A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to appropriate funds to the department of health and human services, division of facility services, for the win a step up program for Nurse Aides employed by nursing homes, and for a pilot of the win a step up program for Nurse aides employed by home care agencies, and to require a study of the feasibility of becoming a self‑sustaining Program, as recommended by the North Carolina study commission on aging.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.(a)  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Facility Services, the sum of two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) for the 2007‑2008 fiscal year and the sum of three hundred twenty‑five thousand dollars ($325,000) for the 2008‑2009 fiscal year to be used, in addition to fine and penalty collections provided by the Department, to continue the WIN A STEP UP (Workforce Improvement for Nursing Assistants: Supporting Training, Education, and Payment for Upgrading Performance) program for nurse aides employed by nursing homes.
SECTION 1.(b)  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Facility Services, the sum of two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) for the 2007‑2008 fiscal year and the sum of two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) for the 2008‑2009 fiscal year to be used to develop, pilot, and evaluate a WIN A STEP UP (Workforce Improvement for Nursing Assistants: Supporting Training, Education, and Payment for Upgrading Performance) program for nurse aides employed by home care agencies.
SECTION 1.(c)  The WIN A STEP UP program shall continue to enhance and enrich curriculum components with information and exercises involving appropriate care for individuals with dementia, anxiety, depression, and other severe mental health problems.
SECTION 1.(d)  The Department shall require the WIN A STEP UP program to study the feasibility of becoming a self‑sustaining program and to report to the North Carolina Study Commission on Aging and the House of Representatives and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Health and Human Services by May 1, 2008.
SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2007.