School Committee Meeting recap - budget not good news, 25 or more teachers targeted for potential cuts

As with most meetings in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter during the meeting reporting in real-time via the virtual session.

The Twitter hashtag can be found online: "#schcomm0526"
https://twitter.com/hashtag/schcomm0526?src=hashtag_click

Pre-meeting

• Three options for watching School Committee meeting tonight 1/3 "This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast Channel 11 and Verizon Channel 29" #schcomm0526
• Three options for watching School Committee meeting tonight 2/3 = Follow Zoom link in SchComm agenda doc #schcomm0526 https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee/pages/may-26-2020-school-committee-packet
• Three options for watching School Committee meeting tonight 3/3 = use your web browser to watch the Live Stream https://franklinma.gov/home/pages/live-meetings-stream #schComm0526

• Budget memo posted to meeting packet page to provide latest on the looming cuts for school budget FY 2021 (not pretty!) https://franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/budget-memo-0 #schcomm0526
• Budget memo posted to meeting packet page provides 2 scenarios; 1 cutting $3.4M; 2 - cutting $5.4M from school budget FY 2021 - depending upon what revenue # is used https://franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/budget-memo-0 #schcomm0526

Real-time reporting

• Real-time reporting underway for School Committee meeting tonight #schcomm0526
• Attendance via roll call for #schcomm0526 all 7 present
• Superintendent report: #schcomm0526 Miriam Goodman presented recently to a professional group ; bus fees clarification, to provide continuity of service: approx 50 participation in meeting
• Roles in education expanding, doc explaining such roles shared via link posted in Superintendent report #schcomm0526 available in Weds AM and on main page
• Details on June 5 timing coming next week. 50th anniversary group of FHS graduation, where are they? TBD #schcomm0526

Retiree Recognition

• Moving to recognize retirees tonight, normally done differently, most here with building principal. #schcomm0526
• List of retirees on the schools page: https://franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/retirees #schcomm0526

Intro of New FHS principal

• Next up - intro of the new FHS principal Josh Hanna. #schcomm0526 his first comment was that he was blown away by the retirement honorees, how much that means, he is excited to be here

• Next up; discussion/action items with some policy changes; 2 for second reading, motion to approve, second, passed 7-0 #schcomm0526 next item motion to approve as 1st reading, passed 7-0. Votes via roll call: last item policy elimination, passed 7-0

Discussion only items

• Discussion only items: closure update first - DESE guidelines on in person grad released last week, already planning for the virtual grad and parade will go forward. #schcomm0526 Friday June 5 the plan, pre-recorded sets of grad diploma and speeches to be broadcast
• Plans underway school visits to clear out rooms, lockers, etc. Schedule being finalized. Awaiting summer guidelines from DESE; CDC guidance released, awaiting state info on the September planning #schcomm0526

Budget

• Next up budget... Yes, budget for #schcomm0526 up for Finance Committee meeting on Thursday, May 28. Magnitude of gap between $3.4m and $5.4m currently, those numbers could change as State funding is determined (whenever that is?)
• FY 22 and FY 23 will also be challenging budget years given the uncertainty of the economy, the pandemic, and the recovery. #schcomm0526 Judy asks why education can't be delivered more cheaply, avg salary (w/o benefits) is 70K?
• Budget was going to be an issue before COVID-19, only gets worse with the pandemic State and Town revenue in disarray. Likely to be one of several budgets per Town Admin J Hellen. #schcomm0526 option 1 could mean 25 positions (3.4m) option 2 could mean 50 (5.4m)
• Salaries are somewhat competitive, we do loose candidates when they have multiple offers, #schcomm0526 budget is 75-80 percent to salary and benefits. Tim came because of the schools, if we keep cutting, that perspective/expectation will change
• There is some reimbursement of COVID-19 incremental costs but not enough to provide a resolution to the major budget issue. Cares act approx $126,000 #schcomm0526
• Lots of programs are designed to keep students in district to avoid higher outplacement costs, the story needs to be told of all that is done. #schcomm0526 students are coming with greater challenges needing more support, and that won't change
• Judy asks what part of the budget is unfunded mandates? Per Sara, a good number but not readily available, can work to pull together something. #schcomm0526 reduction of teachers will increase class size; supplies generally picked up by teachers when cut from budget

Information matters

• Moving on to info matters; budget subcomm meeting regularly, Community relations met last week, newsletter in works for what is underway. MA ranks 2nd in criteria of responses to COVID-19 response. Facility report coming early June, no decision made #schcomm0526
• Facility updates on the schools page https://franklinps.net/district/davis-thayer-facilities-analysis #schcomm0526

Adjourn

• Next up - future agenda items, DECA students scheduled for June 9 meeting, request for page numbering on docs over 2 pages (some one still using printed copies) #schcomm0526 motion to accept consent agenda passed 7-0 via roll call
• Motion to adjourn, second, passes via roll call 7-0. Real time reporting for this meeting ends. Thanks! #schcomm0526

Agenda document
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/uploads/scagenda_5-26-20.pdf

Meeting packet folder
https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee/pages/may-26-2020-school-committee-packet

School Committee Meeting recap - budget not good news

 

MA Senate Passes Mental Health ABC Act: Addressing Barriers to Care

Today (2/13/20), the Massachusetts Senate unanimously passed the Mental Health ABC Act, comprehensive legislation aimed at reforming the mental health care system in Massachusetts. Senate Bill 2519, An Act Addressing Barriers to Care for Mental Health, serves as the first step toward developing a more integrated system of mental health care delivery to better meet the needs of individuals and families.

