Quick recap

This meeting focused on challenges and updates regarding Senate Bill 12's impact on youth prevention services across Texas. The group discussed how SB12 has significantly hindered curriculum delivery in schools, with organizations reporting only about 20% of their expected numbers due to restrictions on school access. Participants shared alternative approaches including summer camps, daycares, and working with charter schools, while Kail from SeneCore reported discouraging feedback from HHSC program specialists regarding performance measures. The team discussed strategies for advocacy, including reaching out to local government representatives and legislators, with Kail mentioning their recent meeting with Dr. Trina Ida, the Deputy Commissioner of behavioral health, who was unaware of SB12's impacts. The group also addressed challenges with YPU adult education measures, particularly regarding facilitator requirements and minimum attendance standards that make it difficult to meet reporting requirements.

Next steps

• Andrea: Comment on or provide details/examples to the sunset review document regarding the audit experience and communication issues between HHSC departments, especially highlighting the lack of coordination and its impact on providers.

• All interested members: Review the sunset review document shared by Noelle and provide comments or additional examples of challenges, especially regarding SB12 and HHSC communication issues, before the document is submitted (within about one week).

• Kail: Share information/resources about the fentanyl education awareness program (including pre- and post-test surveys) with Cindy for use in Region 2.

• Abigailmoore (and/or regional leads): Document ongoing efforts and challenges with school access due to SB12, including collecting letters or statements from school district contacts to demonstrate external validation of access barriers.

• Abigailmoore/Regional leads: Make appointments and visit local legislators (and CCPs where possible) to discuss the impact of SB12 and advocate for changes or exceptions, with support from ASAP for coordination later in the year.

• Noelle: Bring up the need to revise state performance measures (especially for YPU/YPI) with HHSC, emphasizing the impact of SB12 and the need for provider input in setting realistic targets.

• Noelle: Discuss with HHSC the possibility of convening a group of providers (rural, urban, etc.) to collaboratively revamp performance measures to ensure they are achievable and relevant.

• Kail: Coordinate with Cinecor’s legislative affairs manager and lobbyist to continue advocacy on SB12 issues and report back on progress.

• Noelle: At next one-on-one meeting with HHSC, reinforce the ongoing concerns and real-world impacts of SB12 and the need for measure adjustments, and report back to the group.

• All members: Reach out to local city council members, commissioners, or CCPs to request support/advocacy with school districts for prevention program access, and document outcomes for future reporting/advocacy.

Summary

Online Platform and Updates

Noelle welcomed Abigail back as the lead for the group and provided an update on the new online platform where meeting notes and discussions are now stored. She explained how team members can access the website at ASAPTexas.org to find the group page and participate in ongoing conversations about resources and questions. Noelle also mentioned that feedback from previous discussions about SB12, tobacco compliance checks, and CMBHS issues has been incorporated into their recommendations for sunset, and encouraged team members to provide additional feedback through the legislative group.

Policy Implementation and Advocacy Challenges

Noelle shared insights about challenges with implementing new criteria and meeting targets, and Abigail emphasized the importance of being organized, particularly as they prepare for the legislative year. Abigail highlighted the power of demonstrating the impact of policies like SB12 on a large number of youth, suggesting this approach could be more effective in advocacy efforts. She also mentioned an audit of youth prevention services in Hill Country, which resulted in no findings or weaknesses, leaving the auditors unsure of how to proceed without a corrective action plan.

Audit Communication Challenges Discussion

The team discussed communication challenges between program staff and audit teams, with Andrea explaining how she helped a new auditor navigate access to required documentation and reports in CMBHS. Jennifer shared a similar experience from three years prior, noting the recurring issue of audit teams not being aware of existing resources. Noelle mentioned these communication breakdowns as part of broader issues across HHSC departments and requested team input on specific examples to include in an upcoming sunset review document, which needs to be submitted within the next week.

SB12 and Fentanyl Awareness Challenges

The meeting focused on discussing challenges related to SB12 and fentanyl awareness presentations in schools. Andrea suggested cross-training between departments to improve audit processes, which received support from Abigail and Noelle. Cindy from Region 2 raised a question about whether opt-in forms are needed for fentanyl awareness presentations required by state law, and Kail from SeneCorp shared that their partnership with Texas State doesn't require consent forms for similar state-mandated presentations. Tiffany from Region 3 introduced new program director Jamaal Sanders, and Chris from Region 7 shared strategies for working around SB12 restrictions, including using gym time for activities and participating in career days.

Summer Curriculum Delivery Strategies

The group discussed strategies for delivering curriculum during summer programs, sharing experiences with various partnerships. Chris reported success with a 4-week camp, while FBRC noted challenges with external agencies like Boys and Girls Club due to attendance issues. Cindy mentioned working with a daycare and starting programs at two new schools in August. The discussion also covered the status of charter and private schools regarding SB12 compliance, with Kail clarifying that they are not subject to the same requirements due to different funding streams.

School Access Challenges Discussion

Kail from SeneCore sought guidance after a discouraging meeting with program specialists from Regions 1, 6, and 7, who expressed disappointment with the company's inability to access schools and low performance measures. Abigail Moore shared that similar challenges are being faced by other organizations due to Senate Bill 12, which has restricted access to school districts. Abigail recommended documenting conversations with school districts and obtaining letters from superintendents or principals to demonstrate the challenges faced, which could be useful for future legislative efforts.

SB12 Curriculum Access Challenges

Kail reported that the team is meeting less than 50% of their curriculum goals for SB12, with particular challenges in Region 1 where Amarillo ISD completely shut them out this year. The team discussed that while they are doing more information dissemination, they haven't been able to facilitate required Positive Action or CBSG curriculum due to issues with student retention and fidelity requirements. Noelle suggested reaching out to local city council members or commissioners to help facilitate access to schools, which has worked in other areas. The team agreed to schedule visits with legislators in the Hill Country and San Antonio to discuss the impact of SB12 on prevention services.

SB 12 Funding and Advocacy

The group discussed strategies for addressing challenges posed by Senate Bill 12, particularly regarding federal funding impacts and service delivery measures. Noelle and Jennifer suggested leveraging concerns about federal funding losses as a way to engage legislators, while Kail shared updates about recent advocacy meetings and the hiring of a legislative affairs manager. The discussion highlighted the need to either modify SB12 or revise current performance measures, as the current measures are only achieving 25-30% of curriculum delivery targets, which could affect future funding.

Senate Bill 12 Funding Challenges

The group discussed challenges with Senate Bill 12 measures, particularly regarding YPU and CCP funding requirements. Abigail and Jennifer explained that YPU dollars cannot be moved to CCPs, as they serve different functions with complementary but distinct strategies. Reanna highlighted specific challenges with Guiding Good Choices curriculum for adults, noting sustainability issues with requiring three facilitators while only being funded for two, and difficulties achieving minimum attendance requirements. The group agreed that state measures need revision to be more realistic and achievable, with a suggestion to involve leaders from ASAP and HHSC in redrafting the measures to better align with on-ground realities.