NCACC Human Services policy statement

Guiding Principles

• Essential human services should be financed through state or federal revenues to ensure statewide availability and consistency.
• Counties must be actively engaged in setting human services policy and program requirements.
• Human services programs should encourage responsible behavior and should be targeted to those citizens least able to care for themselves.
• County human services programs should function as a coordinated, unified system with sufficient automation to support efficient service delivery.

Introduction

Comprehensive and efficient human services, including social services, health and mental health, are essential to human well-being in our present society. These services must be clearly defined and adequately funded. State mandated services delivered at the county level should be financed from state revenue sources in order for every citizen of North Carolina to receive a substantially similar degree of service. Federally mandated services should be financed from federal revenue sources.Counties should not participate in the financing of Medicaid services.

State & County Fiscal Relationship

County commissioners have a significant role in the funding of the human services network. For this reason, policy changes affecting the counties should be preceded by good faith negotiations in a process that is fair and equitable. New program initiatives should allow adequate lead time for implementation within the county budget schedule. The state should consider a county’s resource limitations when implementing new state and federal programs.

Local Authority

Since the counties are the level of government closest to the people, the Association supports strengthening of local decision-making to respond to local needs. To enhance this principle, members of all county human service agency boards should be appointed by the boards of county commissioners. All block grants should be allocated as non-categorical funds. The Association will oppose earmarking of block grant funds. The Association supports increases in funding for mandated services, provided that the increases do not require additional expenditures of county funds.

Service Priorities

Human service programs should be targeted to those citizens least able to care for themselves. These programs should encourage families to be responsible supporters of their children. To accomplish this, the programs should focus on helping individuals find sustainable long-term employment. County resources should be targeted toward helping individuals become self-sufficient, helping families remain together and rewarding responsible behavior. The needs of children should be the primary focus.

Human service programs should be flexible and be designed to accommodate the state’s changing demographics, such as the increasing elderly and Hispanic populations.

Intergovernmental strategies for economic development should be encouraged. These efforts are critical to ensuring that work is available for individuals making the transition from public assistance to employment. All local government institutions, including municipalities and school boards, should be involved in developing and coordinating services to meet the needs of low-income individuals.

Service Delivery

The county human services programs should function as a coordinated, unified system. Automation of program administration should be focused toward service integration, program integrity, client satisfaction, and efficient operation. The Association supports county and state collaborative efforts in developing strategies for enhancing local agency automation. The state should take a lead role in financing, implementing, maintaining, and supporting statewide-automated systems. Automation efforts undertaken by the state should connect and integrate with county automation initiatives.