GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1993

S	1 

SENATE BILL 1008

Short Title:  RSVP Program Funds.	(Public)
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Sponsors: Senator Hunt.
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Referred to:  Appropriations.
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April 29, 1993

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS FOR THE RETIRED SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM (RSVP).
Whereas, North Carolina has over 900,000 citizens 65 and older; and
Whereas, older adults now comprise the fastest growing segment of North Carolina's population with North Carolina experiencing a growth rate of thirty-one percent (31%) for individuals 65 and older compared with a growth rate of thirteen percent (13%) for North Carolina as a whole; and
Whereas, older citizens have contributed greatly to the economic development of North Carolina and will continue to contribute because of their increased numbers; and
Whereas, there is a need for more comprehensive State policies that emphasize 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 25 counties in North Carolina:  Buncombe, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Carteret, Columbus, Cumberland, Davie, Durham, Forsyth, Guilford, Harnett, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Madison, Mecklenburg, Moore, New Hanover, Orange, 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 1993-94 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 becomes effective July 1, 1993.