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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRESOLUTIONS-1981-050-R-81• • • 50-R-81 { A A RESOLUTION Recommending That Governor Thompson and Evanston's State Legislators Meaningfully Involve Local Governments in the Implemen- tation of Federal Block Grants for Health 4 and Human Services. ; WHEREAS, President Reagan has proposed major changes in Federal grant programs concerning health and human services, including: (1) funds for a large number of programs being consolidated into up to four block grants; (2) authority over the block grants being transferred largely to state govern- ments; (3) most of the Federal laws and regulations estab- lishing and defining programs and rights being appealed; and (4) Federal funds generally being reduced 25% in fiscal year 1982 from 1981 levels; and WHEREAS, as of June 26, 1981, the Senate and House have each passed Budget Reconciliation Bills endorsing many i� of the Administrative proposals; and �i WHEREAS, a Conference Committee is proceeding to I! reconcile differences between the Senate and House Bills in order to move toward actual Federal appropriations for i; the fiscal year beginning on October 1, 1981; and WHEREAS, it seems certain that many of the changes which do emerge will become effective on October 1, 1981; and WHEREAS, one such change is the massive transfer of responsibility for health and human services from the Federal government.to the state governments, with few .regulations or guidelines for each state's management and delivery of services; and WHEREAS, each state will need to develop its own process and organizational structure for planning, fund allocation and health and human services delivery; and n • • WHEREAS, many local governments in the State of Illinois are committed to and involved in the funding and deliveryof health and human services at the local level; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Evanston City Council respectfully recommends that Governor Thompson and Evanston's State Legislators recognize that cities are the level of government closest to the people served and, therefore, have the best opportunity to be cognizant of both individual and community needs and to evaluate the combined impact of a wide variety of health and human services programs. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Evanston City Council respectfully recommends that the aforementioned leaders of Illinois State Government recognize that the support and participation of local government in health and human services programming are of great importance, and that there should be an organized channel of communication between local and state government on issues of planning, fund allocations and service delivery resulting from the Federal block grants. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Evanston City Council respectfully recommends that the aforementioned leaders of Illinois State Government give serious consideration to a "pass through" of funds to larger Illinois communities in order to permit local service priorities to be followed. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Evanston City Council respectfully recommends that the State of Illinois meaning- fully involve local governments in service delivery planning and decision -making within the Federal block grants for health and human services. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Evanston stands ready to work in a constructive manner with the State of Illinois and all interested parties to bring about an excellent response to the new challenges and opportunities resulting from the significant changes in Federal support of health and human services. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this resolution be sent to Governor James Thompson and all of Evanston's State Legislators. Mayor ATTEST: �` C' ty Cleer- Adopted: 1981. • 0