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September 26, 2006
Whitney Building, Sheridan College
Sheridan, Wyoming
Representative Elaine Harvey, Chair
Senator John Hines
Senator Mike Massie
Representative Rosie Berger
Representative John Hastert
Senator Hank
Coe, Vice Chairman
Representative Bruce Barnard
Gerald W. Laska, Staff Attorney
Don C. Richards, Senior Research Analyst
Please refer to Appendix 1 to review the
Committee Sign-in Sheet
for a list of other individuals who attended the meeting.
The Select Committee on Developmental
Programs met for one day in Sheridan, Wyoming.
The Committee heard testimony on a bill to revise the statutory
authority of the Wyoming State Training School, and voted to table the draft
legislation. The Committee voted to
sponsor legislation relating to the funding of emergency cases for persons
likely to have a developmental disability or adult brain injury. The Committee tabled legislation that would
have required the Wyoming Department of Health to study cost-based
reimbursement services of waiver service providers. The Committee voted to consider legislation
enhancing the per child reimbursement amount to address a salary discrepancy
with comparable K-12 teachers; legislation that would increase the per child
reimbursement amount for preschool services to provide mental health/social
emotional development services; and legislation that would reauthorize the
Committee for one additional year.
The next meeting will be on Thursday,
November 16, 2006 in Casper, Wyoming.
Chair Harvey called
the meeting to order at 8:05 a.m. The
following sections summarize the Committee proceedings by topic. Please
refer to Appendix 2 to review the Committee meeting agenda.
Representative
Berger moved to approve the minutes from the June 12th and 13th
meeting of the Select Committee. Her
motion was seconded and carried unanimously without change to the minutes.
Representative
Harvey introduced draft legislation prepared by LSO staff which responds to the
Committee's request at the June 13th meeting in Lander to revise the
statutes of the Wyoming State Training School (WSTS). She noted that the draft incorporates many of
the suggestions of a Task Force of interested parties and opened the discussion
to testimony. (See Appendix 3 for a copy
of the draft legislation.)
Cliff Mikesell, Administrator,
DDD, urged the Committee to consider the following changes to the draft
legislation:
Mr. Mikesell believes W.S. 25-5-115(a)(iii) is contradictory to W.S.
25-5-115(c) as written. He suggests inserting
the following language on page 21, at the end of line 12, "except as
described as 25-5-115(c).”
Next, Mr. Mikesell expressed concerns with paragraph W.S.25-5-115(c),
since he believes this paragraph requires the Developmental Disabilities
Division (DDD) to comply with a circular requirement. Mr. Mikesell recommended that on page 21,
line 4, after the word "unavailable" insert “due to lack of funding,
the person may remain at the facility until funding becomes available.” He noted that the waiver has more stringent
criteria and that not everyone at WSTS would be eligible for waiver services.
Finally, Mr. Mikesell noted that on page 22, draft section W.S.
25-5-115(d), the citation W.S. 9-2-103(a)(ii) refers to DDD, not WSTS. Mr. Mikesell asked the Committee to consider
requiring the new reports contemplated by the draft legislation come from WSTS,
not DDD.
Responding to
Committee questions, Mr. Mikesell explained the eligibility for the waiver is
defined under the 1983 AAMR definition, while the definition of eligibility for
services at WSTS in the draft legislation goes well beyond the 1983
criteria. He noted that the waiver
eligibility must not be more liberal than the WSTS eligibility.
Richard Leslie,
Wyoming Epilepsy Foundation and Governor's Planning Council on Developmental
Disabilities, expressed his concern relating to the language on pages 41 and 42
of the draft bill. He asked that if the
rights enumerated can be limited, how is a person supposed to communicate,
grow, and improve? The Committee then
discussed Mr. Leslie's concern and noted that the rights are to be restricted
only if it is included in the individual's plan for purposes of health and
safety. Responding to a Committee
inquiry, Jerry Laska, Staff Attorney, opined that this would likely be an
administrative determination and be subject to the Administrative Procedures
Act (APA). Mr. Laska added that those
requirements would afford the client a notice, hearing, and an opportunity to
appeal.
