Assignment Preparation Week 4 Go To Theus Debt Clock While In The ✓ Solved

ASSIGNMENT PREPARATION – Week 4 · Go to the US Debt Clock . While in the US Debt Clock portal, click on your state, review your state and local government’s deficits. · Go to Treasury Direct and review The Debt to the Penny and Who Holds It . Click on the links Debt Held by the Public vs. Intergovernmental Holdings . · Review the National Debt Awareness Center . · Look at these examples of state budget information sites to get an idea of how the information may be presented: . Georgia Governor's Office of Planning and Budget . .

Wyoming State Budget: Biennium . . Texas Governor's Budget . WEEK 5 ASSIGNMENT 2 – MY STATE IS NORTH CAROLINA. ASSIGNMENT 2, you are to use your current or home state. From your state's budget, select an agency, program, or department that appears as a budget item.

Assume you are the new budgeting and finance administrator for your state. Your first responsibility is to become familiar with the state, the budget, programs, and capital projects. As the administrator, you will be responsible for analyzing and examining the state's budget. Write a 4–5-page paper, titled Part I: The Operating Budget for the (Agency/Program/Department Name) in which you separate the content into sections: 1. Examine the phases of the submission process for your current or home state.

Title this section Submission Process . . Appendix 1F State Budget Office in the textbook lists all state budget offices. · Determine the type of budget format used for submitting your selected state agency or program budget and explain how you identified the budget format used. Title this section Budget Format . . Include the agency's most recent budget or financial plan. · Assess the revenue sources for your selected state agency or program. Title this section Revenue Sources . · Evaluate 1–௻¿2 challenges in managing the budget of your selected state agency or program.

Title this section Challenges . · Distinguish the similarities and differences between the federal and state budget submission process. Title this section Federal and State Submission Process . · include a short introduction (include background information of state) and use the questions as section headers. · Please include at least four references; at least two references must be peer-reviewed. · Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student's name, the professor's name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length icampus.strayer.edu Login: c Password: Derrick@7578

Paper for above instructions

Introduction

North Carolina, located in the southeastern United States, plays a significant role in the nation's healthcare and social services landscape. As of October 2023, the state has faced various challenges, ranging from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic to economic fluctuations that have affected its budgetary priorities. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) is tasked with providing critical social services, health programs, and regulatory measures aimed at promoting the welfare of its citizens. The agency mandates financial transparency and has seen a continual evolution in its funding processes to address the Dynamic needs of residents.

Submission Process

The submission process for the NCDHHS budget involves multiple phases aimed at ensuring thorough review and oversight by state officials. The budget cycle typically includes the following phases:
1. Preparation: NCDHHS compiles its financial requirements based on projections from previous years, requests from various divisions, and anticipated service needs for the upcoming fiscal year. Stakeholder consultations and data analysis contribute to the preparation phase (North Carolina Office of State Budget and Management [OSBM], 2023).
2. Submission: Once the budget proposal is prepared, it is submitted to the Office of State Budget and Management (OSBM). This submission must adhere to specific guidelines set forth by the governor's office and must present a thorough delineation of the proposed expenditures and projected revenues.
3. Review: Following submission, the OSBM conducts a detailed evaluation of the proposed budget. This review includes assessments of both financial accountability and alignment with state’s policies and priorities.
4. Revision: Should the OSBM identify discrepancies or areas requiring additional justification, the NCDHHS is tasked with submitting revisions.
5. Approval: Finally, the budget proposal is routed to the General Assembly for approval. Post-approval, the budget becomes law and is executed by the NCDHHS (North Carolina General Assembly, 2023).
These phases ensure accountability and enable the state officials to make informed budgeting decisions.

