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Home My WebLink About20200080.tiffOFFICE OF BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS PHONE: 970-336-7204 FAX: 970-336-7233 1150 O STREET P.O. BOX 758 GREELEY, COLORADO 80632 December 30, 2019 Steve O'Dorisio, Chair Adams County Board of County Commissioners 4430 S. Adams County Parkway 5th Floor, Suite C5000A Brighton, CO 80601 Dear Commissioner O'Dorisio: We recently held a convening in Weld County to discuss the Children's Habilitation Residential Program (CHRP). It was a successful meeting with participants from Denver, Douglas, El Paso and Larimer Departments of Human Services (DHS) and their respective Community Center Boards (CCBs). The purpose of this initial convening was to engage in dialogue around the CHRP waiver services and the need for collaboration between Community Center Boards (CCBs) and counties . The convening provided an opportunity for each agency to share their success and lessons learned in implementing the provisions of HB 18-1328, particularly around provider recruitment, best practices and the referral process with DHS. Based on the presentations from the attendees, this new law has not been fully implemented. The identified barriers include: • Child Welfare is still relied upon to fund high cost placements for CHRP eligible children. • Child Welfare staff are spending many hours navigating the revised CHRP process without much guidance from Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF). • The messaging provided by HCPF around the changes to the CHRP process has been ineffective, particularly with hospitals, who continue to expect Child Welfare to open cases when parents are unable to provide the needed support to their CHRP-eligible children. • A lack of CIIRP placement and service providers statewide. At this time there is no incentive for host homes to become licensed foster homes as the payment rate for foster care is dramatically less, the licensing requirements for foster homes are much more rigorous than for host homes and the resources available for foster homes is very limited compared to the resources available for host homes. GOMMun:co.};4n5 2020-0080 We will host a second convening in the near future with participants from all of the large counties to engage HCPF in a meaningful dialogue around the intent of the legislation and the process to change the system to ensure children and families receive the appropriate services they are entitled to under the CHRP waiver. It is imperative that we keep the momentum going and that we present a united front in our work with HCPF if we are going to affect true system change. If you are willing to partner with us in this effort, please respond to Tobi Cullins, Weld County DHS Contract Management and Compliance Coordinator, cullinta@weldgov.com by Tuesday, January 21, 2020, with your commitment to attend and/or send your DHS staff to the second convening. Additionally, please include your preferred dates in February 2020 for the second convening. We ask that you consider February 13th or February 14th to coincide with the CCI Steering Committee dates. Your commitment will be shared with Healthcare Policy and Finance (HCPF) and we will be requesting their attendance at the convening. Thank you in advance for your support. Sincerely, BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS arbara Kirkmeyer, Chair OFFICE OF BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS PHONE: 970-336-7204 FAX: 970-336-7233 1150 O STREET P.O. BOX 758 GREELEY, COLORADO 80632 December 30, 2019 Jeff Baker, Chair Arapahoe County Board of County Commissioners Administration Building 5334 South Prince Street Littleton, CO 80120 Dear Commissioner Baker: We recently held a convening in Weld County to discuss the Children's Habilitation Residential Program (CHRP). It was a successful meeting with participants from Denver, Douglas, El Paso and Larimer Departments of Human Services (DHS) and their respective Community Center Boards (CCBs). The purpose of this initial convening was to engage in dialogue around the CHRP waiver services and the need for collaboration between Community Center Boards (CCBs) and counties . The convening provided an opportunity for each agency to share their success and lessons learned in implementing the provisions of HB 18-1328, particularly around provider recruitment, best practices and the referral process with DHS. Based on the presentations from the attendees, this new law has not been fully implemented. The identified barriers include: • Child Welfare is still relied upon to fund high cost placements for CHRP eligible children. • Child Welfare staff are spending many hours navigating the revised CHRP process without much guidance from Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF). • The messaging provided by HCPF around the changes to the CHRP process has been ineffective, particularly with hospitals, who continue to expect Child Welfare to open cases when parents are unable to provide the needed support to their CHRP-eligible children. • A lack of CHRP placement and service