A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS TO THE Department of Health and Human Services, Division of AGING AND ADULT SERVICES, TO SUSTAIN AND EXPAND PROJECT C.A.R.E. TO PROVIDE RESPITE CARE SERVICES FOR DEMENTIA CAREGIVERS.
Whereas, Project C.A.R.E. is a national award‑winning program of consumer directed respite care specifically designed for dementia caregivers; and
Whereas, the goal of Project C.A.R.E. is to increase quality, access, choice, and use of respite and support services to rural and minority families caring for a person with dementia at home or within a hospital setting; and
Whereas, Project C.A.R.E. currently serves 14 North Carolina counties; and
Whereas, Project C.A.R.E. is primarily funded through the U.S. Administration on Aging, Alzheimer's Disease Demonstration Grants; and
Whereas, federal funding for Project C.A.R.E. will end on June 30, 2008; and
Whereas, State funding is needed to sustain current Project C.A.R.E. programs and to expand this important program to additional counties; and
Whereas, The NC Senior Tar Heel Legislature is recommending funding to sustain and expand Project C.A.R.E.; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Aging and Adult Services, the sum of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) for the 2008‑2009 fiscal year.  These funds shall be used to substitute for expiring federal funding to sustain Project C.A.R.E. in 14 counties currently served by this program and to expand Project C.A.R.E. to additional counties in North Carolina.
SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2008.