Budget Format

The format used for submitting the budget of NCDHHS is a performance-based budget system. This is evidenced by the emphasis on program outcomes and measures within the documents submitted, rather than merely outlining expenditures (Griffith & Lott, 2021). In this system, each program within the department is assigned certain performance indicators against which accomplishments can be measured. The state of North Carolina has adopted this approach to foster transparency and ensure that funding allocations serve their intended purpose effectively.
NCDHHS's most recent budget document incorporates charts, tables, and narrative reports that detail not only the fiscal resources requested but also the anticipated impact of the proposed programs and activities. The elements of the budget formatted in this way facilitate better communication to stakeholders, including legislators and the public (North Carolina State Budget Office, 2023).

Revenue Sources

The NCDHHS derives its funding from a variety of sources:
1. Federal Grants: A significant portion of the department's budget is funded through federal grants, which include Medicaid funding, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) allocations (American Public Health Association, 2023).
2. State Taxes: State income taxes and sales taxes contribute to the funding necessary to operate NCDHHS programs. The allocation varies depending on the overall state budget and economic conditions.
3. Fees for Services: Certain programs within NCDHHS generate revenue through fees. This includes fees for service eligibility assessments and some healthcare services that are provided to low-income individuals (North Carolina Justice Center, 2023).
4. Local Government Contributions: Local governments may also provide funding for specific programs, particularly in areas where local needs are articulated.
Understanding these diverse funding streams is crucial for managing budgets effectively and ensuring that NCDHHS can deliver essential services (North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, 2023).

Challenges

Budget management in NCDHHS faces various challenges, primarily due to fluctuating federal funding and growing service demands. One challenge is aligning the department's budget to meet the increasing caseloads of services such as mental health and child welfare. With the advent of increased public awareness about mental health issues, North Carolina has seen an uptick in individuals seeking mental health services, putting strain on existing resources (National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors, 2021).
Another significant challenge is the unpredictability surrounding federal funding allocations. Changes at the federal level can significantly impact funding for state programs, which often rely on supplemented funds. Consequently, NCDHHS must continuously strategize to accommodate shortfalls or excesses.

Federal and State Submission Process

The submission process for federal budgets and state budgets shares a general framework but possesses notable distinctions.
Similarities:
Both processes involve systematic phases of preparation, review, approval, and execution. In both contexts, budget documents must align with predetermined policies and priorities, and significant emphasis is placed on transparency and accountability.
Differences:
The federal budget submission requires Congressional approval, whereas state budgets typically require approval from a state legislature or governor. The timeline may also differ; federal budgets follow a fiscal year that runs from October to September, while North Carolina’s budgets typically align with the fiscal year that starts on July 1. Additionally, federal funding sources often involve more complex regulatory requirements compared to state budgets, which may focus on more localized revenue generation (U.S. Government Accountability Office, 2023).

Conclusion

As the newly appointed budgeting and finance administrator for the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, understanding and navigating the state's budget process is crucial for ensuring the effective delivery of essential services. With a diverse array of revenue sources and substantial challenges related to federal funding and increasing service demands, it is essential to embrace a strategic approach that puts the welfare of North Carolinians at the forefront.

References

1. American Public Health Association. (2023). Public Health Funding: Federal Grants.
2. Griffith, K., & Lott, B. (2021). Performance budgeting in North Carolina: A study of needs and outcomes. Public Administration Review, 81(4), 1167-1176.
3. National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors. (2021). Mental Health Budgeting in the States.
4. North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. (2023). NCDHHS Annual Budget Report.
5. North Carolina General Assembly. (2023). Overview of the State Budget Process.
6. North Carolina Office of State Budget and Management. (2023). State Budget Manual.
7. North Carolina Justice Center. (2023). The impact of State Budget Cuts on Public Services.
8. U.S. Government Accountability Office. (2023). Federal Budget: Overview and Challenges.
9. Hill, A., & Thomas, J. (2022). Strategies for Effective Budget Management. Journal of Public Economics.
10. Robinson, M. (2020). State Budget Practices and Federal Relations. State Politics & Policy Quarterly, 20(1), 1-23.