d. Social Service legis issues - Laserfiche WebLink

RESOLUTIONS APPROVED BY THE CASS COUNTY SOCIAL SERVICE BOARD Unfunded Mandate Child Welfare Funding Unfunded Mandates - Child Welfare Services Current Structure/History Current state laws require that county social services agencies provide a range of services primarily focusing on the areas of child welfare. Although state law requires the Department of Human Services responsibility for the public child welfare system, the Department has designated many core child welfare services to the counties. Since the adoption of the Adoption and Safe Families Act, the federal government has established many new standards for services as outlined in the Children/Family State Review process. At the same time, several federal funding streams have been capped or reduced (Emergency Assistance - T ANF, targeted case management and IV - E funding). Simultaneously, the needs of families have become increasingly complex, particularly because of substance abuse such as methamphetamine. As a result of the increased federal standards, the state has established numerous program standards without increased funding, thus requiring either increases in county property tax expenditures or non-compliance with mandates. State law (NDCC -500251-06) established a 75% reimbursement standard for child welfare services in 1985, although this standard has not been met in 20 years because of the lack of resources. Currently, it is estimated that between 40% and 50% of actual child welfare county costs are reimbursed with a variety of funding structures for various components of the child welfare system, i.e. child abuse/neglect assessment, foster care - both direct services and case management and for family preservation/support services. Child welfare services in North Dakota are facing a number of serious challenges. First, adequate resources to assure that core services are available throughout the state are not provided. Limited funding is the primary problem. Rural communities have also faced major problems in recruiting and retaining qualified staff. Secondly, child welfare services are tightly integrated with both law enforcement and the legal structures as those core infrastructures change strong collaboration and leadership is required at both the local and state level. Thirdly, with the reduction in other social and treatment services such as those funded through the CSCC, treatment and support services are no longer available thus reducing community resources available for children and families despite increasing need. There are major advantages to maintaining the current structure if appropriately funded. First, the current structure has demonstrated its ability to provide quality (CFSR review). If funding were appropriate, there would be a reduced risk of class action lawsuits or federal sanctions. Property taxation as a primary funding source for child welfare