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ANNUAL REPORT FOR SFY 04'
FISCAL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
North Carolina Association of County Directors of Social Services
The Fiscal Management Committee of the North Carolina Association of County Directors of Social Services had the following goals and objectives for its work during SFY 04':
• To provide advice and consultation to DHHS on methods and formulas to allocate and re-allocate funds coming to local DSS agencies.
• To provide information to Directors and local DSS fiscal officers on the use and availability of state and federal funding sources.
• To serve as a feedback mechanism to the State on the fiscal and reporting needs of local DSS agencies.
• To promote realistic, clear, and flexible fiscal policy that promotes the fiscal health and functioning of local DSS agencies.
• To promote the fiscal compliance of local DSS agencies.
• To facilitate communication and trust between the State and local DSS agencies.
• To explore and develop available new funding sources and to maximize the use of existing funding sources.
• To develop a training program or training module on DSS budgeting for all new Directors by 6/30/06.
• To promote the development of a State-provided training regimen for new local DSS fiscal staff.
The Committee met six times during the year. Committee members also participated on three State-sponsored work groups and committees. Additionally, several Committee members participated in the three Fiscal Conferences held in February and March, 2004.
Issues addressed and work performed by the Fiscal Management Committee during SFY 04' included the following:
• Assessment and communication to Association membership relating to the temporary upward adjustment of the Medicaid federal match rate which saved counties approximately $6.986 million in SFY03' and 04'
• Monitored Medicaid expenditures and projections throughout the year.
• Assessed the adequacy of State funding to support NC Health Choice enrollments without imposition of a cap during SFY04'.
• Reviewed the utilization of Medicaid De-Linking funds.
• Received a report on issues relating to the State's reimbursement of hospitals including the Disproportionate Share Program, ascertaining that there would be no direct impacts upon counties should repayment of federal funds be required.
• Provided participants for a State DSS-sponsored work group which examined the CIP allocation/reallocation process.
• Received reports on the federal review of North Carolina's DSS cost allocation system, and provided feedback regarding corrective actions that might be pursued.
• Worked with the Day Care Committee and the Division of Child Development to review and determine the impact of a major change in the reallocation process for subsidy funds.
• Developed a working relationship with the new State DSS Budget Officer.
• Reviewed changes in funding arrangements that accompanied the transfer of some State DSS staff and programs to the Division of Aging.
• Reviewed the status of SACWIS funds repayments by counties in relation to a federal exception taken to some equipment purchases.
• Provided input and workshop presenters in support of three Fiscal Conferences conducted by the State and the Association.
• Reviewed and had feedback regarding the State's Child Welfare Services staffing study.
• Reviewed and provided feedback to the Department in relation to a proposed policy change on purchase of vehicles for transportation services.
• Reviewed and supported the Association's legislative agenda, especially with regard to financial issues, and followed closely developments in the General Assembly's development of a budget for SFY05.
• Discussed and provided feedback in relation to a Children's Services Committee recommendation for adding fiscal notes to policy issuances where appropriate.
• Provided review and feedback regarding the Division of Child Development's policy requiring local business plans.
• Helped, through feedback to Division staff, in resolving an issue relating to the updating of the SSBG allocation formula.
• Identified Committee members for work on a DMA effort to refine the cost projection process as relates to county funding requirements.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Coston
Jim Cook
7-12-04