providers statewide. At this time there is no incentive for host homes to become licensed foster homes as the payment rate for foster care is dramatically less, the licensing requirements for foster homes are much more rigorous than for host homes and the resources available for foster homes is very limited compared to the resources available for host homes. We will host a second convening in the near future with participants from all of the large counties to engage HCPF in a meaningful dialogue around the intent of the legislation and the process to change the system to ensure children and families receive the appropriate services they are entitled to under the CHRP waiver. It is imperative that we keep the momentum going and that we present a united front in our work with HCPF if we are going to affect true system change. If you are willing to partner with us in this effort, please respond to Tobi Cullins, Weld County DHS Contract Management and Compliance Coordinator, cullinta®weldgov.com by Tuesday, January 21, 2020, with your commitment to attend and/or send your DHS staff to the second convening. Additionally, please include your preferred dates in February 2020 for the second convening. We ask that you consider February 13 or February 14 to coincide with the CCI Steering Committee dates. Your commitment will be shared with Healthcare Policy and Finance (HCPF) and we will be requesting their attendance at the convening. Thank you in advance for your support. Sincerely, BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS arbara Kirkmeyer, Chair OFFICE OF BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS PHONE: 970-336-7204 FAX: 970-336-7233 1150 O STREET P.O. BOX 758 GREELEY, COLORADO 80632 December 30, 2019 Elise Jones, Chair Boulder County Board of County Commissioners 1325 Pearl Street, Third Street Boulder, CO 80302 Dear Commissioner Jones: We recently held a convening in Weld County to discuss the Children's Habilitation Residential Program (CHRP). It was a successful meeting with participants from Denver, Douglas, El Paso.and Larimer Departments of Human Services (DHS) and their respective Community Center Boards (CCBs). The purpose of this initial convening was to engage in dialogue around the CHRP waiver services and the need for collaboration between Community Center Boards (CCBs) and counties . The convening provided an opportunity for each agency to share their success and lessons learned in implementing the provisions of HB 18-1328, particularly around provider recruitment, best practices and the referral process with DHS. Based on the presentations from the attendees, this new law has not been fully implemented. The identified barriers include: • Child Welfare is still relied upon to fund high cost placements for CHRP eligible children. • Child Welfare staff are spending many hours navigating the revised CHRP process without much guidance from Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF). • The messaging provided by HCPF around the changes to the CHRP process has been ineffective, particularly with hospitals, who continue to expect Child Welfare to open cases when parents are unable to provide the needed support to their CHRP-eligible children. • A lack of CHRP placement and service providers statewide. At this time there is no incentive for host homes to become licensed foster homes as the payment rate for foster care is dramatically less, the licensing requirements for foster homes are much more rigorous than for host homes and the resources available for foster homes is very limited compared to the resources available for host homes. We will host a second convening in the near future with participants from all of the large counties to engage HCPF in a meaningful dialogue around the intent of the legislation and the process to change the system to ensure children and families receive the appropriate services they are entitled to under the CHRP waiver. It is imperative that we keep the momentum going and that we present a united front in our work with HCPF if we are going to affect true system change. If you are willing to partner with us in this effort, please respond to Tobi Cullins, Weld County DHS Contract Management and Compliance Coordinator, cullinta@weldgov.com by Tuesday, January 21, 2020, with your commitment to attend and/or send your DHS staff to the second convening. Additionally, please include your preferred dates in February 2020 for the second convening. We ask that you consider February 13 or February 14 to coincide with the CCI Steering Committee dates. Your commitment will be shared with Healthcare Policy and Finance (HCPF) and we will be requesting their attendance at the convening. Thank you in advance for your support. Sincerely, BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS arbara Kirkmeyer, Cldair OFFICE OF BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS PHONE: 970-336-7204 FAX: 970-336-7233 1150 O STREET P.O. BOX 758 GREELEY, COLORADO 80632 December 30, 2019 City and County of Denver City and County Building 1437 Bannock Street, Room 451 Denver, CO 80202 Dear Council