Originally Submitted by Rob Thompson, Executive Director of the Covenant with North Carolina's Children
Dear Members,
The Legislature adjourned for the year on Saturday morning sometime around 5:42 AM. Below is a summary of how our 2010 legislative agenda fared. You can also follow this link to see a word version. Many thanks to Covenant Intern, Elizabeth Ireland, for putting this document together.
Best, Rob
Covenant with North Carolina's Children
2010 Legislative Agenda Wrap-up
CHILD WELFARE PRIORITIES
1. Assure the safety and health of NC's most vulnerable children by protecting existing child welfare services from further cuts.
Result? Child welfare services were significantly cut in this year's budget. State funding to counties, which enables county-level Divisions of Social Services to provide services and financial assistance to ensure the safety, self-sufficiency, and permanency for children and families, was reduced by $2.4 million dollars. NC REACH scholarships for foster children were also reduced by $1.7 million dollars, and 15 state-level positions were eliminated. Child advocacy centers also suffered a $375,000 cut, which eliminates state funding for the organizations.
2. Appropriate $2.8 million to the NC Division of Social Services for family preservation services and $6.6 million for facilitators of child and family teams.
Result? No additional funding was granted for family preservation services or child and family team facilitation.
EARLY CHILDHOOD PRIORITIES
1. Sustain funding for all early childhood programs including More at Four, Smart Start, subsidy and TEACH.
Result? Smart Start funding was cut by $5 million, which equates to a 2.5% reduction. Child care subsidies were reduced by $6 million in anticipation of savings from a new Electronic Payment System. The Electronic Payment System is not yet in place, so it is difficult to know how much, if at all, child care subsidies will save with the new system. The TEACHÒ program was not affected by this budget.
2. Support the bills developed by the Joint Legislative Task Force on Consolidation of Early Childhood Education and include expanded membership of the study committee.
Result? As recommended by the Joint Legislative Task Force on Consolidation of Early Childhood Education, special provisions of the budget create a new More at Four funding model for FY 2010-11 and move regulatory functions for More at Four private sector classrooms from the Office of Early Learning to The Division of Child Development. The legislature approved the electronic payment system, but the savings from the system were budgeted before a complete study of cost-savings could be completed. The General Assembly will also continue the work of the Task Force through the creation of a joint legislative committee that will continue to look at ways to consolidate the delivery and administration of early childhood services through the end of 2010. The new committee will include five members of the House, five members of the Senate, seven ex-officio members from the child care community, and one non-voting pediatrician. The Senate passed S 1119, which will consolidate the transcript evaluation of early childhood educators, on July 7, 2010.
ECONOMIC SECURITY PRIORITIES
1. Maintain funding for the state refundable Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).
Result? Funding levels for the EITC remained the same.
2. Sustain and, if possible, increase funding for the NC Housing Trust Fund, Home Protection Program, and State Home Foreclosure Prevention Project.
Result? This year's budget reduces the Home Protection Program by $2.5 million, but it is anticipated that federal funding will help with this program. The State Home Foreclosure Prevention Project and NC Housing Trust Fund were not reduced or expanded in this year's budget.
EDUCATION PRIORITIES
1. Ban the use of corporal punishment on children with disabilities.
Result? Passed! H 1682 was signed by the Governor on July 6, 2010. The bill allows parents of students with disabilities to opt out of corporal punishment when it is used in their child's school.
2. Preserve the integrity of the public school classroom and the supports and services that students need to be successful.
Result? Overall, the legislature did a very good job of preserving classroom supports and services by leaving untouched funding for the Disadvantaged Supplemental Student Fund, the Low Wealth Supplemental Funding, At-Risk Allotment, and instructional and non-instructional support personnel. However, the budget reduces instructional supplies by about $ 3.3 million, or 3.5% of the allocation. The budget also eliminates all state funding for mentoring services, which is about a $9.2 million cut.
HEALTH PRIORITIES
1. Ensure that all foods sold in NC public schools meet minimum, science-based nutrition standards.
Result? H 900, which would direct the Department of Public Instruction to review the nutritional standards for food and beverages and require food sold in schools to meet certain nutritional requirements, passed the House in 2009. The Senate Committee on Education discussed the bill on July 7, 2010, but the bill failed to move. New legislation will need to be introduced next session.
2. Protect Medicaid/Health Choice funding and raise the Health Choice enrollment cap so that all eligible children can access affordable, quality healthcare.
Result? An additional $6.5 million was allocated for NC Health Choice. This funding will allow an additional 2,750 children to enroll in Health Choice. However, we still remain far short of covering every child in the state.
JUVENILE JUSTICE PRIORITIES
1. Preserve the current $23 million allocation to county Juvenile Crime Prevention Councils (JCPCs).
Result? The legislature will continue to allocate $23 million for county JCPCs.
2. Avoid additional cuts/reductions to DJJDP facilities and personnel, which were subjected to disproportionate cuts in the 2009-10 budget.
Result? The budget removes an additional 31.5 positions throughout DJJDP. Although these positions are currently vacant, some are vacant due to previous hiring freezes mandated by the General Assembly. The budget also enacted a management flexibility cut of approximately $2.7 million. While DJJDP may decide from where to cut these funds, they still represent a loss to DJJDP.
MH/DD/SA PRIORITIES
1. Continue and expand funding for early screening and intervention for mental illness and developmental disabilities.
Result? No direct funding was eliminated for early screening and intervention for mental illness and developmental disabilities. Moreover, last year's $40 million cut for community services was restored in this year's budget. Special provisions from this budget did, however, mandate an independent assessment prior to the authorization of any enhanced mental health services. These assessments must be performed by an "independent assessment entity," yet these entities do not exist. Thus, many patients may be unable to access services because they are unable to obtain assessments. Children's outpatient mental health services were also negatively impacted in this budget, as services now require prior authorization after 16 visits instead of 26 to qualify.
2. Develop and fund a continuum of research supported, community-based services for children and adolescents to prevent harmful confinement in hospitals and detention centers.
Result? No legislative action was taken to address this agenda item.
SAFETY PRIORITIES1. Preserve current funding for proven Infant Mortality Prevention Programs.
Result? The package of infant mortality funding that advocates hoped for was funded in its entirety. The budget includes $247,000 for the Safe Sleep campaign and 17-p Progesterone education and distribution. The budget also allocates $350,000 for the NC Folic Acid Campaign, managed by the March of Dimes. The aforementioned items were all funded with money from the Health and Wellness Trust Fund. The budget also includes $325,000 for the high-risk pregnancy program at East Carolina School of Medicine. Although all the programs were funded, the infant mortality prevention funding is non-recurring, so no infant mortality prevention program funding will be automatically included in the FY 2011-12 budget.
2. Promote policies that mitigate the impact of gun violence on children and the people who serve children and families.
Result? No policies related to gun violence were addressed during the short session.
Other Covenant-related bills:
The Responsible Individuals List (S 567): passed the Senate on July 7, 2010. This bill adds additional due process protections to the Responsible Individuals List, which is a list of individuals responsible for the abuse or serious neglect of children. With the passage of this bill, the list will go back online and can be used by DHHS to inform child care institutions, child placing agencies, group home providers, and other providers of foster care, child care, or adoption services that need to determine the fitness of individuals to care for or adopt children.
Child Care Nutrition Standards (H 1726): passed the Senate on July 7, 2010. This bill requires the Child Care Commission, DHS and DCD to develop improved nutrition standards for child care facilities and recommend guidelines pertaining to physical activity for children in the facilities by December 1, 2010.
Non-profit Oversight (H 1852): Originally, this bill was intended to take 2% from state funding for non-profits and use the funding for program evaluation. An amended version of this bill authorizes the Legislative Research Commission to study how to evaluate non-profit grants most effectively and present findings during the 2011 session of the General Assembly.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Covenant Membership News
Originally Submitted by Rob Thompson, Executive Director of the Covenant with North Carolina's Children
Budget Summary
Overview -
Last night, the Conference Committee for S897 (budget bill) released the final version of the state budget (Click here to access the money report; click here to access the special provisions). Both chambers plan to give final passage by Wednesday, 6/30.
Given the circumstances, House and Senate negotiators did a respectable job maintaining funding for important health and education priorities, though certain areas, such as Social Services, took it on the chin. At the bottom of this email is a more detailed summary of how different child-related items fared (I'll have some notes on the special provisions tomorrow).
In this final draft of the budget, legislators included an "Extraordinary Measures" provision, which instructs the executive branch on what to do if Congress fails to extend the FMAP increase and NC is faced with an increased shortfall up to $518 million. The legislature instructs the state budget director to take the following actions in this order beginning January 1st:
(1) Transfer from the Disaster Relief Reserve Fund (30,000,000)
(2) Transfer of unclaimed lottery prize money and excess receipts (35,000,000)
(3) Use of interest from all other funds (50,000,000)
(4) Use of balance in General Fund Availability (23,469,157)
(5) Reduction of Medicaid Provider rates (26,618,975)
(6) Use of funds from the Savings Reserve Fund (37,307,714)
(7) Reduction in Retirement System contributions (139,000,000)
(8) One percent (1%) Management Flexibility Reduction spread across all agencies (177,500,000)
Thus, if by January 1st, NC receives no money, then the budget director will implement all listed options. Two
of the options will have a significant impact on children and family services - reduction of Medicaid rates and the one percent flexibility cut.
Like previous proposals, this budget is very tight, meaning that there's little room for any deviation from the predictions set forth. However, there are LOTS of anticipating savings that might not materialize, which could mean significant cuts during the course of the year.
HHS
Division of Child Development
Smart Start - $5 million (2.5%) reduction. The Senate recommended a $10 million reduction, while the House recommended no reduction.
Child Care Subsidy - $23 million are replaced with federal TANF dollars. No expected impact on subsidy availability.
Electronic Payment System for Child Care Subsidy - the final report includes $6 million in anticipated savings from an electronic payment system. The payment system does not yet exist and any unrealized savings could come from subsidy dollars.
MH/DD/SA
Community Service Funds - The Conference Committee includes $40 million to restore cuts made in the last budget cycle. This is great news for a depleted system. (Over $30 million of this restoration comes from a transfer from the More at Four program, which was then backfilled with federal dollars.)
School-based Child and Family Teams - no cut
Whitaker School to PRTF - This appears as a $1.9 million cut, but it allows the Whitaker School to be Medicaid eligible.
Public Health
Positions Eliminated - The final budget eliminates 27 positions ($900,000). This will be tough for the Division to handle given that it is already stretched.
Universal Vaccine Program - The conference report eliminates the appropriation ($15,894,853) for the Universal Vaccine Program, though it includes $3 million to help purchase vaccines in advance of the 2010-11 school year. In the future, children served under the public vaccine program will be receive vaccines through private insurers.
School Health Nurses - The final budget includes $500,000 in expansion for 10 additional school health nurses.
AIDS Drug Assistance Program - The final budget includes $14,177,632 in additional funding, which will ensure that eligible individuals who are enrolled as of July 1 will be served.
Infant Mortality Prevention - The Folic Acid, 17-p Progesterone, and Safe Sleep campaigns are all funded through an allocation from the Health and Wellness Trust fund. The High-risk Clinic at ECU is also funded through an allocation from the Trust fund.
Adolescent and Teen Pregnancy Prevention - $400,000 is allocated for prevention, teen parenting, and drop-out prevention. $250,000 is allocated for the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Campaign of NC.
NC Health Choice
Enrollment Growth - The final report includes $6.5 million in expanded funding for enrollment growth. It's estimated that this increased funding would cover an additional 2,750 children.
Division of Medical Assistance (DMA)
Mental Health Drug Savings - This item adds mental health drugs to a Preferred Drug List, which budget writers believe will save $10 million. Mental Health advocates are concerned that the inclusion of mental health drugs on a PDL will prevent clients from receiving the services that they need.
Prior Authorization for Children's Outpatient Services - this item requires prior authorization for children's outpatient visits at 16 visits instead of 26. This will likely mean that some kids don't get the services that they need. Budget writers estimate $933,547 in savings.
Enhanced Mental Health Changes - $41 million cut. It's unclear how this is anything different from a flexibility cut. The budget writers direct the Department to find savings through "rate and utilization management."
Division of Social Services
Position Eliminations - 15 positions eliminated, which will be tough given that the Division is already under-staffed. ($959,632)
Children's Advocacy Centers - $375,000 cut in state-funding, though the budget writers stipulate that the reduction will be offset by an allocation from the Social Services Block Grant.
NC REACH - The cut to the NC REACH scholarship program for foster youth is consistent with the House and Senate proposals - $160,507 recurring and $1,584,125 non-recurring.
Permanency Planning Match - This item is a reduction of $682,512 in state spending. It requires counties to be responsible for 25% of the match requirement for federal IV-81 funding. This is troublesome, because many of these counties are worse off than the state, especially low-income counties.
PUBLIC EDUCATION
Lottery Receipts - The conference committee decided to adopt the House's proposal to make available additional lottery funds to protect teacher jobs. $121,243,793.
More at Four - There is a $30,599,012 reduction to state More at Four state spending, but that money is being replaced by TANF emergency contingency funds.
Mentoring - All state funded mentoring programs are eliminated for this fiscal year. $9,214,190 cut for this year only.
Child and Family Support Teams - $2.5 million reduction that will be distributed by the state Board of Education to schools it deems to be implementing the programs ineffectively.
Textbooks - $2.5 million is allocated for the emergency purchase of new textbooks.
At-risk student allotment and DSSF - the final budget includes no cuts to these funds designed to support at-risk students.
JUVENILE JUSTICE
Flexibility Reserve - Though not in either the House or Senate budget, the conference committee assigned the Department with finding $2.7 million in savings. However, there was a line item in both budgets that reduced the YDC budget by $2.5 million that's not included in the final report. It appears that legislators agreed to give the Department more flexibility in finding savings.
