Human Services Finance Officers Resolution

HUMAN SERVICES FINANCE OFFICERS RESOLUTION

2006 Annual Conference

RESOLUTION NUMBER: 2006-01

RESOLUTION TITLE: EXPRESSION OF APPRECIATION TO THE PROGRAM COMMITTEE

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

WHEREAS, Richard Humiston, Program Chairperson, and the entire Program Committee have performed in an outstanding manner in preparing the program for the 59th Annual Conference of the National Association of State Human Services Finance Officers (HSFO), 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 Richard Humiston and each member of the Program Committee, for their effort in preparing an outstanding program for the 2006 HSFO 59th Annual Conference.

Submitted By:

Resolution Committee

Adopted by HSFO 8/3/06

HUMAN SERVICES FINANCE OFFICERS RESOLUTION

2006 Annual Conference

RESOLUTION NUMBER: 2006-02

RESOLUTION TITLE: EXPRESSION OF APPRECIATION TO THE ARRANGEMENTS COMMITTEE

WHEREAS, the logistical task of preparing requires a significant effort and commitment; and

WHEREAS, Jeff Roberts, Arrangements Chairperson, and the entire Arrangements Committee have performed in an outstanding manner in hosting the 2006 National Association of State Human Services Finance Officers (HSFO) 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 Jeff Roberts and each member of the Arrangements Committee, for their efforts in preparing for and hosting the 2006 HSFO 59th Annual Conference.

Submitted By:

Resolution Committee

Adopted by HSFO 8/3/06

HUMAN SERVICES FINANCE OFFICERS RESOLUTION

2006 Annual Conference

RESOLUTION NUMBER: 2006-03

RESOLUTION TITLE: EXPRESSION OF APPRECIATION TO THE TRAINING COMMITTEE

WHEREAS, the responsibility of developing and coordinating a successful training program requires extensive time and commitment; and

WHEREAS, the training offers unique training for HSFO professionals at varying levels, covers a wide array of topics, utilizes strong professionals in the subject matters as presenters; and

WHEREAS, the training has been attended by a varied number of states across the country; and

WHEREAS, Allyn Guffey, Training Committee Chairperson, and the entire Training Committee have performed in an outstanding manner,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE HUMAN SERVICES FINANCE OFFICERS expresses its sincere appreciation and heartfelt thanks Allyn Guffey and each member of the Training Committee, for their hard work and commitment to a successful HSFO Training Program.

Submitted By:

Resolution Committee

Adopted by HSFO 8/3/06

HUMAN SERVICES FINANCE OFFICERS RESOLUTION

2006 Annual Conference

RESOLUTION NUMBER: 2006-4

RESOLUTION TITLE: EXPRESSION OF APPRECIATION AND WELL WISHES TO PAUL GOULET

WHEREAS, Paul Goulet has recently retired from the State of Rhode Island, and

WHEREAS, he has served as a member of the HSFO Executive Board, and

WHEREAS, he is a Past President from 2004,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

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

Submitted By:

Resolution Committee

Adopted by HSFO 8/3/06

HUMAN SERVICES FINANCE OFFICERS RESOLUTION

2006 Annual Conference

RESOLUTION NUMBER: 2006-5

RESOLUTION TITLE: EXPRESSION OF APPRECIATION TO KATHY ALBRECHT

WHEREAS, the responsibility of developing and coordinating a successful training program requires extensive time and commitment; and

WHEREAS, KATHY ALBRECHT’S efforts in supporting the HSFO Training Committee coordination and arrangements has resulted in successful child welfare training sessions in Charlotte NC, Madison WI, Reno NV, Philadelphia PA for state and local government professionals; and

Whereas, Kathy’s work on registrations, announcements, and coordination with HSFO training committee members has contributed greatly to the organization,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE HUMAN SERVICES FINANCE OFFICERS expresses its sincere appreciation and heartfelt thanks to Kathy Albrecht for her hard work and commitment to a successful HSFO Training Program.