Members: We recently held a convening in Weld County to discuss the Children's Habilitation Residential Program (CHRP). Staff from your Department of Human Services and your Community Center Board attended along with participants from Denver, Douglas, El Paso and Larimer Departments of Human Services (DHS) and their respective Community Center Boards (CCBs). The purpose of this initial convening was to engage in dialogue around the CHRP waiver services and the need for collaboration between Community Center Boards (CCBs) and counties. The convening provided an opportunity for each agency to share their success and lessons learned in implementing the provisions of HB 18-1328, particularly around provider recruitment, best practices and the referral process with DHS. Based on the presentations from the attendees, this new law has not been fully implemented. The identified barriers include: • Child Welfare is still relied upon to fund high cost placements for CHRP eligible children. • Child Welfare staff are spending many hours navigating the revised CHRP process without much guidance from Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF). • The messaging provided by HCPF around the changes to the CHRP process has been ineffective, particularly with hospitals, who continue to expect Child Welfare to open cases when parents are unable to provide the needed support to their CARP -eligible children. • A lack of CHRP placement and service providers statewide. At this time there is no incentive for host homes to become licensed foster homes as the payment rate for foster care is dramatically less, the licensing requirements for foster homes are much more rigorous than for host homes and the resources available for foster homes is very limited compared to the resources available for host homes. We will host a second convening in the near future with participants from all of the large counties to engage HCPF in a meaningful dialogue around the intent of the legislation and the process to change the system to ensure children and families receive the appropriate services they are entitled to under the CHRP waiver. It is imperative that we keep the momentum going and that we present a united front in our work with HCPF if we are going to affect true system change. If you are willing to partner with us in this effort, please respond to Tobi Cullins, Weld County DHS Contract Management and Compliance Coordinator, cullinta@weldgov.com by Tuesday, January 21, 2020, with your commitment to attend and/or send your DHS staff to the second convening. Additionally, please include your preferred dates in February 2020 for the second convening. We ask that you consider February 13 or February 14 to coincide with the CCI Steering Committee dates. Your commitment will be shared with Healthcare Policy and Finance (HCPF) and we will be requesting their attendance at the convening. Thank you in advance for your support. Sincerely, BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS arbara Kirkmeyer, Chair OFFICE OF BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS PHONE: 970-336-7204 FAX: 970-336-7233 1150 O STREET P.O. BOX 758 GREELEY, COLORADO 80632 December 30, 2019 Lora Thomas, Chair Douglas County Board of County Commissioners 100 Third Street Castle Rock, CO 80104 Dear Commissioner Thomas: We recently held a convening in Weld County to discuss the Children's Habilitation Residential Program (CHRP). Staff from your Department of Human Services and your Community Center Board attended along with participants from Denver, Douglas, El Paso and Larimer Departments of Human Services (DHS) and their respective Community Center Boards (CCBs). The purpose of this initial convening was to engage in dialogue around the CHRP waiver services and the need for collaboration between Community Center Boards (CCBs) and counties. The convening provided an opportunity for each agency to share their success and lessons learned in implementing the provisions of HB 18-1328, particularly around provider recruitment, best practices and the referral process with DHS. Based on the presentations from the attendees, this new law has not been fully implemented. The identified barriers include: • Child Welfare is still relied upon to fund high cost placements for CHRP eligible children. • Child Welfare staff are spending many hours navigating the revised CHRP process without much guidance from Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF). • The messaging provided by HCPF around the changes to the CHRP process has been ineffective, particularly with hospitals, who continue to expect Child Welfare to open cases when parents are unable to provide the needed support to their CHRP-eligible children. • A lack of CHRP placement and service providers statewide. At this time there is no incentive for host homes to become licensed foster homes as the payment rate for foster care is dramatically less, the licensing requirements for foster homes are much more rigorous than for host homes and the resources available for foster homes is very limited compared to the resources available for host