The workload/caseload debate is not new—it has plagued the field of probation and parole for decades.
In an effort to assist the field in presenting realistic arguments to policymakers and public officials in positions to allocate funds for community corrections, the American Probation and Parole Association (APPA) attempted to clarify the issue in 1991 by drafting an argument for workload standards as opposed to caseload standards. While community corrections professionals understand how each case may demand varying levels of attention and corresponding work hours, translating those hours back into “cases” for policymakers has been more problematic.
Based on needs expressed by probation and parole professionals who are required to supply information to policymakers for budget requests, APPA has once again tackled the issue of caseload standards. APPA's issue paper on caseload standards is a work in progress that seeks to provide direction to the field in calculating the number of cases that can be supervised by each probation/parole officer based on the type of case and level of supervision.
In addition, a more comprehensive review of tasks associated with effective supervision is being developed.
A strong movement for state regulatory flexibility programs for small businesses got a boost this week from a new "best practices" guide.
The guide, published by the Office of Advocacy in the U.S. Small Business Administration, can help states that are implementing regulatory flexibility programs for small business. Regulatory flexibility addresses the disproportionate impact regulations have on small business by requiring agencies to analyze the impact of their proposed regulations and to evaluate less burdensome alternatives.
Since the Office of Advocacy's stae model legislation in 2002, 37 state legislatures have considered regulatory flexibility legislation and 19 states have implemented legislation or an executive order.
State governments are always looking for innovations -- new ways to do things. CSG is looking for those programs to recognize. The 2007 Innovations Awards will be presented in November during the CSG annual meeting.
Think you have an innovative program worthy of recognition? The deadline for applying for the award has been extended to April 16, so there's still time. You can read about last year's winners in the November/December 2006 issue of State News.
CSG provides insights about major trends to state officials, and highlights state responses to those trends. Plus, your innovative idea could benefit other states.
With the 2007 state legislative sessions purring along (some having already concluded), interstate compacts have again become an area of emphasis for state policymakers.
Following the trend of the last several years, compacts continue to receive heightened attention with 104 interstate compact bills having been introduced as of the end of March. Last year (2006) saw approximately 95 compact bills considered on the heels of the wildly successful 2005 in which 49 compact bills were enacted –- the largest number of compact adoptions since 1969.
The increase in interstate compact introductions comes at a time when states are increasingly flexing their muscles on the national stage. As states individually struggle with their federalist relationship, they are collectively working to establish and preserve state authority over key policy areas. Interstate compacts are proving to be a remarkable tool for promoting not only multi-state problem solving, but enabling states to speak with one unified voice on regional and national policy issues.
Compacts of particular interest to states in 2007 include:
The Medicare and Medicaid programs combined cover 90 million Americans. The Kaiser Family Foundation recently released a new primer on the federal Medicare program, as well as an updated primer on the state Medicaid program.
The Medicaid primer not only explains the program, but also addresses who is covered by the program, what services are covered, as well as how much the program costs and who pays for the program.
Likewise, the Medicare primer explains the program, who is eligible as well as all the programs associated with Medicare, like the Part D prescription drug plan.
The National Emergency Management Association recently released a report based on the compilation of the NEMA Survey of State Emergency Management Directors, which is conducted every year.
Among other things, the report found that a trend toward appointment of state emergency management directors is continuing and the number of states in which the governor appoints the director has increased from 31 last year to 34 this year.
The report also found there appears to be a slight trend from having day-to-day emergency managemenet operations as well as the daily reporting structure in either the governor's or adjutant general's office.
NEMA has published its full report, and an article about the report will appear in an upcoming issue of State News.
The 529 college savings plan have offered parents and other family members to save thousands of dollars for a child's education for a while now. But making a selection from nearly 100 available plans may have been difficult for those saving money.
The College Savings PlanNetwork, a nonprofit group that represents state 529 plans, has redesigned its Web site, www.collegesavings.org, to help investors make decisions. Designed by state treasurers and plan administrators, the site gives lots of basic information, such as the tax benefits of a 529 plan, how the plan affects financial aid and the types of expenses covered by tax-free withdrawals.
You can find out more about the redesigned Web site in an article published in USA Today.
North Carolina political science professor Thad L. Beyle considers tenure, budget authority, appointment and veto powers, and whether the governor's party controls the legislature, in figuring out which governors have the most clout. Beyle has been ranking the governors since the 1980s.
Beyle's rankings will be included in a new book, Politics in the American States: A Comparative Analysis, but you can see where your governor ranks in an article on stateline.org.
There’s a new leadership opportunity for state officials.
The American Probation and Parole Association, a CSG affiliate, is launching a Leadership Institute at its annual training institute in Philadelphia in July. The institute is designed to provide instruction and skill training to APPA members who are interested in promotional opportunities in the field and in taking on APPA leadership positions.
Those interested in applying must commit to three consecutive institutes starting in July. The cost is $1,500 plus expenses. Assignments, reading material and coaches will be rovided.
Space is limited to 30 students, and applications must be received by April 15. For more information contact Karen Dunlap, APPA research association.
In 2005, CSG published two Trends in America Reports. The first report highlighted the 10 major forces shaping our society, our political climate and our world, along with implications for state government. The second report provided examples of state responses to these trends.
Building on those reports, CSG's research group has taken a fresh look at the trends that will be of strategic importance to states in future years. Our new report will be unveiled in June 2007. We would like to know what you think about these trends and the ways in which they may affect your state.
What follows is a brief description of each of the 10 trends, in no particular order. Feel free to comment on all or just a few. Your feedback will help shape our future research and guide us in identifying new and emerging issues within each of the areas.
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