Since 1999 Health and Human services leaders in New England have been partnering to leverage each other’s service improvements and cost containment initiatives. In 2011 those collaborative relationships resulted in the award of a CMS funded Early Innovator grant to the region to test the concepts of reusability in building state-based health insurance exchanges. In the midst, CMS made available funding for states to build and enhance their Medicaid eligibility systems, and HHS leaders quickly realized the many new opportunities and challenges to a changing health and human services world. Concepts of integration and interoperability between and among state programs go far beyond technology. It also means rethinking structures and policies, and the use of resources including the state workforce.
On May 3rd, NESCSO (www.nescso.org) convened the HHS executives and their key staff for a day-long session to identify opportunities for transformation and realignment of health and human services to operate in a more efficient and effective manner. Facilitated by the Stewards of Change senior personnel, the group discussed strategies for transforming agencies and services within their own state and in partnership with their neighboring states.
To keep the momentum going, NESCSO is sponsoring one person from each New England state to join other leaders in Health and Human Services from throughout the New England States to participate in the upcoming Stewards of Change Symposium/John Hopkins Symposium in June 2013.
Thanks for posting the follow-up links to see how things turned out!
-Jon @ human services software