Monitoring PATH ProvidersPATH 2010 Grantee Meeting

Washington DC December 7-10, 2010

Creating Effective PATH Programs in the

Era of Health Reform

Robert H. Snarr, Utah SPCBrooke Dawson, Missouri SPCTahtia K. Smalling, Illinois SPC

PATH Program & Quality of Care

The PATH program is designed to support the delivery of eligible services to persons who are homeless and have serious mental illnesses and co-occurring substance use disorders, with a particular emphasis on (a) persons most in need of services, and (b) services which are not supported by mainstream mental health programs.

Health Care Reform & Quality Care

• Outreach & Community Integration• Housing First Models and the “10-Year

Plan to End Chronic Homelessness”• Integrated Primary Care and Behavioral

Care • Cultural Competency (Vets, Immigrants)• Trauma Informed Care

PATH RFA

• Using the RFA to build your contractRequired servicesMatch and funding limitationsEligibility and Enrollment

• Developing the Scope of Services• Budget & Intended Use Plan• Required elements of the Annual Report

Outcome Measures & Effective PATH Programs

• Housing; Income Benefits; Earned Income; Medical Insurance & Primary care

• Consumer Involvement• Quarterly Reporting• Number & cost of clients served

Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA)

• Increase the number of homeless persons contacted

• Increase the percentage of contacted homeless persons with serious mental illness who become enrolled in services

• Increase the percentage of enrolled homeless persons who receive community mental health services

• Maintain the average Federal cost of enrolling a homeless person with serious mental illness in services

Monitoring PATH Providers

Monitoring a PATH Provider Program

• Find a date• Send monitoring tool to the provider• Ask PATH Program Director to

develop a structured plan for the day• Confirm date and receipt of

paperwork with provider

Prepare Yourself• Review the agencies Intended Use Plan (IUP)• Make copies of the IUP, Monitoring Tool, and

interview questions for Staff and Consumers• Review Grant Requirements with the

Agency’s IUP in mind• Review agencies billing practice with Grant

Fiscal Manager(make sure you are booked into a hotel you like

and you have reserved a State car!!!)

Site Visit• Arrive on time• Meet and Greet• Follow the agencies plan for the day• Give PATH Program Director a synopsis of

your initial impression• Discuss program strengths and

weaknesses• Exit Agency

Desk Audit

• Entrance & Exit • Quantitative Review• Data check list• Meet Me Conference &

Teleconference

Report Back and Follow Up• Write a draft report • Share draft with program director and

other reviewers • Issue a final report• Set follow up times if you find program

deficiencies• Ask for and act on feedback about your

own performance

Navigating Travel Restrictionsand other SPC challenges

• Become familiar with travel policies within your state

• If possible review programs near each other on consecutive days so your mileage is consolidated

Developing a Statewide Conference/Meeting

Consider the following variables in

Pre-Conference Planning

• The number of PATH Providers • Central Location• Date/Time-line• Allocation of funds• Evaluations and Feedback

Planning on the “Front-End”

• Identify/obligate funds• Share the opportunity to participate• Schedule/begin monthly teleconferences• Develop a budget

SPC + Providers Collaborate to determine the

following• Theme

• Band-width of Conference

• Topics/Session Presenters

• Duration/Length

• Central Location

• Advertisements and Memorabilia

SPC + ProvidersDesignation of Responsibilities

• Assignments and Projects• Fiduciary Agent/Registrar/Questions Contact• Donations and Contributions• Development/Release of Brochure• CEU’s• Behind-the-scenes Paperwork

SPC + ProvidersEstablish/Share Deadlines

• Technical Assistance

• Materials

• Reservations

• Registration

• Meals

• Vendors

SPC + ProvidersThe Value of Communication

• Facilitate effective monthly teleconferences

• Maintain regular contact with fiduciary agent

• Practice professional courtesy!

SPC + Providers Finalize… the Details

• Visit the Location• Forward PPT Materials to Printer/CEU

Reviewers• Purchase and confirm Mementos/Giveaways• Transportation• Schedule a final “touch base”

teleconference

During the PATH Conference Reality of the “Back End”

• E-N-J-O-Y the experience!

• Cultivate a nurturing and comfortable environment

• Ensure a “same page” approach (Share

Information)

• Encourage the completion of evaluations

• Announce the availability of CEU’s

• Take Pictures to memorialize the occasion!

After the PATH Conference…

• Share your Thanks and Appreciation! • Distribute CEU’s and Certificates of

Participation• Process Vouchers/Invoices ASAP• Schedule “Wrap Up” teleconference• Complete mass mailings as soon as possible• Forward final reports of Evaluation outcomes• EXHALE

Questions/Feedback? Please Contact:

Robert H. Snarr, Utah SPC, RSnarr@utah.gov

Brooke Dawson, Missouri SPCBrooke.Dawson@dmh.mo.gov

Tahtia K. Smalling, Illinois SPC tahtia.smalling@illinois.gov