Revision: Jan. 9, 2018, 8:21 a.m.
SB 310-FN - AS INTRODUCED
2018 SESSION
18-2990
05/03
SENATE BILL 310-FN
AN ACT establishing a pilot program for community-based diversion services.
SPONSORS: Sen. Morse, Dist 22; Sen. Bradley, Dist 3; Sen. Avard, Dist 12; Sen. Gray, Dist 6; Sen. Fuller Clark, Dist 21; Sen. Carson, Dist 14
COMMITTEE: Health and Human Services
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ANALYSIS
This bill establishes a pilot program through which the department of health and human services shall contract with local organizations to provide community-based diversion services to prevent the need for foster care and other out-of-home placements.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
18-2990
05/03
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Eighteen
AN ACT establishing a pilot program for community-based diversion services.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Subdivision; Pilot Program for Community-Based Diversion Services. Amend RSA 170-G by inserting after section 19 the following new subdivision:
Community-Based Diversion Services Pilot Program
170-G:20 Community-Based Diversion Services. In this subdivision, "community-based diversion services" mean services provided to a child or family in their community that are designed to strengthen the family structure, improve parenting skills, or otherwise prevent children from entering the foster care system by addressing potential issues before they rise to a crisis level and result in children being removed from the home.
170-G:21 Pilot Program Established. The department of health and human services shall establish a 2-year pilot program for community-based diversion services by contracting with local nonprofit and governmental entities that have the ability to provide child welfare services in accordance with state and federal child welfare goals.
170-G:22 Qualifications; Selection.
I. To enter into a 2-year contract with the department to provide community-based diversion services, a provider shall be a nonprofit that has an organizational mission focused on child welfare or a governmental entity.
II. In awarding the contract, the department shall consider whether a provider has demonstrated experience in offering services to children and families.
170-G:23 Required Contract Provisions. A contract with a provider to provide community-based diversion services shall include provisions that:
I. Establish a timeline for the implementation of services over a 2-year period, beginning from the date the contract is awarded.
II. Establish conditions for access to relevant department data and require the provider’s compliance with the data access and standards governance plan established under RSA 170-G:25.
III. Allow the department to conduct a performance review of the provider beginning 18 months after the provider has begun providing services to children and families and determine if the provider has achieved any performance outcomes specified in the contract.
IV. Require the provider to make available preliminary and ongoing community engagement plans to ensure communication and collaboration with local stakeholders, including any of the following:
(a) Community entities, including faith-based community entities;
(b) The judiciary;
(c) Court-appointed special advocates;
(d) Child advocacy centers;
(e) Service providers;
(f) Parents or guardians;
(g) Local schools; and
(h) Any other stakeholders, as determined by the provider.
170-G:24 Readiness Review Process for Community-Based Diversion Services Provider.
I. The department shall develop a formal review process to assess the ability of the provider to provide evidence-based, promising practice, or evidence-informed supports for children and families; and
II. The department shall develop the review process under paragraph I before the department may expand community-based care diversion services outside of the initial service area.
170-G:25 Data Access and Standards Governance Plan.
I. The department, in consultation with the department of information technology, shall create a data access and standards governance plan regarding protocols for the electronic transfer of data from the provider to the department.
II. The plan shall include protocols for the access, management, and security of case data that is electronically shared by a provider with the department.
170-G:26 Review of Performance. The department shall develop a formal review process to evaluate a provider’s delivery and administration of community-based diversion services and programs.
170-G:27 Confidentiality.
I. The records of a provider relating to the provision of services provided to a child or family under this subdivision shall be confidential in the same manner as records of the department pursuant to RSA 170-G:8-a.
II. The provider, and any employee or subcontractor thereof, shall be required to execute a confidentiality agreement and shall be bound by the confidentiality provisions of RSA 169-C:25 and RSA 170-G:8-a.
I. The commissioner of the department of health and human services shall issue a request for proposals (RFP) to implement a 2-year pilot program for community-based diversion services from qualified vendors. The RFP shall be issued no later than September 1, 2018.
II. The RFP shall be to provide services in a designated area of high need, as identified by the department. The department shall take into consideration:
(a) Disproportionate numbers of referrals to the department of health and human services, division for children, youth and families that result in children being referred to the foster care system;
(b) Elevated school truancy rates; and
(c) Disproportionate numbers of free and reduced lunch students.
3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
18-2990
1/2/18
SB 310-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS INTRODUCED
AN ACT establishing a pilot program for community-based diversion services.
FISCAL IMPACT: [ X ] State [ ] County [ ] Local [ ] None
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| Estimated Increase / (Decrease) | |||
STATE: | FY 2019 | FY 2020 | FY 2021 | FY 2022 |
Appropriation | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Expenditures | Indeterminable Increase | Indeterminable Increase | Indeterminable Increase | $0 |
Funding Source: | [ X ] General [ ] Education [ ] Highway [ ] Other | |||
METHODOLOGY:
This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to establish a pilot program for community-based diversion services and to contract with local nonprofit and governmental entities to provide these services. The Department states that the cost of the program is currently indeterminable, as it will depend on responses to the request for proposals as well as the Department's ability to negotiate with providers.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Department of Health and Human Services