AG 1998 04 20 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

commitment that Cabarrus provide for conducting all second-level client appeal hearings as required for electing counties. We submitted these clarifications and this change subject to the approval of the Board of Commissioners. (The updated Plan materials entitled "Plan Update 3-4-98" including a new certification page for the Chairman's signature, are attached). We were notified on March 12, that Cabarrus is one of 18 counties selected by the State Department of Human Resources as electing counties. The General Assembly will give final approval to the State's Work First Block Grant Plan in the upcoming session, which is scheduled to begin May 12. The State Work First Block Grant Plan was recently issued for public comment. To our great surprise and satisfaction, that plan contains a provision for pay for performance for recipients in standard counties, which is essentially the same policy proposed by Cabarms in its electing county plan. Additionally, it .appears that standard counties will be permitted to implement grant diversion for wage supplementation equivalent to the policy contained in the Cabarrus Work Over Welfare Program. Essentially, it now appears standard counties will be permitted to do the things which had led us to recommend electing status for Cabarrus. There appear to have been no changes to State policy to this point which would reduce the financial risks or added costs which will face electing counties. (We do now understand that electing counties will be able to "reprogram" to other Work First fundable services, federal funds from their county block grants not required for assistance payments to recipients in any given year. However, the State would reduce the county's block grant in the following year, so that it is our opinion that no substantial financial advantage would likely accrue to the county by maintaining electing status). Recommendations 1) As the State Work First Plan for standard counties now provides for the pay for performance and Work Over Welfare grant diversion provisions which were our county's policy priorities, and as electing status still poses financial risks and added costs to counties, it is recommended the Board request a change to standard status. 2) As the General Assembly will receive the State Department of Health and Human Services proposed State Block Grant Plan on May 15, prior to the next regular Board of Commissioners meeting, and as a request for a change to standard status would be less controversial and less troublesome now than after May 15, it is recommended the Board request the change to standard status at this time. 3) As the General Assembly might still alter the State's proposed Block Grant Plan in some way which might hinder our ability to implement pay for performance and/or to continue the Work Over Welfare Program, it would be prudent to pursue local legislation providing authority to do these things. (The Board previously requested Senator Hartsell do this). 2