CAFCA
HappeningsCAFCA
Happenings
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CAFCA Happenings |
August 2005
Hello and Good Bye!
This Thursday, August 25th (4- 6 p.m., at the Uptown Tavern, 17th and Pearl Streets in Denver will be bittersweet for CAFCA. We will celebrate Mary Simons’ three and a half years with CAFCA and give her a grand send-off as she returns to the information technology scene in the for-profit sector. If you have not yet RSVP’d and plan to attend, please email Melissa Maile: mmaile@catholiccharitiesden.com. If you would like to contribute to a gift for Mary, contact Peg. At the same time, we will formally welcome Katie Mason, a second generation Coloradan, as CAFCA’s new Coordinator of Member Services. Katie earned her B.A. degree in political science from CU Boulder and brings to the position association experience as well as a strong interest in public policy formulation. She is the proud owner of an Alpaca named Pie and is learning the business from her mother, who raises alpacas in McCoy, Colorado.
Meet Legislators During the Off-Session - SAVE THESE DATES!
To implement its Public Policy Strategic Plan, CAFCA will be conducting Regional Meetings in September for members and legislators to educate elected officials about CAFCA, its activities and its members’ services. Locations are based upon the membership analysis and database set up by Mendez Steadman. E-vites for the September 8th event have been sent to legislators and CAFCA members. Please call your designated legislator(s) to extend a personal invitation as well. Each event is scheduled from 2:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. and will be hosted by a CAFCA member. The agenda will include a presentation on CAFCA, highlights of its public policy strategic plan and Mendez Steadman’s role, followed by a tour of the host facility and a meet-and-greet time. Fact sheets, including one or two public policy goals, for each of the major child welfare service areas (adoption, foster care & residential care) will be provided to legislators along with a list of CAFCA members by geographic region. CAFCA members are asked to set up additional visits.
Dates and locations are as follows:
Mark Your Calendars NOW!!
CAFCA’s Annual Membership Meeting is scheduled for Friday, November 18th 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at Maggiano’s in Denver. We have lined up a special keynote speaker. Don’t miss it!
HIFA Waiver Watch
Although CAFCA has spent a great deal of time focusing on major changes to the Medicaid Rehabilitation Program, a silent, but equally threatening, change may await providers in the form of the Medicaid HIFA waiver. The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing is in the process of conducting public hearings around the state on its proposed waiver under the Health Insurance Flexibility Act waiver. The Department proposes combining the CHP+ and Medicaid programs to make them more seamless and has “fast-tracked” the waiver process. Although documents issued by HCPF claim to exempt foster children, the application clearly seeks a waiver of several Colorado state statutes that include the RTC carve out. Fofi Mendez has analyzed the documents and discussed the proposed waiver with a number of other entities that advocate for indigent children. Peg has also analyzed the documents. Both believe the waiver permits a back door to overriding the RTC carve out. Consequently CAFCA has taken a stand against the waiver, along with the Colorado Medical Society, the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative, and number of other organizations. Committee chair Patty Erjavec will present CAFCA’s opposition at the August 26th hearing in Pueblo—Thanks, Patty! We will provide information on this process as it further unfolds
Committee Notes
Adoption, Carol Lawson, Chair
The Adoption Committee meets every other month. Next meeting: September 8th, 9:00-11:00 a.m., Adoption Options, 2600 S. Parker Rd., Suite 2-320, Aurora.
Foster Care Committee, Keith Hughes, Chair
Keith will be the liaison between CAFCA and the NBC workgroup reviewing the NBC and potential changes to the assessment. SAFE trainings have begun. CPAs are reminded that placement supervisors as well as all staff conducting home studies must attend the training. Anyone who has not yet received a schedule of the two-day trainings should contact Peg. The issue of CPAs sharing their home studies with counties has apparently not been resolved. Adams County testified on August 5th at the Human Services Board that the rules should not go forward until it has been determined that counties are not already paying all or a portion of the costs based on the administrative fees paid to the CPA. Peg testified in favor of the compromise reached, allowing counties and CPAs to negotiate the issue of payment when they negotiate their contracts. The rules will be up for final adoption at the September 9th Human Services Board meeting. Next meeting: Thursday, August 25th, 8:30 a.m. at the Starbucks inside REI, I-25 and 20th Street, Denver.
