Georgia Association of Homes and Services for Children   

Legislative Tool Kit for Boards and Staff of GAHSC

Our Concerns

n         $13 million shortfall in LOC therapeutic levels 4 thru 6.  Our fear was that if Level of Care were not adequately funded, the full continuum would be threatened.  LOC appears to be working well in the lower levels of foster care and group home care; levels 1 through 3. What we are seeing, particularly in the higher levels of care within levels 4-6 of our therapeutic group homes is that the continuum is not being supported as needed.  As a result, providers are cutting services to children.  The levels needed are not being built.  The State is struggling to find the placements that they need because needed capacity cannot be built under the present rate structure.  The State’s failure to pay for the services has and will negatively impact the children we both serve. Level of Care Per Diem Increases

n         $3.5 million decrease in FP/BP funding - This year the Department Human Resources cut the rates of First Placement / Best Placement providers by $3.5 million dollars.  These cuts were made to assessments that were made to evaluate the children coming into DFCS and DJJ custody.

n         Utilization reviews based on budget rather than therapeutic needs - Children are being placed not according to therapeutic needs but budgetary needs.  The under-funding of Levels of Care are causing children harm within the very system designed to provide protection, care and treatment.

n         No cost of living adjustments in contract – Many providers have not received a rate increase in five years.   A cost of living increase of 2.5 percent will assure that services continue at their present levels.  $2.5 million state dollars.

n         Threats of out of state providers – Georgia increasingly is looking outside the state for services to children when within Georgia providers stand ready to serve the children in the State’s care.  Privatization should look first inside the State before they look outside for services. 

n         Privatization confusion with therapeutic care.  -  Georgia is in better shape than most other states when it comes to the number of children in high levels of therapeutic placements.  Only 15% of its children are in institutions and group homes. These children need the therapeutic environments that these facilities provide.  The 29% figure that the Department often quotes is the percentage of foster care that is privatized.  “Federal Revenue Maximization” requirements put all children in privatized care in the Level of Care System.  Many states have much higher levels of privatization than Georgia.

n         Lack of Level playing field between public and private providers – Georgia’s public and private foster care systems are very different.  The private sector must comply with strict licensing and contractual standards.  Georgia’s Department of Human Resources are not bound by the same standards and can waive those standards when it seems expedient to do so.  This presents a disparity of care that puts our public sector foster children in jeopardy.  Equal Licensing for All Children in State Custody

 Legislative Agenda (click underline for more information)

• Appropriations – Funding sufficient to support the services required by the State for therapeutic services to severely emotionally disturbed children.
• Tort Reform – Senator Bill Hamrick of Carrollton – Agencies with children under contract with DHR and DJJ, will have same immunity as the State.
• Education Reform – DOE accountability for the children in foster care.
• Equal Licensing of all providers of placement services.
• Foster Child Bill of Rights – We are working with the Barton Clinic as they develop this bill.
• Medicaid eligibility for foster children to age 22.

Instructions for Advocating

Remember !

·         It is not about your agency, it is about the children.

·         It is not about money, it is about services and resources.

·         It is not about per diems, it is about what these children need.

Each one of you need to write, phone, and email the Governor and his Office of Planning and Budget about your concerns.  You need to inform them about the merits of LOC, how resources are critically needed to make the system work, and the results if the resources are not available.  (See Sample Letter.)

Advocacy Needed:  Solicit your Board in calling the Governor and his Office of Planning and Budget about the children in your care and the benefit of LOC for these children.  Speak about the children and their care and your commitment to serving them.  Warn them of the impending crisis if resources are not found to care for these children.

Sample Conversation and Letter:

·         State factually your understanding of how Levels of Care will positively impact children.

·         Children will be served with placement services based on their needs.

·         Children will no longer fail their way through the system.

State briefly what you want:

·         Correct the poor budgetary policy decision and implement of  "Level of Care" (LOC) with resources that are sufficient to cover the cost of services including educational costs. 

Speak to the needs of the Children you serve:

·         The rates delivered to providers on 09/20/2004 does not adequate support all the Level of Care                   Services (particularly levels 4-6) that are required for the child.

·         These resources will not build the system of care that Georgia wants for its children.

·         These resources will destroy the very successes (ie-Fulton County) upon which Level of Care          was modeled for securing therapeutic placements for children.

            

Legislative Tools

Letters and Email and Telephone Calls are very Important

If you have not written your letter of support for increases Level of Care support, now is the time to do so.  Below is a sample letter requesting support for this funding.  If you do not ask, you will not get.  Fax or email the letter today.

 

Sample Letter

To

The House Appropriations Sub-Committees

Date

Legislative Offices 
State Capitol 
Atlanta, Georgia 30334 

Dear Representative,

§         State briefly who you are, what you do, and the services your agency provide. (Give the elevator speech that you would about your agency’s services.)

§         State the nature of your request:   "implement Levels of Care with funding that is sufficient to cover the cost of services to children."

§         State factually your understanding of how sufficient funding for Levels of Care will positively impact children. 

§         Children will be served with placement services based on their needs.

§         Increase the flexibility by which services can be rendered to children who are in the custody of the State.

§         Improved outcomes for children in State care.

§         Children will no longer fail their way through the system.

§         Improved efficiency and effectiveness in service provision.

§         Matching Federal and Charitable funds

§         Your agency can continue to serve children (ie-not go bankrupt or lay off staff)

• State briefly what you would like to in the House Appropriations budget. 

§          “A significant investment by Georgia to make a difference in the outcomes for children.”

§         Cost of living increase of 2.5 % ( $2.5 million state dollars )

§         Sufficient funding for levels 4 thru 6.  ( $13.5 million state dollars )

Sincerely,

  

Your Name

Title