539F47A7C50DA36E872586650070DFB0 Hearing Summary

The committee reconvened.

Michelle Barnes, Executive Director, Department of Human Services (DHS), presented the DHS SMART Act and referred to a slide deck through out the presentation (Attachment C). She discussed the mission of DHS and how the department focuses on the whole family.

Amanda Robinson, Equity, Diversity, and Inclustion Program, presented on CDHS' Equity Action Plan.

Director Barnes referred to slides 7 and 8 of the slide presentation. She discussed the diversity of the staff and the variety of locations staff are located.

Kevin Neimond, Policy and Legislative Affairs at DHS, discussed the department's legislative agenda.

Mr. Neimond presented DHS’s budget requests and responded to committee questions.

Mary Alice Cohen, Office of Early Childhood in DHS, responded to questions.

Jeremy Hill, Administrative Solutions in DHS, presented on the department's performance management goals. 

Mr. Hill spoke about the Administrative Solutions Office and discussed their performance indicators and WIGs.

Mr. Hill responded to committee questions about diversity in the leadership of DHS and the performance of workers who are working remotely.

Yolanda Webb, Office of Adult, Aging, and Disability Services in DHS, discussed the activities of the office.

Ms. Webb responded to committee questions and suggested the committee refer questions about Adult Protective Services to the HCPF.

Ms. Webb responded to committee questions about disability services the department provides.

Dr. Robert Werthwein, Office of Behavioral Health (OBH) in DHS, spoke about the Behavioral Health Task Force blueprint beginning on slide 32 of the slide presentation.  He discussed the three phases of implanting a behavioral health system that puts people first and elaborated on the goals of the Behavioral Health Task Force.

Ms. Minna Castillo Cohen, Director, Office of Children, Youth, and Families, began on slide 41 of the slide presentation with an overview of the programs of the office. She discussed the Division of Youth Services (DYS) and the changes in the caseload that has occurred over the last several years.

Ms. Cohen continued with the performance indicators within DYS, which included increases in treatment and education services.

Ms. Cohen responded to questions.

Ms. Mary Alice, Director, Office of Early Childhood (OEC) in DHS, began on slide 55 of the slide presentation with an introduction of the office. She discussed the performance indicators of OEC which include maintaing care capacity, early childhood workforce retention and support, and Early Childhood Mental Health consultation.

Director Barnes responded to questions about the waiting list for the Home and Community Based Services Developmental and Disabilities waiver and the potential for more interdepartmental solutions. She affirmed that the office will work with HCPF to see what more they can do about the backlog.

Ms. Webb responded to a question about the Adult Protective Services program and spoke about efforts to make sure the standard curriculum and processes are being utilized across counties.

Senator Fields made concluding comments about the presentation and asked about culturally competent trauma training.