Children’s Treatment Services (CTS), Patty Erjavec, Chair
The RTC Services and Financing Redesign Group continues to meet and members continue to work with CDHS and HCPF on establishing both treatment and room and board rate methodologies. Reflecting federal Medicaid policy, both HCPF and CDHS have taken the position that a per diem or bundled rate will not be an option going forward. This makes budget projection, staffing and billing extremely difficult for providers. Projected losses in funding range from $5 million to $15 million. The committee has also initiated a dialogue with SOMB member Keri Fitzpatrick to discuss barriers to implementation of the Juvenile Standards for Sex Offenders. Next CTS meeting: September 16th, 10:30 a.m. – noon, at Shiloh Home, 6400 W. Coal Mine Avenue, Littleton.
Public Policy, Cyndi Dodds, Chair
The Public Policy Committee is very busy working on regional meetings to bring legislators and members together, especially those legislators new this past session. The committee will not meet in September, but will begin developing the 2006 legislative agenda in October. Next meeting, Tuesday, October 4th, noon-2:00 at 1120 Lincoln St.
Training Committee, Renee Johnson, Chair
CAFCA’s largest conference ever was held on July 22nd. Keynote speaker Charlie Appelstein challenged participants to believe that “The Glass Ain’t Half Full. . . Heck It’s Overflowing!” Both his keynote and workshop session focused on creating a positive, strength-based culture for children and families. Next meeting: Friday, August 26th, 1:00 p.m. at Excelsior Youth Center, 15001 E. Oxford, Aurora.
CDE has begun a new project designed to encourage retention of facility school teachers. Called RAFT (Retaining Alternative Facility Teachers), this project is an endeavor to support educators on TTE’s as they complete course work for special education licensure. Financial support is provided through a State Improvement Grant. RAFT offers facility school teachers stipends ($600) and bonuses ($600) for continuing to teach in a facility school setting. Application deadline is October 10, 2005. Information/application: www.cde.state.co.us//cdesped/AlternativeFacilities.asp. This incentive was one of the recommendations that came out of the Facility Schools Task Force, to which Peg was appointed as a provider representative.
Foster Care Legal Issues Conference
The National Foster Parent Association’s Legal Resource Manual was developed to provide foster parents with information regarding their legal rights and responsibilities as care providers for children and youth. On Saturday, September 17th, from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Region VIII NFPA will host a full-day conference on foster care legal issues. Registration fee is $75, including lunch and CEUs for those who need them. Manuals will also be for sale. Location is Colorado Springs. Registration deadline is September 15th. For information or registration forms, contact: Jamie Burns, jburns@nfpainc.org, 1-800-557-5238.
Colorado CASA invites child welfare providers to exhibit at its 10th Annual Training Conference on Saturday, October 29th, 7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at the Sheraton Denver West Hotel in Lakewood. More than 250 participants are expected. Displays must be up by 7 a.m. A 6’ table costs only $50. For further information, contact Constance Wise, 303 623-5380, or constance.wise@coloradocasa.org.
Teen Survival Workshops
Catholic Charities in Denver is offering free workshops to support adopted teens struggling with relationship issues and life skills. The fall Workshop I series focuses on relationships (self-esteem, personality styles, depression/suicide, anger management and body image) and meets the first and third Wednesdays, September-November, from 6-8 p.m., with dinner included. Workshop II focuses on Life Skills (nutrition, drugs/alcohol/tobacco, peer pressure and finances) and also meets the first and third Wednesdays, 6-8 p.m., with dinner provided. Teens 13-18 who have been adopted, are in foster-adopt homes, long-term foster care or emancipation programs are welcome. Any parent, guardian or professional working with a teen may refer a youth to the program. All workshops are held at Catholic Charities of Denver, 2525 W. Alameda Avenue, Denver. While there is no cost, space is limited, so register early! To register, call: 303 742-0823, x 640 or email cgarcia@catholiccharitiesden.com.