Q&A
Council Member Avilés questions HRA on contract consolidation and service impacts
0:28:57
·
3 min
Council Member Alexa Avilés seeks clarification from HRA Administrator Scott French about the consolidation of contracts from 27 to 9 and its potential impact on services. French explains the rationale behind the changes, emphasizing improved client experience and efficiency without cuts to funding or services.
- The consolidation aims to create a "one door model" to reduce barriers for clients moving between providers.
- HRA expects selected providers to have strong subcontracts with community organizations for comprehensive support.
- French assures that there are no cuts in funding or services, and the consolidation may allow for more efficient use of resources.
Alexa Avilés
0:28:57
Just a quick point of clarification.
0:29:00
You noted 27 contracts across several different programs and a one door model saying 9 contracts.
0:29:09
So are is this all consolidated?
0:29:12
Are you cutting contracts 27 to 9 is a very significant changes.
0:29:18
Explain that.
Scott French
0:29:19
Sure.
0:29:19
So, I mean, 1st and foremost, it was really in response to what we were hearing from clients and providers, right, that we that they were being asked to move from one provider to another, which, initially, we wanted to have things very specialized, but we ultimately learned through that that actually created a barrier for them, which is why we consult validated the entry.
0:29:41
As part of the contracts, there is a very strong focus on and expectation and requirement that the providers who are selective have strong subcontracts with providers in their communities.
0:29:53
So with educational training and other providers and employers so that it's not just one organization someone will be dealing with, but one organization will be responsible for helping facilitate that individual's specific plan and what they're looking to explore and making sure they have those connections and also be the place where the person can go if they're having challenges of they have set staff that they've created those relationships with that they can go back to and can help them sort of navigate any challenges that may come up.
0:30:22
So that's the thought process behind it.
0:30:24
Obviously, as we implement things, we will be paying close attention as well to make sure that there aren't unintended consequences behind this that we would want to adjust for.
Alexa Avilés
0:30:35
So So I think I'm hearing a a rejiggering of of process and entry point.
0:30:43
But I I guess looking at a such a significant decrease in the contract, the immediate thing is capacity, and everyone is over capacity at this point in their service provision.
0:30:55
So I guess a red flag for me that I'm not entirely understanding.
0:30:58
Maybe this will be clearer is ensuring that there is no cut in services as a result of rejiggering, no cut in funding
Scott French
0:31:09
Mhmm.
Alexa Avilés
0:31:10
But really just improving what's there and doing better.
Scott French
0:31:14
There's not a cut in funding.
0:31:16
There's not a cut in services.
0:31:18
In fact, I think by consolidating some of these services, it will allow us to ensure that as much of the funding as possible is going actually to support services and isn't necessarily being distributed, say, for a variety of overhead and other types of things that Right?
0:31:34
Maybe we're not actually right in the current contracts.
0:31:37
It will allow us to really focus on the amount of money that will be going to support individuals engagement with service provision and help to be efficient from a administrative and overhead cost expense.
Alexa Avilés
0:31:51
Great.
0:31:52
Thank you, Chair.
0:31:52
Thank you so much.
Diana I. Ayala
0:31:56
Thank you.
0:31:58
Is it possible that groups may not receive their full contract amount based on diploma targets?