Eliminates Positions - 31 vacant positions are eliminated saving $1,158,259. Just because these positions are vacant doesn't mean that they aren't needed.
Restores Samarkand YDC - this restoration costs $3,521,954 and increases much needed capacity for YDC placement.
Budget Summary
Overview -
Last night, the Conference Committee for S897 (budget bill) released the final version of the state budget (Click here to access the money report; click here to access the special provisions). Both chambers plan to give final passage by Wednesday, 6/30.
Given the circumstances, House and Senate negotiators did a respectable job maintaining funding for important health and education priorities, though certain areas, such as Social Services, took it on the chin. At the bottom of this email is a more detailed summary of how different child-related items fared (I'll have some notes on the special provisions tomorrow).
In this final draft of the budget, legislators included an "Extraordinary Measures" provision, which instructs the executive branch on what to do if Congress fails to extend the FMAP increase and NC is faced with an increased shortfall up to $518 million. The legislature instructs the state budget director to take the following actions in this order beginning January 1st:
(1) Transfer from the Disaster Relief Reserve Fund (30,000,000)
(2) Transfer of unclaimed lottery prize money and excess receipts (35,000,000)
(3) Use of interest from all other funds (50,000,000)
(4) Use of balance in General Fund Availability (23,469,157)
(5) Reduction of Medicaid Provider rates (26,618,975)
(6) Use of funds from the Savings Reserve Fund (37,307,714)
(7) Reduction in Retirement System contributions (139,000,000)
(8) One percent (1%) Management Flexibility Reduction spread across all agencies (177,500,000)
Thus, if by January 1st, NC receives no money, then the budget director will implement all listed options. Two
of the options will have a significant impact on children and family services - reduction of Medicaid rates and the one percent flexibility cut.
Like previous proposals, this budget is very tight, meaning that there's little room for any deviation from the predictions set forth. However, there are LOTS of anticipating savings that might not materialize, which could mean significant cuts during the course of the year.
HHS
Division of Child Development
Smart Start - $5 million (2.5%) reduction. The Senate recommended a $10 million reduction, while the House recommended no reduction.
Child Care Subsidy - $23 million are replaced with federal TANF dollars. No expected impact on subsidy availability.
Electronic Payment System for Child Care Subsidy - the final report includes $6 million in anticipated savings from an electronic payment system. The payment system does not yet exist and any unrealized savings could come from subsidy dollars.
MH/DD/SA
Community Service Funds - The Conference Committee includes $40 million to restore cuts made in the last budget cycle. This is great news for a depleted system. (Over $30 million of this restoration comes from a transfer from the More at Four program, which was then backfilled with federal dollars.)
School-based Child and Family Teams - no cut
Whitaker School to PRTF - This appears as a $1.9 million cut, but it allows the Whitaker School to be Medicaid eligible.
Public Health
Positions Eliminated - The final budget eliminates 27 positions ($900,000). This will be tough for the Division to handle given that it is already stretched.
Universal Vaccine Program - The conference report eliminates the appropriation ($15,894,853) for the Universal Vaccine Program, though it includes $3 million to help purchase vaccines in advance of the 2010-11 school year. In the future, children served under the public vaccine program will be receive vaccines through private insurers.
School Health Nurses - The final budget includes $500,000 in expansion for 10 additional school health nurses.
AIDS Drug Assistance Program - The final budget includes $14,177,632 in additional funding, which will ensure that eligible individuals who are enrolled as of July 1 will be served.
Infant Mortality Prevention - The Folic Acid, 17-p Progesterone, and Safe Sleep campaigns are all funded through an allocation from the Health and Wellness Trust fund. The High-risk Clinic at ECU is also funded through an allocation from the Trust fund.
Adolescent and Teen Pregnancy Prevention - $400,000 is allocated for prevention, teen parenting, and drop-out prevention. $250,000 is allocated for the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Campaign of NC.
NC Health Choice
Enrollment Growth - The final report includes $6.5 million in expanded funding for enrollment growth. It's estimated that this increased funding would cover an additional 2,750 children.
Division of Medical Assistance (DMA)
Mental Health Drug Savings - This item adds mental health drugs to a Preferred Drug List, which budget writers believe will save $10 million. Mental Health advocates are concerned that the inclusion of mental health drugs on a PDL will prevent clients from receiving the services that they need.
Prior Authorization for Children's Outpatient Services - this item requires prior authorization for children's outpatient visits at 16 visits instead of 26. This will likely mean that some kids don't get the services that they need. Budget writers estimate $933,547 in savings.
Enhanced Mental Health Changes - $41 million cut. It's unclear how this is anything different from a flexibility cut. The budget writers direct the Department to find savings through "rate and utilization management."
Division of Social Services
Position Eliminations - 15 positions eliminated, which will be tough given that the Division is already under-staffed. ($959,632)
Children's Advocacy Centers - $375,000 cut in state-funding, though the budget writers stipulate that the reduction will be offset by an allocation from the Social Services Block Grant.
NC REACH - The cut to the NC REACH scholarship program for foster youth is consistent with the House and Senate proposals - $160,507 recurring and $1,584,125 non-recurring.
Permanency Planning Match - This item is a reduction of $682,512 in state spending. It requires counties to be responsible for 25% of the match requirement for federal IV-81 funding. This is troublesome, because many of these counties are worse off than the state, especially low-income counties.
PUBLIC EDUCATION
Lottery Receipts - The conference committee decided to adopt the House's proposal to make available additional lottery funds to protect teacher jobs. $121,243,793.
More at Four - There is a $30,599,012 reduction to state More at Four state spending, but that money is being replaced by TANF emergency contingency funds.
Mentoring - All state funded mentoring programs are eliminated for this fiscal year. $9,214,190 cut for this year only.
Child and Family Support Teams - $2.5 million reduction that will be distributed by the state Board of Education to schools it deems to be implementing the programs ineffectively.
Textbooks - $2.5 million is allocated for the emergency purchase of new textbooks.
At-risk student allotment and DSSF - the final budget includes no cuts to these funds designed to support at-risk students.
JUVENILE JUSTICE
Flexibility Reserve - Though not in either the House or Senate budget, the conference committee assigned the Department with finding $2.7 million in savings. However, there was a line item in both budgets that reduced the YDC budget by $2.5 million that's not included in the final report. It appears that legislators agreed to give the Department more flexibility in finding savings.
Eliminates Positions - 31 vacant positions are eliminated saving $1,158,259. Just because these positions are vacant doesn't mean that they aren't needed.
Restores Samarkand YDC - this restoration costs $3,521,954 and increases much needed capacity for YDC placement.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Legislative Update from the Covenant with North Carolina's Children
Originally Submitted by Rob Thompson, Executive Director of the Covenant with North Carolina's Children
In this update:
I. Budget Update
II. Conferee Recommendations
III. Corporal Punishment
IV. Non-profit funding issue
V. Meeting Reminder
BUDGET UPDATE
House and Senate Budget Conferees are now meeting to work out the differences between their respective budget proposals. Here's the timeline that was passed out at a meeting of HHS Conferees next week:
6/14 - 6/18 - Sub-committee conferees meet and make recommendations
6/21 - 6/25 - Conferee chairs meet to resolve any remaining issues (and make changes to anything that they don't like).
6/29 - House and Senate adopt conference report
At that same meeting of HHS conferees, there was also a list of rules passed out. I've pulled out a couple of the most important:
1. Conferees may include reductions not included in either the House or Senate budget.
2. Conferees may further reduce or eliminate items that are not in controversy.
3. Conferees cannot expand any items beyond the higher amount in either the House or Senate budget.
These rules essentially mean that nothing is safe, even if it is included in both the Senate and House budgets.
CONFEREE RECOMMENDATIONS
We've drafted a memo to legislators that provides guidance on items in controversy between the two chambers. Please follow this link to take a look at our recommendations.
CORPORAL PUNISHMENT
Good news! The House unanimously approved a bill that would allow parents of children with disabilities to opt their children out of corporal punishment. The bill also includes reporting requirements so that we know which children are receiving corporal punishment and why. The bill will now move to the Senate, where we expect a hearing in the Education Committee next week.
IMPORTANT NON-PROFIT FUNDING ISSUE
[FROM NC CENTER FOR NON-PROFITS]
Contact House Speaker Joe Hackney this week to let him know that a coalition of more than 220 nonprofits opposes the provision in H.B. 1852 that would allow state agencies to withhold up to 2% of nonprofits' grants to fund oversight.
It's important for Speaker Hackney to know that the 2% withholding provision is a problem for nonprofits and shouldn't be considered during the legislative short session. You can contact him at 919-733-3451 or Joe.Hackney@ncleg.net.
While other parts of the bill would create reasonable standards for state agency oversight, the 2% withholding provision is a problem. It will cut into the essential services that nonprofits provide. More information and talking points are available here: http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103473892235&s=23407&e=001KUfahqKUnh1gJKQULlyU-MLhk6KG6Xr_SMJtSBy13LZ2Kz_PcLWFEDsqNIJ24lsrbJ6stsm6VxuIgJnVf_NADYLuHDFACItSms4rhK-rk57lRF5lcwu2z_vz65jO4oHlwjldFwKdCdUvE-Eb1jAROGeZzW0f3AWZpDiZzqwhnAU=.
MEETING REMINDER
Covenant membership meeting
Monday, 6/21, 12 pm - 2 pm
NCAE
700 S. Salisbury St, Raleigh
In this update:
I. Budget Update
II. Conferee Recommendations
III. Corporal Punishment
IV. Non-profit funding issue
V. Meeting Reminder
BUDGET UPDATE
House and Senate Budget Conferees are now meeting to work out the differences between their respective budget proposals. Here's the timeline that was passed out at a meeting of HHS Conferees next week:
6/14 - 6/18 - Sub-committee conferees meet and make recommendations
6/21 - 6/25 - Conferee chairs meet to resolve any remaining issues (and make changes to anything that they don't like).
6/29 - House and Senate adopt conference report
At that same meeting of HHS conferees, there was also a list of rules passed out. I've pulled out a couple of the most important:
1. Conferees may include reductions not included in either the House or Senate budget.
2. Conferees may further reduce or eliminate items that are not in controversy.
3. Conferees cannot expand any items beyond the higher amount in either the House or Senate budget.
These rules essentially mean that nothing is safe, even if it is included in both the Senate and House budgets.
CONFEREE RECOMMENDATIONS
We've drafted a memo to legislators that provides guidance on items in controversy between the two chambers. Please follow this link to take a look at our recommendations.
CORPORAL PUNISHMENT
Good news! The House unanimously approved a bill that would allow parents of children with disabilities to opt their children out of corporal punishment. The bill also includes reporting requirements so that we know which children are receiving corporal punishment and why. The bill will now move to the Senate, where we expect a hearing in the Education Committee next week.
IMPORTANT NON-PROFIT FUNDING ISSUE
[FROM NC CENTER FOR NON-PROFITS]
Contact House Speaker Joe Hackney this week to let him know that a coalition of more than 220 nonprofits opposes the provision in H.B. 1852 that would allow state agencies to withhold up to 2% of nonprofits' grants to fund oversight.
It's important for Speaker Hackney to know that the 2% withholding provision is a problem for nonprofits and shouldn't be considered during the legislative short session. You can contact him at 919-733-3451 or Joe.Hackney@ncleg.net.
While other parts of the bill would create reasonable standards for state agency oversight, the 2% withholding provision is a problem. It will cut into the essential services that nonprofits provide. More information and talking points are available here: http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103473892235&s=23407&e=001KUfahqKUnh1gJKQULlyU-MLhk6KG6Xr_SMJtSBy13LZ2Kz_PcLWFEDsqNIJ24lsrbJ6stsm6VxuIgJnVf_NADYLuHDFACItSms4rhK-rk57lRF5lcwu2z_vz65jO4oHlwjldFwKdCdUvE-Eb1jAROGeZzW0f3AWZpDiZzqwhnAU=.
MEETING REMINDER
Covenant membership meeting
Monday, 6/21, 12 pm - 2 pm
NCAE
700 S. Salisbury St, Raleigh
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Covenant Membership News
Originally Submitted by Rob Thompson, Executive Director of the Covenant with North Carolina's Children
Hi Folks,
The House Appropriations Committee approved a budget proposal this afternoon after hearing around 70 amendments. While there were no huge changes in how money would be allocated, the Committee did make some significant revisions to the budget bill. Below is a brief summary of some of those changes (and some of the changes that weren't made).
The budget bill (S897) will be heard by the full House tomorrow and Friday.
Child Care Subsidy - Last year, the Legislature included a special provision that allows recipients of child care subsidies to maintain their eligibility for six months after a job loss to allow them to find new employment or receive job training. The Senate proposal eliminates this expanded eligibility in its budget proposal and the House eliminates most of the expanded eligibility it its proposal.
Rep. Alma Adams ran an amendment to restore the expanded eligibility, but that provision failed on a voice vote. Rep. Angela Bryant ran an amendment that would have allowed those currently receiving subsidy under the expanded eligibility to continue receiving subsidy, but that amendment failed as well.
Early Childhood Task Force - Rep. Rapp ran an amendment that will include all stakeholders on the Early Childhood Consolidation Task Force that will continue to meet next year. The Task Force was originally proposed to include only legislators, so it's definitely a good thing that early childhood experts will be at the table. However, only legislators will have a vote on official recommendations.
Reinstate Woodson Wilderness Camp - The Committee voted in favor of an amendment run by Rep. Susan Fisher that restores funding for the Woodson Wilderness Camp, and transfers the reduction to the cut in DJJDP's continuation budget. Funding for Woodson was included in the Senate budget, so it will be included in the conference report.
ECU High Risk Clinic - Rep. William Wainwright ran a successful amendment to restore funding for the ECU High Risk clinic, which provides support for rural doctors treating at-risk, pregnant women. This is great, because this is the only infant mortality program not included in the Senate budget, which means that all infant mortality programs are eligible for consideration in conference committee.
