AG19780907 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

-2- . Human Services Activities - Cont'd To this end, Chuck Chorak Will be Visiting County ~nagers In August and September to review specific problems the Managers have identified and explore ways that COG can be of more direct assistanee~ In addition~-~there are some trends in state Se¥~l, human services programs which seem contrary to t~e interests~ Of local govern- ment, t~At"~h~id'be discussed. For example, the state is donsidering mandating the types and levels of Title XX services to be provided by County DSSs. This is directly contrary to the con- cept of county-based social services, and puts county government in the position of funding what the State Office feels they should, not what the county feels it should or can afford. This trend of moving decision-making away from the county level seems to occur in other human service areas as well. It seems more logical and desirableto centralize decision-making about human services at the county level, where those services are being provided. Title XXPlannin8 There was a staff change in the month of July. Nancy Bowen Saunders replaced Scarlette Johns as a Human Service Planner. During the latter part of the month, the staff began reviewing last years Title ~ Planning Process with County DSS directors and staffs. The Centralina staff met with the DSS directors and staffs in Rowan and Mecklenburg Counties and intend to hold similar meetings with the other County DSSs in early August. In addition to reviewing last year's process, the Centralina staff has offered similar assistance this year. So far the DSSs have been receptive to working on the planning process-again this year - showing interest in expanding the process and setting up an agenda for this year's Plan. The Title ~i~ staff also attended a training session in Raleigh sponsored by the DHRTitle XX Planning Unit that was highly informative as to changes, priorities and expectations for the planning process for the coming year. These Centralina staff members will attend a subsequent training session at the end of August with this DHR unit. Finally, the staff has begun work on a Service Level Inventory for each county in the region. This inventory will include agencies other than DSSs which are involved with providing Title XX type services. The completion of these inven- tories is expected in early fall. Family ~lannin Is July the Finance Committee finalized'the allocations of Title XX funds to counties and they were approved by the COG Board. Some further negotiation with the state on county's projected earnings of Title XIX and XX funds is necessary to insure some counties will have adequate funds for next year. As soon as we ~eceive the final county budget (mid-August), we will forward subcontracts to all counties. These need to be executed by the county as soon as possible, so we can begin distributing funds. Mecklenburg County is joining Gaston, Stanly, and Union this year in receiving funding for the Teen Program ($30,000). This is a special emphasis on teenagers in response to the high rate of problems among that age group. The State is considering possible reorganization of the family Planning program statewide. A task force cdmmittee has sent a survey form to county officials on this matter which was due back to the State on the 10th of August. Some additional information was sent to Managers by the Centralina Executive Director.