GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1989

H	1 

HOUSE BILL 1706

Short Title:  Focal Point Funds/3 Counties.	(Public)
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Sponsors: Representatives Privette, Loflin, and Barbee.
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Referred to:  Appropriations.
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May 5, 1989

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO PROVIDE APPROPRIATE FUNDS FOR COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES AT COMMUNITY LOCAL FOCAL POINTS IN CABARRUS, UNION, AND STANLY COUNTIES.
Whereas, by the year 2000 there will be one million persons in the State of North Carolina 65 years of age and older; and
Whereas, the largest number of senior adults remain active in our communities; and
Whereas, these older adults entering into the retirement system need one single entry point to the service delivery system as well as the opportunity to provide volunteer services; and
Whereas, the State of North Carolina spends approximately five times more on institutional care for the elderly than on community-based care, even though four of every five frail elderly persons live at home, dependent upon family members, church groups and other informal caregivers; and
Whereas, the State of North Carolina has established a need for a coordinated full service delivery system through the study of Senate Bill 1559 and the recommendations requested in House Bill 279; and
Whereas, it is the intent of Section 1321.53(C) of the 1987 Reauthorization for the Older American's Act to designate community focal points to encourage the maximum collocation and coordination of services for older adults; and
Whereas, it is the intent of the Act to reduce fragmentation of services and provide a central access; and
Whereas, legislation in the package is designed to implement pilot programs in Cabarrus, Union, and Stanly Counties listed to address the intent of county focal points; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Human Resources, Division of Aging, $120,000 for the 1989-90 fiscal year and $120,000 for the 1990-91 fiscal year to implement community-based services in Cabarrus, Union, and Stanly Counties, in accordance with standards and guidelines required of focal points by the Division of Aging.  These funds shall be used to enhance the lives of the 60-plus population by enabling focal point/multipurpose senior centers to continue to implement community services such as:
(1)	Utilizing retired volunteers for community services;
(2)	Senior's Discount Programs;
(3)	Activities to enhance wellness (physical, mental and emotional);
(4)	Older American's Month;
(5)	Senior Center Week;
(6)	Older Worker's Week;
(7)	Senior Employment;
(8)	Senior Games;
(9)	Distribution of fans and energy savings programs;
(10)	Postal Alert;
(11)	Ahoy;
(12)	Gatekeeper;
(13)	SHIIP;
(14)	COPE;
(15)	CHISS;
(16)	CAP;
(17)	Volunteer Development and Recognition;
(18)	Coordination of Senior Clubs;
(19)	Telephone Reassurance;
(20)	Friendly Visitor;
(21)	Pilot Projects;
(22)	Retirement Counseling;
(23)	Housing Advocacy; and
(24)	Nursing Home and Domiciliary Home Committees.
These funds shall be used to strengthen the counties' current focal point service delivery system and as an incentive to establish and enhance county departments of aging.
	These funds shall be allocated to Cabarrus, Union, and Stanly Counties based on the funding formula currently used by the North Carolina Division of Aging.
It shall be the responsibility of the North Carolina Division of Aging to ensure the provisions of this act are met.
Sec. 2.  This act shall become effective July 1, 1989.