CJ Division Minutes: J Wilcox Page 1 of 3
Community Justice Division
Division Meeting Minutes:April 18, 2012
Providers In Attendance: Tony Corso, CT Renaissance; Bill Farrell, The Connection, Inc. (TCI); Ray Grasso, Chrysalis Center; Howard Gibson, Community Solutions, Inc. (CSI); Sally Guy, Community Solutions, Inc. (CSI); Mike Kingsley, CNV Help, Inc.; Chris Leary, New Directions, Inc.; Diane Lepper, Partners for Community/ Corporation for Justice Management; Michele Macumber, Wheeler Clinic; Linda Mastrianni, Perception Programs, Inc. (PPI); Christopher McCluskey, Community Renewal Team, Inc. (CRT); Morris Moreland, Project Green; Aileen O’Brien, Community Solutions, Inc. (CSI); James Osborne, Catholic Charities; Bob Rametta, Community Partners in Action, Inc. (CPA); Mike Reynolds, Morris Foundation / Wellmore; Joe Riker, CT Renaissance; Deanne Scaringe, Community Partners in Action (CPA); Dave Stevenson, FHM Services, Inc.and Elizabeth Weibler, Community Solutions, Inc. (CSI.)
Department of Correction (DOC): Patricia Kupec, Counselor Supervisor, Thomas O’Connor, Parole Manager.
UCHC/CMHC:Vickie Alston, HSA / TS Manager
CT Association of Nonprofits: Ron CretaroJulia Wilcox
Introductions & Announcements:
Dave Stevenson, CJ Division Co- Chair and Julia Wilcox, CT Nonprofits, initiated introductions, and discussed the following announcements:
CT Nonprofits’ Weeks at the Capitol II: April 16-20, 2012, State Capitol, Hartford
Future Meeting Guests: 5.16.12: Leo Arnone, Commissioner, Department of Correction
CT Nonprofits’ Legislative Reception: 4.26.12, 5 PM, Old Judiciary, (East Side of the Capitol, 3rd floor)
DOC Updates: (Thomas O'Connor, Parole Manager, Parole & Community Services, DOC, DOC Staff)
Department Updates: Tom O’Connor provided an update related to staffing: As previously discussed, 45% of Mr. O’Connor’s Parole Officers are transitioning to different units within Parole. In an effort too accommodate the anticipated ‘learning curve,’ every region will have one Senior Parole Officer, and one new Parole Officer.
DOC continues to anticipate a summer Provider Meeting to get together and discuss the network and ‘where they are’ at that point.
Identification: Tom O’Connor reported that Mike Smith, Correctional Treatment Officer, DOC continues his efforts to address process concerns. While Officer Smith previously reported statistics that would support the fact that significant progress has been made, unfortunately, there appears to be a disconnect between the DOC data, and the reality faced by Providers of reentry services.
CT Nonprofits' DOC Data Collection Template: IDs & Clothing: In an effort to continue to partner with the DOC to address the situation, CT Nonprofits will once again distribute the ID Data Collection Templatethat Julia Wilcox developed for Providers to report on the situations experienced by their individual agencies. The template has since been expanded to also reflect issues related to inmates arriving with inadequate or inappropriate clothing (in addition to the ID concerns.) Providers agreed to survey intake data for a 60 day period. CT Nonprofits will summarize results and provide data for comparison to DOC. As recommended by P.M. O’Connor, Ms. Wilcox will contact Lt. Antonio Martins, Claims Liaison, DOC, to further discuss DOC’s progress to date, and ways in which CT Nonprofits may be able to increase collaborative efforts. Providers were reminded that if an individual is transferred to their program / agency without any ID, they are encouraged to directly contact Mike Smith, Correctional Treatment Officer, DOC:
Synthetic Marijuana: CT Nonprofits has reported to DOC that Providers continue to experience an increase in the number of incidents / issues involving their clients and impact upon their programs. As of 3.29.12, it is illegal to sell these substances. However, clearly, they are still readily available. DOC maintains consistent policy that use of synthetic marijuana will result in the same corrective measures as marijuana. Dave Stevenson reminded Providers regarding the information he previously provided, regarding a new form of testing. There is now an instant urine test for K-2, at a cost of $5.75 per test. This is a huge savings from the $30.00 per test that Providers currently pay to Redwood Labs. (Previously distributed: The information was received form the following: Nick Skaden Sales Manager, Drug Check / Express Diagnostics.)