Submitted By:

Resolution Committee

Adopted by HSFO 8/3/06

HUMAN SERVICES FINANCE OFFICERS RESOLUTION

2006 Annual Conference

RESOLUTION NUMBER: 2006-06

RESOLUTION TITLE: EXPRESSION OF APPRECIATION FOR HOSTING THE HSFO 2005 FALL PLANNING AND BOARD MEETING

WHEREAS, the 2005 Fall Planning and Board meeting was hosted by the State of North Carolina; and

WHEREAS, North Carolina had not originally anticipated hosting the 2005 fall meeting; and

WHEREAS, Allyn Guffey, Jim Slate, Sherry Bradsher, Laketha Miller, and Rob Kindsvatter and staff did an outstanding job in preparing for and hosting the HSFO 2005 Fall meeting in Charlotte, NC,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE HUMAN SERVICES FINANCE OFFICERS expresses its sincere appreciation and heartfelt thanks for their efforts in hosting the 2005 HSFO Fall Meeting.

Submitted By:

Resolution Committee

Adopted by HSFO 8/3/06

HUMAN SERVICES FINANCE OFFICERS RESOLUTION

2006 Annual Conference

RESOLUTION NUMBER: 2006-07

RESOLUTION TITLE: EXPRESSION OF APPRECIATION FOR HOSTING the HSFO 2006 SPRING PLANNING AND BOARD MEETING

WHEREAS, the 2006 Spring Planning and Board meeting was hosted by the State of North Dakota; and

WHEREAS, Brenda Weisz and Debra McDermott, and their staff did an outstanding job in preparing for and hosting the HSFO 2006 Spring meeting in Bismarck, ND,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE HUMAN SERVICES FINANCE OFFICERS expresses its sincere appreciation and heartfelt thanks to Brenda Weisz, Debra McDermott and staff for their efforts in hosting the 2006 HSFO Spring Meeting.

Submitted By:

Resolution Committee

Adopted by HSFO 8/3/06

HUMAN SERVICES FINANCE OFFICERS RESOLUTION

2006 Annual Conference

RESOLUTION NUMBER: 2006-08

RESOLUTION TITLE: EXPRESSION OF APPRECIATION TO RICHARD HUMISTON AND DAVE BUTLER

WHEREAS, on-going training is an important function of the HSFO organization; and

WHEREAS, HSFO desired National recognition and sponsorship for courses provided through the Training Program and Annual Conference; and

WHEREAS, Richard Humiston and Dave Butler of the State of Idaho did an outstanding job in obtaining registered sponsorship on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE HUMAN SERVICES FINANCE OFFICERS expresses its sincere appreciation and heartfelt thanks to Richard Humiston and Dave Butler in their efforts in obtaining the CPE sponsorship for HSFO.

Submitted By:

Resolution Committee

Adopted by HSFO 8/3/06

HUMAN SERVICES FINANCE OFFICERS RESOLUTION

2006 Annual Conference

RESOLUTION NUMBER: 2006-09

RESOLUTION TITLE: FEDERAL FUNDING REDUCTION FOR PROVIDER TAXES

WHEREAS, the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 was the result of a collaborative effort between the states and the federal government, in part to reform Medicaid by promoting policies that focused on enhancing and sustaining the Medicaid program while also producing cost savings for both the federal government and the states; and

WHEREAS, administrative changes proposed in the FFY 2007 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) budget are cost shifts from the federal budget to the states, resulting in reduced funding at a time when states are working to redesign their Medicaid programs to utilize the tools contained in the Deficit Reduction Act (DRA); and

WHEREAS, the proposed policy changes include a major reduction in allowable provider taxes, limits on payments to government providers and other changes to reimbursement policies that would diminish long standing, legitimate state funding mechanisms that have been previously approved by CMS; and

WHEREAS, such changes in policy would impose a significant financial burden on states and impede state progress in implementing DRA reforms and hinder states’ ability to seek further reforms that would benefit both the federal government and the states;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE HUMAN SERVICES FINANCE OFFICERS urges CONGRESSto reconsider these proposed administrative changes and rather, to continue to work with states to develop mutually beneficial reforms to the Medicaid program.