Sue Williams, Client
Rights Specialist, WSTS, clarified that the intent of including the limitations
in the law is a safeguard or limitation on staff. She indicated that it is not intended to
limit rights, but to require a full plan and formal process. Responding to Committee questions, Ms. Williams
stated that rights to personal privacy have been limited since close
supervision is required for persons who cannot be left unattended, for example.
Larry Samson, Chair
of Regional Service Providers (RSPs), and CEO of RENEW, provided the Committee
two handouts. (See Appendices 4 and 5.) He noted that the first handout, in the form
of a letter from Ms. Ruth Sommers to the Committee, articulates several areas
of the proposed draft on which the RSPs would request changes. In sum, Mr. Samson proposed deleting the language
regarding least restrictive environment.
He asked that the draft incorporate the idea of a single point of
entry. He also indicated that the
barriers to community placement be identified immediately and not after 90
days. Mr. Samson suggested that
decisions such as removing someone from the Training Center should be team
decisions, not individual decisions of the Superintendent. He concluded by recommending expansion of the
reporting requirements outlined in the draft.
Buck Gwyn, Protection
and Advocacy, provided two sets of comments relating to the draft. (Appendices
6 & 7.) Reading from the comments in
Appendix 6, Mr. Gwyn suggested that the Weston
settlement compels the state to provide community services. He stressed the need for community-based
treatment and placements and suggested that many persons currently residing in
Wyoming’s institutions could be served in community programs. He urged the Committee to address the issues
in the order of: (a) community programs,
(b) guardianship, and then (c) WSTS. Responding to Committee questions, Mr. Gwyn
indicated that P&A was invited to participate in the Task Force's work. He indicated that P&A monitored the
process. He concluded by stating that
today is the first time P&A has presented their concerns with the draft
legislation, but noted that others had provided similar comments during the
process.
Representative
Berger suggested to Mr. Gwyn that the Committee has struggled with funding for
community services, and asked how they might accomplish what Mr. Gwyn is
recommending. Mr. Gwyn responded that when jobs are competitive,
pay and availability of benefits are at issue.
He added efforts to recruit workers, training by our community colleges,
sharing resources with private enterprises, tax benefits, and tuition credits
could all build capacity in the communities.
Senator Case addressed
the Committee and thanked them for their hard work and commended the efforts of
those who worked on the draft legislation.
He stated that the 2005 Joint Committee on the Department of Health Review
looked at WSTS and concluded that it be used as a resource center. (See Appendix 8 for an excerpt of the
Committee's findings.) Senator Case
pointed out that it is extremely expensive to serve medically needy citizens
out of state, and people with developmental disabilities are not the only
population affected by the changes in this draft bill. He supports the notion that choice of service
has to be informed, knowledgeable and respected. Senator Case stated his support for the legislation
as it provides a vision of how WSTS and community providers could work
together. Senator Case concluded his
comments by suggesting the State has fulfilled most of the Weston lawsuit, and when Weston
settlement was agreed to, there was a realization that some people would be
served at the WSTS. Senator Case noted
that federal law allows choice, including being served at WSTS. Responding to inquiries from the Committee, Senator
Case agreed that the state needs methamphetamine treatment, but added his
concern about integrating offenders with the fragile populations within the
WSTS campus.
Chris Boston, Executive
Director of NOWCAP, addressed the Committee.
He drew distinctions between the WSTS and community services. He commended the WSTS adaptive equipment shop. On the other hand, he noted that among all
community service providers there are about 250 people with developmental
disabilities in competitive employment out of about 1,000 persons served. According to Mr. Boston, their clients take
part in voter education, service with the March of Dimes, YMCA, Habitat for
Humanity, and other volunteer activities.
They choose their own therapists,
doctors, hair stylists, and case managers.