Universal Vaccine Program - Rep. Bob England ran an amendment that would restore $5 million to the universal vaccine program on a non-recurring basis, so that doctors can buy sufficient amounts of vaccines in advance of the school year. This is one-time money that is meant to help the state transition away from the state-funded vaccine program in favor of a program that relies on the private insurance industry.
Hi Folks,
The House Appropriations Committee approved a budget proposal this afternoon after hearing around 70 amendments. While there were no huge changes in how money would be allocated, the Committee did make some significant revisions to the budget bill. Below is a brief summary of some of those changes (and some of the changes that weren't made).
The budget bill (S897) will be heard by the full House tomorrow and Friday.
Child Care Subsidy - Last year, the Legislature included a special provision that allows recipients of child care subsidies to maintain their eligibility for six months after a job loss to allow them to find new employment or receive job training. The Senate proposal eliminates this expanded eligibility in its budget proposal and the House eliminates most of the expanded eligibility it its proposal.
Rep. Alma Adams ran an amendment to restore the expanded eligibility, but that provision failed on a voice vote. Rep. Angela Bryant ran an amendment that would have allowed those currently receiving subsidy under the expanded eligibility to continue receiving subsidy, but that amendment failed as well.
Early Childhood Task Force - Rep. Rapp ran an amendment that will include all stakeholders on the Early Childhood Consolidation Task Force that will continue to meet next year. The Task Force was originally proposed to include only legislators, so it's definitely a good thing that early childhood experts will be at the table. However, only legislators will have a vote on official recommendations.
Reinstate Woodson Wilderness Camp - The Committee voted in favor of an amendment run by Rep. Susan Fisher that restores funding for the Woodson Wilderness Camp, and transfers the reduction to the cut in DJJDP's continuation budget. Funding for Woodson was included in the Senate budget, so it will be included in the conference report.
ECU High Risk Clinic - Rep. William Wainwright ran a successful amendment to restore funding for the ECU High Risk clinic, which provides support for rural doctors treating at-risk, pregnant women. This is great, because this is the only infant mortality program not included in the Senate budget, which means that all infant mortality programs are eligible for consideration in conference committee.
Universal Vaccine Program - Rep. Bob England ran an amendment that would restore $5 million to the universal vaccine program on a non-recurring basis, so that doctors can buy sufficient amounts of vaccines in advance of the school year. This is one-time money that is meant to help the state transition away from the state-funded vaccine program in favor of a program that relies on the private insurance industry.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Healthy Children Lobby Day-We Need Your Help!
Originally Submitted by Rob Thompson, Executive Director of the Covenant with North Carolina's Children
Hi Folks,
As you already know, we, along with Action for Children, are hosting a Healthy Children Lobby Day. Please join us on Wednesday June 9th for a day of action to promote children's health in the General Assembly. We'll call on our state leaders to maintain funding for critical children's health services, including NC Health Choice and Infant Mortality Prevention
Mark Your Calendars:
When: Wednesday, June 9, 8:30 AM-2:00 PM
Where: Legislative Portico (outside, on the back of the Legislative Building, next to the bridge)
*Refreshments will be provided.
The time is NOW to give a strong voice to these programs critical to the health of NC's children. The House's budget just cut all of the enrollment expansion for Health Choice included in the Governor's and Senate's budgets. We must speak for the eligible children and families that will not receive quality health care if Health Choice isn't given proper funding. Please help us make sure that Legislators don't forget children's health in the budget!
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
Join us! As someone who works full time on behalf of children, your voice at the legislature is important!
Contact your members! Please forward this to your networks and anyone who may be interested in coming to speak with legislators about these important children's health issues. Also, if you know any constituents in the counties listed below that would be willing to speak with Legislators, let us know and we can make an appointment for them. We have briefing materials and trained advocates to help everyone feel comfortable in speaking with Legislators.
We need constituents for the following counties: Anson, Buncombe, Chatham, Cleveland, Davidson, Duplin, Durham, Forsyth, Franklin, Granville, Guilford, Lenoir, Mecklenburg, Nash, Orange, Richmond, Rutherford, Sampson, Scotland, Stanly, Vance, Warren, and Wilson Counties.
Please join us on June 9th for an exciting and important event! Our Legislators need to hear (repeatedly!) that we will not let them forget children's health during this time of economic hardship. If you or a representative from your organization is planning on coming, please RSVP by sending an email to our intern Margaret Stacy at margaret@nccovenant.org.
If you or someone you know wants to participate but can't get to Raleigh on the 9th, call and set up phone appointments with your legislators for June 9th or let us know and we'll set on up for you. If you wish to have a phone (or in-person) appointment set up for you, email our intern Elizabeth Ireland at elizabeth@nccovenant.org.
We look forward to seeing you on June 9th!
Thanks,
Rob, Margaret and Elizabeth
Hi Folks,
As you already know, we, along with Action for Children, are hosting a Healthy Children Lobby Day. Please join us on Wednesday June 9th for a day of action to promote children's health in the General Assembly. We'll call on our state leaders to maintain funding for critical children's health services, including NC Health Choice and Infant Mortality Prevention
Mark Your Calendars:
When: Wednesday, June 9, 8:30 AM-2:00 PM
Where: Legislative Portico (outside, on the back of the Legislative Building, next to the bridge)
*Refreshments will be provided.
The time is NOW to give a strong voice to these programs critical to the health of NC's children. The House's budget just cut all of the enrollment expansion for Health Choice included in the Governor's and Senate's budgets. We must speak for the eligible children and families that will not receive quality health care if Health Choice isn't given proper funding. Please help us make sure that Legislators don't forget children's health in the budget!
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
Join us! As someone who works full time on behalf of children, your voice at the legislature is important!
Contact your members! Please forward this to your networks and anyone who may be interested in coming to speak with legislators about these important children's health issues. Also, if you know any constituents in the counties listed below that would be willing to speak with Legislators, let us know and we can make an appointment for them. We have briefing materials and trained advocates to help everyone feel comfortable in speaking with Legislators.
We need constituents for the following counties: Anson, Buncombe, Chatham, Cleveland, Davidson, Duplin, Durham, Forsyth, Franklin, Granville, Guilford, Lenoir, Mecklenburg, Nash, Orange, Richmond, Rutherford, Sampson, Scotland, Stanly, Vance, Warren, and Wilson Counties.
Please join us on June 9th for an exciting and important event! Our Legislators need to hear (repeatedly!) that we will not let them forget children's health during this time of economic hardship. If you or a representative from your organization is planning on coming, please RSVP by sending an email to our intern Margaret Stacy at margaret@nccovenant.org.
If you or someone you know wants to participate but can't get to Raleigh on the 9th, call and set up phone appointments with your legislators for June 9th or let us know and we'll set on up for you. If you wish to have a phone (or in-person) appointment set up for you, email our intern Elizabeth Ireland at elizabeth@nccovenant.org.
We look forward to seeing you on June 9th!
Thanks,
Rob, Margaret and Elizabeth
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Covenant Legislative Update and Announcements
Originally Submitted by Rob Thompson, Executive Director of the Covenant with North Carolina's Children
May 24, 2010:
In this update:
I. Budget Update
II. Update on Legislative Agenda Items
III. Upcoming Events
IV. Change to Legislative Agenda
I. Budget Update
Following the Senate's lead, the House is expected to work very quickly to pass a budget. The timeline that they're expected to follow would have sub-committees passing out recommendations by the end of this week and a vote by the full Appropriations Committee next Tuesday. The full House would then debate and vote on the budget bill next Wednesday and Thursday.
A note on the process - please remember that if funding for an item is not included in either the Senate or House proposals, then the conference committee cannot consider including that funding in the final budget bill. In short, if it's not in the Senate proposal, it has to be in the House proposal or it's off the table.
Child Advocates, Beware! (and take action)
Last Thursday, at the House HHS Appropriations meeting, the Appropriations Committee Chairs distributed a document that had some troubling recommendations for HHS Committee members. Here are two that are particularly problematic:
1. "Consider consolidating pre-k and child development programs (More at Four and Smart Start)."
2. "Propose cuts in Medicaid and Health Choice that slow growth."
As more and more North Carolinians lose their employer-provided health care, now is the absolute wrong time to limit growth in Medicaid and Health Choice. Please follow this link to tell legislators to increase, not decrease, funding for enrollment growth in Health Choice and Medicaid.
II. Update on Legislative Agenda Items
Corporal Punishment: On Tuesday, 5/24, we expect the House Education Committee to hear a bill that would allow parents of children with disabilities to opt their children out of corporal punishment. It's possible that we might see an outright ban for some cases. The Covenant strongly supports this legislation.
School Nutrition Standards: On Tuesday, 5/24, the House Health Committee will hear a bill that would establish minimum nutrition standards for all food sold in public schools. The Covenant strongly supports this legislation.
III. Upcoming Events
House Budget Public Hearing, Monday, May 24th, 7 pm - 10 pm, McKimmon Center, NC State University. Come out to tell the House Budget Chairs what your priorities are for the state budget.
NCFAPA Lobby Day - On May 26st North Carolina Foster and Adoptive Parent Association is sponsoring a Legislative Awareness Day at the General Assembly. Please follow this link for more information.
Healthy Children Lobby Day - Wednesday, June 9. Join child advocates from across the state to urge legislators to increase funding for NC Health Choice and infant mortality prevention. More details to come.
IV. Change to Legislative Agenda
The second item on our Safety agenda now reads:
2. Promote policies that mitigate the impact of gun violence on children and the people who serve children and families.
May 18, 2010:
In this update:
I. Spending Comparison: Gov's Budget vs. Senate Budget
II. Senate Public Education Proposal
III. Revisions to Senate HHS Proposal
IV. Introduced Bills from Covenant Agenda
I. Below is a comparison of overall spending between the Governor's budget and the Senate budget proposal in our three main areas of concern:
Governor's Budget: Senate Budget:
Public Education: 7.046 billion $7.141 billion
HHS:$3.934 billion $3.915 billion
Juvenile Justice: $141.3 million $142.5 million
II. Public Education
Summary: Rather than taking the approach of the Governor and leaving the majority of cuts up to LEAs, the Senate makes lots of very deep and very specific cuts to Public Education budget. I've included a partial list of these cuts below. To see the full report, please follow this link.
More at Four - The Senate includes a recurring cut of $10 million and a one-time cut of $16,176,036 for More at Four. The one-time cut will be filled with federal dollars, so it should not impact services. Budget writers anticipate that the $10 million recurring cut will be offset partially by savings that result from new administrative efficiencies. If these savings don't materialize, then More at Four will have to absorb the full amount of the cut.
Teacher Salary - This $45 million cut is a revision of the teacher salary budget based on what teachers actually made in 2009. According the narrative in the Senate bill, no teacher's salary will be reduced as a result.
Instructional Supplies - $5 million recurring cut.
Central Office Administration - $10 million cut for LEA central office staff.
Mentoring - This item eliminates all funds ($9.2 million) for LEA mentoring programs. The cut is non-recurring, but it's always harder to get money back once it's been cut.
Instructional Support - This is $5 million (1.4%) cut for school nurses, social workers, counselors, etc.
Child and Family Support Teams - In addition to the $5 million cut for "instructional support," the Senate also proposes cutting $2.5 million from Child and Family Support Teams. This funding pays for social workers, as well.
Funding for At-risk Students - At-Risk Student Services ($1.2 million cut) and Disadvantaged Student Supplemental Funding ($1.975 million cut).
Dropout Prevention Grants - $13 million cut. This is pretty surprising given that it's a priority of the House Speaker.
Key Special Provision - The Senate also included a special provision that would allow local school districts to furlough teachers. This is very troubling.
III. HHS Adjustments
Smart Start - the proposed cut for Smart Start is doubled to $10 million.
Child Care Subsidy - the amount of subsidy money replaced with federal money is doubled to $24.756 million.
CCNC Savings - On Friday, the Senate thought that CCNC could help Medicaid save $26.7 million. On Monday, the Senate thought that CCNC could help Medicaid save $45 million. Interesting.
State Funding for Child Welfare - This is a $2.39 million cut to a variety of state funding authorizations - Foster Care/Adoption Title IV-E, Child Protective Services-State, and Child Protective Services Title IV-E.
IV. Introduced Bills
Here is a list of Covenant agenda items that have been introduced:
Early Childhood:
1. SB 1116 establishes the Joint Legislative Task Force on Consolidation of Early Childhood Education and Care. The sponsors are Blue, Jones, Preston, Purcell, and Swindell.
Education:
1. HB 1682 prohibits the use of corporal punishment for children with disabilities. Primary sponsors are Glazier, M. Alexander, Lucas and Rapp, and it was introduced on May 13.
2. SB 1138, sponsored by Foriest, Atwater, Dorsett, and Hartsell, also prohibits the use of corporal punishment for children with disabilities. The bill was introduced on May 17.
Health:
1. HB 1756 updates nutritional standards in public elementary, middle, and high schools. Primary sponsors are Insko, Rapp, Weiss and Yongue. The bill will be introduced on May 18.
Safety:
1. HB 1702 was introduced May 13. The bill, sponsored by Weiss, M. Alexander, England and Insko sets aside $1,287,000 for FY 2010-11.
$350,000 funds the March of Dimes to continue to provide outreach, educational materials, and vitamins through the NC Folic Acid Campaign to reduce the occurrence of neural tube defects. $330,000 is allocated for the East Carolina School of Medicine to continue to operate a high-risk maternity clinic to improve the birth outcomes of women in the eastern counties. $150,000 funds the Healthy Start Foundation to continue to provide education and public awareness through the Safe Sleep Campaign to reduce the occurrence of SIDS and sleep-related suffocations. $97,000 will go to the UNC School of Medicine to continue to provide education and progesterone to reduce preterm births among low-income non-Medicaid women who have already experienced at least one preterm birth. $460,000 funds the Healthy Start Foundation to continue to provide education, outreach, and the distribution of materials to reduce infant mortality by improving maternal health prior to and during pregnancy.
