GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1989

S	1 

SENATE BILL 760

Short Title:  RSVP Program Funds.	(Public)
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Sponsors: Senator Daniel.
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Referred to:  Appropriations.
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April 4, 1989

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS FOR THE RETIRED SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM (RSVP).
Whereas, the growth of the aging population represents one of the greatest transitions of this nation's population; and
Whereas, from 1980 to 2000, the 80 year and over population group will increase by one hundred thirty-one percent (131%) and the 65 and over population group will grow by sixty-four percent (64%); and
Whereas, currently, North Carolina spends some five times more on institutional care for the elderly than on community-based care; and
Whereas, there is a need for more comprehensive State policies that emphasize keeping the older adults at home as long as possible and in keeping these adults valuable, continuing members of the community; and
Whereas, the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), established in 1971, provides a program that offers the older adults the opportunity to find meaningful ways to contribute their skills and wisdom to help meet the needs of their local communities; and
Whereas, there are currently 17 Retired Senior Volunteer Programs in the following 27 counties in North Carolina: Brunswick, Buncombe, Cabarrus, Carteret, Chatham, Columbus, Cumberland, Davie, Durham, Forsyth, Granville, Guilford, Harnett, Henderson, Macon, Madison, Mecklenburg, Moore, New Hanover, Orange, Pender, Surry, Transylvania, Union, Wake, Wayne, and Yadkin; and
Whereas, federal funding for this program has not increased since 1975; and
Whereas, there is currently no federal funding available to start new Retired Senior Volunteer Programs; and
Whereas, there is a great need and demand for the Retired Senior Volunteer Programs from local areas; Now, therefore, 
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Division of Aging, Department of Human Resources, the sum of three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000) for the 1989-90 fiscal year to fund  Retired Senior Volunteer Programs (RSVP), to be allocated as follows:
(1)	Two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) to fund new Retired Senior Volunteer Programs; and
(2)	One hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) to fund existing Retired Senior Volunteer Programs.
The program guidelines and standards for new programs shall be in accordance with federal requirements for existing programs.  The guidelines for the local matching funds shall also be in accordance with federal guidelines.
Sec. 2.  This act shall become effective July 1, 1989.