homes. We will host a second convening in the near future with participants from all of the large counties to engage HCPF in a meaningful dialogue around the intent of the legislation and the process to change the system to ensure children and families receive the appropriate services they are entitled to under the CHRP waiver. It is imperative that we keep the momentum going and that we present a united front in our work with HCPF if we are going to affect true system change. If you are willing to partner with us in this effort, please respond to Tobi Cullins, Weld County DHS Contract Management and Compliance Coordinator, cullinta(weldgov.com by Tuesday, January 21, 2020, with your commitment to attend and/or send your DHS staff to the second convening. Additionally, please include your preferred dates in February 2020 for the second convening. We ask that you consider February 13 or February 14 to coincide with the CCI Steering Committee dates. Your commitment will be shared with Healthcare Policy and Finance (HCPF) and we will be requesting their attendance at the convening. Thank you in advance for your support. Sincerely, BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS rbara Kirkmeyer, Chair OFFICE OF BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS PHONE: 970-336-7204 FAX: 970-336-7233 1150 O STREET P.O. BOX 758 GREELEY, COLORADO 80632 December 30, 2019 Mark Waller, Chair El Paso County Board of County Commissioners 200 South Cascade Avenue, Suite 100 Colorado Springs, CO 80903 Dear Commissioner Waller: We recently held a convening in Weld County to discuss the Children's Habilitation Residential Program (CHRP). Staff from your Department of Human Services and your Community Center Board attended along with participants from Denver, Douglas, El Paso and Larimer Departments of Human Services (DHS) and their respective Community Center Boards (CCBs). The purpose of this initial convening was to engage in dialogue around the CHRP waiver services and the need for collaboration between Community Center Boards (CCBs) and counties. The convening provided an opportunity for each agency to share their success and lessons learned in implementing the provisions of HB 18-1328, particularly around provider recruitment, best practices and the referral process with DHS. Based on the presentations from the attendees, this new law has not been fully implemented. The identified barriers include: • Child Welfare is still relied upon to fund high cost placements for CHRP eligible children. • Child Welfare staff are spending many hours navigating the revised CHRP process without much guidance from Health Care Policy and Financing (IICPF). • The messaging provided by HCPF around the changes to the CHRP process has been ineffective, particularly with hospitals, who continue to expect Child Welfare to open cases when parents are unable to provide the needed support to their CHRP-eligible children. • A lack of CHRP placement and service providers statewide. At this time there is no incentive for host homes to become licensed foster homes as the payment rate for foster care is dramatically less, the licensing requirements for foster homes are much more rigorous than for host homes and the resources available for foster homes is very limited compared to the resources available for host homes. We will host a second convening in the near future with participants from all of the large counties to engage HCPF in a meaningful dialogue around the intent of the legislation and the process to change the system to ensure children and families receive the appropriate services they are entitled to under the CHRP waiver. It is imperative that we keep the momentum going and that we present a united front in our work with HCPF if we are going to affect true system change. If you are willing to partner with us in this effort, please respond to Tobi Cullins, Weld County DHS Contract Management and Compliance Coordinator, cullinta@weldgov.com by Tuesday, January 21, 2020, with your commitment to attend and/or send your DHS staff to the second convening. Additionally, please include your preferred dates in February 2020 for the second convening. We ask that you consider February 13 or February 14 to coincide with the CCI Steering Committee dates. Your commitment will be shared with Healthcare Policy and Finance (HCPF) and we will be requesting their attendance at the convening. Thank you in advance for your support. Sincerely, BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS arbara Kirkmeyer, Chair OFFICE OF BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS PHONE: 970-336-7204 FAX: 970-336-7233 1150 O STREET P.O. BOX 758 GREELEY, COLORADO 80632 December 30, 2019 Colorado Health Care Policy and Financing Attention: Kim Bimesterfer, Executive Director 1570 Grant Street Denver, CO 80203 Dear Ms Bimestefer, Weld County recently hosted a Children's Habilitation Residential Program (CHRP) convening with participation from Denver, Douglas, El Paso and Larimer Counties Departments of Human Service (DHS) along with their respective Community Center Boards (CCBs) and