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6 <br />NCACC Health and Human Services Policy Statement <br />Guiding Principles <br />• Essential health and human services should be financed through state or federal revenues to <br />ensure statewide availability and consistency. <br />• Counties must be actively engaged in setting health and human services policy and program <br />requirements. <br />• Health and human services programs should encourage responsible behavior and should be <br />targeted to those citizens least able to care for themselves. <br />• County health and human services programs should function as a coordinated, unified system <br />with sufficient automation to support efficient service delivery, promote flexibility, and reflect <br />policy simplification. <br />Introduction <br />Comprehensive and efficient human services, including social services, health and mental health, are <br />essential to human well-being in our present society. These services must be clearly defined and <br />adequately funded. State mandated services delivered at the county level should be financed from state <br />revenue sources in order for every citizen of North Carolina to receive a substantially similar degree of <br />service. Federally mandated services should be financed from federal revenue sources. Counties should <br />not participate in the financing of Medicaid services. <br />The State and County Partnership and Fiscal Relationship <br />Strengthened and sustained state and county collaboration is essential for effective human services <br />delivery. The Association encourages ongoing state and county strategies to enhance intergovernmental <br />communication, cooperation, and conflict resolution. <br />County commissioners have a significant role in the funding of the human services network. For this <br />reason, policy changes affecting the counties should be preceded by good faith negotiations in a process <br />that is fair and equitable. New program initiatives should allow adequate lead time for implementation <br />within the county budget schedule. The state should consider a county's resource limitations when <br />implementing new state and federal programs. <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, members of <br />all county human service agency boards should be appointed by the boards of county commissioners. All <br />block grants should be allocated as non-categorical funds. The Association will oppose earmarking of <br />block grant funds. The Association supports increases in funding for mandated services, provided that <br />the increases do not require additional expenditures of county funds. <br />Service Priorities <br />Health and human service programs should be targeted to those citizens least able to care for <br />themselves. These programs should encourage families to be responsible supporters of their children. <br />To accomplish this, the programs should focus on helping individuals find sustainable long-term <br />employment. County resources should be targeted toward helping individuals become self-sufficient, <br />helping families remain together and rewarding responsible behavior. The needs of children should be <br />the primary focus. <br />