This session of the NC General Assembly is not over but it does appear that there will be very little policy discussion until they return in May. The great news is that, for the first time in years, NC has a comprehensive budget. The budget can be found at: https://webservices.ncleg.gov/ViewNewsFile/59/S105-CCSMLxr-3v5

This budget includes:

• funding Temporary Special Assistance (SA) at $125/month/resident retroactive to July 1, 2021 (Temporary SA payment - Page 241)
• contains funds for HHS to allocate with the goal of eventually allowing direct care workers to earn $15 per hour (Direct care worker funding - page 205)
• increases personal needs allowance for SA residents from $46 to $70/month effective Jan 1, 2022 (Personal Needs Allowance - page 175
• has other changes to address institutional bias including removing the cap on in-home SA - (pages 175-177)

Additionally, page 213-215 creates a pilot program for adult care home accreditation. Per the legislation, NCALA will work with NCSLA and the Accreditation Commission for Health Care to identify participating facilities. The costs of the accreditation survey is funded by the State. Both accredited and non-accredited providers will be paid to submit certain quality data to the Sheps Center at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. The Shep Center will then analyze the data to determine the effect of accreditation on the quality of care. 

Lastly, on pages 216 and 217, the bill puts in law infection control standards and requires DHSR to develop training programs for providers to use for training staff.