Some medically fragile people travel, go on vacations, go whitewater
rafting, etc. Mr. Boston indicated that
the providers serve people with varying medical complications including feeding
tubes, catheters, ventilators, etc.
Darlene Suitor addressed
the Committee as a mother of a young man that has been served by a community
program for 25 years. Her son elected to
move to Sheridan from Casper, where he is the mailman in the courthouse and is
served by RENEW. Ms. Suitor noted that
her son has made many friends and that community activities and services are
important.
Scott Harnsberger,
Lander Treasurer and co-guardian for his sister, addressed the Committee. He noted that his sister was admitted to WSTS
in 1962 and later his family chose to move his sister to ARC in Laramie. While at ARC, his sister had hip surgery, and
ARC could no longer work with her. Then,
Community Entry Services in Lander initiated services for her, and recently, his
sister has been moved back to the WSTS.
He feels that the services provided at the WSTS are services that his
sister needs. In closing, Mr.
Harnsberger urged the Committee to keep choice in the bill, including the
option of receiving services through the WSTS.
Diane Baird Hudson,
Superintendent, WSTS, summarized the activities of the Task Force, which
generated the ideas behind the legislation, including the development of the
legislative draft. (Ms. Baird Hudson's
testimony is provided in Appendix 9.)
She walked the Committee through her recommended changes (noted in the Appendix). Ms. Baird-Hudson suggested that the draft
provides for the most appropriate use of resources at WSTS. Ms. Hudson indicated the vision for the
legislation was to be encompassing of the services provided to people on the
WSTS campus, not just those with developmental disabilities. She indicated that the Division on Aging was
included in the discussions, and she recently attended a statewide meeting of
Nursing Homes, where responses to the changes were favorable, especially for
persons with sub-acute, specialized needs.
She indicated that WSTS could serve 25 additional people within the
constraints of existing staff. Ms. Baird
Hudson cited W.S. 9-2-106(c) as broad statutory language to allow the WDH to
use the state institutions to serve other needs.
Senator Hines
inquired about why the involuntary commitment language currently in statute and
recommended by the Task Force to be stricken was left in the draft bill. Jerry Laska, LSO Staff Attorney, explained
the language was left in for three reasons: (i) the issue may be beyond the
scope of the Committee, (ii) the issue was not included in the original motion,
and (iii) the recommended changes may require significant research to determine
the interaction with several different existing statutes.
Dr. Brent Sherard,
Director, WDH, addressed the Committee and initiated his comments by stating
his support for Ms. Hudson’s and Mr. Mikesell’s changes to the bill. He noted that from a management perspective,
there was little oversight of the five WDH institutions, historically. His vision is that patients should receive
the best care in the most cost effective manner. Dr. Sherard believes patients should be
served in communities, but he also believes the State should have the capacity
of a safety net. He remarked that the
Division of Developmental Disabilities should be the lead agency.
In response to
Committee questions, Dr. Sherard indicated that a master plan for the state's
institutions was in the planning stage of even conducting the study, but he
concurs for the need for such a study, which he believes would require a large,
inter-agency top-down approach with direction from A&I. Dr. Sherard indicated there is no long-range
plan for institutions generally or for persons with developmental disabilities
specifically to the best of his knowledge.
Dr. Sherard noted that one of the
problems with long-range planning is the ability to project future needs or
available funds. Mr. Mikesell stated
that the Governor’s Planning Council for Developmental Disabilities did
recently prepare a five-year plan through a very comprehensive process.
The Committee then
discussed whether further study is needed, if there is some part of the draft
legislation that was critical, whether there are any items within the current
draft that have consensus, and what timing and resources might be needed to
support and initiate the master planning process referred to by Dr.
Sherard. The Committee also briefly
discussed whether they would be asking the Legislature for reauthorization of
the Committee for an additional year. In
anticipation of potentially working the bill, Representative Harvey passed out
a draft amendment addressing the need for a single point of entry. (See Appendix 10.) Senator Massie moved to table the bill. The motion was seconded and passed.
