STAGE 4 ~ ATTACHMENT A
THE STAGES IN DEVELOPING COMPLIMENTARY CONTRACTS
The following excerpt is taken from a national presentation by Celeste Putnam-Tanzy, Department of Children and Families, Tallahassee, Florida.
The following excerpt is taken from a national presentation by Celeste Putnam-Tanzy, Department of Children and Families, Tallahassee, Florida.
What is Complementary Contracting?
Complementary contracting is achieved when the points of integration between one contract and other contracts are defined and mutual expectations for service integration within contractual requirements are established.
What is Service Integration?
Integration is the weaving together of programs, procedures, priorities, resources, staff supervision, case plans, intake and referrals and other practices to create a system of care.
The 4 stages of the Service Integration Process
Stage One is really traditional service delivery. Services are provided by separate operating agencies that make policies and procedures in isolation of other agencies or providers. The funding is categorical and the planning and contracts are specific to the categorical funding. This results in fragmented services and different mandates and service philosophies among contract procedures.
Stage Two involves one individual or agency working with another agency to solve a problem or to coordinate care. This might include a substance abuse program working with the Family Safety operations program manager to help improve access to a particular program or a Family Safety worker coordinating care with a Targeted Case Manager. These are usually non-systemic activities, and although very useful, do not really modify the service system and are not reflected in contract requirements.
Stage Three involves new service development. This may involve the state government and counties coming together to jointly contract with a particular provider to provide a new or enhanced service. At this stage, agencies may begin to experiment with cross-agency placement of personnel such as in neighboring centers. The agencies also may do cross training such as the training of the child protection staff of the different provider referral processes and available services. The providers begin to shift from an agency-centered orientation to a community-based or neighborhood focus.
The Fourth Stage of integration is when more formal contract changes are introduced. Providers begin to form provider networks. The importance of seeing children and families holistically is fully recognized. The expected operation of the system is defined with the required interaction of providers and provider networks clarified. Contracts reflect this defined interaction and often show mutual or supportive processes, performance measure and outcomes.
Additional Information may be found in:
Managing Child Welfare: An Analysis of Contracts for Child Welfare Service Systems 1999. National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information. 1-800-729-6689
Attachment A-1