Massachusetts residents have historically experienced difficulty accessing mental health services due to health inequities and persistent barriers to care—leaving many without the treatment they need and deserve. According to a 2018 report by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation of Massachusetts, over half of a representative sample of fully insured adults who sought mental health care services reported difficulty finding services.

The Mental Health ABC Act seeks to increase access by removing barriers to timely quality care, providing the state with more effective tools to enforce existing mental health parity laws, and investing in the mental and behavioral health workforce pipeline. The legislation builds on progress made through state mental health parity laws passed in 2000 and 2008, and the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 at the federal level.

”The response to this bill has been overwhelming, and reinforces our assertion that mental health care needs to be for everyone in Massachusetts,” stated Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “I would like to thank everyone involved in this effort, especially Senator Julian Cyr, Senator Cindy Friedman, and Senator Michael Rodrigues—as well as the countless advocates, activists and residents who have fought for better access to quality mental health care. We still have a ways to go to end the stigma and achieve true parity, but if any state can do it, I know that Massachusetts can. I’m excited to see us move forward.”

“The Mental Health ABC Act will expand access to mental health care for everyone that needs and deserves it,” said Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “The cost of action on this issue is far less than the cost of inaction, both financially and for the wellbeing of all residents of the Commonwealth. I applaud Senate President Spilka for her consistent leadership on this, and Senators Cyr and Friedman for their diligent work and collaboration in putting forward a bill to reform our mental health care delivery system.”

“Too many people in Massachusetts struggle to access the mental health services they desperately need and deserve,” said Senator Julian Cyr (D-Truro), co-chair of the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery. “The reasons are many and complicated: mental health care is treated differently than physical health, it is often not covered by insurance, it is difficult to access, and it is hard to talk about. By passing this bill, the Massachusetts Senate is living up to our promise to begin to transform how the Commonwealth addresses mental health. I am grateful to Senate President Karen Spilka for her leadership and example, and to Senators Rodrigues and Friedman for their partnership in this endeavor.”

“For far too long, mental health has been a forgotten component of our health care system, resulting in a broken system that has continually left patients without the critical care they need,” said Senator Cindy F. Friedman (D-Arlington), co-chair of the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing. “This bill lays an important foundation for creating a system that is accessible and equitable, and provides the state with better tools to ensure that someone with a mental health condition has the same access to care as someone with physical health needs. I want to sincerely thank Senate President Spilka for recognizing the urgency of this issue and committing to a bold step forward with the passage of this bill. I also want to thank Senator Cyr, Senator Rodrigues and all of the advocates involved in crafting this bill for their thoughtful collaboration and shared commitment to reforming our mental health care system so that it works for everyone.”

“The Senate has taken decisive steps to put us on a path to reform, revive and redouble our efforts in taking an increasingly fragmented system and helping it to connect people experiencing a mental health condition with a health care system of credentialed professionals that functions effectively to provide timely care,” said Senator Bruce E. Tarr (R- Gloucester), Senate Minority Leader.

“Senate President Spilka, Health Care Financing Committee Chair Friedman, Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery Committee Chair Cyr, and Ways and Means Chair Rodrigues are to be commended for mental healthcare reform legislation that prominently prioritizes improved access to effective care,” said Danna Mauch, President and CEO, Massachusetts Association for Mental Health (MAMH). “MAMH applauds the Senate’s actions today. Senate Bill 2519 – An Act to Address Barriers to Care for Mental Health is a significant step forward to implement the promise of parity and frame fairer terms for insurance coverage, benefits administration, provider reimbursement and plan reporting.”

“The Mental Health ABC Act acknowledges the realities that parents of children with behavioral health needs face every day in ensuring their child's safety and wellbeing,” said Mary McGeown, Executive Director, MSPCC, on behalf of the Children's Mental Health Campaign. “The Act takes steps to uncomplicate access to care by allowing both physical and behavioral health treatment to be provided in the same day, and by creating a path to that clinical decisions are made by clinicians rather than insurance companies.”

“The Mental Health ABC Act is a comprehensive bill that will have a tremendous positive impact on Massachusetts families,” said Lydia Conley, CEO, Association for Behavioral Healthcare (ABH). “This bill will help ABH member organizations better serve their communities by lifting barriers to accessing care, expanding coverage of critical behavioral health services, and providing new tools to attract the clinical workforce needed to deliver high-quality care.”

“An Act Addressing Barriers to Care for Mental Health is an incredibly progressive and forward-thinking piece of legislation that will benefit social workers working in mental and behavioral health and the clients and communities served by social workers across the Commonwealth,” said Rebekah Gewirtz, Executive Director of the National Association of Social Workers, MA Chapter. “As the crisis of mental health access has escalated both nationally and here in Massachusetts, we applaud the Senate’s proactive and comprehensive approach that will help us to finally achieve mental health parity in our state”.

“The Massachusetts Medical Society appreciates the efforts of the Senate, and applauds Senate President Karen Spilka, Senator Julian Cyr, Senator Cindy Friedman and Senator Michael Rodrigues for putting forth legislation that reforms mental health care in the Commonwealth, strengthening existing mental health parity laws and ensuring that our patients will have access to quality, comprehensive mental health care,” said Dr. David A. Rosman, Mass. Medical Society President Elect.

