HUMAN SERVICES FINANCE OFFICERS RESOLUTION

2003 Annual Conference

RESOLUTION NUMBER: 2003-01

RESOLUTON TITLE: EXPRESSION OF APPRECIATION TO THE PROGRAM COMMITTEE

WHEREAS, The responsibility of developing, coordinating, delivering a program that challenges, informs, and stimulates the participants requires creativity, dedication, time, effort, and commitment; and

WHEREAS, Vaughn Emett, Program Chairperson, and the entire Program Committee have performed in an outstanding manner in preparing the program for the 56th Annual Conference of the National Association of State Human Services Finance Officers, so as to meet or exceed the expectations for that committee,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE HUMAN SERVICES FINANCE OFFICERS expresses its sincere appreciation and heartfelt thanks to Vaughn Emett and each member of the Program Committee, for their effort in preparing an outstanding program for the 2003 HSFO 56th Annual Conference.

Resolution Committee

HUMAN SERVICES FINANCE OFFICERS RESOLUTION

2003 Annual Conference

RESOLUTION NUMBER 2003 -02

RESOLUTION TITLE: EXPRESSION OF APPRECIATION TO THE ARRANGEMENTS COMMITTEE

WHEREAS, The logistical task of preparation requires significant time and effort; and

WHEREAS, Elwood McElhaney, Arrangements Chairperson, and the entire Arrangements Committee have performed in an outstanding manner in hosting the 2003 Human Services Finance Officers Annual Conference,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE HUMAN SERVICES FINANCE OFFICERS expresses its sincere appreciation and heartfelt thanks to Elwood McEhaney, and to each member of the Arrangements Committee, for their hard work, hospitality, and accomplishments in hosting the 2003 HSFO 56th Annual Conference.

HUMAN SERVICES FINANCE OFFICERS RESOLUTION

2003 Annual Conference

RESOLUTION NUMBER 2003 -03

RESOLUTION TITLE: EXPRESSION OF APPRECIATION AND WELL WISHES TO RETIREE

RICHARD BILLERA

WHEREAS, Richard Billera retired after 35 years of service with the State of New York, and

WHEREAS, he has served HSFO in many capacities since joining in 1983, and

WHEREAS, in 1993 he was president of HSFO in Scottsdale, Arizona

and

WHEREAS, he established the HSFO Bulletin Board, a dial-up predecessor of the Internet, and

WHEREAS, he designed and is the web master for the HSFO web site,

and

WHEREAS, he also provided an unlimited supply of humor for the organization;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT EFFECTIVE IN 48 HOURS,

THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE HUMAN SERVICES FINANCE OFFICERS expresses sincere appreciation to Richard for his contributions and hard work with HSFO, and wishes him a very satisfying and happy retirement.

Resolution Committee

HUMAN SERVICES FINANCE OFFICERS RESOLUTION

2003 Annual Conference

RESOLUTION NUMBER: 2003-04

RESOLUTION TITLE: FEDERAL MATCHING FUNDS FOR CHILDREN PLACED WITH PRIVATE GUARDIANS

WHEREAS, Both the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and

States have long recognized the value of permanent placements of children with persons other than their parents, such as those relatives, kin, former foster parents, and other appropriate caring adults to achieve permanency for State wards; and,

WHEREAS, Both ACF/DHHS and States have clearly recognized the savings demonstrated in Subsidized Guardianship waivers;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE HUMAN SERVICE FINANCE OFFICERS urges CONGRESS to amend Title IV-E of the Social Security Act to allow Federal reimbursement to the States for payments to private guardians for children who would have been eligible under Title IV-E of the Social Security Act while in foster care placement.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT:

THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE HUMAN SERVICES FINANCE OFFICERS urges THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES to support such change in legislation and not promulgate any rules until such a change is made.

HUMAN SERVICES FINANCE OFFICERS RESOLUTION

2003 Annual Conference

RESOLUTION NUMBER: 2003-05

RESOLUTION TITLE: FEDERAL MATCHING FUNDS FOR TRAINING UNDER TITLE IV-E OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY ACT

WHEREAS, Both the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the States have long recognized the value of quality training for providers and administrative staff under Title IV-E; and

WHEREAS, Federal Regulations at 45 CFR 1356.60 revised January 25, 2000, reflect an enhanced Federal reimbursement rate of 75 percent for training of the State and Local Staff administering the Title IV-E State Plan; and

WHEREAS, The January 25, 2000 regulations dramatically change the administrative burden of States to focus on program results while still retaining significant State accountability; and

WHEREAS, Many States in the interest of cost effectiveness and limited ability to add permanent staff have increasingly utilized private agency staff to meet their administrative requirements under the Title IV-E State plan;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE HUMAN SERVICES FINANCE OFFICERS urges DHHS to take the necessary steps to amend regulations at 45 CFR 1356.60(b) and (e) to include 75 percent Federal Financial Participation for use of private agency staff under contract to a State or Local agency engaged in allowable training activities under Title IV-E State Plan;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE HUMAN SERVICES FINANCE OFFICERS urges DHHS to take the necessary steps to amend regulations at 45 CFR 13560(b) and (e) to include 75 percent Federal Financial Participation for use of private agency staff under contract to a State or Local agency engaged in allowable training activities under Title IV-E State Plan.

