CAFCA Public Policy Committee Minutes

June 27, 2006

Members present: Committee Chair Cyndi Dodds (Namaqua Center), Arnie Goldstein (Excelsior Youth Centers), Catherine Hoich (Arapahoe House),  Ruth Ann Russell (Family Tree), Susan Krill-Smith (Synergy), Megan Alldritt (Catholic Charities), Fofi Mendez (Mendez Steadman) and Susannah Carroll, Katie Mason and Peg Long (CAFCA).

The meeting was called to order at 12:00 pm by Cyndi Dodds.

2006 Legislative Session Recap and Special Session Issues

Fofi summarized some of the highlights of the session, including HB 06-1395, which created the PRTFs, TRCCFs and provisional licensure status for therapists in TRCCFs. Fofi confirmed, as CAFCA suspected, that there was an error in the COLA footnote in the Long Bill. The JBC analyst brought this to the attention of JBC members who corrected the error and notified the Department of Human Services that the COLA for child welfare providers should be 3.25%, not 2%.  Arnie asked if tobacco securitization was still on the radar screen. Fofi couldn’t recall any bills addressing this other than the few rainy day bills that did not pass, but she will look into this further and report back. Peg mentioned that she was pleased that collaborative efforts resulted in finally passing a model bill addressing emotional abuse.

There will be a special session called by the Governor as there aren’t enough votes among the General Assembly members to call a special session. The primary issue will be immigration reform—legislation or a referred measure that will eliminate many of the services the state currently provides to undocumented immigrant children and their families. Ruth Ann stated that counties currently may choose to use TANF funds to serve children of undocumented immigrant parents and that choice could be jeopardized by statutory changes. The federal government requires that certain services, e.g., emergency medical, be provided to undocumented immigrants, so Colorado would have to comply with those minimal mandates. According to Megan Alldritt, the Mexican Consul may be willing to pay for services from providers on behalf of undocumented children and families.

Although the focus of the special session will be on immigration issues, Fofi asked if we had any other concerns that should be addressed during the special session. Peg suggested that the Medicaid passive enrollment initiative be addressed. There was much discussion about this topic. A significant concern is how “foster children,” who are exempt from this process, are defined. Does the term mean all children in substitute care, e.g., children in residential treatment, or is it limited to children in family foster care homes? Fofi will check into this and report back. If children in residential placements are not exempt, we may launch a media campaign to expose the problems with this process

Although the passive enrollment process is already in statute, HCPF has not used it for several years. There has been no public information campaign, as the Department did not feel it was obligated to conduct one. Not only does this process impact Medicaid recipients, it also impacts providers of Medicaid services. The essence of this process is to require Medicaid recipients in Denver, Arapahoe, Adams and Jefferson County, who fall into identified categories, to opt out of managed care by selecting from one of the non-managed care plans available by responding within 30 days of receiving a Medicaid letter informing them of the need to do so. Those who do not respond will automatically be enrolled in the managed care plan. This definitely will impact medical services.

Rules Update

Volume 7 TRCCF and PRTF rules will go final at the July 7^th Human Services Board meeting. Dana has made all changes necessary to make these rules consistent with the Volume 8 Medicaid rules.  Volume 8 rules will go final at the August 11^th Medical Services Board meeting. There are no DORA rules for provisional therapist licensure, just an application process. A sealed academic transcript must accompany the application. Because it may take some time for an individual to obtain this transcript, and DORA has requested that all applications be complete before being submitted, many therapists eligible for provisional licensure will not be able to attain this status prior to July 1^st. According to Bev Dahan at HCPF, provisional licensure candidates may still provide therapy, but they must document it, have the supervising licensed therapist sign documentation, and then the billing entity can back bill for these therapies once the provisional license is issued.

Strategic Plan Review

Cyndi reviewed the pertinent elements of CAFCA 2010, the Public Policy Strategic Plan. These include the following:

• Gubernatorial candidate forum September – Peg met with Becky Updike of Every Child Matters. Becky will check into the possibility of using DU and will discuss with the DU School of Social Work the possibility of being a co-sponsor.
• Workshop w/ LWV on Political Activities for 501(c) (3) organizations in August/early September; Peg and Cyndi are meeting today, after Public Policy with two people from the LWV to discuss a collaborative program probably in late September
• One-page fact sheet w/talking points re: child abuse, OOH care, etc. for CAFCA members – Peg distributed drafts of the document; Ruth Ann will send Peg a domestic violence statistic to add to the bullet points and then this can be sent to all CAFCA members to be used with candidates and others
• Targeted races for House & Senate – Fofi reviewed some of the most contentious races and will email Peg the list
• Volunteers for public policy activities – once we have identified some of the tasks that need to be done, Peg will send out a call to all CAFCA members to volunteer for specific duties.

Old Business

None.

New Business

Due to conflicts with Cyndi’s and Peg’s schedules, the August meeting has been rescheduled to Tuesday, August 15^th.

Peg suggested that CAFCA honor Senator Moe Keller (D) and Representative Lynn Hefley (R) at its annual meeting in November 2006. Both legislators have been very active in sponsoring legislation to improve the lives of children and families. The group agreed that we should do this.

Katie announced that the 2007 legislative luncheon has been scheduled for Thursday, February 15^th. MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW! Early scheduling is required in order to get on the legislative social calendar.

Next scheduled meeting is Tuesday, August 15^th 2006 at 1120 Lincoln St., law library conference room (confirmed), noon – 2:00 p.m.

Adjourn

Meeting adjourned at 1:45 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Peg Long