CHAPTER 108
H.P. 614 - L.D. 863
Resolve, To Develop a Comprehensive Plan for Service Reforms and System Improvements Regarding Children's Services Provided by the Department of Health and Human Services
Sec. 1. Comprehensive plan. Resolved: That the Department of Health and Human Services shall develop a comprehensive plan for service reforms and system improvements regarding children's services provided by the department. The department shall develop the plan in collaboration with consumers, families, providers and advocates. The plan must address, at a minimum, children's services delivery structures, financing of these services, quality assurance and quality improvement strategies to be reflected as part of the management of the system and must include the following components.
1. Systems values and standards. There must be a system for children's services that is based on those values and standards already adopted by the State, including the values and standards reflecting the beliefs that:
A. Prevention is an essential component in the health and well-being of children;
B. The safety of children is paramount and must inform decisions made across all sectors of the service system;
C. A flexible, individualized system of services and supports is essential so that all families and children are able to identify their strengths and needs;
D. Families must be, to the extent possible, the drivers of their own plans of services and supports;
E. The system must be outcome-based and must demand accountability, measurable standards and best or promising practices;
F. The needs of the community are best served by a system of care built on locally based input and solutions;
G. Appropriate assessments must be standardized across systems to ensure prompt referral and service planning;
H. Grievance procedures must be readily accessible and transparent;
I. There must be respect and inclusion for all families regardless of race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or economic challenges; and
J. All planning for children should focus on the goal of preserving families, reunifying families and supporting and achieving stability.
2. Service reform and system improvement. There must be a behavioral health services system that reflects, at a minimum, urgent care services, including crisis services, inpatient services, outpatient clinical and community-based services and care management. When children and families have complex multisystems needs, the service delivery must be based upon wraparound principles and practices that include:
A. A community collaborative that will serve as the entry point;
B. A comprehensive assessment;
C. A wraparound multidisciplinary planning team;
D. A family-driven service plan;
E. A comprehensive flexible and individualized service array; and
F. A community as the locus of service implementation.
3. System readiness. Service reform must be undertaken within the following parameters:
A. Significant changes in reimbursement methodology must include actuarial analysis when necessary;
B. Administrative burdens may not be increased, consistent with current department efforts in this area;
C. Data that meets federal and state reporting requirements must be aligned with any system redesign information technology implemented to support reform;
D. The system must be measured by outcomes that are grounded in the values stated in this section and reflect the individual and family benefits of receiving services using consistent measurement tools; and
E. Required MaineCare waivers must be approved prior to changes being implemented pursuant to this resolve.
4. Implementation. The plan must provide that substantive changes in financing and service delivery of children's services will be phased in with an evaluation process for each phase; and be it further
Sec. 2. Report. Resolved: That the department shall submit its plan pursuant to section 1 to the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services and the Children's Mental Health Oversight Committee by January 3, 2006.
Effective September 17, 2005.
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