“This bill is a tremendous step forward in the ongoing effort to enable the residents of Massachusetts gain access to the appropriate mental health care they need and deserve, said Gary Chinman, Immediate Past President, Massachusetts Psychiatric Society. “Senate President Spilka, Senator Friedman, Senator Cyr, and Senator Rodrigues deserve our gratitude and admiration for the insight, compassion and respect with which they crafted this historic legislation.”

“Massachusetts hospitals have long sought parity in coverage between behavioral health and medical/surgical care,” said Steve Walsh, President & CEO, Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association (MHA). “I applaud the Senate for their leadership on an issue so critical and personal to our patients and their families. This legislation is an important step forward in ensuring that every Massachusetts resident has access to the mental health services they need and deserve.”

“Blue Cross strongly supports the Senate’s landmark mental health legislation,” said Michael Caljouw, Vice President of Government, and Regulatory Affairs for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. “We believe mental health is as central to our members’ needs as their physical health, so it’s critically important to us that they be able to find comprehensive, effective, and affordable care when they need it. This bill is another important step toward that goal. We pledge to continue to work together across the state to help improve access and ensure that our members get the high-quality care they need.”

“We applaud the Senate and, in particular Senate President Karen Spilka, for today’s action to pass this important legislation and for her unmatched commitment and leadership in seeking to end the stigma associated with mental health treatment,” said Lora Pellegrini, President and CEO of the Massachusetts Association of Health Plans (MAHP). “This bill will help to ensure that all individuals get the care they need. We also applaud Senate leadership, including Senator Cindy Friedman, Chair of the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing, Senator Julian Cyr, Chair of the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use, and Recovery, and Senator Michael Rodrigues, Chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee for their work in developing this comprehensive legislation.”

The Mental Health ABC Act is driven by the recognition that mental health is just as important as physical health for every resident of the Commonwealth—and reflects the Senate’s overall goal of improving access to mental health care for all. The Senate has prioritized efforts in the 2019–2020 legislative session to improve the delivery of mental health services in the Commonwealth in the following ways: appropriating record funding levels for mental health services in the FY20 budget; creating and funding a $10 million Behavioral Health Outreach, Access and Support Trust Fund; ensuring that health insurer’s provider network directories are accurate and up-to-date by eliminating so-called ‘ghost networks’; and protecting clinicians from unreasonable retroactive claims denials, or ‘clawbacks’ of payments for services, from insurance providers.

Despite these achievements, there is a lot more to do. The Mental Health ABC Act builds on the Senate’s efforts to improve the Commonwealth’s mental health care system by addressing issues related to mental health parity, workforce needs, and access to care.

More on the bill:

The Mental Health ABC Act provides the state with better tools to implement and enforce mental health parity laws, which require that insurance coverage for mental health benefits be equal to and no more restrictive than coverage for physical health benefits. Mental health parity has been codified in federal and state law for decades, but enforcement of the law has been challenging. As a result, inequities persist and patients are often denied coverage for mental health treatment that is just as critical to managing their health as treatment for

conditions such as diabetes or heart disease. As such, this legislation includes quicker evaluation and resolution of parity complaints, greater reporting and oversight of insurance carriers’ processes and policies related to mental health care coverage, and penalties and alternative remedies for when an insurance company does not comply with the law.

Every day throughout the Commonwealth, adults and children arrive in emergency departments in the throes of acute mental health crises requiring immediate treatment in an appropriate setting. Due to complex and restrictive medical necessity and prior authorization review processes imposed by insurance companies, many patients experience barriers, and delays, in treatment – creating a dysfunctional system that allows insurance companies to have more leverage in determining a patient’s course of treatment than health care providers. As such, the bill mandates coverage and eliminates prior authorization for mental health acute treatment for adults and children experiencing acute mental health crises, effectively placing treatment decisions in the hands of the treating clinician in consultation with the patient rather than an insurance company.

In an effort to address the mental health workforce crisis that often limits patient access to care, the bill creates a pilot program through the Department of Higher Education aimed at creating a workforce pipeline to encourage and support individuals from diverse backgrounds to work toward careers in mental health. In addition, the bill creates an interim licensure program for Licensed Mental Health Counselors so that they can be reimbursed by insurance for their services and be eligible for state and federal grant and loan forgiveness programs, increasing the number of licensed providers able to serve patients.

The bill also calls for an academic study conducted by the Office of Health Equity to review the availability of culturally competent mental health care providers within networks of both public and private health care payers, as well as to identify potential barriers to care for underserved cultural, ethnic and linguistic populations and the LGBTQ community. The bill further directs an interagency health equity team under the Office of Health Equity to improve access to, and the quality of, culturally competent mental health services.

The bill creates a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Fellowship Pilot Program in community health centers to offer additional support and training to psychiatric nurse practitioners who agree to work in community settings with underserved populations. The program will be designed to encourage these professionals to continue working in a community setting where mental health providers are sorely needed.

Currently, mental health and primary care providers are reimbursed at different rates for the same service. The bill seeks to level the playing field for reimbursement to mental health providers by requiring an equitable rate floor for evaluation and management services that is consistent with primary care.

The Mental Health ABC Act takes meaningful steps to improve access to care by prohibiting insurers from denying coverage for mental health services and primary care services solely because they were delivered on the same day in the same facility. This will remove a significant financial barrier to the integration of primary care and mental health.

Additionally, the bill requires emergency departments to have the capacity to evaluate and stabilize a person admitted with a mental health presentation at all times, and to refer them to appropriate treatment or inpatient admission.

This bill authorizes the DPH, the Department of Mental Health (DMH), and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to collaborate on authorizing three pilots for tele-behavioral health services in public high schools in the Commonwealth. This pilot is based on an existing and successful model between a hospital and several school districts in western Massachusetts.