Representative
Harvey provided background related to the 07LSO-0135.W1, Medicaid emergency
cases. (See Appendix 11 for a copy of
the draft legislation.) She discussed
the provisions of the proposal and walked the Committee through the bill.
Cliff Mikesell, DDD,
addressed the Committee and noted he felt the intent of the draft was to
provide services that are not immediately billable for waiver services. Therefore, he recommended striking
"waiver services" and inserting "customary services as provided
by home and community-based waivers" on page 2, line 12. Mr. Mikesell explained that waiver services
could not be provided until both financial and clinically eligibility have been
determined. Mr. Mikesell added that this
draft could provide for financing of services before waiver qualification. Mr. Mikesell also made the following
suggestions:
ü
on line
14, after the word "eligibility", insert "for waiver services",
or even more prescriptive language if the draft bill should extend to children
and ABI waivers.
ü
on pages 2 and 3, delete the appropriation
from federal funds and reduce the general fund appropriation to perhaps
$500,000 per year.
Representative Harvey
inquired about whether federal funds could be used retroactively for services
previously provided. Mr. Peck, CFO, WDH,
indicated that would require further review.
Marilyn Patton, DFS,
addressed the Committee and offered two handouts (Appendices 12 and 13). Ms. Patton indicated that her Department has
just $35,000 per year to provide community services within the context of
emergency adult protective services.
According to her, this is a woefully inadequate amount, and as such, Adult
Protective Services (APS) may not be too helpful in addressing emergency cases. But, Ms. Patton noted that the number of
cases that qualify as emergencies is growing.
She provided background on APS and programs to provide those services in
the community.
Senator Massie moved to adopt the bill. The motion was seconded. Senator Hines suggested changing the title to
incorporate ABI and DD emergency cases.
The Committee directed staff to incorporate an more prescriptive catch
title that would incorporate ABI and DD emergency cases.
Senator Hines also questioned
what would happen for an emergency case that was ultimately deemed ineligible
for waiver services. Senator Massie inquired
if the time line for the rule requirement was too aggressive. In response, Mr. Mikesell asked for one year.
Senator Massie moved
to delete "October 1, 2007" on page 2, line 1 and insert "April
1, 2008". Senator Hines inquired
about the use of emergency rules to initiate the program. Dr. Sherard responded that the rules process
is a very lengthy process. Senator
Massie's motion was seconded and passed.
Senator Massie moved
to delete “waiver” on page 2, line 2 and to insert on line 4, after the word
"services", “for developmental disabilities and adult brain injury”. The motion was seconded, and it passed.
Senator Massie moved
to delete "waiver" on page 2, line 12 and insert
"customary" and insert "as provided by home and community-based
waivers for persons with developmental disabilities and adult brain
injury" on line 12 after the word "services". The motion was seconded, and it passed.
Senator Massie moved
to delete the balance of the line after "2007" on page 2, line 20
through ":". He further moved
to replace the appropriation on page 2, lines 22 and 23 with "Five hundred
thousand dollars ($500,000.00) from the budget reserve account and any federal
matching funds for which the expenditures may qualify." Senator Massie further moved to delete lines
2 and 3 on page 3 in their entirety. The
motion was seconded, and it passed.
Senator Massie moved
to insert "not" after the word "shall" on page 3, line 11. He further moved that LSO staff insert a
requirement for an annual report to the Joint Appropriations Committee to be
due on October 1 each year including accounting for the amount of expenditures
and number of persons served through this emergency funding. Finally, Senator Massie moved to make the
bill effective immediately rather than on July 1, 2007. Senator Massie's motion, in full, was
seconded, and it was passed.
The Committee
directed LSO staff to make any necessary conforming amendments in light of the
adopted amendments.
Senator Massie moved
that the bill be sponsored by the Committee, as amended. The motion was seconded, and it passed.
Mr. Mikesell
discussed the status of DDD rules and indicated that the Attorney General’s
Office determined the changes made after public comment were not substantive. Dr. Sherard indicated that the rules should go
to the Governor in the first two weeks of October.