2. SB 1147, sponsored by Purcell, Allran, Atwater, and Forrester, would allocate the same funding for infant mortality prevention. The bill was introduced on May 17.
May 17, 2010:
Dear Members,
On Friday, the Senate released the Health and Human Services and Justice and Public Safety portions of its budget proposal. We should see the Education proposal at some point later today.
It's hard to complete an overall analysis of the budget without seeing the education section and how spending is divided among areas of state government. However, we can take a look what the Senate decided to cut and expand within Health and Human Services and Juvenile Justice, and where the Senate differs from the Governor's budget. The biggest differences appear in the Social Services budget and the Juvenile Justice budget.
To see copies of the Senate HHS budget proposal, click here. To see the Juvenile Justice proposal, click here.
(Thanks to Mandy Ableidinger at Action for Children for identifying many of the major differences between the Governor's proposal and the Senate's. Please note that all editorial commentary is mine.)
Health and Human Services
Overall spending - The Senate proposes to spend $3.946 billion on the HHS budget. That's $11 million more than the Governor's proposal.
Division of Child Development
Child Care Subsidy - $6 million reduction. Like the Governor, the Senate anticipates $6 million in cost savings from an electronic payment system that hasn't yet been implemented. At this point, it's unclear what that system even looks like. If these savings aren't found, children will be forced of child care subsidy.
Smart Start - $5.8 million reduction (or 3%), which is less than the Governor's 4% cut. HOWEVER, the Senate also proposes cutting an additional $5 million from Smart Start for health initiatives. At a time when we've lost significant infrastructure in our health outreach systems, this cut could be quite significant.
Division of MH,DD, SA
School-based Child and Family Teams - Like the Governor, the Senate cuts state funding for this program - $523,864.
Whitaker School - Like the Governor, the Senate wants to convert the Whitaker School (serves the most troubled teens in the state) to a PRTF, so that it can provide Medicaid reimbursable services. This is a good thing.
Expansion Item - Community Service Funds - The Senate proposes to restore $23 million of state funding for mental health services. Furthermore, the Senate proposes to allocate $17 million in Federal dollars to fully restore the $40 million cut from last year's budget.
Public Health
27 positions eliminated - There's no explanation of which position. It's unclear to me if the Division can absorb this right now - $900,000 cut.
Immunizations - This item cuts out all state funding for the purchasing of vaccines ($15,894,853). The Senate states that these items can be billed to health insurers. While this may be true, we know that this cut will mean that vaccines will not be as readily available and that fewer children will be vaccinated. This is a complicated issue and I'll try to provide more guidance moving forward.
Expansion - School Health Nurses - $1 million to hire an additional 20 school health nurses.
Health Choice
Expansion - Enrollment Growth - Though a couple million less than what the Governor proposed, the Senate proposes to raise the enrollment cap for Health Choice by $6.5 million. It's unclear how many spots this would open up.
Division of Medical Assistance (Medicaid)
Maternal Outreach Workers - This item transitions women receiving services through the MOW program to Maternal Care Coordinators and Children Services Coordinators. This is troubling because the MCC and CSC programs are already stretched too thin. $292,974 cut.
Children's Mental Health - Requires prior authorization for mental health services at 16 visits versus the current 26 visits. This is a cut of $933,547, which suggests to me that fewer children will receive mental health services.
Division of Social Services
15 Position Eliminations ($959,632 cut) - This will be tough for the state DSS to absorb as it is already understaffed.
Child Support Enforcement ($1,282,777 cut) - This item transitions a significant portion of child care enforcement in 28 counties to local DSS. The local DSS offices do not have the ability to absorb this new responsibility.
Child Advocacy Centers ($375,000 cut) - This item replaces recurring state dollars with a one-time appropriation of federal funds. Unclear what happens next year without recurring money.
NC REACH - $1.58 million non-recurring cut and $160,507 recurring cut. This is a program that provides scholarships to children aging out of foster care.
Child and Family Team Facilitators ($420,804 cut) - This item removes state funding for facilitators in twelve relatively impoverished counties.
Contracts for Adoption Programs ($459,156 cut) - This is troubling as we already have a very difficult time finding permanent placements for children in foster care.
Expansion - Child Welfare Collaborative Program - $239,452 increase. This programs provides assistance to social work students who make a commitment to work in county departments of social services.
Juvenile Justice
Elimination of Positions - the Senate proposes to eliminate 31 vacant positions saving a total of $1,158,829. Even though these positions are vacant, many of them are still very much needed, especially with the hit the Department took last year.
YDC Budget - This a 5% ($3,538,342) reduction based on a drop in commitments. This would be fine if YDCs were adequately funded for their previous levels of commitments.
Gov's items not included in Senate budget -
1. Elimination of Woodson Wilderness Camp ($1 million)
2. Reduction of Eckerd Wilderness Camp ($7.4 million)
3. Close Macon County multi-purpose home ($600,000)
4. Restore Samarkand YDC $3.5 million
May 17, 2010, Part 2:
Hey Folks,
I wanted to include an update on two items that I left out of the first update:
1. Funding for infant mortality prevention;
2. Youth Accountability and Involvement Office
Infant Mortality: The Senate HHS Appropriations Committee proposed using Health and Wellness Trust Fund money to continue funding infant mortality prevention programs. Funding has been proposed to support the NC Folic Acid Campaign, Safe Sleep education campaign, and 17P distribution at the rates we encouraged ($350,000; $150,000; $97,000).
Although funding for the Healthy Start Foundation has not been specifically mentioned, no lump sum reductions or administrative cuts have been proposed, which is a good sign. We still hope that legislators will be able to find $330,000 for the ECU High-Risk Clinic, but funding has not yet been proposed.
The HHS Appropriations Committee will meet today to vote on these funding allocations.
Youth Advocacy and Involvement Office: The Senate makes no cuts or transfers to the Youth Advocacy and Involvement Office, which is great news! In the Governor's budget, the Office was dismantled, so we're very grateful that it is left intact in the Senate proposal.
Best, Rob
May 24, 2010:
In this update:
I. Budget Update
II. Update on Legislative Agenda Items
III. Upcoming Events
IV. Change to Legislative Agenda
I. Budget Update
Following the Senate's lead, the House is expected to work very quickly to pass a budget. The timeline that they're expected to follow would have sub-committees passing out recommendations by the end of this week and a vote by the full Appropriations Committee next Tuesday. The full House would then debate and vote on the budget bill next Wednesday and Thursday.
A note on the process - please remember that if funding for an item is not included in either the Senate or House proposals, then the conference committee cannot consider including that funding in the final budget bill. In short, if it's not in the Senate proposal, it has to be in the House proposal or it's off the table.
Child Advocates, Beware! (and take action)
Last Thursday, at the House HHS Appropriations meeting, the Appropriations Committee Chairs distributed a document that had some troubling recommendations for HHS Committee members. Here are two that are particularly problematic:
1. "Consider consolidating pre-k and child development programs (More at Four and Smart Start)."
2. "Propose cuts in Medicaid and Health Choice that slow growth."
As more and more North Carolinians lose their employer-provided health care, now is the absolute wrong time to limit growth in Medicaid and Health Choice. Please follow this link to tell legislators to increase, not decrease, funding for enrollment growth in Health Choice and Medicaid.
II. Update on Legislative Agenda Items
Corporal Punishment: On Tuesday, 5/24, we expect the House Education Committee to hear a bill that would allow parents of children with disabilities to opt their children out of corporal punishment. It's possible that we might see an outright ban for some cases. The Covenant strongly supports this legislation.
School Nutrition Standards: On Tuesday, 5/24, the House Health Committee will hear a bill that would establish minimum nutrition standards for all food sold in public schools. The Covenant strongly supports this legislation.
III. Upcoming Events
House Budget Public Hearing, Monday, May 24th, 7 pm - 10 pm, McKimmon Center, NC State University. Come out to tell the House Budget Chairs what your priorities are for the state budget.
NCFAPA Lobby Day - On May 26st North Carolina Foster and Adoptive Parent Association is sponsoring a Legislative Awareness Day at the General Assembly. Please follow this link for more information.
Healthy Children Lobby Day - Wednesday, June 9. Join child advocates from across the state to urge legislators to increase funding for NC Health Choice and infant mortality prevention. More details to come.
IV. Change to Legislative Agenda
The second item on our Safety agenda now reads:
2. Promote policies that mitigate the impact of gun violence on children and the people who serve children and families.
May 18, 2010:
In this update:
I. Spending Comparison: Gov's Budget vs. Senate Budget
II. Senate Public Education Proposal
III. Revisions to Senate HHS Proposal
IV. Introduced Bills from Covenant Agenda
I. Below is a comparison of overall spending between the Governor's budget and the Senate budget proposal in our three main areas of concern:
Governor's Budget: Senate Budget:
Public Education: 7.046 billion $7.141 billion
HHS:$3.934 billion $3.915 billion
Juvenile Justice: $141.3 million $142.5 million
II. Public Education
Summary: Rather than taking the approach of the Governor and leaving the majority of cuts up to LEAs, the Senate makes lots of very deep and very specific cuts to Public Education budget. I've included a partial list of these cuts below. To see the full report, please follow this link.
More at Four - The Senate includes a recurring cut of $10 million and a one-time cut of $16,176,036 for More at Four. The one-time cut will be filled with federal dollars, so it should not impact services. Budget writers anticipate that the $10 million recurring cut will be offset partially by savings that result from new administrative efficiencies. If these savings don't materialize, then More at Four will have to absorb the full amount of the cut.
Teacher Salary - This $45 million cut is a revision of the teacher salary budget based on what teachers actually made in 2009. According the narrative in the Senate bill, no teacher's salary will be reduced as a result.
Instructional Supplies - $5 million recurring cut.
Central Office Administration - $10 million cut for LEA central office staff.
Mentoring - This item eliminates all funds ($9.2 million) for LEA mentoring programs. The cut is non-recurring, but it's always harder to get money back once it's been cut.
Instructional Support - This is $5 million (1.4%) cut for school nurses, social workers, counselors, etc.
Child and Family Support Teams - In addition to the $5 million cut for "instructional support," the Senate also proposes cutting $2.5 million from Child and Family Support Teams. This funding pays for social workers, as well.
Funding for At-risk Students - At-Risk Student Services ($1.2 million cut) and Disadvantaged Student Supplemental Funding ($1.975 million cut).
Dropout Prevention Grants - $13 million cut. This is pretty surprising given that it's a priority of the House Speaker.
Key Special Provision - The Senate also included a special provision that would allow local school districts to furlough teachers. This is very troubling.
III. HHS Adjustments
Smart Start - the proposed cut for Smart Start is doubled to $10 million.
Child Care Subsidy - the amount of subsidy money replaced with federal money is doubled to $24.756 million.
CCNC Savings - On Friday, the Senate thought that CCNC could help Medicaid save $26.7 million. On Monday, the Senate thought that CCNC could help Medicaid save $45 million. Interesting.
State Funding for Child Welfare - This is a $2.39 million cut to a variety of state funding authorizations - Foster Care/Adoption Title IV-E, Child Protective Services-State, and Child Protective Services Title IV-E.
IV. Introduced Bills
Here is a list of Covenant agenda items that have been introduced:
Early Childhood:
1. SB 1116 establishes the Joint Legislative Task Force on Consolidation of Early Childhood Education and Care. The sponsors are Blue, Jones, Preston, Purcell, and Swindell.
Education:
1. HB 1682 prohibits the use of corporal punishment for children with disabilities. Primary sponsors are Glazier, M. Alexander, Lucas and Rapp, and it was introduced on May 13.
2. SB 1138, sponsored by Foriest, Atwater, Dorsett, and Hartsell, also prohibits the use of corporal punishment for children with disabilities. The bill was introduced on May 17.
Health:
1. HB 1756 updates nutritional standards in public elementary, middle, and high schools. Primary sponsors are Insko, Rapp, Weiss and Yongue. The bill will be introduced on May 18.
Safety:
1. HB 1702 was introduced May 13. The bill, sponsored by Weiss, M. Alexander, England and Insko sets aside $1,287,000 for FY 2010-11.
$350,000 funds the March of Dimes to continue to provide outreach, educational materials, and vitamins through the NC Folic Acid Campaign to reduce the occurrence of neural tube defects. $330,000 is allocated for the East Carolina School of Medicine to continue to operate a high-risk maternity clinic to improve the birth outcomes of women in the eastern counties. $150,000 funds the Healthy Start Foundation to continue to provide education and public awareness through the Safe Sleep Campaign to reduce the occurrence of SIDS and sleep-related suffocations. $97,000 will go to the UNC School of Medicine to continue to provide education and progesterone to reduce preterm births among low-income non-Medicaid women who have already experienced at least one preterm birth. $460,000 funds the Healthy Start Foundation to continue to provide education, outreach, and the distribution of materials to reduce infant mortality by improving maternal health prior to and during pregnancy.
2. SB 1147, sponsored by Purcell, Allran, Atwater, and Forrester, would allocate the same funding for infant mortality prevention. The bill was introduced on May 17.
May 17, 2010:
Dear Members,
On Friday, the Senate released the Health and Human Services and Justice and Public Safety portions of its budget proposal. We should see the Education proposal at some point later today.
It's hard to complete an overall analysis of the budget without seeing the education section and how spending is divided among areas of state government. However, we can take a look what the Senate decided to cut and expand within Health and Human Services and Juvenile Justice, and where the Senate differs from the Governor's budget. The biggest differences appear in the Social Services budget and the Juvenile Justice budget.
To see copies of the Senate HHS budget proposal, click here. To see the Juvenile Justice proposal, click here.
