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h_hie_2018a_2018-01-04t09:10:56z1 Hearing Summary




PUBLIC
BILL SUMMARY For SMART GOVERNMENT ACT BRIEFING FOR THE DHS

JOINT COMMITTEE COMMITTEE ON JOINT HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Date Jan 4, 2018      
Location RM 271



SMART Government Act Briefing for the DHS - Committee Discussion Only


09:19:07 AM  

Reggie Bicha, Executive Director, DHS, presented to the committee and handouts were distributed (Attachments D, E, F, and G).  Director Bicha discussed the mission of DHS and the three strategic priorities of DHS, which include helping people to stay in their communities, to achieve employment, and to prepare for educational success.  He described the facilities that DHS owns and leases in Colorado, noting that some properties are vacant.  Director Bicha gave an overview of DHS community partners and named the five program offices within DHS.

Attachment E

https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/5._2017_cdhs_regulatory_agenda.pdf

Attachment F

 

09:26:14 AM  

Director Bicha discussed the DHS budget requests for FY 2018-19, which include funding for programs in the Office of Community Access and Independence, the Office of Economic Security, and the Office of Administrative Solutions.  Director Bicha and Mark Wester, DHS, responded to questions regarding the funding and future of the DHS Regional Centers.  Dr. Robert Werthwein, DHS, responded to a question on contracting costs for a contractor to cultural change in the Office of Behavioral Health and the search for a superintendent.  Director Bicha responded to questions on the Pueblo state hospital, services for seniors with cognitive disorders, and use of vacant DHS buildings.

09:44:27 AM  

Director Bicha briefly explained the legislative priorities for DHS in 2018.  He went over the rule review process and noted that multiple rule packets will be revised, and discussed the status of DHS audit findings and recommendations.  Director Bicha explained the C-Stat performance measurement program to the committee, and discussed five important DHS goals, including comprehensive rule review, increased child support payments, reduced food insecurity, reduced use of seclusion, and increased opioid treatment options.  Director Bicha responded to questions on efforts to increase child support payments.

09:53:12 AM  

Director Bicha described the Office of Children, Youth, and Families and discussed the results of the child and family service review of county child welfare programs that occurred in 2017.  He updated the committee on the child abuse reporting hotline and public awareness campaign.  Director Bicha responded to a question on caseworker workload.  He discussed trends on children in out-of-home placements and congregate care utilization, and the costs and benefits of different out-of-home placement settings.  Director Bicha discussed proposals to adjust the child welfare block grant.  Dr. Werthwein and Director Bicha responded to questions regarding Pueblo out-of-home placements, Title IV-E waivers, and per capita numbers on out-of-home placements compared to other states.  Minna Castillo Cohen, DHS, responded to a question regarding tracking of youth in child welfare.

10:29:45 AM  

Director Bicha continued with the presentation and discussed the foster care system in Colorado, and explained initiatives to provide information and child care assistance for foster parents.  He discussed low graduation rates for children in foster care, and noted that the Governor has called for a task force to study the issue.

10:35:47 AM  

Director Bicha described the Division of Youth Services (DYS) and noted the performance measures that DYS uses regarding safety.  He noted that almost all safety incidents have declined in the last year including fights and assaults, seclusions, and use of physical restraint devices.  He explained that new training and increased staff have contributed to safety accomplishments.  Director Bicha responded to questions about suicide and sexual assault in DYS facilities.  Ms. Castillo Cohen updated the committee on the Statewide Youth Development Plan, and Director Bicha described changes to the Child Protection Teams.

10:48:18 AM  

Director Bicha described the Office of Behavioral Health, which oversees the statewide crisis response system.  He provided data on utilization of the crisis response system, including calls and visits to crisis facilities.  Dr. Werthwein updated the committee on enhancements to the crisis response system as a result of 2017 legislation.  Director Bicha explained other initiatives, including creation of the Crisis Response Executive Steering Committee and procurement of crisis response system contracts.  Dr. Werthwein responded to questions about DHS cooperation with the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion program.  In response to a question, Director Bicha explained how DHS is using a $7.8 million grant for opioid use disorders.  He described other initiatives related to substance abuse including changes to the CIRCLE program and the need for more inpatient treatment beds.  He discussed the increase in court ordered competency evaluations, and the increased need for restoration.  Director Bicha noted that a budget request has been made to assist in providing beds for restoration patients, and discussed possible policy changes to address the increase in restoration requests.

11:10:32 AM  

Director Bicha described the Office of Economic Security, which assists Coloradans in gaining permanent employment.  He described the ReHire Colorado program, which helps veterans and seniors gain employment and assists small business owners.  He updated the committee on the status of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) reserves, which are approximately $100 million, and discussed possible changes to cash assistance programs.  Director Bicha noted that the Office of Economic Security also operates programs related to food security and child support.

11:18:03 AM  

Director Bicha described the Office of Early Childhood, and noted that accessing high quality child care is a main focus of the office.  He described the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP) to the committee and provided data on changes in appropriations and expenditures for the CCCAP.   Director Bicha explained that the demand for CCCAP is higher than budget allows and waitlists exists; he discussed different policy options to address the high demand for CCCAP services.  He updated the committee on the Colorado Children's Trust Fund (CCTF), which exists to prevent the abuse and neglect of children.  He suggested that the membership and organization of the CCTF be strengthened to better investigate child fatalities.

11:23:15 AM  

Director Bicha described the Office of Community Access and Independence and noted that a main component of the office is Adult Protective Services (APS).  He explained that counties oversee APS, in coordination with law enforcement.  Mr. Wester updated the committee on the closure of the Grand Junction Regional Center, explaining that other living options are being authorized for current residents.  He discussed progress on the Pueblo Regional Center Corrective Action Plan, including reducing staff turnover and burnout. Director Bicha provided data on caseloads for the Long-Term Care Ombudsman and the PACE Ombudsman, and updated the committee on the Respite Care Contract.

11:29:29 AM  
Director Bicha responded to committee questions regarding eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, utilization of Naloxone kits, marketing for the crisis response hotline, and the Pay for Success program






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