representatives from Health Care Policy and Financing. This convening served as forum for dialogue around the CHRP waiver services and provided an opportunity for each agency to share their success and lessons learned through the implementation of HB 18-1328. It was clear through the presentations and discussions that the law has not been fully implemented and there are multiple barriers still to be addressed. Although the law removed the eligibility requirement that families relinquish custody of their children in order to receive necessary services, families are still left with few options. This is due to the limited number of providers, a lack of understanding from CCBs on how to implement the changes required by the law and the inability to secure intensive in -home services for children returning home from hospitalization. As a result, counties continue to bear an undue burden of obtaining and managing services and placements for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities who otherwise would not be involved in the Child Welfare system. A second convening will be held in the near future to engage in meaningful dialogue around the intent of the legislation and what is needed to change policies, procedures and practices so that the law is implemented as intended. Your support and attendance at the convening is also requested. We ask that you come prepared to share information and data that supports your ability to implement the law and your willingness to engage counties and CCBs in the process. We are committed to affecting change now and can do so through true collaboration, creativity and a commitment to creating an efficient and effective process which meets the needs of this vulnerable population. Your partnership is invaluable in this effort. Please respond to Tobi Cullins, Weld County DHS Contract Management and Compliance Coordinator, cullinta@weldgov.com, with your commitment to attend the convening and possible meeting dates in February 2020. Ms. Cullins will provide you with a list of participating counties that will be attending the convening. Thank you in advance for your support. Sincerely, BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS arbara Kirkmeyer, CHair OFFICE OF BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS PHONE: 970-336-7204 FAX: 970-336-7233 1150 O STREET P.O. BOX 758 GREELEY, COLORADO 80632 December 30, 2019 Libby Szabo, Chair Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners 100 Jefferson County Parkway, Suite 5550 Golden, CO 80419 Dear Commissioner Szabo: We recently held a convening in Weld County to discuss the Children's Habilitation Residential Program (CHRP). It was a successful meeting with participants from Denver, Douglas, El Paso and Larimer Departments of Human Services (DHS) and their respective Community Center Boards (CCBs). The purpose of this initial convening was to engage in dialogue around the CHRP waiver services and the need for collaboration between Community Center Boards (CCBs) and counties . The convening provided an opportunity for each agency to share their success and lessons learned in implementing the provisions of HB 18-1328, particularly around provider recruitment, best practices and the referral process with DHS. Based on the presentations from the attendees, this new law has not been fully implemented. The identified barriers include: • Child Welfare is still relied upon to fund high cost placements for CHRP eligible children. • Child Welfare staff are spending many hours navigating the revised CHRP process without much guidance from Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF). • The messaging provided by HCPF around the changes to the CHRP process has been ineffective, particularly with hospitals, who continue to expect Child Welfare to open cases when parents are unable to provide the needed support to their CHRP-eligible children. • A lack of CHRP placement and service providers statewide. At this time there is no incentive for host homes to become licensed foster homes as the payment rate for foster care is dramatically less, the licensing requirements for foster homes are much more rigorous than for host homes and the resources available for foster homes is very limited compared to the resources available for host homes. We will host a second convening in the near future with participants from all of the large counties to engage HCPF in a meaningful dialogue around the intent of the legislation and the process to change the system to ensure children and families receive the appropriate services they are entitled to under the CHRP waiver. It is imperative that we keep the momentum going and that we present a united front in our work with HCPF if we are going to affect true system change. If you are willing to partner with us in this effort, please respond to Tobi Cullins, Weld County DHS Contract Management and Compliance Coordinator, cullinta@weldgov.com by Tuesday, January 21, 2020, with your commitment to attend and/or send your DHS staff to the second convening. Additionally, please include your preferred dates in February 2020 