Next, Mr. Mikesell
indicated that WDH had contracted with Navigant to review the DOORS model, and
a project advisory panel had been convened.
(See Appendix 14.) Mr. Mikesell
indicated that preliminary indications are that the DOORS model accomplishes
its originally stated objectives.
However, it appears that the objectives have changed over time and new
objectives are emerging, according to Mr. Mikesell. Mr. Mikesell added that both revisions to the
model and alternative models will be considered during the course of the
evaluation.
The Committee
adjourned for lunch at approximately 12:15 a.m. and reconvened at 1:30 p.m.
Kevin Malm and Cliff
Mikesell, WDH, discussed a contract with Navigant to review provider rates. (See Appendix 15.) Mr. Malm indicated that over the past three
years Navigant has been involved in collecting financial data on the provision
of waiver services. For FY07, the WDH
will institute standardization to assist in determining the feasibility of a
cost-based system, according to Mr. Malm.
Navigant is considering methodologies used in other states and may bring
forth an innovative approach. Mr.
Mikesell stated they would be exploring ideas of different models as well as
opportunities for re-basing the rates through some sort of an automatic
mechanism.
Chair Harvey
introduced 07LSO-0136.W1, Medicaid developmental services study, for purposes
of discussion. (See Appendix 16.) Chair Harvey asked for input by the
Department as to whether, given the current study with Navigant, WDH is already
doing what the bill prescribes. Mr.
Mikesell responded that they essentially are already doing this, and cautioned
that the time lines in the bill are too short to adequately consider data
analysis and stakeholder input. Mr. Mikesell explained that under the current
study, he did not anticipate having the cost data collected until July 2007,
and then after obtaining provider input and testing the assumptions, the final
analysis would not be complete until the spring of 2008.
The Committee then
discussed what mechanisms might be available to get help to those communities
where there is a need to stabilize provider staff. Shawn Griffin, CES and John Holdringer,
Mountain Regional Services both testified as to the recent turnover in their
operations. Mr. Griffin explained his
major concern is the lack of applicants to fill open positions.
Senator Massie moved
to table 07LSO-0136.W1. His motion was
seconded, and it passed.
Mr. Mikesell then
reported to the Committee on the status of the "real choice" waiver. He stated DDD had initiated a parent group,
but hasn't had the manpower to progress with the waiver. He added that the Division is advertising for
a position to administer the Real Choice Waiver, and hopefully, will have
someone on board as of the first of November.
Mr. Mikesell reported that the Division has a draft of the waiver and has
outlined a process for a stakeholder group input, but cautioned that this area needs
a lot of work.
Mr. Mikesell introduced Donna Merrill, with whom the Division
contracted to prepare a series of reports required on preschool funding. (See Appendix 17 for a complete copy of each
report.) The following is a very brief
summary of the findings in the reports, articulated by Ms. Merrill:
ü
Compensation
levels – Ms. Merrill
indicated that the disparities in salaries identified in Dr. Goetze's 2005
report remain this year, despite the increase in funding due to the increase in
K-12 funding. Furthermore, a school
district may pay an additional $1,500 to $2,000 for national certification
beyond the published salary schedules.
Ms. Merrill noted that the report's appendix includes a table of the
findings, by occupation, and that everything is prorated for 185 days. Ms. Merrill recommended two options for the
Legislature: First, increase the
statutory amount in a specific dollar amount.
Second, address the disparity in the biennial exception budget request.
ü
Least
restrictive environment –
Ms. Merrill provided background on IDEA.
She reported that in SY 05-06, 97.2 percent of eligible infants and
toddlers received early intervention services in natural environments. According
to the report Ms. Merrill noted that the State Performance Plans for Part C and
Part B have identified the provision of early intervention services in natural
environments and special education and related services in the least
restrictive environment as monitoring priorities. The recommendations for this report
include continued monitoring of these services.
