NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY

1979 SESSION

CHAPTER 1204

SENATE BILL 515

AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR THE SHELTERED WORKSHOP PROGRAMS IN THE DIVISION OF VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION SERVICES IN THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES.

Whereas, the workshop ministers to the mentally retarded, developmentally disabled, socially disturbed and physically handicapped individuals; and

Whereas, many workshops are assisting school systems in training under-achieves; and

Whereas, the majority of these workshops are administered as nonprofit corporations and must have funding from the State; and

Whereas, the majority of the clients being served by sheltered workshops require a great deal of time and attention to become proficient enough for competitive employment; and

Whereas, the workshops were able, with the help of vocational rehabilitation counselors, to place forty percent (40%) of the agency's clients into competitive employment; and

Whereas, the subsidy for these programs has remained the same since 1978 although costs have continued to rise and more clients are demanding service; and

Whereas, these programs are necessary for the development of the client's abilities and the maintenance of those receiving services in the community; Now, therefore,

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

Section 1.  In addition to any other appropriations, there is appropriated from the General Fund the sum of four hundred thousand dollars($400,000) for fiscal year 1980-81, to the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Department of Human Resources, to provide a cost‑of-living increase.

Sec. 2.  This act shall become effective July 1, 1980.

In the General Assembly read three times and ratified, this the 24th day of June, 1980.