Quick recap

The meeting focused on updates and challenges in prevention services, contract management changes, and feedback for HHSC. Participants discussed the unexpected departure of contract manager Allie and shared concerns about ongoing turnover. Noelle asked for updates on BeWell contract changes and SB12 implementation, with most reporting smoother integration in schools this year. The group had a lengthy discussion about the need for more focus and support for prevention work, highlighting issues with rigid reporting requirements, outdated technology, and limited funding compared to treatment services. They shared frustrations about contract negotiations, measures set by HHSC, and the lack of flexibility in prevention programming. Suggestions included allowing providers to propose their own service numbers based on community needs and more transparency in funding allocations by region. Jennifer announced her retirement and introduced John Haynes as her successor. The meeting closed with well-wishes for Jennifer and confirmation of communication regarding contract closeout procedures.

Next steps

ASAP (represented by Noelle)

• Develop a "dream" framework for prevention funding and service delivery to present to HHSC, incorporating feedback from the field on flexibility, regional needs, and effective practices.

Noelle

• Obtain and share with the group, before the next meeting, information from HHSC regarding how much prevention funding is committed to each region and how it is allocated between coalition work and direct prevention services.

REACH

• Double-check the renewal contracts with BeWell to verify if the promised changes regarding receipt submission requirements are included in the contract language.

Collaboration

• Attendees (especially those who lost Allie as contract manager): Look out for an email from Nancy regarding closeout procedures.

Summary

Contract Manager Departure Discussion

The team discussed the departure of contract manager Allie, who announced her last day in a Friday email buried within closeout requirements. Jennifer expressed disappointment about losing what she considered the best contract manager, and the team noted this represents significant turnover in their area. The conversation ended with Noelle beginning to discuss potential changes with BeWell contracts but the transcript ended before this topic could be fully addressed.

SB12 Integration Progress Update

Noelle asked for updates on SB12 integration and received positive reports from Lakeysha and Chris that schools have been more receptive this year compared to last year. REACH agreed to check the contract language regarding additional documentation requirements for September 1st compliance. The conversation ended with Noelle opening a discussion about prevention programming improvements, asking for feedback on what issues should be brought to the state, though the transcript ended before any specific suggestions were shared.

Prevention Services Feedback Discussion

Noelle sought clarification on feedback about prevention services from a recent meeting. Jennifer explained that staff observed limited discussion of prevention during the meeting, partly due to the absence of a prevention specialist on the panel and the focus on treatment issues. amoore highlighted challenges with data reporting systems and emphasized the need for consistent language around prevention at the state level, noting that prevention receives only about 10% of federal grant dollars. Kail discussed how prevention is often undervalued because it doesn't generate revenue immediately, but stressed its long-term benefits and bipartisan appeal, while also noting resistance from HHSC regarding changes to performance measures and curriculum.

Texas Prevention Contracts Restrictiveness

Kail and Noelle discussed the restrictive nature of prevention contracts in Texas, noting how they lack flexibility compared to treatment contracts. Noelle highlighted that prevention contracts are very prescriptive with limited room for innovation, which contrasts with the more flexible approach taken with treatment providers. Jennifer added that previous contract negotiations were not genuine negotiations but rather take-it-or-leave-it offers from the state.

Prevention Funding System Flexibility Discussion

The group discussed challenges with the current prevention funding system, particularly around inflexible measures and negotiation limitations. Providers shared experiences of being unable to adjust targets based on local capacity or needs, with measures appearing unrealistic given resource constraints. The team proposed a more flexible approach where providers could propose their own numbers based on community needs, rather than being assigned fixed targets through a formulaic spreadsheet system. They also suggested including field staff in the grant writing process and providing clearer guidance on resources and strategies. Noelle agreed to gather information about regional funding allocations and present it to the team before the next meeting.

Attendees: Lakeysha Jones-Hill (External), Jennifer Gilley (External), amoore (External), Chris Garcia (External), Jennifer Gilley (External), Kail Winfrey-Gorzek (Cenikor) (External), Larsen Davidson (External), Jennifer Gilley (External), Erin McCurdy (External), Cynthia Zapico (External), read.ai meeting notes (External), REACH Council (External), Julie Priego (External), Noelle Delgado