Legislative Priorities

Alliance Testimony on Budget

Senate Finance
Senate Finance began work on the budget the first week in February. All Health and Human Services agencies have testified and public testimony was given for all agencies. The Alliance gave written and oral testimony, which can be accessed here.

House Appropriations

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Advocacy Materials

These materials are developed for the 82nd Legislature in order to assist members in crafting a unified message when contacting their legislator(s).

We have developed a sample letter to advocate for full funding of foster care caseloads and restoration of the 5% rate cut. That letter can be accessed here. Please personalize the letter and keep the length to one page. An addressing guide can be accessed here for letters to Senators, Representatives, House Speaker, Lt. Governor, and the Governor.

The main points in advocating for rates include:

• Cuts will jeopardize capacity and placement options.
• Cuts in rates will jeopardize safety as oversight, training, and wages are impacted.
• Cuts will prevent Foster Care Redesign from being implemented.

A brochure has been developed describing the potential benefits of redesign and the link between full foster care funding and implementation of the project. The brochure can be accessed here. Please include it with your letters regarding foster care funding.

In addition a sample letter can be accessed here regarding advocacy to restore Purchased Adoptions and Post-Adoption Services.

We realize there are many issues in the DFPS budget that are of concern, but believe we must prioritize and focus our efforts on core business functions.

Other Materials

Foster Care Rate Sheet

Senate Grassroots Network

House Grassroots Network

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Legislative Forum and Membership Meeting Handouts

Overview of Budget

Foster Care Redesign

DFPS Senate Finance Presentation

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12-2010: Foster Care Redesign Recommendations Approved by Public-Private Partnership (PPP)  

The PPP unanimously approved recommendations for a redesigned foster care service delivery system. The full report can be accessed here. The report was submitted to Commissioner Heiligenstein who will make the final recommendations to the Texas Legislature. Below is a summary of various features in the report.

Contingencies:
The recommendations are made contingent upon the following:

• Maintaining, at minimum, current foster funding levels (this recommendation was made by the Alliance)
• Transfer of DFPS resources commensurate with transferred tasks
• Staged implementation and an evaluation of early implementation sites showing positive results prior to expanding roll-out
• Increased collaboration and cooperation between DFPS and stakeholders
• Provider authority/ability to impact outcomes for which they are held accountable

Contract Changes:

• Contract for Outcomes (Performance-based)
• Competitive Procurement
  • Open to profit and not-for-profit sector
  • Open to Texas and non-Texas agencies, but preference given to providers who have experience in Texas
• Contract for full continuum of services (all levels)
• Contract for specified catchment area for continuum

Payment Changes:

• Elimination of Billing Service Level link to Authorized Service Level
• Blended Case Rate (phased in via staged implementation, beginning with blended rate)
• Incentives based on achievement of timely permanency (reduction in length of stay) and improvement in a child's well-being
• Reinvestment of incentives to further improve outcomes

Implementation:
Initially the model will be implemented in catchment areas that include metro and non-metro areas of sufficient size to be fiscally viable. The new system will be implemented and evaluated in three stages (each stage estimated to run one year). Modifications will be made to the model if needed before expanding to new geographic areas.

Stage I:

• Implement performance-based contract for continuum in specific geographic catchment areas
• Blend rates across all service levels and eliminate tie between billing and authorized levels of care

Stage II:

• Increase providers' role with families of children in their care
• Provide allocation for services to families of children in care

Stage III:

• Implement case rate to include length of stay incentives
• "Hold Harmless" in regard to financial remedies during first year
• Implement reinvestment of incentives to further improve outcomes for children in foster care

Next Steps

• The 82nd Texas Legislature will indicate its support for the new system by adopting a budget rider in the DFPS' LAR which authorizes the new payment and contracting model.
• Commissioner Heiligenstein wants the model to be operational at some level before the 83rd Legislature in 2013.
• The following timeline is envisioned:
  • Issue a draft RFP in March 2011 for public comment. The initial implementation areas will not be identified in the draft proposal.
  • The final RFP will be issued following adjournment of the regular session of the upcoming 82nd  Legislature which starts January 11, 2011 and ends May 30, 2011.
  • Award the first contract by January 1, 2012.
  • Allow some time for start up in the implementation area.
  • Be in Stage I of implementation in the first catchment areas at the start of the 83rd Legislature.