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Committee amends bill to add pilot funding for Cass County ‘Community of Care’ and new county programs
Summary
Senate Bill 2138 would increase state support for a volunteer‑based Community of Care program that helps older residents remain in their homes. During the appropriations hearing the committee adopted an amendment to add $200,000 in new funds: $100,000 targeted to the existing Cass County program and $100,000 to seed similar programs in other
Senate Bill 2138, carried by Senator Mark Weber, would increase state funding for a volunteer‑driven “Community of Care” program that serves Cass County residents by supporting transportation, Medicare Part D enrollment help, limited nursing visits and other services that help older residents remain in their homes longer.
Weber told the committee Community of Care received an initial state appropriation in 2009 and has operated on a modest state base since then. The bill as introduced proposed raising the state appropriation to $250,000; during the appropriation hearing committee members negotiated an amendment that instead added $200,000 in new funds split into two pots: $100,000 to augment the existing Cass County program and $100,000 reserved for developing similar programs in other counties.
Josh Asker of AARP North Dakota described the organization as neutral on the bill but supportive of the Community of Care model’s goals, observing the program’s role helping unpaid family caregivers and enabling older adults to stay in place. Senator Davison moved the amendment to split the additional appropriation; Senator Matherne seconded. The committee recorded aye votes from Senators Clary, Deaver, Mathern, Davison and Magrum and the amendment carried.
Senator Weber and others said the program leverages local volunteerism, fundraising and other private support in addition to state funds; written testimony from Myrna Hanson describing the Cass County program was included in the committee’s record. Committee members discussed how to structure the new seed funds so that other counties could apply and evaluate the model before making larger base appropriations systemwide.
The amendment passed in committee and the bill will return to the committee for further consideration during the appropriations/budget process. The committee indicated staff would prepare amendment language clarifying the distribution and any administrative details for the department to implement.
