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DHS outlines comprehensive review plan and updates assisted‑living reimbursement study
Summary
Department of Human Services presented a draft plan for a statutory comprehensive review of DHS operations and said cost reporting for the Living Choices assisted‑living waiver is under review, with analysis expected by May 2025.
The Department of Human Services presented a draft structure for a statutorily required comprehensive review of DHS operations and told a legislative subcommittee it has begun cost reporting under the Living Choices assisted‑living waiver.
Secretary Christy Putnam said DHS prepared a draft document titled "Comprehensive review of Arkansas DHS" that outlines objectives, methodologies, timelines and responsible parties for a division‑by‑division evaluation. The draft prioritizes shared services, the Division of Children and Family Services and the Division of County Operations for initial review.
"What we went back and did after we had an organizational meeting ... is outline what we think is an appropriate structure, the key objectives, methodologies and how we would propose going about this, timelines, and then responsible parties for evaluating each of our major divisions," Putnam told the subcommittee. She said division directors and chiefs are reviewing the draft and the subcommittee will identify any additional divisions for review.
Separately, Putnam updated the subcommittee on reporting required under Act 213 of 2022 and Act 198 of 2023 regarding Living Choices assisted‑living waiver reimbursement rates. She said the annual cost reporting period opened in January and the contracted reviewer, Myers and Stauffer, is analyzing data.
"We do anticipate that they will have results of this data analysis by May 2025," Putnam said. If the contractor recommends rate adjustments based on the analysis, DHS will bring recommendations to the subcommittee and the governor’s office for consideration.
Putnam described the review plan as a draft that incorporates field visits, stakeholder interviews and existing audits; she said DHS would defer to the subcommittee about sequencing additional division reviews. The subcommittee set a June one‑day meeting for the workforce item and indicated the DHS review will proceed on a longer timetable.
No motions or votes were taken on the comprehensive review plan or reimbursement recommendations during the hearing.