UCHC/CMHC Updates(Vickie Alston, HSA / TS Manager):
Vickie Alston, HSA / TS Manager, provided a brief update including the following:
Medication pick-up at JohnDempseyHospital will discontinue as of May 1st.
Ms. Alston reviewed the DSS Voucher system process (previously reviewed.)
DSS now has five Entitlement Specialists (per Ms. Alston) with ‘150 years of experience between them.’
Providers are encouraged to contact Vanessa Gervais, Adult Support Unit, DSS, with any questions regarding procurement of medications:(860) 424-5305,
Court Support Services Division (CSSD) – Updates & Discussion(Julia Wilcox, CT Nonprofits, Provider Reps.):
Alternatives in the Community (AIC) ‘Report Card’ Development: Providers were reminded that during the March Meeting of the CJ Division, a discussion ensued regarding several areas of concern related to the AIC risk reduction indicators & aggregate AIC program Profiles.
Ms. Wilcox reported that CSSD continues to support the proposed CT Nonprofits / CSSD Collaboration moving forward. CT Nonprofits has worked with Barbara Lanza, Program Manager, CSSD, to plan a Development Process Meeting, regarding the implementation of the new AIC Report Cards. The meeting took place on 3.28.12, and included an opportunity for CT representatives to collaborate with members of the CSSD Executive Team, in the development process.
Development Process Meeting: 3.28.12 (Closed Meeting): Provider representatives reported that the meeting process was extremely collaborative and productive. CSSD Executive Staff made significant efforts to assure that input from the Provider reps. would be incorporated into the process. Representatives discussed the development to date, regarding the ‘Contracted Program Report Card’ which includes three elements as follows:
- Benchmarks starting in 2012.
- Budget – starting in 2012; measures and % value to be determined.
- CCAS – starting in 2013; measure will be year end total %value to be determined.
A brief discussion ensued regarding AIC risk reduction indicators & aggregate AIC program Profiles
(Note: Sincere appreciation to CT Nonprofits’ CSSD Provider Representatives: Sherry Albert, Community Solutions; SharleneCroteau, Wheeler Clinic; Beth Hines, Community Partners in Action; Larry Langhorn, NEON, Inc.; Marty Lynch, Project MORE; Linda Mastrianni, Perception Programs and Chris McCluskey, Community Renewal Team.
Adult Behavioral Health Services (ABHS) Contract Concerns: Providers were reminded that during the March Meeting of the CJ Division, a discussion ensued regarding several areas of concern related to the (ABHS) contract network including:
Anticipated re-procurement process for ABHS contract network
Recent legislative developments related to the proposed re-structuring of Medicaid for Low-Income Adults (LIA) under a Waiver system: Medicaid Rate Meld, Transition from unit cost to fixed amount.
As a result of discussion during the March Meeting and additional input from CSSD–funded Providers, CT Nonprofits developed a survey, related to ABHS concerns, and anticipated impact upon the network related to several areas previously discussed: CT Nonprofits' Data Collection: CSSD ABHS Contract Concerns)
CT Nonprofits' Data Collection: CSSD ABHS Contract Concerns: Data will be collected regarding the
following:
CSSD Contract amendments / special terms - effective April 1st
Language change regarding medical necessity
Transition from unit cost to fixed amount
Medicaid Rate Meld (i.e.: Cannot retro-actively bill CSSD for Medicaid rate meld / lower rate.)
Concerns re: the 4 month average utilized for the established rate for your organization
Criminal Justice Policy Advisory Commission (CJPAC): (David Stevenson, FHM, CT Nonprofits Rep.)
Previous Meeting: 3.29.12, Next Meeting: 4.26.12, 9:00 – 11:00 AM, LOB, 2B
PJOR Working Group: David Stevenson, FHM, CJ Division Co- Chair; CT Nonprofits’ Representative
State Government / Public Policy Updates:Ron Cretaro and Julia Wilcox, CT Nonprofits, provided a brief update regarding the following:
Legislative Session Updates; CT Nonprofits’ Advocacy Initiatives
Bill Tracking Review: CJ Specific & Cross-Sector Legislation Proposed
For clarification on any of the enclosed information, Providers should feel free to contact:
Julia Wilcox, Senior Pubic Policy Specialist, CT Nonprofits:; 860-525-5080 ext.25
Next monthly meeting of the Community Justice Division: May 16, 2012
Guest Presenter: Leo Arnone, Commissioner, Department of Correction
90 Brainard Road♦ Hartford, CT06114♦ Tel:860.525.5080 ♦ Fax: 860.525.5088 ♦