OLR Bill Analysis
AN ACT CREATING A COMPREHENSIVE SYSTEM FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES FROM BIRTH TO AGE FIVE.
This bill directs eight state agencies to develop a model for master contracting to improve child outcomes and deliver outcome-focused, integrated services to children from birth to age five and their families. It must seek to achieve the following outcomes: (1) decreased low birth weight and teen pregnancy rates and (2) increased prenatal care; well-child visits; breastfeeding; early detection and prevention screening and assessment; quality infant, toddler, and child care capacity; and cross-agency information sharing.
The model must promote (1) collaborative management across departments and agencies and (2) work with local communities to implement strategies that focus on families and children with an outcome-based system.
The bill directs the Early Childhood Education Cabinet, within appropriations, to establish a demonstration pilot in a local community to implement the model for master contracting.
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2008
AGENCIES' RESPONSIBILITIES
The state agencies that must develop the master contracting model are the (1) Social Services, Education, Public Health, and Children and Families departments; (2) Policy and Management and Child Advocate offices; (3) Children's Trust Fund; and (4) Commission on Children.
To develop the model, they must:
1. identify appropriate opportunities for master contracts that align services and meet the holistic needs of children and families;
2. develop a methodology and protocols, including requirements for state agencies and local grantees;
3. ensure an accountability framework that incorporates results-based accountability principles;
4. identify any common requirements for funding from various sources and any related waiver provisions that can be accommodated by the model contract;
5. identify barriers under state or federal law to the effective utilization of the model;
6. work with qualified local planning groups to determine the most effective means of structuring the contract requirements; and
7. focus on, but not limit the model contract to, maternal and child health, literacy, family support, and early care and education programs.
MODEL CONTRACT CONTENTS
The model contract must (1) include research-based practices, (2) align categorical funding streams, (3) adopt common population outcomes for program implementation, (4) include monitoring and evaluation of outcomes using results-based accountability principles, and (5) establish protocols to work collaboratively with local communities and providers.
Service Coordination
The bill directs that the following services be coordinated in the model contract:
1. system prenatal care;
2. home visit services;
3. nutrition;
4. lactation counseling;
5. early screening and intervention services;
6. family safety net services to meet basic needs; and
7. other services deemed necessary to promote the mother's, father's, and child's well-being.
Prevention Strategies
The model must include prevention strategies based on:
1. serving families within the context of the family and community;
2. using strength-based approaches;
3. ensuring that services and systems are culturally competent;
4. emphasizing targeted research-based interventions;
5. organizing services into a coherent system;
6. establishing comprehensive service delivery pathways that are easy to navigate; and
7. focusing on performance measures to ensure that services are accountable, effective, and accessible to the consumer.
REPORTING
Beginning February 1, 2009, the bill requires the social services commissioner and policy and management secretary to jointly file annual reports with the Appropriations, Human Services, and Public Health committees. The reports must indicate progress made toward achieving the objectives of the model for master contracting.
BACKGROUND
Early Childhood Education Cabinet
The governor formed the 10-member Early Childhood Education Cabinet in 2005 and directed it to develop and oversee strategies to ensure all of Connecticut's children enter school ready to learn. Its early childhood strategic plan is entitled Ready by 5 and Fine by 9.
The cabinet is composed of the governor; the developmental services, education, higher education, social services, children and families, and public health commissioners; Office of Policy and Management secretary; co-chairpersons of the Education and Human Services committees; and representatives from Head Start, the School Readiness Council, and the Commission on Children.
COMMITTEE ACTION
Select Committee on Children
Joint Favorable Substitute Change of Reference
Yea |
9 |
Nay |
1 |
(03/06/2008) |
Human Services Committee
Joint Favorable Change of Reference
Yea |
14 |
Nay |
4 |
(03/18/2008) |
Appropriations Committee
Joint Favorable
Yea |
51 |
Nay |
0 |
(04/01/2008) |