Meet Your Local Senior Tar Heel Legislature Delegate
E. Marie Dodson
Call to speak or text with your
local advocate:
E. Marie Dodson
BSJA, AS, CDSS, CIT
(919) 632-4376
Visit https://ncseniortarheellegislature.org/ for much more information.
What does a delegate do?
Each delegate is appointed for a two year term, and often an alternate is also appointed. Our alternate is Cathy McCormick. Delegates and/or alternates meet three times a year to study issues concerning older citizens to develop legislative recommendations to present to the NC General Assembly.
Since 1993, the NCSTHL has supported the passage of 11 bills into law, and has consistently promoted increased funding for programs supporting older adults and their caregivers and policies to protect them.
E. Marie Dodson is your current appointed Johnston County Delegate, your advocate. She comes to us with 20+ years of experience in the mental health sector & continues to advocate for mental wellness especially as it impacts our aging population. Mrs. Dodson is a resident advocate for the Johnston County Nursing Home Advisory Board, on the advisory board of the Central Pines Regional Council and on the board of directors for Community and Senior Services. Her passion is to provide a voice for those who are unable to advocate for themselves and insure everyone is treated with respect and dignity.
Retired Senior Advocate, George Smith, speaking at Clayton Center for Active Aging
NC Senior Tar Heel Legislature Announces Five Legislative Priorities for 2023-24
October 5, 2022 – Raleigh, NC
The NC Senior Tar Heel Legislature recommends these priorities to the NC General Assembly:
-
Allocate an additional $8M in recurring funds for Adult Protective Services (APS) to address staff shortages. In SFY 21, APS received 32,075 repots across the state, compared to 14,001 reports in SFY 2005-2006, reflecting an increase of 1239% in 17 years.
-
Increase the Senior Center General Purpose Appropriation by $1,265,316 in recurring funds. Senior Center General Purpose funding is currently $1,265,316, which is not meeting the demand of a growing population.
-
Allocate an additional $8M in recurring funds for the Home and Community Care Block Grant. The Home and Community Care Block Grant is the primary funding source for community-based programs that support people 60 and older and current funding is insufficient to meet the need. The current appropriation is $36.9M.
-
Allocate an additional $1.5M in recurring funds for 11 Additional Long-Term Care Ombudsmen. Ombudsmen serve as advocates for residents in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, providing protections for vulnerable elders. The current state appropriation for this program is $918.8K.
-
Strengthen Long-Term Care Staffing Standards. In nursing homes, NC mandates minimum staffing standards for RNs and LPNs. For certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), there are no staffing standards, resulting in a strong likelihood of substandard care of frail elders.
Click to read the full Fact Sheets on:
-
Funding for NC Adult Protective Services
-
Funding for NC Senior Centers
-
Funding for NC Long-Term Care Ombudsmen
-
Staffing Standards for NC Long-Term Care Facilities
Visit https://ncseniortarheellegislature.org/ for much more information.
NC Senior Tar Heel Legislature Announces Five Legislative Priorities for 2023-24
October 5, 2022 – Raleigh, NC
The NC Senior Tar Heel Legislature recommends these priorities to the NC General Assembly:
-
Allocate an additional $8M in recurring funds for Adult Protective Services (APS) to address staff shortages. In SFY 21, APS received 32,075 repots across the state, compared to 14,001 reports in SFY 2005-2006, reflecting an increase of 1239% in 17 years.
-
Increase the Senior Center General Purpose Appropriation by $1,265,316 in recurring funds. Senior Center General Purpose funding is currently $1,265,316, which is not meeting the demand of a growing population.
-
Allocate an additional $8M in recurring funds for the Home and Community Care Block Grant. The Home and Community Care Block Grant is the primary funding source for community-based programs that support people 60 and older and current funding is insufficient to meet the need. The current appropriation is $36.9M.
-
Allocate an additional $1.5M in recurring funds for 11 Additional Long-Term Care Ombudsmen. Ombudsmen serve as advocates for residents in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, providing protections for vulnerable elders. The current state appropriation for this program is $918.8K.
-
Strengthen Long-Term Care Staffing Standards. In nursing homes, NC mandates minimum staffing standards for RNs and LPNs. For certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), there are no staffing standards, resulting in a strong likelihood of substandard care of frail elders.
Click to read the full Fact Sheets on:
-
Funding for NC Adult Protective Services
-
Funding for NC Senior Centers
-
Funding for NC Long-Term Care Ombudsmen
-
Staffing Standards for NC Long-Term Care Facilities