Child welfare agency accreditation sought

Lawmakers gave first-round approval March 29 to a bill designed to provide oversight of certain aspects of Nebraska’s child welfare reform efforts.

Introduced by Omaha Senator Gwen Howard, LB95 would require any lead agency contracting with the state Department of Health and Human Services to be accredited by a national accrediting entity with respect to out-of-home services provided to those under the age of 18.

A Health and Human Services Committee amendment, adopted 34-3, would raise the age of those served to 19 and clarify that an agency must obtain accreditation within 18 months of entering into a contract with HHS or of the bill’s passage.

Howard said the two lead agencies currently under contract are seeking accreditation, and that the amendment allows ample time to complete the process.

“[This bill] is a way for the Legislature to hold child welfare lead agencies accountable for the services they provide Nebraska’s most vulnerable children,” she said.

Sen. Colby Coash of Lincoln expressed concern that agencies would divert resources from service provision in order to comply with accreditation requirements.

“Accreditation is not a bad thing,” he said, “but it’s not a free thing. When we require agencies to jump through hoops at the same time that we’re asking them to do more with less money, we need to take a look at that.”

Omaha Sen. Brenda Council said having an accreditation requirement in statute would provide notice to any agency wishing to contract with the state that their business plan must incorporate the cost of accreditation. Doing so should remove concern that services to children would be compromised in order to meet accreditation requirements, she said.

“Clear legislative mandates in particular situations are important,” Council said.

The amendment also would prohibit the department, until June 1, 2012, from entering into any contract with a new lead agency for service coordination or case management in an area of the state where services previously were provided through contract with Boys and Girls Home. The amendment would require that HHS provide services to those areas during the moratorium.

Coash offered and later withdrew an amendment that would have removed the moratorium, saying it would unnecessarily limit the department’s options.

“What I believe HHS needs is flexibility,” he said. “They don’t need micromanagement; they need boundaries.”

Lincoln Sen. Kathy Campbell said the proposed moratorium was the result of several hearings about child welfare reform conducted by the Health and Human Services Committee over the interim. She said providers, families and judges all suggested that the pace of reform be slowed.

Howard said the state spent $131 million on child welfare last year and has a vested interest in making sure that the reform effort is successful.

“For that amount of money, we have the right and we have the responsibility to expect the best possible standard of service that we can obtain,” she said.

Fremont Sen. Charlie Janssen offered an amendment, adopted 34-0, which would permit a child-caring agency to be organized as a corporation or a limited liability company.

Senators voted 35-7 to advance LB95 to select file.