DCF/ASO Interface Committee Meeting
January 18, 2006

Agenda:

Attendance: Heather Gates, CHR; Chet Brodnicki, Clifford Beers Clinic; Lee King, UCFS; Erin Clark, CCPA; Virginia Del Monaco FAVOR; Molly Cole, FAVOR; Susan Zimmerman, FAVOR; Pat Wilcox, Klingberg; Catherine Corto-Mergins, Village for Families and Children; Louise Pyers, NAMI-Ct.; Allyson Nadeau, VOI; Lorna Grivois, Families United; Dana Salvatore, SEMHSOC; Cathy Adamczyk, NAMI-Ct.; Irv Jennings, FCA; Karen Andersson, DCF; Karen Snyder, DCF.

I. Presentation by DCF
Karen Andersson and Karen Snyder did a formal presentation of the services available to families under the DCF voluntary service program, those available through the partnership and those available regardless of involvement with DCF. A copy of the presentation can be obtained from Karen Andersson and was also presented to the Behavioral Health Partnership Oversight Council.

The following information was shared with the committee:

Access to the current array of services is not changing with the implementation of the BHP. Children who are currently involved with DCF either through protective services, juvenile justice, or the voluntary service program will have access to the same services as prior to the partnership. Children who are HUSKY eligible will have access to HUSKY services regardless of their involvement with DCF. IICAPS will be available for HUSKY eligible children and/or those involved with DCF.

Excluded are- Juvenile justice kids with commercial insurance who are not involved with DCF or do not sign up for voluntary services.

IICAPS data collected: approximately 12-13 % are not HUSKY eligible statewide. This figure may vary around the state.

The committee raised a number of questions including:

Is there a grievance process for kids who are not HUSKY, but get denied or do not have access to the service?

Voluntary services training should occur across the state so there is consistency from one area office to the next.

There should be a voluntary services handbook available which delineates the rules and procedures.

Access to flex funds is difficult.

What will happen to the kids who are aging out of the DCF system into the DMHAS system? It was decided that we would make this an agenda item at a future meeting and invite both DCF and DMAHS staff to present.

Will services really expand under the ASO as has been discussed?

II. IICAPS
Although a new rate has been issued for IICAPS there is still concern that it is not adequate to support the program. CCPA is conducting a survey of the IICAPS providers and will present data to DCF once it is complete. The total budget for the IICAPS program is $5 million. 10-15% of existing grant funding has been set aside to cover services that may not be reimbursed by HUSKY. There is concern that this is not adequate. There was further discussion of these issues and a motion made, seconded and accepted to present the following to the Oversight Council: “Request that DCF and DSS extend the period of time that the IICAPS teams are funded 50% by grants from 4/1/06-6/30/06 to 12/31/06. This will allow enough time to evaluate the adequacy of the rate and insure sustainability, as well as provide an opportunity for expansion, where that is feasible.”

We also asked for an update on a number of issues that were raised at the Dec. 14 and 21 meetings. Karen Snyder asked that a letter be sent to her outlining these issues.

V. Next Meeting
The next meeting will take place at CCPA, 35 Cold Springs Road, Suite 522, Rocky Hill, Ct. 06067 on Wednesday, Feb. 8 from 9:30 – 11.