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2008 Session

Budget Amendments - HB29 (Conference Report)

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CSA Work Group (language only)

Item 279 #1c

Item 279 #1c

Health And Human Resources
Comprehensive Services for At-Risk Youth and Families

Language
Page 121, after line 40, insert:
"O.  The Secretary of Health and Human Resources shall establish a work group to prepare for changes in state and local match rates for the Comprehensive Services Act program.  The work group shall include representatives from the Virginia Association of Counties, the Virginia Municipal League, the Virginia League of Social Services Executives, the Virginia Association of Community Service Boards, the Virginia Coalition of Private Providers, the Virginia Association of School Superintendents, the Department of Education,  the Department of Juvenile Justice, and the Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court.  The work group will examine the impact of proposed match rate changes on local and state administration of the program, reporting requirements, service development and delivery, quality assurance, utilization management, and care coordination to ensure that children continue to receive appropriate and cost-effective services.
The work group shall also consider future actions to improve the quality of care, maximize cost effectiveness, and achieve administrative efficiencies in the program, such as (i) the feasibility of using a managed care approach to coordinate care and to provide utilization management and quality assurance of services; (ii) participation of community service boards in providing care coordination and monitoring of emotionally disturbed and behaviorally challenged children receiving services through CSA; (iii) better communication, cooperation and coordination in the development of individualized education plans and plans of care for children in special education receiving services through CSA; and (iv) better communication  and coordination with court service units, Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court judges, and the Department of Juvenile Justice on the plans of care for  “Children in Need of Services” as defined under the interagency guidelines on foster care services or children at risk for residential placement through an order by a judge of the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court.  Materials related to or used by the work group shall be considered public documents under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act and not covered under the exemption for Governor’s working papers."


Explanation
(This amendment requires the Secretary of Health and Human Resources to establish a work group to prepare for the implementation of a system of financial incentives to localities to use community-based services in lieu of residential services, when appropriate, for children in CSA.)