Submitted by:

Resolutions Committee

Adopted by HSFO 8/3/06

HUMAN SERVICES FINANCE OFFICERS RESOLUTION

2006 Annual Conference

RESOLUTION NUMBER: 2006-10

RESOLUTION TITLE: FEDERAL FUNDING FOR CHILD SUPPORT PERFORMANCE

WHEREAS, according to the federal Office of Management and Budget, the Child Support Enforcement Program (CSE) received a Performance Assessment Rating Tool (PART) score of 90% making it the highest rated social services program and the highest rated block/formula grant program amongst all programs reviewed government-wide and;

WHEREAS, further improvements are still needed to ensure that parents are responsible and America's children receive the child support they are due, on time and in full and;

WHEREAS, incentive grants, reinvested and then matched with additional Federal funds have provided a strong motivation for States to continue to improve their enforcement programs and;

WHEREAS, effective October 1, 2007, the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 eliminates the ability to use incentive dollars as State funds for the purpose of matching Federal funds, thereby reducing federal funding of this program. This significantly impedes States' ability to establish and enforce child and medical support orders, resulting in foregone child support collections - collections that families leaving or avoiding welfare depend upon for economic independence and;

WHEREAS, these reductions will ultimately lead to greater expenditures, as more families request increased assistance from state and federal budgets in the form of TANF and Medicaid applications;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE HUMAN SERVICES FINANCE OFFICERS urges CONGRESS to support proposed amendments to restore funding to the Child Support Enforcement Program.

Submitted by:

Resolutions Committee

Adopted by HSFO 8/3/06

HUMAN SERVICES FINANCE OFFICERS RESOLUTION

2006 Annual Conference

RESOLUTION NUMBER: 2006-11

RESOLUTION TITLE: TARGETED CASE MANAGEMENT FOR CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE

WHEREAS, Section 6052 of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (DRA) – Reforms of Case Management and Targeted Case Management was to clarify what is an appropriate TCM service under Medicaid; and

WHEREAS, the Congressional intent of Section 6052 (see attached letter from U.S. Senate Committee on Finance Chairman Grassley) is that the defined case management activities continue to be allowable Medicaid activities for children in foster care; and

WHEREAS, Congress recognized the difficulty in isolating medical services from other services recommended for those vulnerable children in foster care who require a comprehensive approach to service coordination; and

WHEREAS, Congress further intended that reimbursement for the specified services to children in foster care not be either disallowed or rejected through the State Plan Amendment process;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE HUMAN SERVICES FINANCE OFFICERS urges the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), in implementing the provisions of Section 6052 of the DRA, to adhere to the express Congressional intent to permit Medicaid reimbursement of case management expenses for Medicaid eligible children enrolled in foster care, and to cease any efforts to disallow claims, or reject State Plan Amendments, covering such expenses, in violation of the intent of Congress.

Submitted By:

Resolutions Committee

Attachment 1 – Letter to DHHS from Chairman Grassley

Adopted by HSFO 8/3/06

HUMAN SERVICES FINANCE OFFICERS RESOLUTION

2006 Annual Conference

RESOLUTION NUMBER: 2006-12

RESOLUTION TITLE: MEDICAID CITIZENSHIP VERIFICATION MANDATE

WHEREAS, the recently enacted Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (DRA) included the Medicaid Citizenship Verification mandate; and

WHEREAS, this new requirement applies to more than 50 million Medicaid clients and new applicants; and

WHEREAS, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) is preparing guidance on this new requirement; and

WHEREAS, CMS recently expressed a willingness at the National Association of State Medicaid Directors (NASMD) Spring Meeting June 2006 to consider suggested changes or clarifications to NASMD members; and

WHEREAS, CMS guidance issued June 9, 2006, on this issue raised concerns by both the NASMD and the American Public Human Services Association as to the amount of flexibility afforded to states under the statute; and

WHEREAS, this new requirement has different impacts to each State,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE HUMAN SERVICES FINANCE OFFICERS urges the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services to provide states with all the possible flexibility afforded under the statute in respect to implementation of this new requirement for Medicaid Citizen Verification.

Submitted By:

Resolutions Committee

Adopted by HSFO 8/3/06