(Thanks to Mandy Ableidinger at Action for Children for identifying many of the major differences between the Governor's proposal and the Senate's. Please note that all editorial commentary is mine.)
Health and Human Services
Overall spending - The Senate proposes to spend $3.946 billion on the HHS budget. That's $11 million more than the Governor's proposal.
Division of Child Development
Child Care Subsidy - $6 million reduction. Like the Governor, the Senate anticipates $6 million in cost savings from an electronic payment system that hasn't yet been implemented. At this point, it's unclear what that system even looks like. If these savings aren't found, children will be forced of child care subsidy.
Smart Start - $5.8 million reduction (or 3%), which is less than the Governor's 4% cut. HOWEVER, the Senate also proposes cutting an additional $5 million from Smart Start for health initiatives. At a time when we've lost significant infrastructure in our health outreach systems, this cut could be quite significant.
Division of MH,DD, SA
School-based Child and Family Teams - Like the Governor, the Senate cuts state funding for this program - $523,864.
Whitaker School - Like the Governor, the Senate wants to convert the Whitaker School (serves the most troubled teens in the state) to a PRTF, so that it can provide Medicaid reimbursable services. This is a good thing.
Expansion Item - Community Service Funds - The Senate proposes to restore $23 million of state funding for mental health services. Furthermore, the Senate proposes to allocate $17 million in Federal dollars to fully restore the $40 million cut from last year's budget.
Public Health
27 positions eliminated - There's no explanation of which position. It's unclear to me if the Division can absorb this right now - $900,000 cut.
Immunizations - This item cuts out all state funding for the purchasing of vaccines ($15,894,853). The Senate states that these items can be billed to health insurers. While this may be true, we know that this cut will mean that vaccines will not be as readily available and that fewer children will be vaccinated. This is a complicated issue and I'll try to provide more guidance moving forward.
Expansion - School Health Nurses - $1 million to hire an additional 20 school health nurses.
Health Choice
Expansion - Enrollment Growth - Though a couple million less than what the Governor proposed, the Senate proposes to raise the enrollment cap for Health Choice by $6.5 million. It's unclear how many spots this would open up.
Division of Medical Assistance (Medicaid)
Maternal Outreach Workers - This item transitions women receiving services through the MOW program to Maternal Care Coordinators and Children Services Coordinators. This is troubling because the MCC and CSC programs are already stretched too thin. $292,974 cut.
Children's Mental Health - Requires prior authorization for mental health services at 16 visits versus the current 26 visits. This is a cut of $933,547, which suggests to me that fewer children will receive mental health services.
Division of Social Services
15 Position Eliminations ($959,632 cut) - This will be tough for the state DSS to absorb as it is already understaffed.
Child Support Enforcement ($1,282,777 cut) - This item transitions a significant portion of child care enforcement in 28 counties to local DSS. The local DSS offices do not have the ability to absorb this new responsibility.
Child Advocacy Centers ($375,000 cut) - This item replaces recurring state dollars with a one-time appropriation of federal funds. Unclear what happens next year without recurring money.
NC REACH - $1.58 million non-recurring cut and $160,507 recurring cut. This is a program that provides scholarships to children aging out of foster care.
Child and Family Team Facilitators ($420,804 cut) - This item removes state funding for facilitators in twelve relatively impoverished counties.
Contracts for Adoption Programs ($459,156 cut) - This is troubling as we already have a very difficult time finding permanent placements for children in foster care.
Expansion - Child Welfare Collaborative Program - $239,452 increase. This programs provides assistance to social work students who make a commitment to work in county departments of social services.
Juvenile Justice
Elimination of Positions - the Senate proposes to eliminate 31 vacant positions saving a total of $1,158,829. Even though these positions are vacant, many of them are still very much needed, especially with the hit the Department took last year.
YDC Budget - This a 5% ($3,538,342) reduction based on a drop in commitments. This would be fine if YDCs were adequately funded for their previous levels of commitments.
Gov's items not included in Senate budget -
1. Elimination of Woodson Wilderness Camp ($1 million)
2. Reduction of Eckerd Wilderness Camp ($7.4 million)
3. Close Macon County multi-purpose home ($600,000)
4. Restore Samarkand YDC $3.5 million
May 17, 2010, Part 2:
Hey Folks,
I wanted to include an update on two items that I left out of the first update:
1. Funding for infant mortality prevention;
2. Youth Accountability and Involvement Office
Infant Mortality: The Senate HHS Appropriations Committee proposed using Health and Wellness Trust Fund money to continue funding infant mortality prevention programs. Funding has been proposed to support the NC Folic Acid Campaign, Safe Sleep education campaign, and 17P distribution at the rates we encouraged ($350,000; $150,000; $97,000).
Although funding for the Healthy Start Foundation has not been specifically mentioned, no lump sum reductions or administrative cuts have been proposed, which is a good sign. We still hope that legislators will be able to find $330,000 for the ECU High-Risk Clinic, but funding has not yet been proposed.
The HHS Appropriations Committee will meet today to vote on these funding allocations.
Youth Advocacy and Involvement Office: The Senate makes no cuts or transfers to the Youth Advocacy and Involvement Office, which is great news! In the Governor's budget, the Office was dismantled, so we're very grateful that it is left intact in the Senate proposal.
Best, Rob
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Covenant Membership News
Originally Submitted by Rob Thompson, Executive Director of the Covenant with North Carolina's Children
Hey Folks,
Below is our 2010 Legislative Agenda. Please follow this link (https://ssl.capwiz.com/cwncc/attachments/1_2010_leg_agenda.pdf) to access a formatted PDF version.
Preamble:
Despite facing profound challenges stemming from the recession, North Carolina's children and families have the ability to bounce back and grow strong, so long as we pull together and maintain investments in public structures like education, public safety, and health services. Now is not the time to be short-sighted or overly-cautious--our state's leaders must play an active role in supporting our children, families and communities to ensure long-term success and stability.
Child Welfare
1. Assure the safety and health of North Carolina's most vulnerable children by protecting existing child welfare services from further cuts.
2. Appropriate $2.8 million to the NC Division of Social Services for family preservation services and $6.6 million for facilitators of child and family teams.
Early Childhood
1. Sustain funding for all early childhood education programs including Smart Start, More at Four, subsidy and TEACCH®.
2. Support the bills developed by the Joint Legislative Task Force on Consolidation of Early Childhood Education and include expanded membership of the study committee.
Economic Security
1. Maintain funding for the state refundable Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).
2. Sustain and, if possible, increase funding for the NC Housing Trust Fund, Home Protection Program, and State Home Foreclosure Prevention Project.
Education
1. Ban the use of corporal punishment on children with disabilities.
2. Preserve the integrity of the public school classroom and the services and supports that students and teachers need to be successful.
Health
1. Ensure that all foods sold in NC public schools meet minimum, science-based nutrition standards.
2. Protect Medicaid/Health Choice funding and raise the Health Choice enrollment cap so all eligible children can access affordable, quality healthcare.
Juvenile Justice
1. Preserve the current $23 million allocation to county Juvenile Crime Prevention Councils (JCPCs).
2. Avoid additional cuts/reductions to DJJDP facilities and personnel, which were subjected to disproportionate cuts in the 2009 -2010 budget.
MH/DD/SA
1. Continue and expand funding for early screening and intervention for mental illness and developmental disabilities.
2. Develop and fund a continuum of research supported, community-based services for children and adolescents to prevent harmful confinement in hospitals and detention centers.
Safety
1. Preserve current funding for proven Infant Mortality Prevention Programs.
2. Recognizing that 63 percent of intimate partner violence child homicides are firearm related, prevent passage of Senate Bill 928 (Castle Doctrine).
Hey Folks,
Below is our 2010 Legislative Agenda. Please follow this link (https://ssl.capwiz.com/cwncc/attachments/1_2010_leg_agenda.pdf) to access a formatted PDF version.
Preamble:
Despite facing profound challenges stemming from the recession, North Carolina's children and families have the ability to bounce back and grow strong, so long as we pull together and maintain investments in public structures like education, public safety, and health services. Now is not the time to be short-sighted or overly-cautious--our state's leaders must play an active role in supporting our children, families and communities to ensure long-term success and stability.
Child Welfare
1. Assure the safety and health of North Carolina's most vulnerable children by protecting existing child welfare services from further cuts.
2. Appropriate $2.8 million to the NC Division of Social Services for family preservation services and $6.6 million for facilitators of child and family teams.
Early Childhood
1. Sustain funding for all early childhood education programs including Smart Start, More at Four, subsidy and TEACCH®.
2. Support the bills developed by the Joint Legislative Task Force on Consolidation of Early Childhood Education and include expanded membership of the study committee.
Economic Security
1. Maintain funding for the state refundable Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).
2. Sustain and, if possible, increase funding for the NC Housing Trust Fund, Home Protection Program, and State Home Foreclosure Prevention Project.
Education
1. Ban the use of corporal punishment on children with disabilities.
2. Preserve the integrity of the public school classroom and the services and supports that students and teachers need to be successful.
Health
1. Ensure that all foods sold in NC public schools meet minimum, science-based nutrition standards.
2. Protect Medicaid/Health Choice funding and raise the Health Choice enrollment cap so all eligible children can access affordable, quality healthcare.
Juvenile Justice
1. Preserve the current $23 million allocation to county Juvenile Crime Prevention Councils (JCPCs).
2. Avoid additional cuts/reductions to DJJDP facilities and personnel, which were subjected to disproportionate cuts in the 2009 -2010 budget.
MH/DD/SA
1. Continue and expand funding for early screening and intervention for mental illness and developmental disabilities.
2. Develop and fund a continuum of research supported, community-based services for children and adolescents to prevent harmful confinement in hospitals and detention centers.
Safety
1. Preserve current funding for proven Infant Mortality Prevention Programs.
2. Recognizing that 63 percent of intimate partner violence child homicides are firearm related, prevent passage of Senate Bill 928 (Castle Doctrine).
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Covenant Membership News
Originally Submitted by Rob Thompson, Executive Director of the Covenant with North Carolina's Children
HHS Budget Report
At today's HHS Appropriations meeting, the Department provided legislators with a list of potential cuts to meet anticipated spending reduction requirements. To be clear, the cuts in this list are brutal and represent a large-scale retreat from the investments that we have made in our children and families.
The Department presented three different scenarios - one would cut $144 million, the next $150 million, and the last $154 million. These three numbers are supposed to represent 3%, 5%, and 7% reduction scenarios, but the dollar amounts don't align with those percentages.
In fact, the HHS sub-committee has been instructed to cut 5%, which equals $216 million. This means that an additional $60 million in HHS cuts will be necessary on top of what was presented today.
Below, I've pulled out some key proposed cuts from the presentation today.You can also follow this link to see the entire cut list. If you have concerns about any of your specific programs, please let me know.
Division of Central Administration
Housing Finance Assistance Program - this program provides housing to people with extremely low-incomes who have disabilities. $561,000 non-recurring cut.
Community Health Grants - this cut means that community health centers entering the third year of their contract will not automatically get that money, but will have to submit another grant. In simpler terms, HHS is proposing to eliminate the third year of current contracts. $300,000 recurring cut.
Division of Child Development
Child Care Subsidy - I'm not sure how this one works; seems like the state is robbing Peter (the counties) to pay Paul, but here is what the Department says. DCD would reduce county services support allocations from 5% to 4%; funds from this reduction would free up about $3.277 million in state appropriations from the subsidy services budget. An additional $1.125 million of actual cuts would be implemented to realize the full reduction amount of $4.4 million. In all, the Department projects that 249 fewer slots would be available.
Smart Start - This one is simple. Reduce the Smart Start allocation by either 3%, 5%, or 7%. The corresponding money amount for each of those scenarios is $5.8 million, $9.7 million, and $13.5 million.
Office of Education Services
Reduce Residential Services by One Night / Week - this would reduce the number of nights a week that a student could stay at the school from four to five. This has already been happening during the current fiscal year due to the Gov's withholding of 5% of the approved budget. $561,558 recurring cut.
Division of Public Health
NC Universal Vaccines for Children Initiative - this program would eliminate all funds for our state vaccine program and replace them a "Childhood Immunization Account" that would be supposedly funded by private insurance providers. I don't believe the insurance industry has agreed to this yet. $6.4 million.
Division of Social Services
Child Support Enforcement Consolidation and Reduction - the Department is proposing the elimination of 33 positions (20 filled and 13 vacant). Reductions would also be found in operating accounts. $1.58 recurring cut.
Funding Authorization to Counties - $358,529 cut to Foster Care/Adoption IV-E; $959,998 cut to Child Protective Services-State; and, $1.072 million cut to Child Protective Services IV-E. These cuts have already been in effect during the current fiscal year following the Governor's required 5% reduction reserve for the Division (though these line item cuts are more like 16%).
Child Advocacy Centers - Eliminate all state funding for child advocacy centers. $375,000 recurring cut.
NCREACH - NCREACH is a scholarship program for children in foster care. This proposed cut would eliminate the entire state appropriation and replace it with Escheat funds. This means that the Division will probably not promote this program among foster youth. $3.168 million recurring cut.
Permanency Planning - this reduction would transfer 25% of the federal participation requirement to the counties. The problem with this is that the counties have no money, which means that they might not meet the match, which then means that federal money would not be drawn down. $682,512 recurring cut.
School-based Child and Family Teams - 12 counties currently receive state money to help fund school-based child and family team facilitators. This item would eliminate that state funding. $420,804 recurring cut. (similar cut in Division of MH/DD/SA budget below)
Division of Medical Assistance
Children under 21 were exempted from all cuts to optional Medicaid services, so I'm not going to outline them here. For a full description of the Medicaid cuts, see the attached document.
Division of Services for the Blind, Deaf, and Hard of Hearing
Merge Special Assistance for the Blind Program with Special Assistance Program. $287,807 recurring cut.
