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DPW and
Counties Launch Integrated Children’s Planning
May 9,
2005
Counties
Receive Integrated Children’s Service Plan Guidelines
During the first week of May all of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties received
the Department of Public Welfare (DPW) bulletin providing guidelines and timeframes
for developing their Integrated Children’s Services Plan. Building on
last year’s experiences, DPW is striving to work with counties to advance
the goal of promoting - at the local level - the design and implementation
of an integrated system of services and resources which supports the healthy
growth and development of children. County plans are to be submitted to the
department by August 15. DPW will be providing counties with technical assistance
and will launch a web site on best practices with integrated planning.
MA Realignment
Strategy and Information
One strategy for service integration and funding is Medicaid realignment.
To facilitate this initiative DPW has recently formed a steering group that
is led by the deputy secretaries of the Office of Mental Health and Substance
Abuse Services; Office of Children, Youth and Families; and the Office of
Medical Assistance Programs. PCPA has been informed that this group is developing
a joint bulletin to provide information and guidance to counties and providers
engaged in integrated planning and the realignment of funding streams for
children’s services.
Participation
by Providers and Other Stakeholders
The Integrated Children’s Services Plan Guidelines call for the cross-systems
participation by
private agencies under contract with the county or providing services in collaboration
with any of the county agencies whose services are included in the plan. This
includes community providers and other agencies that make up the membership
of PCPA. Members are encouraged to contact the children’s services leadership
in the counties they serve to volunteer to participate actively in the integrated
service planning process. In addition to direct participation by service providers,
the guidelines call for the involvement of other stakeholders including family
members and adolescents who have received services. Providers may be instrumental
in helping counties identify individuals from these groups who can make a
contribution to the planning process.
For questions
regarding the integrated children’s services planning process, contact Connell O'Brien at PCPA.
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