Finally, the bill directs the DMH to consider factors that may present barriers to care—such as travel distance and access to transportation—when contracting for services in geographically isolated and rural communities.

Through debate today in the Senate, the following are some of the sections added by amendment to the bill:

• A pediatric mental health care task force.
• Inclusion of veterans and aging adult populations for considerations in the cultural competency study.
• An amendment to study the further screening of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs).
• A comprehensive behavioral workforce commission.
• An expedited admission protocol for children under 22 who present in an emergency department with mental health needs.
• An examination of ways to ease communications, within the context of privacy laws, between health care providers.

The Mental Health ABC Act now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Senate Unveils Mental Health ABC Act: Addressing Barriers to Care

Senate Unveils Mental Health ABC Act: 

Addressing Barriers to Care

Bill will expand access to mental health care, boost workforce, and strengthen quality of coverage

Today (02/05/2020), the Massachusetts Senate unveiled An Act Addressing Barriers to Care for Mental Health, a comprehensive mental health care reform bill. This legislation is the first step toward putting the Commonwealth on a pathway to developing a more integrated system of mental health care delivery to better meet the needs of patients. The Mental Health ABC Act removes barriers to timely quality care, provides the state with more effective tools to enforce existing mental health parity laws, and invests in the mental and behavioral health workforce pipeline.

The legislation builds on progress made through state mental health parity laws passed in 2000 and 2008, and the 'Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008' at the federal level.

"In Massachusetts, we believe that mental health care is for everyone," stated Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). "There is no area of our economic, civic and personal lives that is not touched by the need for mental and behavioral health and wellness, and the whole Commonwealth will be adversely affected if we do not take concrete steps to ensure that quality mental health care is available to all of our residents, and eventually integrated into our health care system as a seamless continuum of care. My father struggled with mental illness, and our whole family was affected. This legislation is a major step forward towards helping every resident touched by the need for quality mental health care in some way."

"Simply put, too many people in Massachusetts struggle to access the mental health services they desperately need and deserve," said Senator Julian Cyr (D-Truro), co-chair of the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery. "The reasons are many and complicated: mental health care is treated differently than physical health, it is often not covered by insurance, it is difficult to access, and it is hard to talk about. With this bill, the Massachusetts Senate is living up to our promise to begin to transform how the Commonwealth addresses mental health. I am grateful to Senate President Karen Spilka for her leadership and example, and to Senators Rodrigues and Friedman for their partnership in this endeavor."

"For far too long, mental health has been a forgotten component of our healthcare system despite our statutory parity mandate that calls for equitable coverage between medical and surgical treatment and mental health treatment," said Senator Cindy F. Friedman (D-Arlington), co-chair of the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing. "This bill serves as a first step forward in addressing the persisting inequities in our delivery of mental health services that keep patients from accessing the care they need, and will provide a framework for the state to better enforce our mental health parity laws. I want to thank Senate President Spilka, Chair Rodrigues, and Senator Cyr for their thoughtful collaboration on this initiative and shared commitment to reforming our mental health care system so it is accessible, affordable, and equitable for all."

"This bill builds off of the Senate's work this session to comprehensively address barriers to mental health care and improve access to care," said Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. "I applaud Senate President Spilka for her long-standing leadership on the issue of mental health parity and Senators Cyr and Friedman for their diligent work to reform the state's mental health care delivery system to ensure it works for everyone."

Currently, access to mental health care in Massachusetts is inadequate by nearly any measure. Patients who need to access these services are often unable to find a provider who takes their insurance and face significant wait times before they receive care. A 2019 report by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation of Massachusetts found that 54.6% of a representative sample of fully-insured adults who sought mental health care services reported difficulty finding services.

The Senate's Mental Health ABC Act: Addressing Barriers to Care (ABC) is comprehensive legislation to begin to reform mental health care in Massachusetts. This legislation is the first step towards putting the Commonwealth on a pathway to developing a more integrated system of mental health care delivery so Massachusetts residents can access the care they need and deserve. The Mental Health ABC Act removes barriers to timely quality care, provides the state with more effective tools to enforce existing mental health parity laws, and invests in the mental and behavioral health workforce pipeline.

This legislation is driven by the recognition that mental health is as important as physical health for every resident of the Commonwealth, and should be treated as such. The Senate has prioritized efforts in the 2019–2020 legislative session to improve the delivery of mental health services in the Commonwealth in the following ways: appropriating record funding levels for mental health services in the FY20 budget; creating and funding a $10 million Behavioral Health Outreach, Access and Support Trust Fund; ensuring that health insurer's provider network directories are accurate and up-to-date by eliminating so-called 'ghost networks'; and protecting clinicians from unreasonable retroactive claims denials, or 'clawbacks' of payments for services, from insurance providers.

Despite these achievements, there is a lot more to do. The Mental Health ABC Act builds on the Senate's work towards reforming mental health care so it functions better for everyone by addressing issues related to mental health parity, workforce needs, and access to care.

Included in the bill:

PARITY AND INSURANCE REFORMS

Enforcing Mental Health Parity Laws. Mental health parity as a concept is simple: insurance coverage for mental health care should be equal to insurance coverage for any other medical condition. This concept has been codified in federal and state law for decades, but enforcement of the law has been challenging. As a result, inequities persist and patients are often denied coverage for mental health treatment that is every bit as critical to managing their health as treatment for conditions such as diabetes or heart disease. This bill provides the state with better tools to implement and enforce our parity laws, including quicker evaluation and resolution of parity complaints, greater reporting and oversight of insurance carriers' processes and policies related to mental health care coverage, and reasonable penalties and alternative remedies for when an insurance company does not comply with the law.

