate
5. Maintain Medicaid coverage for 19 & 20 year olds
6. Maintain transitional Medicaid coverage for Work First Program
7. Maintain current rate of prescription drug co-pay

 

• Made plans to contact Legislators regarding Legislative issues.