Division of MH/DD/SA
School-based Child and Family Teams - this cut takes care of the other state-funding that was removed from the Social Services budget. $438,611
Counties Pay Portion of LME Systems Management Cost - this item creates a tiered payment system, which requires counties with the smallest LMEs to pay the highest percentage of the non-federal management costs. This is a pretty heavy-handed attempt to get LMEs large enough to participate in the 1915 waiver. $10.305 million recurring cut.
Division of State Operated Healthcare Facilities
Close Whitaker School - turn Whitaker into a PRTF, which would then be Medicaid eligible. $969,233 recurring cut.
Close Wright School - $1.272 million recurring cut.
HHS Budget Report
At today's HHS Appropriations meeting, the Department provided legislators with a list of potential cuts to meet anticipated spending reduction requirements. To be clear, the cuts in this list are brutal and represent a large-scale retreat from the investments that we have made in our children and families.
The Department presented three different scenarios - one would cut $144 million, the next $150 million, and the last $154 million. These three numbers are supposed to represent 3%, 5%, and 7% reduction scenarios, but the dollar amounts don't align with those percentages.
In fact, the HHS sub-committee has been instructed to cut 5%, which equals $216 million. This means that an additional $60 million in HHS cuts will be necessary on top of what was presented today.
Below, I've pulled out some key proposed cuts from the presentation today.You can also follow this link to see the entire cut list. If you have concerns about any of your specific programs, please let me know.
Division of Central Administration
Housing Finance Assistance Program - this program provides housing to people with extremely low-incomes who have disabilities. $561,000 non-recurring cut.
Community Health Grants - this cut means that community health centers entering the third year of their contract will not automatically get that money, but will have to submit another grant. In simpler terms, HHS is proposing to eliminate the third year of current contracts. $300,000 recurring cut.
Division of Child Development
Child Care Subsidy - I'm not sure how this one works; seems like the state is robbing Peter (the counties) to pay Paul, but here is what the Department says. DCD would reduce county services support allocations from 5% to 4%; funds from this reduction would free up about $3.277 million in state appropriations from the subsidy services budget. An additional $1.125 million of actual cuts would be implemented to realize the full reduction amount of $4.4 million. In all, the Department projects that 249 fewer slots would be available.
Smart Start - This one is simple. Reduce the Smart Start allocation by either 3%, 5%, or 7%. The corresponding money amount for each of those scenarios is $5.8 million, $9.7 million, and $13.5 million.
Office of Education Services
Reduce Residential Services by One Night / Week - this would reduce the number of nights a week that a student could stay at the school from four to five. This has already been happening during the current fiscal year due to the Gov's withholding of 5% of the approved budget. $561,558 recurring cut.
Division of Public Health
NC Universal Vaccines for Children Initiative - this program would eliminate all funds for our state vaccine program and replace them a "Childhood Immunization Account" that would be supposedly funded by private insurance providers. I don't believe the insurance industry has agreed to this yet. $6.4 million.
Division of Social Services
Child Support Enforcement Consolidation and Reduction - the Department is proposing the elimination of 33 positions (20 filled and 13 vacant). Reductions would also be found in operating accounts. $1.58 recurring cut.
Funding Authorization to Counties - $358,529 cut to Foster Care/Adoption IV-E; $959,998 cut to Child Protective Services-State; and, $1.072 million cut to Child Protective Services IV-E. These cuts have already been in effect during the current fiscal year following the Governor's required 5% reduction reserve for the Division (though these line item cuts are more like 16%).
Child Advocacy Centers - Eliminate all state funding for child advocacy centers. $375,000 recurring cut.
NCREACH - NCREACH is a scholarship program for children in foster care. This proposed cut would eliminate the entire state appropriation and replace it with Escheat funds. This means that the Division will probably not promote this program among foster youth. $3.168 million recurring cut.
Permanency Planning - this reduction would transfer 25% of the federal participation requirement to the counties. The problem with this is that the counties have no money, which means that they might not meet the match, which then means that federal money would not be drawn down. $682,512 recurring cut.
School-based Child and Family Teams - 12 counties currently receive state money to help fund school-based child and family team facilitators. This item would eliminate that state funding. $420,804 recurring cut. (similar cut in Division of MH/DD/SA budget below)
Division of Medical Assistance
Children under 21 were exempted from all cuts to optional Medicaid services, so I'm not going to outline them here. For a full description of the Medicaid cuts, see the attached document.
Division of Services for the Blind, Deaf, and Hard of Hearing
Merge Special Assistance for the Blind Program with Special Assistance Program. $287,807 recurring cut.
Division of MH/DD/SA
School-based Child and Family Teams - this cut takes care of the other state-funding that was removed from the Social Services budget. $438,611
Counties Pay Portion of LME Systems Management Cost - this item creates a tiered payment system, which requires counties with the smallest LMEs to pay the highest percentage of the non-federal management costs. This is a pretty heavy-handed attempt to get LMEs large enough to participate in the 1915 waiver. $10.305 million recurring cut.
Division of State Operated Healthcare Facilities
Close Whitaker School - turn Whitaker into a PRTF, which would then be Medicaid eligible. $969,233 recurring cut.
Close Wright School - $1.272 million recurring cut.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Covenant Membership News
Provided by Stacey Massengill, NCSPA Legislative and Public Policy Committee Member
Originally Submitted by Rob Thompson, Executive Director of the Covenant with North Carolina's Children
Hi folks,
I wanted to pass along this information about an upcoming training opportunity. See below for details.
1915 b/c Medicaid Waiver Training
by Open Minds
Tuesday, April 20, 2010 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Village Inn Hotel, Golf & Conference Center, Clemmons, NC
We invite you to attend a unique learning opportunity with Dr. John Talbot, Executive Vice President and Senior Associate from Open Minds to discover the potential impact of the 1915 b/c Medicaid Waiver in North Carolina. Dr. Talbot is a national expert and state consultant on Federal Medicaid waivers and served as the President of the Colorado Care Management, a network of agencies that received national recognition for demonstrated measurable superior clinical outcomes under a Federal waiver.
Attendees will learn about
1) examples of highly effective 1915 b/c waivers in other states;
2) challenges other states have experienced in implementing the 1915 b/c waivers;
3) the potential impact of the waiver across the mental health, juvenile justice and social service systems in NC and
4) how key stakeholders can prepare for this change.
Registration is open to members and non-members of CFSA-NC. Seating is limited so early registration is encouraged.
To register, please complete a separate form for each registrant which can be found here.
This training is open to members and non-members of CFSA-NC so please share with others as appropriate.
Hope you can make it. Enjoy your weekend!
Thanks,
Rob Thompson
Originally Submitted by Rob Thompson, Executive Director of the Covenant with North Carolina's Children
Hi folks,
I wanted to pass along this information about an upcoming training opportunity. See below for details.
1915 b/c Medicaid Waiver Training
by Open Minds
Tuesday, April 20, 2010 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Village Inn Hotel, Golf & Conference Center, Clemmons, NC
We invite you to attend a unique learning opportunity with Dr. John Talbot, Executive Vice President and Senior Associate from Open Minds to discover the potential impact of the 1915 b/c Medicaid Waiver in North Carolina. Dr. Talbot is a national expert and state consultant on Federal Medicaid waivers and served as the President of the Colorado Care Management, a network of agencies that received national recognition for demonstrated measurable superior clinical outcomes under a Federal waiver.
Attendees will learn about
1) examples of highly effective 1915 b/c waivers in other states;
2) challenges other states have experienced in implementing the 1915 b/c waivers;
3) the potential impact of the waiver across the mental health, juvenile justice and social service systems in NC and
4) how key stakeholders can prepare for this change.
Registration is open to members and non-members of CFSA-NC. Seating is limited so early registration is encouraged.
To register, please complete a separate form for each registrant which can be found here.
This training is open to members and non-members of CFSA-NC so please share with others as appropriate.
Hope you can make it. Enjoy your weekend!
Thanks,
Rob Thompson
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Covenant with NC's Children News
Originally Submitted by Rob Thompson, Executive Director of the Covenant with North Carolina's Children
The Census Makes Sense for Us
The 10-question Census form arrives in mailboxes in mid-March. Encouraging people to fill out and return the form will have a big effect on North Carolina, including the level of government funding we receive for amultitude of programs serving children. More than one third of thehouseholds in NC did not return the form in the 2000 Census, which led to an undercount and lose of our fair share of funds in some areas. "Hard tocount" populations, according to the Census, include people with low incomes or education levels, renters, and immigrants.
The Covenant With NC's Children is teaming up with other nonprofits todistribute informational cards about the importance of filling out theCensus. More than 500,000 cards have already gone out to churches, community centers, barber/beauty shops, food banks, counseling programs, service agencies, etc. You can get a supply of the FREE cards to distribute through your programs or other means to people in your community. Maybe you could ask a couple of churches to include them as bulletin inserts during the first half of March.
Here is what the card looks like, front and back (8.5 x 3.6 inches):
http://www.democracy-nc.org/downloads/CensusCardEnglish.pdf
Cards are also available in Spanish. To receive quantities of these freecards (from 100 to 10,000), please send your name, full mailing address andfull street address (for UPS), your phone number and email address, and thequantity of cards desired, to Bob Hall, Democracy North Carolina athttps://foghorn.appcomm.net:2096/horde/imp/message.php?index=1# or 919-489-1931.
(PLEASE SHARE THIS OFFER WITH OTHERS.)
Thank you!
Rob Thompson
Executive Director
The Census Makes Sense for Us
The 10-question Census form arrives in mailboxes in mid-March. Encouraging people to fill out and return the form will have a big effect on North Carolina, including the level of government funding we receive for amultitude of programs serving children. More than one third of thehouseholds in NC did not return the form in the 2000 Census, which led to an undercount and lose of our fair share of funds in some areas. "Hard tocount" populations, according to the Census, include people with low incomes or education levels, renters, and immigrants.
The Covenant With NC's Children is teaming up with other nonprofits todistribute informational cards about the importance of filling out theCensus. More than 500,000 cards have already gone out to churches, community centers, barber/beauty shops, food banks, counseling programs, service agencies, etc. You can get a supply of the FREE cards to distribute through your programs or other means to people in your community. Maybe you could ask a couple of churches to include them as bulletin inserts during the first half of March.
Here is what the card looks like, front and back (8.5 x 3.6 inches):
http://www.democracy-nc.org/downloads/CensusCardEnglish.pdf
Cards are also available in Spanish. To receive quantities of these freecards (from 100 to 10,000), please send your name, full mailing address andfull street address (for UPS), your phone number and email address, and thequantity of cards desired, to Bob Hall, Democracy North Carolina athttps://foghorn.appcomm.net:2096/horde/imp/message.php?index=1# or 919-489-1931.
(PLEASE SHARE THIS OFFER WITH OTHERS.)
Thank you!
Rob Thompson
Executive Director
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Covenant Membership News
Provided by Stacey Massengill, NCSPA Legislative and Public Policy Committee MemberOriginally Submitted by Rob Thompson, Executive Director of the Covenant with North Carolina's Children
CALL CONGRESS: VOTE YES FOR H.R. 4247, PREVENTING HARMFUL RESTRAINT & SECLUSION IN SCHOOLS BILL!
Bill moving to House Floor; Call on Monday or Tuesday. Please forward.This week, the entire House of Representatives will vote on legislation (H.R. 4247) that will stop schools from restraining children, confining them in seclusion rooms, and using aversive interventions to harm them. Call your Congressional Representative on Monday or Tuesday and ask them to VOTE YES to H.R. 4247. Also tell them to vote against any amendments that will weaken the bill. Dial 202-224-3121 (TTY 202-225-1904) and ask for your Representative's office. (See instructions below.) Get your friends and family to call, too!
WHY VOTE FOR H.R. 4247?
H.R. 4247) is a bill that will stop schools from restraining children, confining them in seclusion rooms, and using aversive interventions to harm them. A Government Accountability Office study found hundreds of cases of alleged abuse and death from restraint and seclusion in public and private schools over the last two decades. Examples included a 7 year old who died after being held face down for hours by school staff; 5 year olds allegedly being tied to chairs with bungee cords and duct tape by their teacher and suffering broken arms and bloody noses; and a 13 year old who hanged himself in a seclusion room after prolonged confinement. The majority of students in the GAO study had disabilities.
H.R. 4247 will create a minimum level of protection for schoolchildren that all states must meet or exceed. Currently, almost half of all states have no laws or laws with little protection for children. H.R. 4247 will prohibit restraint and locked seclusion of schoolchildren unless there is an imminent risk of physical injury that less restrictive interventions would not stop. It will forbid using these abusive techniques as punishment and behavior modification, and to deal with educational disruption and the like. Positive behavioral interventions are the appropriate ways to deal with disruptive behavior. H.R. 4247 is designed to encourage schools to use positive interventions and de-escalation, instead of abusive tactics. The bill prohibits schools from using mechanical and chemical restraints or restraints the impede breathing. H.R. 4247 prohibits including restraint and seclusion in IEPs as a planned intervention. The bill bans aversives that harm health and safety, such as using electric shock and denying children food and water or forcing foul substances into their mouths and eyes.
H.R. 4247 will protect all students, whether in private or public school. Many children with disabilities are placed in private schools by school districts and they should not lose vital health and safety protections. Other parents choose to send their children to private school for religious or other reasons; they should not be forced to give up protections from abuse.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR CALLING CONGRESS ON MONDAY OR TUESDAY:
Call and ask your Representative to VOTE FOR H.R. 4247, to prevent harmful restraint and seclusion in schools. Also, tell your Representative to vote against any amendments that would weaken the bill. Tell them to pass the bill intact. The full House of Representatives will vote on the bill this week, so call on Monday or Tuesday.