Reforming Medical Necessity and Prior Authorization Requirements. Every day throughout the Commonwealth, adults and children arrive in emergency departments in the throes of acute mental health crises requiring immediate treatment in an appropriate setting. These clinical determinations should be made by the treating clinician, but in practice insurance carriers impose too many restrictions on providers' clinical judgement in terms of prior approval and concurrent review requirements for mental health services.

This results in barriers to, and delays in, treatment for patients who need immediate care, creating a dysfunctional system that allows insurance companies to have more leverage in determining a patient's course of treatment than health care providers.

This bill mandates coverage and eliminates prior authorization for mental health acute treatment for adults and children experiencing acute mental health crises, effectively placing treatment decisions in the hands of the treating clinician in consultation with the patient rather than an insurance company.

This bill also establishes a special commission to bring all stakeholders to the table to study and make recommendations on the creation of a common set of medical necessity criteria to be used by health care providers and insurance carriers for mental health services.

Reimbursing Mental Health Providers Equitably. Mental health and primary care providers are reimbursed at different rates for the same service. The bill seeks to level the playing field for reimbursement to mental health providers by requiring an equitable rate floor for evaluation and management services that is consistent with primary care.

Reviewing the Role of Behavioral Health Managers. Most insurance companies have subcontracted mental health benefits to specialty utilization management companies for years with mixed results. The bill directs the Health Policy Commission, in consultation with the Division of Insurance, to study and provide updated data on the use of contracted mental health benefit managers by insurance carriers, often referred to as "carve-outs."

WORKFORCE

Studying Access to Cultural Competent Care. The bill calls for an academic study conducted by the Office of Health Equity to review the availability of culturally competent mental health care providers within networks of both public and private health care payers, as well as to identify potential barriers to care for underserved cultural, ethnic and linguistic populations and the LGBTQ community. The bill further directs an interagency health equity team under the Office of Health Equity to improve access to, and the quality of, culturally competent mental health services.

Standardizing Credentialing Forms. The bill requires all insurance carriers to use one standard credentialing form for health care providers. It also requires a quicker turnaround time for approval of a completed credentialing request. This will be enormously beneficially to patients, providers, and health systems, as it will speed up the time it takes for new hires to be approved for inclusion in an insurance network.

Moving Licensing Boards under DPH. The bill moves the licensing boards for social workers, psychologists, and allied mental health professionals from the Division of Professional Licensure, where they currently operate alongside other licensing boards, including landscape architects, plumbers, and accountants, to the Department of Public Health (DPH). This will leverage DPH's health care experience and expertise to streamline the licensing process for these critically important health care professionals.

Allowing Interim Licensure for Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHC). The bill creates an interim licensure program for LMHCs so that they can be reimbursed by insurance for their services and be eligible for state and federal grant and loan forgiveness programs, increasing the number of licensed providers able to serve patients.

Creating a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Fellowship Pilot Program. The bill authorizes a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Fellowship Pilot Program in community health centers to offer additional support and training to psychiatric nurse practitioners who agree to work in community settings with underserved populations. The program will be designed to encourage these professionals to continue working in a community setting where mental health providers are sorely needed.

Creating a Mental Health Workforce Pipeline. The bill authorizes a pilot program through the Department of Higher Education, in consultation with the Department of Mental Health, aimed at creating a workforce pipeline to encourage and support individuals from diverse backgrounds to work towards careers in mental health. With this initiative we hope to send a message to young people that this is valued and important work.

ACCESS TO CARE

Requiring Coverage for Same Day Care. This bill makes critical changes around how providers are allowed to bill for services. Specifically, the bill prohibits insurers from denying coverage for mental health services and primary care services solely because they were delivered on the same day in the same facility. This will remove a significant financial barrier to the integration of primary care and mental health.

Ensuring Capacity in Emergency Departments. The bill requires emergency departments to have the capacity to evaluate and stabilize a person admitted with a mental health presentation at all times, and to refer them to appropriate treatment or inpatient admission. The bill directs the Department of Public Health to issue regulations for an expedited process for individuals under 22 years old.

Requiring Coverage for Psychiatric Emergency Service Programs. The bill requires commercial insurance carriers to cover community-based services for individuals experiencing a psychiatric emergency. Currently, these services are only paid for by MassHealth.

Tracking and Analyzing Mental and Behavioral Health Expenditures. The bill directs the Center for Health Information and Analysis (CHIA) to define and collect data on the delivery of mental health services to establish a baseline of current spending, and further directs the Health Policy Commission (HPC) to begin tracking mental health care expenditures as part of its annual cost trends hearings. This is a fundamental, critical first step to future efforts to incentivize greater investments in mental health care within the analysis of statewide health care cost growth.

Creating a Tele-behavioral Health Pilot Program. This bill authorizes the Department of Public Health, the Department of Mental Health, and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to collaborate on authorizing three pilots for tele-behavioral health services in public high schools in the Commonwealth. This pilot is based on an existing and successful model between a hospital and several school districts in western Massachusetts.

Increasing Access to Care in Geographically Isolated Areas. The bill directs the Department of Mental Health to consider factors that may present barriers to care – such as travel distance and access to transportation – when contracting for services in geographically isolated and rural communities.

The Senate is scheduled to debate the Mental Health ABC Act next week.