for the second convening. We ask that you consider February 13 or February 14 to coincide with the CCI Steering Committee dates. Your commitment will be shared with Healthcare Policy and Finance (HCPF) and we will be requesting their attendance at the convening. Thank you in advance for your support. Sincerely, BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Barbara Kirkmeyer, Chair OFFICE OF BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS PHONE: 970-336-7204 FAX: 970-336-7233 1150 O STREET P.O. BOX 758 GREELEY, COLORADO 80632 December 30, 2019 Tom Donnelly, Chair Larimer County Board of County Commissioners 200 West Oak, Suite 2200 Fort Collins, CO 80521 Dear Commissioner Donnelly: We recently held a convening in Weld County to discuss the Children's Habilitation Residential Program (CHRP). Staff from your Department of Human Services and your Community Center Board attended along with participants from Denver, Douglas, El Paso and Larimer Departments of I luman Services (DHS) and their respective Community Center Boards (CCBs). The purpose of this initial convening was to engage in dialogue around the CHRP waiver services and the need for collaboration between Community Center Boards (CCBs) and counties. The convening provided an opportunity for each agency to share their success and lessons learned in implementing the provisions of HB 18-1328, particularly around provider recruitment, best practices and the referral process with DHS. Based on the presentations from the attendees, this new law has not been fully implemented. The identified barriers include: • Child Welfare is still relied upon to fund high cost placements for CHRP eligible children. • Child Welfare staff are spending many hours navigating the revised CHRP process without much guidance from Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF). • The messaging provided by HCPF around the changes to the CHRP process has been ineffective, particularly with hospitals, who continue to expect Child Welfare to open cases when parents are unable to provide the needed support to their CHRP-eligible children. • A lack of CHRP placement and service providers statewide. At this time there is no incentive for host homes to become licensed foster homes as the payment rate for foster care is dramatically less, the licensing requirements for foster homes are much more rigorous than for host homes and the resources available for foster homes is very limited compared to the resources available for host homes. We will host a second convening in the near future with participants from all of the large counties to engage HCPF in a meaningful dialogue around the intent of the legislation and the process to change the system to ensure children and families receive the appropriate services they are entitled to under the CHRP waiver. It is imperative that we keep the momentum going and that we present a united front in our work with HCPF if we are going to affect true system change. If you are willing to partner with us in this effort, please respond to Tobi Cullins, Weld County DHS Contract Management and Compliance Coordinator, cullinta@weldgov.com by Tuesday, January 21, 2020, with your commitment to attend and/or send your DHS staff to the second convening. Additionally, please include your preferred dates in February 2020 for the second convening. We ask that you consider February 13 or February 14 to coincide with the CCI Steering Committee dates. Your commitment will be shared with Healthcare Policy and Finance (HCPF) and we will be requesting their attendance at the convening. Thank you in advance for your support. Sincerely, BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Barbara Kirkmeyer, Chair OFFICE OF BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS PHONE: 970-336-7204 FAX: 970-336-7233 1150 O STREET P.O. BOX 758 GREELEY, COLORADO 80632 December 30, 2019 Rose Pugliese, Chair Mesa County Board of County Commissioners P.O. Box 20000-5010 Grand Junction, CO 81502-5001 Dear Commissioner Pugliese: We recently held a convening in Weld County to discuss the Children's Habilitation Residential Program (CHRP). It was a successful meeting with participants from Denver, Douglas, El Paso and Larimer Departments of Human Services (DHS) and their respective Community Center Boards (CCBs). The purpose of this initial convening was to engage in dialogue around the CHRP waiver services and the need for collaboration between Community Center Boards (CCBs) and counties . The convening provided an opportunity for each agency to share their success and lessons learned in implementing the provisions of HB 18-1328, particularly around provider recruitment, best practices and the referral process with DHS. Based on the presentations from the attendees, this new law has not been fully implemented. The identified barriers include: • Child Welfare is still relied upon to fund high cost placements for CHRP eligible children. • Child Welfare staff are spending many hours navigating the revised CHRP process without much guidance from Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF). • The