Common use of Therapeutic Xxxxxx Care Clause in Contracts

Therapeutic Xxxxxx Care. The Co-Neutrals’ previously set a target of 150 new therapeutic xxxxxx care homes (TFC) in SFY14. The Co-Neutrals’ October 2013 commentary cited DHS data showing that by the end of SFY13, there were 586 TFC homes open as of June 30, 2013 and that almost 50 percent (282 homes) had no children placed in them. The revised baseline data submitted by DHS in March 2014 indicates that 548 TFCs were open on July 1, 2013. Of these 548 TFCs, 102 homes were “joint approved,” meaning they were authorized to provide at least one type of regular xxxxxx care as well as therapeutic xxxxxx care. As such, 446 of the open TFCs were approved for TFC placements only. As of December 31, 2013, DHS has approved 56 new therapeutic xxxxxx homes, or 37 percent of the target. Though DHS’ revised data for July 1, 2013 shows fewer TFCs as vacant – not fostering any children – than the data DHS supplied to the Co-Neutrals for the October 2013 commentary, vacancy rates are still high compared to regular xxxxxx care and relative to reports of demand from DHS staff. On July 1, 2013, DHS’ data indicates that of homes licensed as TFCs only (not joint approved), 28% had been vacant at least six months and 18% had been vacant for more than a year. As of December 31, 2013, 26% of homes approved as TFCs only had been vacant at least six months and 20% of TFC-only homes had been vacant for more than one year.4 The Co-Neutrals did not set a target for TFC net gain/loss in SFY14, but have calculated this number to bring transparency to the continuum of available placements for children. DHS reports 548 approved TFCs on July 1, 2013 and 547 approved TFCs on December 31, 2013, for a net loss of one TFC home during the first half of SFY14. The Co-Neutrals discussed the challenges around therapeutic xxxxxx care with DHS leadership, with the appropriate DHS management staff, with providers and with caseworkers and supervisors charged to find appropriate placements for children in care. In light of these discussions and the low number of therapeutic homes licensed through December 31, 2013, the Co-Neutrals are not convinced that DHS presently has in place an adequate process to meet the target outcome for additional TFCs, nor its Pinnacle Plan commitment to match children’s individual needs with available and appropriate placements and to maximize the available supply of existing homes. On March 21, 2014, DHS submitted a plan to the Co-Neutrals, which is currently under review. Based on a review of DHS’ pace and progress to achieve the target outcome for developing new TFC homes, the Co-Neutrals do not conclude that the Department’s work represents good faith efforts to achieve substantial and sustained progress toward the target outcomes.