Download a copy of this press release
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczVUktNHVaSWg2QVBJcjhHQ0s3aXdvRzVFR2s4/view?usp=sharing

Download a copy of the ABC Fact Sheet
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczUVlrdEFNemhBYVBxVVZYMnBjNXJIX2Zfai1F/view?usp=sharing

Link to the Senate Legislation proposal  https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/S2519

Senate Unveils Mental Health ABC Act: Addressing Barriers to Care

Franklin Candidate Interview: Tom Mercer

This interview with Tom Mercer, candidate for Franklin Town Council in 2019, was collaborated on via email. We reviewed the following questions, some of them were ‘crowd sourced.’ Some of you may remember the call for input solicited in August 2019 for this election. Thank you for your contributions.

Hopefully, the information provided here, and in the other interviews, will enable the Franklin voters to make a good choice among the candidates for each position.

For the following FM presents the question. TM represents Tom’s response.

FM = There are and have been many opportunities to volunteer with community groups in Franklin. Have you taken advantage of any of these? Which ones, and why did you choose that/those?

TM = I am a lifelong resident of Franklin and I have successfully served you, the residents of Franklin, as a Town Councilor for the last 8 years, and the last year as Chairman. Previously, as a School Committee Member for 10 years - 8 of which I served as Chairman. I was Chairman of the Building Committees for 3 of our largest and newest town structures – the Horace Mann/Oak Street/ECDC School Complex, the Franklin Senior Center, and most recently the new state of the art Franklin High School. I served as a member of the Dean Community Council. I have served on the Franklin Country Club Board of Directors for over 20 Years. I have also served on the Franklin Performing Arts Company Board of Directors for over 30 years.

FM = Where do you get your news about Franklin?

TM = Franklin Matters and the Country Gazette along with the news feeds from the internet.

FM = For all those running for Town Council: We are in a constant water shortage. We are adding to our population and increasing out need for water. Given that all those who live in Franklin draw their water from the same aquifer, do you support a ban on using water for what I will call cosmetic use (lawn watering) during water shortages, even for those with a private well? If not, why not, considering that those with private wells are still dangerously affecting our water level for uses other than vanity? Or put simply: Do you support the private use of wells for lawn irrigation at times when the town's aquifer is dangerously low for use by the community for essential use in homes and fire prevention?

TM = This is not the exact way to phrase the problem or solution. the private well issue question usually comes black and white, and the debate can be divisive and counterproductive. Also, private well owners are not the single source of a town water problem or shortage.

The fact is we have very good water quality in Franklin and a safe quantity of it. The best way to address water protection is education and best practices at the individual property owner level and good infrastructure investments. 

The town is investing almost $11 million in the reconstruction of wells 3 and 6 off Grove Street to allow us more capacity and better quality. One of the wells right now is shut down due to high iron and manganese levels. But we’ll have a new facility which will help the system. We also just began a new 5-year water main pipe replacement schedule. Consistent infrastructure investments are actually a more effective way to conserve and maintain good water systems.

I’m not clear where this “acquifer is low” claim comes from. Not saying it’s not true, but it really doesn’t matter because the Town is in very good standing with the state DEP with our Water Management Act permit, which regulates town wide water use. It’s actually our Permit with the state that mandates we have mandatory water conservation days, but this is not uncommon. The state of Massachusetts and cities and towns are relatively good at water protection.

The Town DPW and Water Department have won state awards for water conservation. Our system is in good shape right now. Future challenges will be continued innovations and maintenance of the system, as well as stormwater.

FM = What degree of development do you feel is appropriate for Franklin, and how would you balance the need for affordable housing, with the need to avoid congestion?

TM = Two years ago the town reached its 10% goal of 10% affordable housing stock by state laws. It allows us to have full control over our own zoning without a 40B housing project being approved by the state and overriding our local zoning. There are few higher priorities than to maintain that 10% status. And that will always be the housing goal, as Chapter 40B has been in state law for fifty years.

the Town Council will have many future debates on zoning, and how the town may want to address this recent growth spurt. It’s a difficult balance, and we will need citizens to participate in these coming years on the issue of development and growth. What do people in this community want to see in the future?

The Town is just over halfway through its ten-year Master Plan process. The Town Council will have an update on that sometime in 2020, as the Town prepares to start that process again in the not too distant future.

The Town Council should approve large cash reserves this year for open space protection, $900,000 in October 2019 which will bring the fund to $2.1 million.

FM = The Town Administrator has suggested that Franklin needs to pass an override measure. What actions will you take to support the passage of this measure?

TM = First, we’ll need to monitor the towns’ budget situation closely throughout the year as the Town Administrator and Superintendent build their budgets. I’d expect that we would have a reasonable number in late January. My guess is the next Town Council and School Committee will have to discuss an override, how much and for what and what the community strategy may be.

Franklin Candidate Interview: Tom Mercer

At this point, I support and hope a discussion will occur next year on discussing with taxpayers a revenue increase. As the Town Administrator has stated numerous times, the cost of doing business is far exceeding our ability to raise revenue. Construction costs, personnel costs and Heath care costs are increasing at a rate that has put stress on the system relative to service demand. It’s a partial symptom of a good economy for sure. And it’s something we need to really engage a wider audience in the community on. Everyone will need to be involved. As ultimately any override is a decision made by the Community as a whole not the Town Council. It is the Town Council’s job to provide the community with all the facts so they can make an informed decision.

FM = Why should I vote for you?

