d. Social Service legis issues - Laserfiche WebLink

reductions. During 2004, the ND Department of Human Services and the counties have implemented a major new data system called SAMIS which is being implemented in collaboration with Older American Act Programs. In 2004, this was a state funded system but in 2005, it became a county responsibility. Resolution Adopted in 2004 by Cass County Regarding Home and Community Based Services 2004 Home and Community Based Services for Elderly/Disabled Cass County urges the ND Legislature to support in-home care services by increasing services and reimbursement for Qualified Service Providers and to fully fund the data information system SAMIS. Unfunded Mandate Subsidized Adoption Since the passage of the federal Adoption and Safe Families Act, there has been a significant increase in both the number and the cost of subsidized adoptions. Because the majority of these adoption fees are negotiated through the ND DHS, the County Directors Association recommends that the state assume full responsibility for both administrative and program costs for this program. Resolution Adopted in 2004 by Cass County Regarding the Subsidized Adoption program. 2004 Subsidized Adoption Cass County urges the ND Legislature to fully fund and administer the subsidized adoption program. Merit System Opt Out Legislation Current Structure/History Current state laws require that some state and county social services agencies are included in the Merit Personnel System to access federal funds. Since the inception of the federal mandate, ND law has maintained a single state merit system and has required county social service agencies to participate in the state system. Over the last ten years, several proposals have been developed to allow counties to establish local merit systems and to opt out of the state system. Last summer, Cass County requested that the county substitute its pay scale rather than use the state pay scale. This request was made because there were serious internal equity --"