HB1536 - Relating to a rural community-based care pilot program.

  89R18939 AMF-F     By: Craddick H.B. No. 1536     Substitute the following for H.B. No. 1536:     By:  Hull C.S.H.B. No. 1536       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to a rural community-based care pilot program.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Chapter 264, Family Code, is amended by adding   Subchapter B-2 to read as follows:   SUBCHAPTER B-2. RURAL COMMUNITY-BASED CARE PILOT PROGRAM           Sec. 264.181.  DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:                 (1)     "Catchment area" has the meaning assigned by   Section 264.152.                 (2)     "Community-based care" means the provision of   child welfare services in accordance with state and federal child   welfare goals by a community-based nonprofit or local governmental   entity under the pilot program.                 (3)     "Eligible rural region" means a catchment area for   which the department requested but did not receive bids, proposals,   or other applicable expressions of interest to implement   community-based care under Subchapter B-1 in which at least   two-thirds of the counties comprising the area have a population of   50,000 or less.                 (4)     "Pilot program" means a rural community-based care   pilot program implemented under this subchapter.           Sec.   264.182.     IMPLEMENTATION OF PILOT PROGRAM. The   department, in partnership with a lead entity selected under   Section 264.183, shall develop and implement a rural   community-based care pilot program in an eligible rural region to:                 (1)     implement a community-based model of child welfare   services and increase community engagement in the child welfare   system;                 (2)     improve outcomes for children and families by   expanding the availability of child welfare services and promoting   innovation in the delivery of child welfare services to children   and families; and                 (3)     develop a sustainable, replicable model for the   provision of child welfare services in rural areas.           Sec.   264.183.     QUALIFICATIONS OF LEAD ENTITY; SELECTION;   PROCUREMENT.   (a)   To enter into a contract with the department to   serve as a lead entity to provide services under this subchapter, an   entity must be:                 (1)     a nonprofit entity that has a board of directors   composed entirely of residents of the catchment area; or                 (2)  a local government entity.           (b)     In selecting a lead entity, the department shall   consider whether a prospective contractor has:                 (1)  strong community support and partnerships;                 (2)     demonstrated experience leading collaborative   initiatives in the region; and                 (3)     the capacity to coordinate with local community   organizations to serve children and families.           (c)     The department shall request local stakeholders in an   eligible rural region to provide any necessary information about   the region that will assist the department in:                 (1)     preparing the department's request for bids,   proposals, or other applicable expressions of interest to provide   community-based care in the eligible rural region; and                 (2)     selecting a lead entity to provide community-based   care in the eligible rural region.           (d)     The department's request for bids, proposals, or other   applicable expressions of interest to provide community-based care   in the eligible rural region may include, in a single request,   services to develop the pilot program model and implement the pilot   program.           (e)     Notwithstanding any other law and to address the unique   challenges of providing community-based care to rural areas of this   state in an efficient manner the department may:                 (1)     procure, as a single procurement, services to   develop a pilot program model under Section 264.184(a) and   implement the pilot program under Section 264.184(b); and                 (2)     separately procure the services of the independent   evaluator under Section 264.194.           Sec.   264.184.     PILOT PROGRAM MODEL AND IMPLEMENTATION   SCHEDULE; AUTHORITY.   (a)   The department, in partnership with the   lead entity, shall develop a pilot program model that includes a   timeline, with identified funding, for implementing   community-based care in the eligible rural region and that   addresses:                 (1)  the following services for families and children:                       (A)     family-based services to ensure child safety   and prevent entry into foster care;                       (B)     family preservation services, as defined by   Section 262.401;                       (C)  case management;                       (D)  foster care and kinship care services;                       (E)  adoption and post-adoption services;                       (F)     transition services for youth aging out of   foster care; and                       (G)     any additional services necessary to meet the   needs of children and families in the region;                 (2)     the development of and coordination with a diverse   network of service providers, including faith-based organizations,   local mental health authorities, and others to ensure comprehensive   service delivery;                 (3)     the development and implementation of innovative   approaches to improve outcomes for children and families;                 (4)     any identified geographic disparities in service   availability and access in the region's child welfare system;                 (5)     the creation and oversight of a quality assurance   system; and                 (6)     the implementation of a system to manage financial   risks and resources, including state and federal funds.           (b)     To implement the pilot program model developed under   Subsection (a), a lead entity may:                 (1)     develop and implement policies and procedures   regarding the provision of community-based care within the scope of   applicable law and consistent with department policies and   procedures, unless waived under Section 264.189;                 (2)     allocate resources as needed to meet community   needs; and                 (3)     enter into contracts with service providers,   including contracts for case management services.           Sec.   264.185.     COMMUNITY ALLIANCE. (a)   The department and   lead entity shall establish a community alliance or similar group   of stakeholders to provide a forum for community participation and   governance of community-based care under the pilot program. The   department and lead entity shall collaborate with:                 (1)     local families with lived experience in the child   welfare system;                 (2)     local representatives from sectors related to the   child welfare system, including the judiciary, education, and   health care; and                 (3)  other community stakeholders.           (b)     The duties of the community alliance or similar group of   stakeholders described by Subsection (a) shall include:                 (1)     joint planning with the department and lead entity   regarding resource utilization in the community, including   resources appropriated to the department and any funds provided by   local funding sources for that purpose;                 (2)     conducting needs assessments and establishing of   community priorities for service delivery;                 (3)     determining community outcome goals to supplement   state-required outcomes;                 (4)     serving as a catalyst for community resource   development, including:                       (A)     identifying existing programs, services, and   assistance available from community- and faith-based   organizations;                       (B)     encouraging the development and increased   availability of programs, services, and assistance available from   community- and faith-based organizations; and                       (C)     informing the department and the lead entity   of programs, services, and assistance available from community- and   faith-based organizations and working to facilitate the lead   entity's use of the available resources;                 (5)     providing for community education and advocacy   regarding issues related to delivery of services; and                 (6)  promoting family preservation services.           Sec.   264.186.     DEVELOPMENT OF FUNDING AND RESOURCES. (a)   The department shall seek input from the lead entity regarding the   feasibility of a capitated funding model for the provision of   services under the pilot program.   If the department determines   that a capitated funding model is feasible, the department shall   develop a capitated funding model that provides a fixed rate of   funding per child receiving services under the pilot program.           (b) Regardless of whether the department implements a   capitated funding model under Subsection (a), the department   shall ensure that the funding model for the pilot program:                 (1)     accounts for the additional costs of providing   services to geographically dispersed populations in rural areas,   including:                       (A)  increased transportation costs;                       (B)     challenges in achieving economies of s [Text truncated for display. Full text available on Congress.gov.]