2008 MCCA Public Policy Agenda

Click here to download our 2008 Public Policy Agenda as a PDF file.

MCCA 2008 Advocacy Agenda (Click here for PDF file)

A. Reasonable Cost of Care
“RSMO 210. (6) Payment to the children’s services providers and agencies shall be made based on the reasonable costs of services, including responsibilities necessary to execute the contract. Contracts shall provide incentives in addition to the costs of services provide in recognition of accomplishment of the case goals and the corresponding cost savings to the state. The division shall promulgate rules to implement the provisions of this subdivision.”

Principal - All reasonable cost of care increases shall be available to foster care case management contractors.

1. Children’s Residential Rates

• Appropriation Priority: Support Medicaid Rehab DSS budget Proposal.
• Appropriation Priority: Increase Children’s Residential Treatment Rates to a reasonable cost of care.

2. Foster Care Case Management Performance Based Contracts

• Appropriation Priority: Support increased funding for contract rebid in FY 09.
• Appropriation Priority: Support New Decision item for third and final year of MO Children’s Division Accrediation and the public private partnership.

3. Crisis Care (Prevention)

• Appropriation Priority: Increase the funds available for the Crisis Care contract.
• Administrative Priority: Advocate for an extended period of care for children using the contract.

4. Hitting the M.A.R.C* - Foster Care and Adoption

• Appropriation Priority:  Support the expansion of services and funding used to support foster children to hit the foster care M.A.R.C.
• Appropriation Priority:  Support full funding for current Adoption Resource Centers and expansion
• Appropriation Priority:  Reasonable costs of services for Medicaid counseling for children and families.

B. Educational Outcomes for Children and Youth in Foster Care

• Pursue policy and funding options that recognizes high quality educational experiences for children and youth in foster care
• Monitor the implementation of recommendations presented in the report mandated by HB 84.

C. Older Youth Aging Out of Care

• Support Educational Opportunities for Older Youth Aging Out of Care
• Expansion of “Second Chance” option for Older Youth in Missouri.
  • Custody of released child may be returned to division of family services, when. 
    211.036. If a child under the age of eighteen is released from the custody of the division of family services and after such release it appears that it would be in such child's best interest to have his custody returned to the division of family services, the juvenile officer, the division of family services or the child may petition the court to return custody of such child to the division until the child is eighteen years of age.

D.  Continue support of accreditation for the Missouri Children’s Division

• Appropriation Priority: Support New Decision Item for the FY 09 Contract rebid
• Appropriation Priority: Support Accreditation Public Private Partnership new decision item.