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The House and Senate Joint Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services Transition  met on December 6 to hear invited testimony from the Texas Workforce Commission, the Health and Human Services Commission, and the Department of State Health Services. The report below details these discussions.
 
Opening Comments

  • Co-Chair Four Price – Starting to see results from transition operations, will start to see reports and more results moving forward
  • Co-Chair Nelson – Transition is going well, important to continue oversight for transition operations as functions shift

 
Larry Temple, Texas Workforce Commission

  • TWC has accomplished all the goals set so far
  • First milestone was wrapping general rehab into existing blindness services, plan and merger was approved October 1
  • Transition was completed with no interruption of services to customers
  • TWC did go in knowing there were duplicated efforts, was a challenge merging functions with duplicated positions or contracts
  • Have almost doubled deaf/blind staff, have not diminished specialized personnel
  • Overall merging functions led to 45 new counselors being available, matched the expectations of SB 200 well
  • TWC offices around the state have been consolidated into workforce centers, bill calls for this to be done by Sept. of 2018, but unlikely as many leases run until 2025
  • TWC could find savings in transition, policies still in the process of looking at reimbursement rates, etc., definitely more work that can be done
  • Regarding Harvey impact, TWC could get $33 million in federal dollars, also able to find $9 million within the agencies; State has never gotten this much to help citizens wishing to return to work
  • On target for consolidation of policies for blind/rehab
  • Price – Appreciates that consumers have not been negatively affected, asks after field office progress
    • Glenn Neal, TWC – By the end of 2017 TWC completed 11 of 123 facility moves, end of 2018 will see 50, end of 2022 will see 105
  • Nelson – You mentioned a benchmarking project for blind & rehab programs last time you spoke to this committee, could you explain what you found?
    • Temple, TWC – TWC looked at past data statistics to benchmark progress, also worked to identify redundancies in the two programs and process improvement

 
Cecile Young, Health and Human Services Commission

  • Discussed various HHS office restructuring
  • Office of transformation working on HB 5 implementation
  • Price- Office of Performance provide a key role in management and analytics for the legislature?
    • The system-wide dashboard will be available to legislators, but this specific office will be coordinating and measuring quantitative data
  • Discussed DSHS roles, responsibilities and restructuring
  • Nelson- How did the organizational restructure aid dealing with Hurricane Harvey
    • John Hellerstedt, DSHS – The areas that were required to respond to Harvey did not go through restructuring and were able to focus on public health during the event
  • Rep. Raymond – Requested overview of new management staff
  • Raymond – Made note of vacant position of Inspector General
  • Price- asked for comment on restructuring being a positive change for responding to clients
    • Young – HHSC in process of filling vacancies, and able to build HHS infrastructure, and are in better circumstances that a year ago
  • Rep. Rose – What progress has been made regarding the minority program with universities
    • Chris Adams, HHSC – Exploring opportunities with public and private schools and can fund the program for one year
  • Rose – What is the formal grievance process?
    • 2004 merging of agencies caused a policy for singular grievance process in line with other state agencies
  • Rose – What type of background checks are performed?
    • All employees go through a background check and certain individuals are required to go through a selective background check
  • Price – Asked for information on rat infestation
    • Young – Working with pest removal company for consultation for remediation in addition to TFC
  • Nelson – How much did the pest removal company cost?
    • There is a standing contract with Orkin for this facility and others
  • Nelson- Concerned with the health aspects of rat infestations. Recommends PSA regarding the issue
  • Raymond – Requested update on Children’s health insurance program
    • The program must be reauthorized
    • Much support for it, but will not receive formal notification from CMS until mid-December
    • State law prohibits the program if no federal funding