[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6338265,"mediaKeyId","2270420-482e2a6a5b8fd6d120ada0a331bd2f1f","parentId",2270420,"title","Committee hears DAIL plan for conflict-free case management and payment reform, full federal compliance due April 2026","audioSeconds",1891,"startMs",168000,"endMs",2059000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2270420-482e2a6a5b8fd6d120ada0a331bd2f1f&start=168&end=2059","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2270420-482e2a6a5b8fd6d120ada0a331bd2f1f/thumbnail_168000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6338265/Vermont/Committee-hears-DAIL-plan-for-conflict-free-case-management-and-payment-reform-full-federal-compliance-due-April-2026","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6338265-70e7daa12a42b4abdd4e712f5f2738b3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770720367&Signature=nYnx9EyEfHrOmocmofob6cXfZGqenCY9C-dpzVBmTrVsZzWyYbaSnNpgJaGvtFHVHNR~Hdhj4W-cqU0sbhdCUMJCslJjIiL7vJDHqMNld7WZN1Bvc~wiMTpkl46vxvOmblz2zPDddPj30oZK2tliIECWrJSbBXi9Mk~ZvC20xo1FsLzSKQ1qc5sIyCmG1xDSx33V82~MYB0HWpxBWKaTgFUZ1YYplvE~wpt3yM4Xdi1ZrACAIitH04kaAZQUutUouRwHfk7VNytr4KuzrjtOOI5FBra0lSf5WVcjmrZx-hSThzkJXNTsxTLd4j6j8tI7bUiKPKFz1WXJdCa7gsqlyA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-02-12T07:53:33Z","article","The House Committee on Oversight and Accountability on Feb. 11 heard a detailed briefing from officials at the Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living about implementing federally required conflict‑free case management and a new payment model tied to standardized assessments.

Committee Chair Lloyd opened the session by noting the committee would “take up conflict free case management and payment reform at the Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living.” The presentation traced the changes back to Act 186 of 2020 and to a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services corrective action plan that requires Vermont to separate case management from service provision and to standardize assessments and budgets.

The changes matter because they affect how people with developmental disabilities and brain injury services are assessed, how budgets are set, and which organizations provide intake, case management and direct services. Dr. Gilbohan, Commissioner for DAIL, and payment‑reform staff said the aim is federal compliance while preserving individualized planning and minimizing service disruption.

Jessica Bernard, deputy director of payment reform with the Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living, told the committee the state’s current developmental‑services payment system “doesn’t have a standardized rate or needs assessment,” which limited the state’s ability to validate budgets and track service delivery. Bernard said the department worked with contractor Human Services Research Institute (HSRI) and identified six SIS‑A support levels that underpin the new budget ranges.

Under the plan DAIL described, intake eligibility and initial assessments will move to independent entities rather than remaining with designated and specialized service agencies (DSAs/SSAs). The state will use the Supports Intensity Scale–Adult (SIS‑A) as the standardized needs assessment and will consider additional contextual questions during person‑centered planning so that budgets reflect individualized circumstances. Case management will be a separate, billable service; program management and service coordination will remain with provider agencies.

Officials said the state budgeted about $8,600,000 in FY2025 for conflict‑of‑interest implementation components, including contracts for independent intake and assessments. Agencies and family members had asked for transition grant funding; department staff said transition grants and a procurement to select case‑management entities are underway.

DAIL staff described operational expectations: case manager caseload targets of roughly 30–34 for the new standalone case‑management entities (with higher or lower caseloads depending on participant acuity), a requirement that case managers be located within 60 minutes or 60 miles of the people they serve, at least one required in‑home visit annually, and program‑specific caseload ranges for Choices for Care (traditional ranges cited in testimony were roughly 35–50 for moderate‑needs work, with lower caseloads for high/highest needs). The department said Choices for Care case managers continue to coordinate annual assessments and person‑centered care plans for that population.

Committee members pressed staff on how many people might see budget changes when SIS‑A scores and budget ranges are applied. Bernard said preliminary modeling showed about 87–88% of people were likely to receive a budget consistent with current service levels; some individuals could receive more or fewer services based on the SIS‑A and the context questions. The department emphasized an exceptions process for individuals whose final person‑centered plan does not fit the assigned budget range.

DAIL offered a transition timeline the committee was shown: selection and announcement of case‑management entities in April 2025; open houses and enrollment beginning May–June 2025; initial SIS‑A assessments completed and funding assigned by July 2025; a transition period that the department said would largely end in September 2025 with service coordination converting to program management and case management becoming billable; lingering transition items to complete by December 2025; and full federal compliance required by April 2026.

Multiple legislators said they remained concerned about consumer and provider anxiety and asked for follow‑up briefings. The committee indicated the department may be asked to return for additional, likely virtual, briefings specifically on payment‑model details, provider impacts and the exceptions process.

The department and its partners requested continued communication with families and providers during the rollout; staff said additional mailings and a communications packet had been sent to providers and that direct mail to families would increase during the transition.