Telephone/TTY: Call your Congressional Representative and Senators at 202-224-3121 (TTY 202-225-1904). This is the switchboard, so you will need to know your Representative's name. When you are connected, ask for the aide who handles education or disability. If you get voicemail, please leave a message. If you cannot reach this aide, tell the person answering the phone that you want the Congressional Representative to vote for the bill. Again, tell them your city or town so they know they represent you. So, take two minutes and begin your day with a call to Congress!
You can also find local numbers and direct dial numbers on your Representative's webpage at http://www.house.gov/Email: If you can call, it is extremely important to do so. But if you cannot (due to a disability, inability to use the phone during working hours, etc.), send an email on Monday. Go to http://www.house.gov/writerep for the House of Representatives. Calls have a much greater impact. Since Congress is voting on the bill this week, please call on Monday or Tuesday if you can!
Find Out Who Your Congressional Representative is: If you do not know who your Congressional Representative is, go to http://www.house.gov/ and put your zip code into the box in the upper left corner. (You usually only need your five digit zip code.) If you have already contacted Congress about this bill, please do it again. This time, you are asking him/her to vote with the entire House of Representatives to support H.R. 4247.
For more information, see http://edlabor.house.gov/blog/2009/12/preventing-harmful-restraint-a.shtmland http://edlabor.house.gov/blog/2010/02/myth-vs-fact-preventing-harmfu.shtml
PLEASE FORWARD AND SHARE THIS ALERT BROADLY!!!
CALL CONGRESS: VOTE YES FOR H.R. 4247, PREVENTING HARMFUL RESTRAINT & SECLUSION IN SCHOOLS BILL!
Bill moving to House Floor; Call on Monday or Tuesday. Please forward.This week, the entire House of Representatives will vote on legislation (H.R. 4247) that will stop schools from restraining children, confining them in seclusion rooms, and using aversive interventions to harm them. Call your Congressional Representative on Monday or Tuesday and ask them to VOTE YES to H.R. 4247. Also tell them to vote against any amendments that will weaken the bill. Dial 202-224-3121 (TTY 202-225-1904) and ask for your Representative's office. (See instructions below.) Get your friends and family to call, too!
WHY VOTE FOR H.R. 4247?
H.R. 4247) is a bill that will stop schools from restraining children, confining them in seclusion rooms, and using aversive interventions to harm them. A Government Accountability Office study found hundreds of cases of alleged abuse and death from restraint and seclusion in public and private schools over the last two decades. Examples included a 7 year old who died after being held face down for hours by school staff; 5 year olds allegedly being tied to chairs with bungee cords and duct tape by their teacher and suffering broken arms and bloody noses; and a 13 year old who hanged himself in a seclusion room after prolonged confinement. The majority of students in the GAO study had disabilities.
H.R. 4247 will create a minimum level of protection for schoolchildren that all states must meet or exceed. Currently, almost half of all states have no laws or laws with little protection for children. H.R. 4247 will prohibit restraint and locked seclusion of schoolchildren unless there is an imminent risk of physical injury that less restrictive interventions would not stop. It will forbid using these abusive techniques as punishment and behavior modification, and to deal with educational disruption and the like. Positive behavioral interventions are the appropriate ways to deal with disruptive behavior. H.R. 4247 is designed to encourage schools to use positive interventions and de-escalation, instead of abusive tactics. The bill prohibits schools from using mechanical and chemical restraints or restraints the impede breathing. H.R. 4247 prohibits including restraint and seclusion in IEPs as a planned intervention. The bill bans aversives that harm health and safety, such as using electric shock and denying children food and water or forcing foul substances into their mouths and eyes.
H.R. 4247 will protect all students, whether in private or public school. Many children with disabilities are placed in private schools by school districts and they should not lose vital health and safety protections. Other parents choose to send their children to private school for religious or other reasons; they should not be forced to give up protections from abuse.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR CALLING CONGRESS ON MONDAY OR TUESDAY:
Call and ask your Representative to VOTE FOR H.R. 4247, to prevent harmful restraint and seclusion in schools. Also, tell your Representative to vote against any amendments that would weaken the bill. Tell them to pass the bill intact. The full House of Representatives will vote on the bill this week, so call on Monday or Tuesday.
Telephone/TTY: Call your Congressional Representative and Senators at 202-224-3121 (TTY 202-225-1904). This is the switchboard, so you will need to know your Representative's name. When you are connected, ask for the aide who handles education or disability. If you get voicemail, please leave a message. If you cannot reach this aide, tell the person answering the phone that you want the Congressional Representative to vote for the bill. Again, tell them your city or town so they know they represent you. So, take two minutes and begin your day with a call to Congress!
You can also find local numbers and direct dial numbers on your Representative's webpage at http://www.house.gov/Email: If you can call, it is extremely important to do so. But if you cannot (due to a disability, inability to use the phone during working hours, etc.), send an email on Monday. Go to http://www.house.gov/writerep for the House of Representatives. Calls have a much greater impact. Since Congress is voting on the bill this week, please call on Monday or Tuesday if you can!
Find Out Who Your Congressional Representative is: If you do not know who your Congressional Representative is, go to http://www.house.gov/ and put your zip code into the box in the upper left corner. (You usually only need your five digit zip code.) If you have already contacted Congress about this bill, please do it again. This time, you are asking him/her to vote with the entire House of Representatives to support H.R. 4247.
For more information, see http://edlabor.house.gov/blog/2009/12/preventing-harmful-restraint-a.shtmland http://edlabor.house.gov/blog/2010/02/myth-vs-fact-preventing-harmfu.shtml
PLEASE FORWARD AND SHARE THIS ALERT BROADLY!!!
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Division 16, APA Announcement
Dear NC School Psychology colleagues & students,
Trainers of School Psychologists yesterday received this exciting announcement from Bonnie Nastasi, the President of Division 16:
The Division of School Psychology was able to successfully negotiate the following language, passed by the APA's Council of Representatives (CoR) today 2/20/2010. This language acknowledges that State Education Agencies credential and title practitioners who work in the schools (that may or may not hold a doctoral degree) and acknowledges that State Boards of Psychology credentials practitioners for independent practice (where a doctoral degree is required).
Nothing in this act shall be construed to prevent (cite relevant state education authority or statutory provisions) from credentialing individuals to provide school psychological services in those settings that are under the purview of the state education agency. Such individuals shall be restricted in their practice and the use of the title so conferred, which must include the word "school", to employment within those settings. This provision is not intended to restrict the activities of licensed psychologists.
We are proud of the leadership of our CoR representatives, Cindy Carlson, Frank Worrell, Beth Doll and MLA Task Force Liaisons, Deborah Tharinger, Randy Kamphaus and Tammy Hughes, as well as the support from Steve DeMers from ASPPB on behalf of the school psychology community.
Sincerely,
Bonnie K. Nastasi, PhDPresident, Division 16, APA
Trainers of School Psychologists yesterday received this exciting announcement from Bonnie Nastasi, the President of Division 16:
The Division of School Psychology was able to successfully negotiate the following language, passed by the APA's Council of Representatives (CoR) today 2/20/2010. This language acknowledges that State Education Agencies credential and title practitioners who work in the schools (that may or may not hold a doctoral degree) and acknowledges that State Boards of Psychology credentials practitioners for independent practice (where a doctoral degree is required).
Nothing in this act shall be construed to prevent (cite relevant state education authority or statutory provisions) from credentialing individuals to provide school psychological services in those settings that are under the purview of the state education agency. Such individuals shall be restricted in their practice and the use of the title so conferred, which must include the word "school", to employment within those settings. This provision is not intended to restrict the activities of licensed psychologists.
We are proud of the leadership of our CoR representatives, Cindy Carlson, Frank Worrell, Beth Doll and MLA Task Force Liaisons, Deborah Tharinger, Randy Kamphaus and Tammy Hughes, as well as the support from Steve DeMers from ASPPB on behalf of the school psychology community.
Sincerely,
Bonnie K. Nastasi, PhDPresident, Division 16, APA
Friday, February 5, 2010
Call to Ban Prone Restraints in NC Schools
Provided by Stacey Massengill, NCSPA Legislative and Public Policy Committee Member
Originally Submitted by Rob Thompson, Executive Director of the Covenant with North Carolina's Children
Attached is a letter from Disability Rights calling on Congress and NC's school districts to ban the use of prone restraints on students. See below for more context on this important issue.
If you are interested in signing on (Letter of Support) in support, please contact Kristine Sullivan at (919) 856-2195 or kristine.sullivan@disabilityrightsnc.org by February 12th.
Best, Rob
ISSUE BACKGROUND
In the past year, dangerous seclusion and restraint practices in public schools have become issues of national concern. In an upcoming report, Disability Rights NC (DRNC) is calling upon each of North Carolina's school systems to adopt a ban on prone restraint and implement Positive Behavior Supports. In the report, DRNC also includes information on important federal legislation that would ban the use of any restraint position (including prone restraint) that interferes with a student's breathing. The bill, the Preventing Harmful Restraint and Seclusion in Schools Act (H.R. 4247 and S. 2860), was drafted in collaboration with both student advocacy groups and associations of educators.
Disability Rights NC supports this federal legislation, which would impose stricter standards than what currently exists under NC law. Greater protections are particularly important for students with disabilities in North Carolina, who, as DRNC has discovered, are subjected to the routine and frequent use of prone restraint.
DRNC would appreciate your support in calling for a ban on prone restraint in North Carolina's public schools. Attached please find a letter from Vicki Smith, DRNC Executive Director, and a draft letter that will be sent to all of the NC school districts with a copy of our report. Let's stop the use of prone restraint before a North Carolina student dies.
If your organization would like to sign on in support, please contact Kristine Sullivan at (919) 856-2195 or kristine.sullivan@disabilityrightsnc.org by February 12th. Please contact DRNC if you have any questions, and feel free to share this with other organizations.
Originally Submitted by Rob Thompson, Executive Director of the Covenant with North Carolina's Children
Attached is a letter from Disability Rights calling on Congress and NC's school districts to ban the use of prone restraints on students. See below for more context on this important issue.
If you are interested in signing on (Letter of Support) in support, please contact Kristine Sullivan at (919) 856-2195 or kristine.sullivan@disabilityrightsnc.org by February 12th.
Best, Rob
ISSUE BACKGROUND
In the past year, dangerous seclusion and restraint practices in public schools have become issues of national concern. In an upcoming report, Disability Rights NC (DRNC) is calling upon each of North Carolina's school systems to adopt a ban on prone restraint and implement Positive Behavior Supports. In the report, DRNC also includes information on important federal legislation that would ban the use of any restraint position (including prone restraint) that interferes with a student's breathing. The bill, the Preventing Harmful Restraint and Seclusion in Schools Act (H.R. 4247 and S. 2860), was drafted in collaboration with both student advocacy groups and associations of educators.
Disability Rights NC supports this federal legislation, which would impose stricter standards than what currently exists under NC law. Greater protections are particularly important for students with disabilities in North Carolina, who, as DRNC has discovered, are subjected to the routine and frequent use of prone restraint.
DRNC would appreciate your support in calling for a ban on prone restraint in North Carolina's public schools. Attached please find a letter from Vicki Smith, DRNC Executive Director, and a draft letter that will be sent to all of the NC school districts with a copy of our report. Let's stop the use of prone restraint before a North Carolina student dies.
If your organization would like to sign on in support, please contact Kristine Sullivan at (919) 856-2195 or kristine.sullivan@disabilityrightsnc.org by February 12th. Please contact DRNC if you have any questions, and feel free to share this with other organizations.
Together NC Coalition Meeting Announcement
Provided by Stacey Massengill, NCSPA Legislative and Public Policy Committee Member
Originally Submitted by Rob Thompson, Executive Director of the Covenant with North Carolina's Children
Last year, we came together and formed Together NC to ensure that North Carolina elected officials took a responsible and balanced approach to addressing our economic crisis, and we made a difference - legislators included nearly $1 billion in new revenue in their final budget to sustain vital public programs.
Our current situation demands more coordinated action. With the economy struggling to recover and a tenuous state budget situation, we must come together again.
Join us for a day of conversation, education, skill-building and engagement around the state of the economy and its impact on North Carolina's children, families, and communities.
Together NC Forum: Charting a Path Forward for 2010 and Beyond
Thursday, March 18th
10 AM- 4:30PM
Marbles Kids MuseumRaleigh, NC
The agenda for the day includes:
A coalition meeting to determine a plan of action for Together NC in 2010 and beyond. We will be sending organizations a pre-assessment tool to help us plan for this portion of the day. We ask that all Together NC organizations make an effort to participate in this decision-making process even if you are unable to send a representative to the forum.
A luncheon featuring Dean Baker, a nationally-prominent economist and co-director of CEPR (https://www.cepr.net/), and Jon Shure from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (https://www.cbpp.org/). Dean and Jon will give us an update on the economic outlook for the US, prospects for economic recovery, and the continued impact the recession is having on states' abilities to meet the needs of their residents. The luncheon is part of NC Policy Watch's Crucial Conversation series.
A training on messaging around the economy and budget- both developing a common message for Together NC and helping organizations develop an effective message about your own budget priorities. (Jon Shure is confirmed, Patrick Bressette from Demos has been invited)
The forum is open to all current and prospective members of the Together NC Coalition. Please feel free to invite new organizations to join us for the day.
To RSVP- Email togethernc10@gmail.com with the following information:
Name of your organization
Number of people from your organization you expect to attend with their names and contact information
Whether or not you plan to attend for the full-day or just part of the day. Be sure to indicate whether or not each attendant will be present for lunch.
A more detailed agenda and the pre-assessment survey will be sent out over the next few weeks.
If you have any questions about the forum or Together NC, please contact Rob Thompson (rob@nccovenant.org or 919.866.3280) or Meg Wiehe (meg@ncjustice.org or 919.856.3192).
