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.^ ~ _r 65 <br />HUMAN RESOURCES POLICY STATEMENT -DRAFT <br />Introduction <br />Comprehensive and efficient human services, including social services, health and mental health, <br />are essential to human well-being in our present society. These services must be clearly defined <br />and adequately funded. State mandated services delivered at the county level should be financed <br />from state revenue sources in order for every citizen of North Carolina to receive a substantially <br />similar degree of service. Federally mandated services should be financed from federal revenue <br />sources. <br />State & County Fiscal Relationship <br />County commissioners have a significant role in the funding of the human services network. For <br />this reason, policy changes affecting the counties should be preceded by good faith negotiations <br />in a process that is fair and equitable. Program changes affecting county budget should be <br />effective with the beginning of the county fiscal year. New program initiatives should allow <br />adequate lead time for implementation within the county budget schedule. If new programs <br />must be started during the budget yeaz, the state should pay the first year's costs. <br />Local Authority <br />Since the counties are the level of government closest to the people, the Association supports <br />strengthening of local decision-making to respond to local needs. To enhance this principle, . <br />members of all county human service agency boards should be appointed by the boazds of county <br />commissioners. All block grants should beallocated asnon-categorical funds. The Association <br />will oppose earmarking of block grant funds. The Association supports increases in funding for <br />mandated services, provided that the increases do not require additional expenditures of county <br />funds. <br />Provision of Services <br />The human services programs should encourage families to be responsible supporters of their <br />children. To accomplish this, the programs should focus on helping individuals find sustainable <br />long term employment. County resources should be tazgeted towazd helping individuals become <br />self-sufficient, towazd helping families remain together, and toward rewazding responsible <br />behavior. The needs of children should be the primary focus. <br />Intergovernmental strategies for economic development should be encouraged. These efforts are <br />critical to ensuring that work is available for individuals making the transition from public <br />assistance to employment. All local government institutions, including municipalities and school <br />boards, should be involved in developing and coordinating services to meet the needs of low <br />income individuals. <br />The human service programs should be tazgeted to those citizens least able to care for <br />themselves, especially the frail elderly. Services appropriate to meet these needs include in-home <br />services, transportation, medical Gaze, housing and day caze. Care for the elderly should focus on <br />a continuum of care that places priority on in-home caze and adult day caze. Institutionalization . <br />should be a last resort. To reward the elderly for taking caze of themselves, income tax credits <br />