Managed Care

The State of Maine is transitioning to a Managed Behavioral Health Care System.  The purpose of this transition is to improve the quality of care.  The State hopes to ensure that consumers are receiving the right amount of the right service at the right time and for the right duration.  This system is also believed to help fill in service gaps and allow for smoother transitions (i.e. a youth moving from a children's system to an adult's).  The State sees this as a way to improve management/oversight of the provider network in order to focus on quality and outcomes.

The State has contracted with Beacon Health Strategies to begin a service review in multiple areas of behavioral health, including treatment foster care.  This review will begin July 3rd.  The purpose of the service review is to prepare for the move to managed care.  Beacon will be contacting agencies to perform reviews on individual cases.  They will take the information from the agency and then give the agency recommendations on a case-by-case basis.  During the service review, all recommendations are advisory and there is no requirement to follow the Beacon review.  However, the point is to be learning about how a managed care system will work, and to give the agencies outside feedback on what can be done to potentially improve the case.

As with any change, there have been some concerns.  One is that consumers will need to change providers.  Beacon has stated that this will not happen.  Consumers will still be able to receive their treatment from the same providers as long as their MaineCare eligibility does not change.

A major concern among providers is that the move is happening too quickly.  It appears that Maine's move to managed care closely resembles New Mexico's transition to managed care.  However, when you compare time frames, Maine has moved through the process much faster than New Mexico did. There is fear that some pieces may be overlooked until the system is in place and could cause potential problems.  This service review period is intended to work out those issues that may come up and to prepare Maine for managed care.  The original time frame for the service review was six months, which is shorter than it has been in other states.  This left many providers skeptical.  This would have meant that managed care would officially begin January 1st, 2007.  However, Commissioner Brenda Harvey has recently revised this to a date to be determined in 2007.  This will allow Beacon to do a full service review and give providers enough time to report issues or concerns so that they may be addressed before the official start of managed care.  The move to managed care is an important step for Maine, but the State also understands the importance of a smooth transition.

Beacon has been clear that they have only been contracted for the service review at this time.  It has not yet been determined which managed care organization will be contracted for the official implementation of this system, however, this is a service that Beacon provides.

AFFM will work to keep readers informed of what is happening with this transition.  Check next month's edition of Family Ties for important information from Beacon on what this service review means for treatment foster care.

Beacon has established three offices in Maine: Portland, Augusta, and Bangor.  Any of these offices may be reached at 1-800-807-7921.  You may also check for more information on the managed care website, www.goodgroupdecisions.com/managedcare.

Celebration of Foster Care Month

Who among us has not hoped and prayed for good weather when planning a significant outdoor event? After almost two weeks of rain, the hopes and prayers for a perfectly sunny day became a reality on May 20th for the nearly 500 people that attended the
Foster Family Day at the Fort, Bridging the Gap to a More Secure Future.

Foster parents, adoptive parents, children, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, social workers, administrators, private foster care agency representatives, DHHS Central Office staff and management, Gubernatorial and State representative candidates and more shared in a wonderful day of fun, food and fellowship.

Thank you to the Governor and First Lady, Congressman Tom Allen's office, Congressman Mike Michaud's office and Senator Collins' office. Senator Collins' staff person, Mike Noyes, is one of Maine's own adoptive parents. Thank you to all who shared words of thanks and appreciation to the attendees. Maine's legislative delegation and the Governor and First Lady were in attendance at a funeral for a fallen Maine soldier and hence unavailable to be present. Those who represented them read letters of appreciation and mingled with the crowd, gathering a sense of who the people attending were and the love and care they provide.

The event was a collaborative between Adoptive and Foster Families of Maine and The Friends of Fort Knox. AFFM also negotiated with DHHS and the Commissioner of Conservation to make it possible for adoptive and kinship families to enter the park at no cost. Foster families were able to use their state park pass. A state park pass is available at no cost to all licensed foster families in the Maine. AFFM provided toy-filled tote bags (and/or backpacks for teens) to children on a first come first served basis. Over 300 children received gifts. Highlights of the foster care recognition event included a picnic provided by Joe and Mary Brooks of Winterport and the Winterport Kiwanis' Club. Numerous club members both prepared and served the picnic lunch. Letters from various Maine State and Federal representatives were read at the event. Governor John E. Baldacci and Maine's First Lady Karen Baldacci generously wrote a letter of thanks to foster care providers to be shared at the event and provided a book for each child attending the event.

Two wonderfully unique personalities were on hand to entertain and delight the audience. Victoria Rowell, star of The Young and the Restless and Diagnosis Murder captivated young and old with her story of life as a foster child in Maine and emphasized the need for people to be supportive and appreciative of the tremendous work done by those in the foster care system. Victoria spoke patiently and knowledgeably to youth and adults, as well as newspaper and television reporters. She posed for numerous pictures with young and old alike.

Thank you to all who made the event a huge success!

Fair Tickets!

