Agenda - 05-18-2004-5m - Laserfiche WebLink

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services and must privatize the service system -divest direct service responsibilities -within three years, or by 2006. The new role of the LME will be to manage the provider network, create and maintain a service access system, evaluate regional system performance, tailor the deployment of state resources to meet local identified needs, mobilize community response to meet identified needs, advocate using state and other resources to meet local community needs, display the results of system performance to all stakeholders, and manage a public process far selecting priorities in the use of public resources for those with DD, MH, and SA issues. Some of the threats brought forward by reform include disruptions in service if privatization is too hasty, cost/problem shifting as state institutions are downsized, and system fragmentation as private providers "cherry pick". Opportunities within reform for local communities include the chance to nurture innovation, exploit synergy among agencies, and develop new, needed services, OPC has heard consistently throughout Steering Committee meetings and community feedback sessions is "Don't mess up things' like DD services, Club Nova, ACT (Assertive Community Treatment) Teams, the system of care for children, and court related endeavors such as Mental Health and Drug Court. By entering into the Interlocal Cooperation Agreement, the three counties establish a process by which they agree to adopt and administer an annual program budget that enables each county to share proportionately inthe costs of programs necessary to meet basic requirements under State reform, the programs that serve and benefit all three alike, and be individually responsible for others that serve and benefit only their unique needs. County management from Orange, Person, and Chatham is working with OPC management to clarify and coordinate consideration by their respective Boards of unique programs that, upon demonstration to the state that good faith efforfs have been made to divest, could be integrated into county government operations (among other options, i.e.; establish a new non-profit or fall under the umbrella of the OPC Foundation) in order to sustain service viability. Examples of programs under review in Orange include Childhood Early Intervention and Family Services of Orange County/KidSCope, Adult Day Treatment, and Treatment Alternatives to Street Crimes (TASC). Due diligence by the County would consist of a careful examination of revenue streams, synergy among existing human service functions, and impacts on existing infrastructure including management support. FINANCIAL IMPACT: The State has provided no financing plan for the implementation of mental health reform, but has committed to full funding of the Local Management Entity. Steering Committee efforts at the programmatic level are directed towards service changes and improvements that they believe can be accomplished without adverse financial impact to the three counties.. However, budgetary specifics cannot be addressed with any accuracy at this time and would have to be defined as monitoring and evaluation of the Local Business Plan continue. The Steering Committee has consistently articulated to the State that it would not divest vital program services prematurely. Recent rules issued by the State set forth definitions under which certain services could be contihued as part of the new LME or by county govemment. State reimbursement rates for direct services are yet to be issued. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board set a public hearing date of June 8, 2004 during its regularly schedraled meeting to receive public comment on entering into the Interlocal Cooperation Agreement.