ü
Evidence-based
practices – Ms. Merrill
reported that the regional developmental preschool programs unanimously elected
to adopt the Division for Early Childhood’s nationally recommended practices as
the statewide standard for service delivery in the fall of 2005. Ms. Merrill reported the results of a
self-assessment of the use of evidence based best practices. The WDH recommends establishing a permanent,
statewide social-emotional development system including the provision of
regional social-emotional development coordinators.
ü
Parent
Expectations and Student Progress – Ms. Merrill indicated that this report is the initial exploration of
whether developmental preschools are meeting parent expectations and children
are making sufficient and measurable progress based upon parent satisfaction
surveys and student performance measurements.
She also explained the Wyoming Child Outcome form that will be used to
measure preschool student progress. Data
Driven Enterprises will aggregate the data and compile the results.
ü
Mental
Health Pilot Project - Ms. Merrill summarized the process used to
collect data on mental health services for infants and preschoolers. The study evaluated the effectiveness of
training and the amount of new information retained by participants, in two
different groups, or tiers. The WDH
recommended an increase of $363 in per-child funding for developmental
preschools to fund a social-emotional development coordinator for each regional
developmental preschool program using state dollars.
ü
Capital
Construction needs – Ms. Merrill summarized the 2005 reporting results and a 2006 survey
of the regional developmental preschool programs and their capital needs. The results of the 2006 survey are included
in the report. Further, Ms. Merrill indicated that the WDH’s
recommendation is to change the statute to allow the legislature to appropriate
capital construction funds to regional developmental preschool programs. She indicated the survey results suggest
capital construction costs in the range of $30 million. Mr. Mikesell indicated that the responses to
the survey on capital construction were sporadic.
The Select Committee
discussed the potential constitutional barriers to such a change and explored
other opportunities, including supporting the use of excess space in school
buildings as well as community investments that may develop as a result of
expanded child care legislation. Senator
Massie noted these issues were being explored by the Select Committee on School
Facilities and the Legislative Oversight Committee on Quality Child Care.
Lori Morrow, SDE,
provided a report of the amount of funding provided to developmental preschools
for "child find" activities. (See
Appendix 18 for a copy of the draft report.)
Ms. Morrow noted that statewide
expenditures actually exceeded the amount of federal "619" funds
provided for such efforts, but noted that not all districts were expending the
full amount, and some districts were not expending any of their 619 funds
received on child find activities directly.
She added that three districts have not yet reported, but will by
the October 1 deadline. The Committee
discussed what could be done for districts reporting no expenditures on
"child find" activities, and the Committee requested that the total
amount of 619 funds received by each district be shown in addition to the
amounts expended for the final report.
Tiernan McIlwaine,
Stride Learning Center and Kathleen Orton, CDS, addressed the Committee
regarding their impressions of the required reports on developmental
preschools. Ms. Orton indicated the
total expenditures on "child find" activities was encouraging. In terms of compensation, Ms. Orton explained
even though preschool teachers are still behind the market, some regions were
able to fill vacancies and others reported not losing staff. According to Ms. Orton, some districts indicated
that salary rates will be comparable. Specifically,
two regions indicated they were current after recalibration, and did so at the
expense of other priorities. Ms. Orton
indicated that average increase in salaries was 17 percent, and the regions put
everything they could into salaries, rather than child find and professional
development.
Tiernan McIlwaine,
STRIDE Learning Center, stated that 85 percent of STRIDE’s budget goes toward
salary and personnel expenditures. He
also relayed a story demonstrating the potential benefits from the mental
health pilot project.
Representative
Harvey inquired about the necessary per child amount needed to bring up the
salaries to competitive levels. Ms.
Morrow indicated that a little over $1,200 is recommended this year. Ms. Orton indicated that the figure is
$1,297, which would still result in a per child amount that is below the
national average.
Mr. Mikesell and
Kevin Malm, DDD, provided a summary of out-of-home placements and waiting lists,
including a summary of the Division's budget request for the 2007 Budget Session.