Keith Leuschner

HUMAN SERVICES FINANCE OFFICERS RESOLUTION

2003 Annual Conference

RESOLUTION NUMBER: 2003-06

RESOLUTION TITLE: FEDERAL MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PERCENTAGES (FMAP)

WHEREAS, Most States have been and are currently facing serious declines in revenues; and

WHEREAS, Economic downturns place greater demand on State Human Service and Health Care Agencies; and

WHEREAS, HSFO urged an increase in the FMAP in Resolution 2002-08 at its 2002 Annual Conference; and

WHEREAS, The JOBS and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003 (P.L 108-27) provided an enhancement to the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) for Medicaid for five calendar quarters;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE HUMAN SERVICES FINANCE OFFICERS wishes to express its thanks to CONGRESS and the ADMINISTRATION for its support in increasing the FMAP rate for the April 2003 to June 2004 period.

Keith Leuschner

HUMAN SERVICES FINANCE OFFICERS RESOLUTION

2003 Annual Conference

RESOLUTION NUMBER: 2003-07

RESOLUTION TITLE: DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES TITLE IV-E FOSTER CARE FLEXIBLE FUNDING PROPOSAL

WHEREAS, The current Title IV-E funding represents only one of the many funding streams state and local governments use in providing needed services to children and their families; and

WHEREAS, The U. S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has proposed a five-year, budget neutral proposal which would allow states and local governments greater flexibility in using Title IV-E funding; and

WHEREAS, The DHHS proposal has components which states and local governments find both attractive (e.g., up-front funding capabilities, elimination of time devoted to, and greater flexibility in the use of Title IV-E funds) and disturbing (e.g., loss of entitlement funding, budget neutrality requirements, inclusions of training and information systems funding in the grant);

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT;

THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE HUMAN SERVICE FINANCE OFFICERS urges DHHS to work with the various national human services associations to develop a broad-based funding plan for child welfare services that meets the growing need to provide human services to children and families in crisis while maintaining a fair balance of cost sharing including an ongoing Federal fiscal responsibility.

Keith Leuschner

HUMAN SERVICES FINANCE OFFICERS RESOLUTION

2003 Annual Conference

RESOLUTION NUMBER 2003 -08

RESOLUTION TITLE: POLICY ANNOUNCEMENT ACYF-CB-PA-01-02, CLARIFYING GUIDANCE REGARDING CANDIATES FOR FOSTER CARE

WHEREAS, The U. S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) released policy announcement ACYF-CB-PA-01-02 on July 3, 2001, which limited Federal Financial participation (FFP) for State and local administrative cost to children placed in only licensed foster care setting; and

WHEREAS, parts of PA-01-02 memo regarding unlicensed relative placements have been withdrawn by the ACYF, remaining provisions apply to Title IV-E administrative cost reimbursement for Title IV-E eligible children in foster care who are in non-reimbursable placements; and

WHEREAS, these children are in settings where the placement costs are not federally reimbursable, but the child welfare agency must continue to ensure the safety and permanency of children and comply with Title IV-E programmatic requirements for service planning, case management, and court review of cases; and

WHEREAS, this is a major change in administrative cost rules under which states have operated for over 15 years and states where not given an opportunity for input into the changes;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE HUMAN SERVICES FINANCE OFFICERS urges DHHS to rescind all provisions relative to Title IV-E eligible children who are in non-reimbursable placements.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT:

THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE HUMAN SERVICES FINANCE OFFICERS urges THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES to enter into negotiations with States to effect meaningful regulatory or legislative change to clarify this issue before any other policy is issued.

Resolution Committee

HUMAN SERVICES FINANCE OFFICER RESOLUTION

2003 Annual Conference

RESOLUTION NUMBER: 2003-09

RESOLUTION TITLE: IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ROSALES DECISION NATIONWIDE

WHEREAS, The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals handed down a decision concerning eligibility determinations under Title IV-E of the Social Security Act in Rosales V. Thompson (321 F. 3d 835), and

WHEREAS, The Rosales decision allows the eligibility for Title IV-E to be met by children who reside in any specified relatives homes in which the child resides in the six months preceding removal; and

WHEREAS, The DHHS Administration for Children and Families (ACF) has approved state plan language in California which recognizes the eligibility provisions of the Rosales decision; and

WHEREAS, ACF has sent letters in Regions IX and X encouraging these states to submit state plan amendments (SPA's) with language consistent with Rosales; and

WHEREAS, ACF has indicated it would approve SPA containing language consisted with Rosales:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE HUMAN SERVICES FINANCE OFFICERS urges ACF to revise its regulations at 45CFR 1356 and any other related sections to conform with the Rosales decision.