The 152nd Northern Maine Fair in Presque Isle will be July 28th through August 5th. AFFM has tickets to this fair available for foster/adoptive/kinship families. The tickets are limited, so please call AFFM at 800-833-9786 to reserve yours. For more information about the Northern Maine Fair log on to www.northernmainefairgrounds.com

Park Passes

AFFM has state park passes available. Park passes are available to all licensed foster homes in the state of Maine - one per household. The park pass may be used at any state park or historical site all season long, for the admittance of one vehicle. You may use the pass as many times as you like throughout the season. To obtain a state park pass, please call AFFM at 800-833-9786 with your name, phone number, mailing address, and foster care license ID number.

Discount Card Addition

"Up the Creek" Kayak and Canoe Rentals is now offering a 50% discount on rentals with an AFFM Discount Card. "Up the Creek" is located in Winnegance Village, Phippsburg. They have paddles and life jackets available for all sizes and say that it's a great run, even for first timers! Call them at 443-4845 for more information.

To receive an AFFM discount card or your 2006 sticker, please call AFFM at 800-833-9786. This offer is available for all adoptive / foster / kinship families.

Rest In Peace

AFFM was saddened to hear of the passing of Chuck Riley on Tuesday, May 30, 2006. He died in his home after a brief illness. Chuck was a caseworker for the Department of Health and Human Services for over 21 years. He was awarded Caseworker of the Month in both January and February of 2006 and was a
kindhearted man, passionate about his work in the foster care system. Chuck also volunteered with Maine Handicapped Skiing at Sunday River for over 14 years. Outside of his work, he enjoyed golf, basketball, boating, woodworking, and spending time with his son at their camp on Kennebunk Pond in Lyman. Chuck was only 48 years old and will be dearly missed. Donations in his memory may be made to

Maine Handicapped Skiing
8 Sundance Lane
Newry, ME 04261

or to the

Riley Scholarship Fund
7 June Berry Court
Yarmouth, ME 04096

4th of July Fireworks Around the State!

• Bailey Island: 10:00 PM on July 4th at Cook's Lobster House (rain date July 5th)

• Bangor/Brewer: July 4th after dark (between 9:00 and 9:30) between the lower and middle bridges connecting Bangor and Brewer.

• Bar Harbor: July 4th, events all day, ending with fireworks over Frenchman's Bay. Call 288-5103 for more information.

• Bath: Annual Heritage Days Celebration from June 30th to July 4th with details to be announced. Call 442-7291 for more information.

• Carabassett Valley: July 4th at 9:15 in the Town Park.

• Deer Isle and Stonington: July 4th over Stonington Harbor at nightfall.

• Eastport: Events July 1st through July 4th, with fireworks at dusk on July 1st at Deer Isle Point. Call 853-2930 or visit www.eastport4th.com for more information.

• Freeport: Events July 1st through July 4th, with fireworks just after dark on July 4th at the athletic field by the High School. Call 853-2930 or visit www.freeportusa.com for more information.

• Greenville: July 3rd at dusk at Junction Wharf. Call 695-2702 for more information.

• Houlton: July 4th at 9:15 at Houlton Agricultural Fair.

• Kingfield: July 1st at dusk at Kennedy Farm, Rte. 142 in Kingfield. Call 942-5555 for more information.

• Lewiston: July 4th, events from 4 - 10 PM at Veteran's Park and Festival Plaza, ending with fireworks.

• Ogunquit: July 4th, fireworks display and musical entertainment at Main Beach on Beach Street. Call 646-2939 for more information.

• Old Orchard Beach: July 4th, fireworks in the square, on the beach next to the Old Orchard Beach Pier.

• Portland: July 4th, fireworks shot off of the East End Beach overlooking the Eastern Promenade. The road accessing the prom will close at 6 PM and the fireworks will start at 9:15.

• Rangeley: July 3rd, at Lakeside Park beginning at dusk.

• Thomaston: July 4th at 9:15, behind business block on Main St.

• Winslow: July 4th at dusk at Fort Halifax Park.

• Winthrop: July 4th at dusk (around 9 PM) at Norcross Point. Call 377-8020 for more information.

Reminder

The Fourth of July can be the highlight of the summer, but it's important to remember safety first. Please leave the fireworks to the professionals and remember these important safety tips about sparklers:

• Only use sparklers outside in an open area.

• Always read all instructions on the outside of the package before using the sparklers.

• Kids should handle only one sparkler at a time.

• Adults should do all the lighting and supervise closely.

• Kids should hold the handle securely and keep hands away from the lit end.

• No running or jumping with sparklers; no pointing them at other people.

• Once the flame is out, plunge sparklers in a bucket of water.

• Have a fun and safe Independence Day!
  

Kinship Corner

Holiday Reminder

All kinship providers are invited to sign up to receive holiday gifts from AFFM for the children in your care! AFFM asks for the child's first name, age, interests, clothing size(s), and shoe size to give those who do the shopping plenty of information to find the right gift for your child(ren). Gifts are generally around $50 per child. AFFM requests that families call before October 1st, 2006 to ensure that every child that needs a gift receives one.

Summer Beach Picnic!!!

Kids Free Night

Save the Date