(See Appendix 19.)
Mr. Mikesell
indicated that the Division expected that about half of the 400 clients who did
not have out-of-home placements would want out-of-home placement. However, based upon a survey of waiver
clients, and after taking into consideration nonrespondents and transitions,
the expected number clients wanting out-of-home placements is 61. Kevin Malm explained that the numbers could
be revised later in the budget process.
Mr. Malm indicated that the current waiting lists totals 33 across all
three waivers through August 31: 13
adults, 1 ABI, and 19 children. Bob
Peck, CFO, WDH, clarified that the requests enumerated in the Divisions handout
(Appendix 19) were requests for use of the $60 million Medicaid set-aside from
the last budget and not a request for new funding.
The Committee asked
whether the providers would be able to handle the influx of out-of-home
placements. John Holderegger, Mountain
Regional Services, indicated that some clients could be brought in and fill
existing group homes to capacity. He
added that there are 1,500 other providers in addition to the regional
providers. Shawn Griffin, CES, indicated
that it would be difficult for his centers to accommodate the increase. He added that it is necessary to invest in
capacity building and that will take time.
Gary Frield, Big Horn Enterprises, stated his region could handle an influx,
but that staffing remains a problem. John
Godell, Rock Springs, Southwest Region, indicated that it would not be possible
to serve new people at this time. He
stated that his region has the physical space, but not employees.
Senator Massie made
a motion for the Select Committee to support the Division's recommended budget
increases in their annual report and as a direct recommendation to the Joint Appropriations
Committee and to further request that the funding come from the Medicaid
set-aside funding. The motion was
seconded, and it passed.
Chair Harvey
questioned if any consideration was given to increasing staff salaries during
the supplemental session. Mr. Mikesell
responded that WDH did not request any money in the area of salaries in this
budget.
Representative
Harvey introduced 07LSO-0134.W1, Department of health purchased services, for the
Committee’s consideration. She indicated
that with the recent increases given to the preschools, this bill is presented
to remove the ten percent community match requirement of the preschool service
providers.
Senator Massie
inquired if this matching requirement currently applies to preschool
services. In response, Mr. Mikesell
explained that DDD requested an opinion from the Attorney General, which has
not yet been received. Jerry Laska, LSO
Staff Attorney, opined that the current statutory provision probably would not
apply to non-county preschool service providers.
The Committee asked
Mr. Mikesell to follow-up with the Attorney General for a response to their
question. The bill died for lack of a
motion.
After some
discussion of the preschool reports, the time line for the Committee, whether
the Committee would meet again, and whether they would ask to be reauthorized,
Representative Berger requested draft legislation to reauthorize the Committee
for one additional year. The Committee
requested this reauthorization draft include the requirement of a transition
plan for handing these issues off to the Joint Labor, Health and Social
Services Committee, direction to monitor the development of a real choice
waiver, and direction to work with the WDH on developing a long-term master
facility and programming plan for the WSTS.
The motion was seconded and it passed.
Representative
Hastert moved to request staff to prepare two draft bills – one supporting the
increased per child amount to enhance salaries of preschool providers and
another to add $363 in per child funding to assist childhood programs in the provision
of services for mental health/social-emotional development. The motion was seconded and the motion
passed, with Senator Massie declaring a conflict.
Don Richards, LSO
staff, provided the Committee with copies of the last two year's annual
Committee reports. (See Appendices 21
and 22.) For purposes of this year's
report, the Committee directed staff to include background on the Committee activities
and noted that the recommendations should include both the legislation approved
by the Committee and the recommendations of support generated from the
preschool studies prepared by DDD. The
Committee asked staff to electronically e-mail a copy of the draft report to
members and allow members the opportunity to make any suggestions and revisions
as necessary prior to distributing the final report.
The Committee
resolved to meet again on the morning of Thursday, November 16th in
Casper.
There being no
further business, Chair Harvey adjourned the meeting at 6:00 p.m.
Respectfully
submitted,
Representative
Harvey, Chair