TM = I believe that I have the knowledge to ensure fair and honest representation for the residents and businesses of Franklin. I will work to keep and improve services and spend our tax dollars wisely. Having been previously elected and having served in local government, I am aware of the personal demands and political pressures - but I continue to look forward to those challenges.

I will continue to work hard to improve the communication between town boards both elected and appointed. Franklin deserves leadership dedicated to open government, safe schools, and a healthy local economy. I have built a solid reputation as a leader, facilitating cooperative, and constructive discussions that have led to success. I am proud of my track record, and I ask for your vote on November 5th.


If you have questions to follow up with Tom, you can find his contact information on the Town of Franklin page  https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council

“We only have so much money regardless of where we land”

In the School Committee Legislative Forum, much discussion was on the reforms to the state's education funding process. Given the major hearing on Friday, the legislature is showing that the issue will be addressed. What the resolution will be remains to be seen. 

The Boston Globe report on the school funding hearing held Friday, March 22

"In this year’s first major hearing in the debate over education funding on Beacon Hill, dozens of mayors, teachers, school officials, and even a quartet of New England Patriots players urged lawmakers to boost aid to urban districts struggling with growing populations of high-need students and steep budget cuts. 

Brockton School Superintendent Kathleen A. Smith captured the argument of those demanding an overhaul of the state’s school funding formula, telling lawmakers that her city in 2017 spent just $1 on supplies per student, while wealthy Weston spent $275 per pupil. 

“I am saddened and dismayed that after five years of coming before you more than a dozen times to advocate for our neediest students, I am once again asking you to act and update a 25-year-old funding formula that is broken and no longer serves the needs of the increasingly diverse student population in our Commonwealth,” Smith, whose district has been contemplating a lawsuit over school funding, told members of the Legislature’s joint committee on education during a packed hearing Friday."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2019/03/22/how-much-enough-lawmakers-governor-clash-over-proposed-changes-school-funding-formula/QUqeEcRoFCa73dd4hg7H7N/story.html


Milford Daily News also has an article on the hearing
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190324/hundreds-attend-state-ed-funding-forum

My notes from the Legislative Forum held on Feb 5, 2019 can be found 
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/02/notes-from-legislative-forum-feb-5-2019.html

Angelica DaSilva of Dorchester (right) attended a packed education hearing at the State House’s Gardner Auditorium. (DAVID L. RYAN/GLOBE STAFF)

Unfunded Mandates are also a cause of concern for school and local budgets. A bill currently filed would increase steps to test for lead in school drinking water.

"Lawmakers on Beacon Hill are pushing legislation aimed at improving the safety of drinking water in schools in part by requiring schools and child care centers to test every drinking water outlet each year for elevated lead levels. 

Legislation on tap in the Massachusetts House and Senate would force schools to immediately shut off drinking water outlets that show elevated lead levels. The water outlet could be turned on only after it has produced at least two sets of certified test results showing no elevated lead levels."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2019/03/23/bills-tap-state-house-target-lead-school-water/WHQhsXF9KjDoFTbar2cRMM/story.html

Live Reporting: Budget Hearing #1

F. Hearings

F. Hearings  - FY 2019 Budget Hearing - 7:10 PM

motion to open hearing 7:25 PM

budget process is long, starting with department budgets in December

$125M business

Fiscal 2019 starts July 1, and goes through June 30, 2019

reference to prior memos on budget process, potential stabilization funds, was seen coming, is here

budget stabilization account established in 2013

likely to be able to replenish the fund somewhat before tax rate set in December (with use of free cash)

stabilization account separate from the debt stabilization

(we do have more money in the bank than we have ever had)

statewide ballot questions

one to raise (millionaires tax) one to lower (reduce sales tax)

what will happen in November is unknown

no signficant changes to the overall budget

only one of 22 waivers for the library budget

increasing snow budget over time to get us closer to the 5 year rolling average

over the last years, increase in health plan only 4% as employees have been

accepting plan changes to reduce costs

high quality of life with low taxes

provides 9 months to prepare for next year's budget to see if we can live with what we have, or if we need to make some serious decisions

no vote tonight, just discussions

holds called for

Treasurer/Collector - Mercer

ovefrall the budget is down due to Dacey retirement at a higher salary

IT - Mercer

increased budget last year and this year by 25%

implementation of Google Suite platform

this year added more licenses and converted the Police Dept as well as the online processing

Facilities - Earls

how has this been reflected by leaks in the schools and other facilities?

flat roofs do leak, punctures do occur, spend about 25K per year

roofs in general are in good shape

Jones -Remington roof?

will need to do more there, it is on the long term capital plan

really should go in to replace more sections of the rook

the sections we did have been successful

electric cost increased from 8 cents to 10 cents and is reflected here in the increase

Dellorco - raised issue with jobs apparently not completed yet closed out in the system

Mercer - preventive maintenance plan to be presented some time before

will bring forward, we have it

Hellen - we do have the PM program up and being tweaked, we should have something to summary for you later this year

Mercer - we use School Dude for all the buildings, the reporting can be customized, we have asked for copies of maintenance repairs, it has been awhile since we got a report, so we can review the issues we have in our buildings

the cost increase in building amounts was the reflection of the 20% increase (8 to 10 cents) and just spread across the board

can we reduce costs by shutting off flood lights?

all classrooms are motion controled

they all have LEDs

projects are partially funded by NationalGrid as we move to more efficient lighting

300,000 square feet heated for 70,000 in natural gas

did have an energy audit report and there was almost no savings that the audit identified, we have already done anything on their listing

