A joint hearing of the Health and Human Services Committee and the Children\u2019s Behavioral Health Oversight Committee heard testimony Aug. 25 on LR568, a resolution passed during the 2010 regular session authorizing an interim study of recent reforms within Nebraska\u2019s child welfare and juvenile services system.<\/p>\n
LR568 calls for an examination of the state Department of Health and Human Services\u2019 implementation of changes to juvenile services intended to reduce out-of-home care, the effectiveness of public-private partnerships and the impact of recent reforms on the state\u2019s ability to meet various federal guidelines regarding the safety and well-being of juveniles receiving state services.<\/p>\n
Kerry Winterer, chief executive officer of DHHS, said the department is committed to reform in spite of setbacks since implementation began statewide April 1. Since that time, two of the five lead agencies the department contracted with to coordinate service provision are no longer involved in the process due to financial difficulties, he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cReform is about fundamentally changing the system,\u201d Winterer said, adding that the goal is providing care while keeping juveniles in the home whenever possible. \u201cSome things are going well but we also know that we continue to have challenges.\u201d<\/p>\n
Todd Reckling, director of the division of children and family services, said the remaining lead agencies \u2013 KVC Behavioral HealthCare Nebraska, the Nebraska Families Collaborative and Boys and Girls Home \u2013 are collaborating with the department to find efficiencies and to ensure continuity of services to youth and families during the reform process. DHHS also is working with a national organization to learn from the experience of other states, Reckling said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut each state is unique,\u201d he said. \u201cIt takes time to reform the system.\u201d<\/p>\n
Judy Dierkhising of the Nebraska Families Collaborative said the organization was \u201csurprised\u201d by the cost of foster care services, non-court cases and extended treatment. The cost of those services is averaging approximately $350,000 a month over what the organization budgeted, she said, adding that they likely will spend $5 million over the next two years to cover the gap.<\/p>\n
That requires continually seeking outside funding sources, Dierkhising said.<\/p>\n
Jeff Hackett of the Boys and Girls Home said he remains hopeful about reform in spite of the \u201ctraumatizing\u201d effect of losing two agencies early in the process due to the cost of providing service coordination.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat raises a lot of fear and justifiably so,\u201d he said, adding that subcontractors who provide direct services and are paid by the lead agencies are understandably concerned.<\/p>\n
Hackett said Boys and Girls Home has relied on over $3 million from its donor foundation to cover budget gaps, but said donors may be reluctant to continue to underwrite the organization\u2019s contract with the state. Regardless of the challenges, however, the organization is committed to the reform process, he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur intent is to sustain ourselves and make this work.\u201d<\/p>\n
KVC Behavioral HealthCare Nebraska president Sandra Gasca-Gonzalez said her agency has benefitted from involvement in similar reform initiatives in Kansas and other states.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe reality is that we have been through this before,\u201d she said. \u201cWe know that there will be significant challenges.\u201d<\/p>\n
KVC had to build relationships quickly when it became the sole contractor in southeast Nebraska after the state\u2019s contracts with Visinet and Cedars were terminated, she said. KVC has faced the same financial challenges as the other remaining lead agencies, including unreimbursed service provision, she said, adding that they expect to operate at a loss of approximately $6 million annually for the next two years.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe show ourselves breaking even by year three,\u201d Gasca-Gonzalez said.<\/p>\n
Over time, she said, KVC plans to find appropriate funding sources to pay for services that currently are unreimbursed and to implement other efficiencies.<\/p>\n
\u201cLuckily, we are in a field where what is good for children is also good for our bottom line,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
A follow-up hearing of the Children\u2019s Behavioral Health Oversight Committee, which will include public testimony, is scheduled for Sept. 22.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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