No formal committee action or vote was recorded during the session; staff presented the briefing and answered questions.

The committee closed the item by saying it would seek clarification on the statute’s requirement that the department “seek approval from the General Assembly prior to implementing a systemwide payment reform and conflict‑free case management” (Act 186 of 2020, section 6) and that legislative counsel be consulted about what form that approval must take.

The committee did not adopt any motions during the hearing; members asked the department to return with more concrete budget and provider‑impact information in a follow‑up meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Human Services - 2025-02-11 1:00 PM","oneSentenceSummary","The House Committee on Oversight and Accountability on Feb. 11 heard a detailed briefing from the Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living about implementing federally required conflict‑free case management and a new payment model tied to standardized assessments.","taxTitle","Human Services, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Committees, Legislative , Vermont","taxId",35147,"location","Vermont","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6338260,"Vermont 2‑1‑1 reports rising emergency housing demand, seeks $332,000 to sustain 24/7 service",278,3898000,4176000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2270420-482e2a6a5b8fd6d120ada0a331bd2f1f&start=3898&end=4176","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2270420-482e2a6a5b8fd6d120ada0a331bd2f1f/thumbnail_3898000.jpg","/articles/6338260/Vermont/Vermont-211-reports-rising-emergency-housing-demand-seeks-332000-to-sustain-247-service","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6338260-e16ba73c80e61401b57a9160cb641250/orig.mp4?Expires=1770720367&Signature=pBBo3qHFNqrVUthra84NGXSgh81NtjBkF0DpM4Pc6vidVBXW~cPWPQI2no249tjitPRANZsfYP6w9hYzh7gp8qTGpsWZEXv24kHGqvKWFSNH30k3UvmVO1A-bZJDkooS3kSGmOslVrj9IIOqfvi4KYkhciUvOmoPkkHLyBoVm0jm6kJfFuDBmPc~raaK54h0KusdTG7CqVxOBqzf8dO5i6hWAA41T1XpdhcH0ALr9hB0NbErs94ifZmvN7LLclhekgkBZOuHdnehrO9Uagrm8hWWLNr8ezpf3xQ7dbdYnH2PMe-2CbsKsNjlfI6-ixEdM2X2B3jDYmwwzeaFYfozpg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Vermont 2‑1‑1 representatives on Feb. 11 told the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability that demand for after‑hours emergency housing and shelter help has increased sharply and that the statewide information and referral service needs additional funding to continue 24/7 coverage.

Elizabeth, representing Vermont 2‑1‑1, described the service as “a free and confidential information and referral system for the state of Vermont” that provides 24‑hour access by phone, text and email and maintains a resource database of more than 1,000 agencies, 3,000 programs and 11,000 services. She told the committee 2‑1‑1 also performs after‑hours intake for the Agency of Human Services’ emergency housing process.

The presenter told the committee that in December 2023 Vermont 2‑1‑1 handled more than 5,000 after‑hours calls for emergency housing and shelter and that the following year’s comparable figure rose to about 7,000 calls. For 2024 overall, the organization reported more than 57,000 contacts and about 22,000 referrals to partner agencies.

Elizabeth said Vermont 2‑1‑1 is nationally accredited through Inform USA, participates in the national 2‑1‑1 network and provides specialized services such as disaster reporting and support for non‑English speakers through telephonic interpretation. She also said the service contracts with the Agency of Human Services to operate emergency housing intake during evenings, weekends and holidays.

Committee members asked how the 2‑1‑1 call process works and the organization outlined its workflow: staff use state intake systems (GAPS and ACCESS) when operating as the after‑hours emergency housing intake, attempt warm transfers to hotels or shelters when available, and advise callers to contact state Economic Services Division the next business day if no emergency placement is found.

Elizabeth described staffing challenges common to contact centers and said the program had a stable staffing complement for about a year. She said the governor’s proposed budget level‑funded 2‑1‑1 at $1.3 million for the coming year and that the organization planned to request an additional $332,000 to restore operational costs to an estimated $1.6 million and preserve 24/7 coverage.

The committee was also told that 2‑1‑1 sees platforms and rule changes drive call volume: after emergency‑housing rule changes on Dec. 1, calls increased and service providers also reach out to 2‑1‑1 for help navigating new rules. The presenter recommended committee members and staff consult vermont211.org for data and suggested legislators use 2‑1‑1 for constituent referrals.

No formal committee action or vote was taken on the presentation; committee members indicated budget contacts for follow‑up.

The committee thanked the organization for its two‑decade operation and for serving as an information hub during disasters and daily service needs.","Representatives from Vermont 2‑1‑1 told the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability that after‑hours housing and shelter calls have risen sharply and that the program is requesting additional legislature funding to sustain round‑the‑clock coverage and staff training.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee hears DAIL plan for conflict-free case management and payment reform, full federal compliance due April 2026

Vermont 2‑1‑1 reports rising emergency housing demand, seeks $332,000 to sustain 24/7 service