Station 2 roof was replaced in the Fall, new 50 year shingle on it

no leaks through the winter

Police - multiple

dispatcher transition in January with transfer to Regional Dispatch

there are more in the Police than Fire

trying to finalize staffing for post dispatchers at the Police Dept

tentative date in Jan 2019, could go a little either way depending upon the construction

Will be a big transition, do not want to go dark

are looking to staff at the station to figure out what will be there

Nutting on board, Gary Premo formerly of Franklin Police is Executive Director

folks will be offered, will they want to go there? 

study of 9 other communities, 57.6 3.5 civilian

46 and 2, significantly less than the 'average'

dispatchers: 6 full 4 parttimers, 4 full in Fire Dept

ammo budget, 36K not just ammo, tasers included, as well as training

go out to bid for the ammo and buy the least cost we can

safety equipment also includes the original issue for new hires

evidence room redone, reduced from about 6500 items to about 900

had not done a purge in some time

Fire - multiple

72% ambulance vs fire

22% increase in call volume over last year

the community is growing, the prior slow downs were due to the economy with business drop off, but people are coming

2 assisted living facilities were driving some of our call volumes

outlined three options for the lift calls

1. don't accept the patient
2. get lift assistance tools or hire those who can
3. pay me $900+ when I come in the door

would need to hire about 16 people, about $1.5M for a 3rd ambulance

60% of our call volume are multiple calls at the same time

we have asked for a training officer, 35% of the personnel are less than 3 years on the job, try to do inhouse but they are mostly out on the calls, then fall to overtime, both an increase in cost and less effective training

we need more people to keep the folks fresher

Reg Dispatch - Mercer

formula for the four communities, represents six months of expense, eligible for a $500K grant once open

Inspection - Kelly

office closed Thu/Fri for renovations

Schools - multiple

Town Council votes the bottom line, then the Schools work the details of their budget, it is important to get an overview of the issues

digging into the reserves to provide level service, what will this do next year?

used $6M last year, planning to use $4.5M of revolving

will find ourselves in similar circumstances next year

special education is always a big unknown, can you fill us in where are 

it is a moving target and we try to communicate across the offices on the students that we need to serve. by law they need to receive a free and public education, they may stay within our district if possible, in some cases they need to be served out of district and that is an additional cost, always discussed as part of the plan; move in can also affect our forecast if new folks come in with special requirements

new program to be housed at Parmenter for autistic students, partnered with specialist, a strategic development for next year

increase in mental health concerns, stats showing 1 in 5 and how do we deal with them, increases needs in classroom support requirements

enrollment update?

high school currently 1800, about 450/grade likely to remain the same for next 3-4 years; decreases seen in K-8, more like 310-320 at elmentary levels

keeping in mind the building projects underway and what population they will bring to us

high school was built for 1650, and is clearly exceeding that currently

how much money comes in from the State for the Charter School reimbursement?

they take out 4.1 M and give us 450,000 (projected)

transportation services? increase where from?

funded in large part by revolving account, but not as much this year

49% of the Town total operating

FY 17 - 14,011 per pupil and state is higher and we have never met it

13-14% below

really enjoying the year, a delightful year, it is a really good fit for me as a leader; working on a strategy for improvement to be laid out for the coming years, 

Jones (rephrased the Zollo deficit), add stats later

$89M last year total for education last year

State doesn't fund the state mandates

chart of accounts changed at the state level

instructional coaches, job embedded development for teachers

math specialist, department heads would be counted in this in addition to stipend positions for support

actively new state frameworks for Math, ELA and Science

content area folks are critical for the classroom development

14.2 FTE for this

what is the per pupil cost for the students at the Charter School?

no one knows

DPW - Dellorco

disclosure of Casey's brother has a summer job with DPW

Grounds expenses?

high school had been off the budget due to the construction the last two years but now they are back on, did add more personnel to do the work and need the materials to do the work

Lights -Dellorco

LED conversion? where are we, what will that do to the budget

just complete the pilot project, no phone calls to complain 

Pond and Peck Sts

awaiting confirmation of the number required to go out to bid soon, looking to wrap up by end of year

electrical repair contract costs have increased, changed to a per diem

should have 5-10 year warranty, 10-15 year life expectancy

Health - Mercer

lost part-time health inspector, difficult to find someone trained to hit ground running; choosing to use a civil engineering firm to consult for those times we need it; should be able to cover it with the fees we generate

loosing admin help but will be provided in future by consolidated department

Library - Mercer

have come from about 60% to the current 90% and would need to make gradual increases each year. We have made a good faith effort to show our progress. At some point we'll need to take a bit and throw some money at it

Recreation - Mercer

expenses are up 10% but most programs are self supporting

over 100 programs, lean staff, just opened the new gym on Beaver St

Gus and Mike were instrumental in getting the building done (also the DPW) 

Cultural Council - Padula

increased by 5K to help with events like ArtWeek which have economic development

OPEB - Earls

increasing 50K based upon town policy

Health/Life - Earls

health insurance - town pays for all active and retired Town employees and all school retirees; all determined by life changes during the year too

a safety team has lead to a reduction in rate from 1 to .85

question on Debt Stabilization/budget stabilization

can save to avoid an override

would be using $1.4 to balance the budget

beyond taking the funds out would there be any other way?

only general options to eliminate positions

can put about 5-600,000 back into the account later this year

recalculated the cost of service for the fees in 2016 and changed the fees as well as eliminating some; comprehensive overview

budget total does not include the Tri-County put aside as a separate vote due to Councilor Jones employment there

"the day of reckoning means an override at some point"