Directions to Marbles Kids Museum: http://www.marbleskidsmuseum.org/directions
For more information on Together NC: http://www.togethernc.org/
Originally Submitted by Rob Thompson, Executive Director of the Covenant with North Carolina's Children
Last year, we came together and formed Together NC to ensure that North Carolina elected officials took a responsible and balanced approach to addressing our economic crisis, and we made a difference - legislators included nearly $1 billion in new revenue in their final budget to sustain vital public programs.
Our current situation demands more coordinated action. With the economy struggling to recover and a tenuous state budget situation, we must come together again.
Join us for a day of conversation, education, skill-building and engagement around the state of the economy and its impact on North Carolina's children, families, and communities.
Together NC Forum: Charting a Path Forward for 2010 and Beyond
Thursday, March 18th
10 AM- 4:30PM
Marbles Kids MuseumRaleigh, NC
The agenda for the day includes:
A coalition meeting to determine a plan of action for Together NC in 2010 and beyond. We will be sending organizations a pre-assessment tool to help us plan for this portion of the day. We ask that all Together NC organizations make an effort to participate in this decision-making process even if you are unable to send a representative to the forum.
A luncheon featuring Dean Baker, a nationally-prominent economist and co-director of CEPR (https://www.cepr.net/), and Jon Shure from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (https://www.cbpp.org/). Dean and Jon will give us an update on the economic outlook for the US, prospects for economic recovery, and the continued impact the recession is having on states' abilities to meet the needs of their residents. The luncheon is part of NC Policy Watch's Crucial Conversation series.
A training on messaging around the economy and budget- both developing a common message for Together NC and helping organizations develop an effective message about your own budget priorities. (Jon Shure is confirmed, Patrick Bressette from Demos has been invited)
The forum is open to all current and prospective members of the Together NC Coalition. Please feel free to invite new organizations to join us for the day.
To RSVP- Email togethernc10@gmail.com with the following information:
Name of your organization
Number of people from your organization you expect to attend with their names and contact information
Whether or not you plan to attend for the full-day or just part of the day. Be sure to indicate whether or not each attendant will be present for lunch.
A more detailed agenda and the pre-assessment survey will be sent out over the next few weeks.
If you have any questions about the forum or Together NC, please contact Rob Thompson (rob@nccovenant.org or 919.866.3280) or Meg Wiehe (meg@ncjustice.org or 919.856.3192).
Directions to Marbles Kids Museum: http://www.marbleskidsmuseum.org/directions
For more information on Together NC: http://www.togethernc.org/
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Legislative Updates from the Covenant with North Carolina's Children
Provided by Stacey Massengill, NCSPA Legislative and Public Policy Committee Member
Originally Submitted by Rob Thompson, Executive Director of the Covenant with North Carolina's Children
In this update:
I. State Budget Update
II. Child Poverty Issues for Legislature
III. Meetings with Congressional Delegation
IV. Juvenile Justice Meeting Reminder
I. State Budget Update
Some good news - thanks to the unanticipated success of a corporate tax compliance initiative, we're $30 million ahead of projected revenues for the year! But, without this windfall we would be $240 million under projections, due to slower than expected economic growth and persistent unemployment and underemployment.It's still quite likely that revenues fall under projections by the end of they fiscal year.
Even though the revenue picture is passable, we're spending more than anticipated. Medicaid is running a $250 million deficit largely due to rapid enrollment growth and a spike in utilization. It's also unclear how much money we'll need to pump into the state employee retirement plan and state employee health plan to keep them solvent. The Governor may need to use the remainder of our rainy day fund plus other fund balances to prevent more cuts for the current fiscal year.
As for next year's budget, it looks like we'll be dealing with many of the same problems with underperforming revenues, unrealized savings, and enrollment growth in key state services like Medicaid. However, if the Governor spends down all fund balances to fill this year's shortfall, it's likely that we'll be dealing with another round of painful cuts for next year.
II. Child Poverty Issues
At their next meeting, the Poverty and Economic Recovery Committee will focus on child poverty issues. Because the Covenant's members represent a wealth of diverse perspectives on child poverty, I wanted to see if any of y'all had perspectives on child poverty that might overlooked. If you have thoughts about what this Committee should discuss, please let me know and I will pass that on to legislative staff and Committee members.
III. Meetings with the Congressional Delegation
Mandy Ableidinger from Action for Children is setting up a series of meetings with NC's congressional delegation for the week of Feb. 15th, and we are looking for local groups and citizens to attend these meetings with her. If you are interested, please email Mandy at mandy@ncchild.org.
Here are the issues we are planning to discuss - health care reform, TANF reauthorization, Early Learning Challenge Grants, Juvenile Justice and Delinquincy Prevention Reauthorization Act, and one or two others. Mandy will be glad to brief you and send you materials on these issues if you are interested in attending a meeting.
IV. Juvenile Justice Workgroup Meeting Reminder
Thursday, February 4th @ 3pm
Participate via Phone:
Call in number: 1-866-210-1669
Passcode 2109520
Attend in Person: Action for Children. 1300 St. Mary's Street, Suite 500, Raleigh, NC 27605
Originally Submitted by Rob Thompson, Executive Director of the Covenant with North Carolina's Children
In this update:
I. State Budget Update
II. Child Poverty Issues for Legislature
III. Meetings with Congressional Delegation
IV. Juvenile Justice Meeting Reminder
I. State Budget Update
Some good news - thanks to the unanticipated success of a corporate tax compliance initiative, we're $30 million ahead of projected revenues for the year! But, without this windfall we would be $240 million under projections, due to slower than expected economic growth and persistent unemployment and underemployment.It's still quite likely that revenues fall under projections by the end of they fiscal year.
Even though the revenue picture is passable, we're spending more than anticipated. Medicaid is running a $250 million deficit largely due to rapid enrollment growth and a spike in utilization. It's also unclear how much money we'll need to pump into the state employee retirement plan and state employee health plan to keep them solvent. The Governor may need to use the remainder of our rainy day fund plus other fund balances to prevent more cuts for the current fiscal year.
As for next year's budget, it looks like we'll be dealing with many of the same problems with underperforming revenues, unrealized savings, and enrollment growth in key state services like Medicaid. However, if the Governor spends down all fund balances to fill this year's shortfall, it's likely that we'll be dealing with another round of painful cuts for next year.
II. Child Poverty Issues
At their next meeting, the Poverty and Economic Recovery Committee will focus on child poverty issues. Because the Covenant's members represent a wealth of diverse perspectives on child poverty, I wanted to see if any of y'all had perspectives on child poverty that might overlooked. If you have thoughts about what this Committee should discuss, please let me know and I will pass that on to legislative staff and Committee members.
III. Meetings with the Congressional Delegation
Mandy Ableidinger from Action for Children is setting up a series of meetings with NC's congressional delegation for the week of Feb. 15th, and we are looking for local groups and citizens to attend these meetings with her. If you are interested, please email Mandy at mandy@ncchild.org.
Here are the issues we are planning to discuss - health care reform, TANF reauthorization, Early Learning Challenge Grants, Juvenile Justice and Delinquincy Prevention Reauthorization Act, and one or two others. Mandy will be glad to brief you and send you materials on these issues if you are interested in attending a meeting.
IV. Juvenile Justice Workgroup Meeting Reminder
Thursday, February 4th @ 3pm
Participate via Phone:
Call in number: 1-866-210-1669
Passcode 2109520
Attend in Person: Action for Children. 1300 St. Mary's Street, Suite 500, Raleigh, NC 27605
Monday, January 4, 2010
Legislative Updates from the Covenant with North Carolina's Children
Provided by Stacey Massengill, NCSPA Legislative and Public Policy Committee Member
Originally Submitted by Rob Thompson, Executive Director of the Covenant with North Carolina's Children
Happy 2010, Covenant Members!
The advent of a new year (and a new decade) is a good opportunity to reflect on the past and to look to the future. I've written up a short end of the year report below. As always, please send me any thoughts or feedback - mailto:rob@nccovenant.org.
2009 - End of Year Report
2009 was an extremely difficult year for North Carolina's children and families. The 'Great Recession' has left us with nearly 20% of the workforce unable to find adequate employment (unemployment + underemployment) and more than 20% of our state's children living in poverty. The brutal economic conditions have also resulted in a dramatic decrease in revenues, which has decimated much of our health and human services infrastructure.
Despite these brutal economic conditions, the Covenant and our allies were able to achieve some significant public policy victories. Below is a partial list of Covenant agenda items that were implemented during the 2009 legislative session:
Raising Revenue
The Covenant, along with the NC Budget and Tax Center, created and led the Together NC Coalition ( http://www.togethernc.org/), which was composed of over 100 service providers and advocates from each corner of the state. Through town hall meetings, phonebanks, press events, and rallies, we pressured the legislature to raise nearly $1 billion in new revenue to offset some of the worst cuts to child and family programs.
Bullying Bill
Working with a dedicated coalition of advocates, the Covenant helped to pass the School Violence Prevention Act. The new law requires all school districts to adopt an anti-bullying policy that explicitly extends protections to those students most likely to be targeted by bullying and harassment.
Smoking Ban
Holy Cow...it is now illegal to smoke in any bar or restaurant in North Carolina! This is a major public health victory, and will ensure that kids and their parents can eat, recreate and work in smoke-free environments. Major kudos to the NC Alliance for Health, the Cancer Society and the Heart Association!
Sex Education
The Covenant also played a supporting role in passing the Healthy Youth Act, which replaces ineffective abstinence-only sex education with a comprehensive sex education program.
Building the Covenant
In addition to our programmatic achievements, we also were able to strengthen the Covenant in 2009, thereby laying the groundwork for more profound social change in the future.
In 2009, we:
-Launched a new web-site and began using a new logo ( http://www.nccovenant.org/).
-Raised $35,000 in new foundation grants from the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation and the Triangle Community Foundation.
-Convened three fundraising events (special thanks to Jennifer Mahan, Covenant Board Chair and chef extraordinaire!).
-Recruited and retained member organizations from Hendersonville to Wilmington and all points in between.
Looking forward to 2010
Like 2009, we expect 2010 to be another tough year for our children and families. Unemployment will likely remain high and revenues haven't yet begun to recover, leaving the state less able to provide a safety net and other vital services. Once again, the Covenant will need to play a leading role in the fight to push lawmakers to take a balanced approach - an approach that involves new revenue in addition to spending cuts - to the state budget.
We will also work closely with Action for Children NC to end the unfair and ineffective policy of prosecuting all 16- and 17-year olds as adults; we'll continue our ongoing efforts to ban corporal punishment in public schools; and, we'll work to implement 'paid sick days' legislation so that parents can take care of their sick children.
Most importantly, with your continued support and involvement, we can continue to present a unified voice for children in North Carolina. Thanks for all you did in 2009 and all you will do in 2010.
Sincerely,
Rob Thompson
Executive Director
Originally Submitted by Rob Thompson, Executive Director of the Covenant with North Carolina's Children
Happy 2010, Covenant Members!
The advent of a new year (and a new decade) is a good opportunity to reflect on the past and to look to the future. I've written up a short end of the year report below. As always, please send me any thoughts or feedback - mailto:rob@nccovenant.org.
2009 - End of Year Report
2009 was an extremely difficult year for North Carolina's children and families. The 'Great Recession' has left us with nearly 20% of the workforce unable to find adequate employment (unemployment + underemployment) and more than 20% of our state's children living in poverty. The brutal economic conditions have also resulted in a dramatic decrease in revenues, which has decimated much of our health and human services infrastructure.
Despite these brutal economic conditions, the Covenant and our allies were able to achieve some significant public policy victories. Below is a partial list of Covenant agenda items that were implemented during the 2009 legislative session:
Raising Revenue
The Covenant, along with the NC Budget and Tax Center, created and led the Together NC Coalition ( http://www.togethernc.org/), which was composed of over 100 service providers and advocates from each corner of the state. Through town hall meetings, phonebanks, press events, and rallies, we pressured the legislature to raise nearly $1 billion in new revenue to offset some of the worst cuts to child and family programs.
Bullying Bill
Working with a dedicated coalition of advocates, the Covenant helped to pass the School Violence Prevention Act. The new law requires all school districts to adopt an anti-bullying policy that explicitly extends protections to those students most likely to be targeted by bullying and harassment.
Smoking Ban
Holy Cow...it is now illegal to smoke in any bar or restaurant in North Carolina! This is a major public health victory, and will ensure that kids and their parents can eat, recreate and work in smoke-free environments. Major kudos to the NC Alliance for Health, the Cancer Society and the Heart Association!
Sex Education
The Covenant also played a supporting role in passing the Healthy Youth Act, which replaces ineffective abstinence-only sex education with a comprehensive sex education program.
Building the Covenant
In addition to our programmatic achievements, we also were able to strengthen the Covenant in 2009, thereby laying the groundwork for more profound social change in the future.
In 2009, we:
-Launched a new web-site and began using a new logo ( http://www.nccovenant.org/).
-Raised $35,000 in new foundation grants from the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation and the Triangle Community Foundation.
-Convened three fundraising events (special thanks to Jennifer Mahan, Covenant Board Chair and chef extraordinaire!).
-Recruited and retained member organizations from Hendersonville to Wilmington and all points in between.
Looking forward to 2010
Like 2009, we expect 2010 to be another tough year for our children and families. Unemployment will likely remain high and revenues haven't yet begun to recover, leaving the state less able to provide a safety net and other vital services. Once again, the Covenant will need to play a leading role in the fight to push lawmakers to take a balanced approach - an approach that involves new revenue in addition to spending cuts - to the state budget.
We will also work closely with Action for Children NC to end the unfair and ineffective policy of prosecuting all 16- and 17-year olds as adults; we'll continue our ongoing efforts to ban corporal punishment in public schools; and, we'll work to implement 'paid sick days' legislation so that parents can take care of their sick children.
Most importantly, with your continued support and involvement, we can continue to present a unified voice for children in North Carolina. Thanks for all you did in 2009 and all you will do in 2010.
Sincerely,
Rob Thompson
Executive Director
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