messaging provided by HCPF around the changes to the CHRP process has been ineffective, particularly with hospitals, who continue to expect Child Welfare to open cases when parents are unable to provide the needed support to their CHRP-eligible children. • A lack of CHRP placement and service providers statewide. At this time there is no incentive for host homes to become licensed foster homes as the payment rate for foster care is dramatically less, the licensing requirements for foster homes are much more rigorous than for host homes and the resources available for foster homes is very limited compared to the resources available for host homes. We will host a second convening in the near future with participants from all of the large counties to engage HCPF in a meaningful dialogue around the intent of the legislation and the process to change the system to ensure children and families receive the appropriate services they are entitled to under the CHRP waiver. It is imperative that we keep the momentum going and that we present a united front in our work with HCPF if we are going to affect true system change. If you are willing to partner with us in this effort, please respond to Tobi Cullins, Weld County DHS Contract Management and Compliance Coordinator, cullinta®weldgov.com by Tuesday, January 21, 2020, with your commitment to attend and/or send your DHS staff to the second convening. Additionally, please include your preferred dates in February 2020 for the second convening. We ask that you consider February 13 or February 14 to coincide with the CCI Steering Committee dates. Your commitment will be shared with Healthcare Policy and Finance (HCPF) and we will be requesting their attendance at the convening. Thank you in advance for your support. Sincerely, BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Barbara Kirkmeyer, Chair OFFICE OF BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS PHONE: 970-336-7204 FAX: 970-336-7233 1150 O STREET P.O. BOX 758 GREELEY, COLORADO 80632 December 30, 2019 Garrison Ortiz, Chair Pueblo County Board of County Commissioners 215 West 10th Street Pueblo, CO 81003 Dear Commissioner Ortiz: We recently held a convening in Weld County to discuss the Children's Habilitation Residential Program (CHRP). It was a successful meeting with participants from Denver, Douglas, El Paso and Larimer Departments of Human Services (DHS) and their respective Community Center Boards (CCBs). The purpose of this initial convening was to engage in dialogue around the CHRP waiver services and the need for collaboration between Community Center Boards (CCBs) and counties . The convening provided an opportunity for each agency to share their success and lessons learned in implementing the provisions of HB 18-1328, particularly around provider recruitment, best practices and the referral process with DHS. Based on the presentations from the attendees, this new law has not been fully implemented. The identified barriers include: • Child Welfare is still relied upon to fund high cost placements for CHRP eligible children. • Child Welfare staff are spending many hours navigating the revised CHRP process without much guidance from Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF). • The messaging provided by HCPF around the changes to the CHRP process has been ineffective, particularly with hospitals, who continue to expect Child Welfare to open cases when parents are unable to provide the needed support to their CHRP-eligible children. • A lack of CHRP placement and service providers statewide. At this time there is no incentive for host homes to become licensed foster homes as the payment rate for foster care is dramatically less, the licensing requirements for foster homes are much more rigorous than for host homes and the resources available for foster homes is very limited compared to the resources available for host homes. We will host a second convening in the near future with participants from all of the large counties to engage HCPF in a meaningful dialogue around the intent of the legislation and the process to change the system to ensure children and families receive the appropriate services they are entitled to under the CHRP waiver. It is imperative that we keep the momentum going and that we present a united front in our work with HCPF if we are going to affect true system change. If you are willing to partner with us in this effort, please respond to Tobi Cullins, Weld County DHS Contract Management and Compliance Coordinator, cullinta@weldgov.com by Tuesday, January 21, 2020, with your commitment to attend and/or send your DHS staff to the second convening. Additionally, please include your preferred dates in February 2020 for the second convening. We ask that you consider February 13 or February 14 to coincide with the CCI Steering Committee dates. Your commitment will be shared with Healthcare Policy and Finance (HCPF) and we will be requesting their attendance at the convening. Thank you in advance for your support. Sincerely, BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Barbara Kirkmeyer, Chair Hello