(cross-posted to Green Mountain Daily, here; original version posted to Vermont Watch, here)
It was recently learned that Pathways Vermont, a housing first program currently serving six different regions within the state, is pursuing Specialized Service Agency (SSA) Medicaid funding designation status as a way to replace the federal grant funds the housing first program will be losing later this year, to the tune of $600,000.
Read the Pathways Vermont SSA designation application letter, here.
It is my understanding that this SSA designation status, if granted, would permit Pathways Vermont to receive medicaid funding the program currently does not have access to and of which the Designated Agencies (DA’s: i.e., Community Mental Health Centers: CMHC’s) basically have enjoyed what amounts to a virtual monopoly when it comes to these type of program and service funds.
Some of the DA’s are greatly opposing this application. Read written comments in the form of opposition letters some of the DA’s had submitted as part of the process (batch of five letters), here and (single letter), here.
Read the letter to Department of Mental Health (DMH) Commissioner Paul Dupre from the Vermont Council of Developmental and Mental Health Services, here.
There is a public hearing being held on Monday, April 14th, from 3:30pm to 5:00pm, at Department of Mental Health (DMH) headquarters in Montpelier. In addition, there is also a written comment submission period, which began on Monday, April 7th and ends on Friday, April 18th. More information on both, here.
Learn more about Pathways Vermont housing first program, including concerning its SSA application, provided within its recent newsletter (Spring 2014), here.
Read related commentary of mine concerning what works best to end homelessness, including about why it is my opinion that Pathways Vermont does an excellent job in doing so (via vtdigger; 8/6/2013), here.
Related information: Administrative Rules on Agency Designation (circa: June 1, 2003; updated link), here.
Remote Report
Had called into the public hearing held concerning the Pathways Vermont Specialized Services Agency (SSA) Medicaid funding application and, once technical difficulties were finally resolved, listened to a majority of the hearing. From what I could tell, the hearing was packed and overflowed outside the conference room, mostly with Pathways Vermont supporters. A number of people had traveled to Montpelier from Brattleboro as well as Burlington in order to attend and to testify for two minutes each. It is my understanding that a camera person from ORCA Media was on scene to record the public hearing. When the video is made available online, I will post the link.
vtdigger article
Supporters turn out for hearing on Pathways Vermont funding application (via vtdigger; 4/14/2014):
http://vtdigger.org/2014/04/14/supporters-turn-hearing-pathways-vermont-funding-application/
Public comments available online
Written public comments submitted to the Vermont Department of Mental Health (DMH) in direct response to Pathways Vermont Specialized Services Agency (SSA) application (available online via Google Drive; documents open within a browser window viewer; no downloading or sign in required):
https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B96fHccgP1kFTF9HZF9OSHJXNnc&usp=sharing
Forgotten and Needy
Pathways provides services to some of Vermont’s most forgotten and needy citizens. Homelessness is growing, It has many causes. These people need more than just a warm place to sleep for the night. Keep up the good work.
Archived video of public hearing
Pathways Vermont Specialized Services Agency Application Public Hearing (Monday, April 14, 2014; via ORCA Media):
http://vp.telvue.com/preview?id=T01221&video=194044
DMH Decision
Press release from the Vermont Department of Mental Health (DMH) announcing its decision to grant conditional Special Services Agency (SSA) Medicaid funding designation status to Pathways Vermont for Fiscal Year 2015:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B96fHccgP1kFajJQd3RnSzZreXM/edit?usp=sharing
Pathways Vermont: http://www.pathwaysvermont.org/
Pathways Vermont Press Release
http://vtdigger.org/2014/05/07/pathways-vermont-granted-specialized-status-provide-housing-support/