Boston Provider Meeting May 18, 2011

What is Access to Recovery? ATR is a 4-year SAMHSA grant funded program awarded to the MA Department of Public Health/Bureau of Substance Abuse Services  Advocates for Human Potential (AHP) is the ASO Goal: Help people who have a problem with drugs or alcohol start or continue on the road of recovery Target Population: Individuals who have been incarcerated or have a history of involvement with the criminal justice system We are in year 1 of the grant (10/1/10-9/31/11)  Hampden County up and running  Now starting in Suffolk County (Boston)

Basic Premise of ATR Government realized that traditional clinical interventions may not be sufficient to aid the individual in the recovery process –There are multiple pathways to recovery –Non-traditional organizations can also provide vital support for people in recovery –Therefore, a combination of both clinical treatment and a system of recovery support services – the wrap around services- is crucial to supporting the recovery of people with substance use disorders

Recovery Support Services Examples of Recovery Support Services  Housing  Child Care  Transportation  Employment Readiness  Peer Mentors/Recovery Coaches  Clothing and Food Purchases Goal is to develop a comprehensive Provider Network which will offer many types of services

Recovery Support Services MA ATR is reaching out to non-traditional service providers – to add community-based and faith-based recovery support services to the existing treatment system – to create a comprehensive ATR Provider Network, an “umbrella” of services to address recovery needs. ATR will pay for many services not currently covered by 3 rd party health insurance or BSAS and other government funded programs.

How does ATR pay for the services? Services are paid for by electronic vouchers No paper vouchers or money ever changes hands Vouchers are authorized for specific services and for a specific number of units of service Vouchers are good for 30 days only Once service is provided, provider will input the information into WITS Providers will be reimbursed through electronic funds transfer, right into their bank account Everything is processed via the computer through an electronic Voucher Management System called WITS

ATR is Client Centered SAMHSA requires that: Client is at the center of the recovery process Client helps to design the Recovery Plan Client identifies and chooses the services to support recovery Client chooses providers Client manages his or her own recovery process

How does the client relationship work? A Recovery Plan is at the heart of ATR What is a Recovery Plan? Document that lists a person’s plan for how to achieve a healthy and fulfilling lifestyle It includes goals and identifies services that will help improve the life for the person in recovery Has realistic time frame for meeting goals and how to avoid triggers for relapse Is continually adjusted to meet changing needs and make sure the plan stays relevant

Who authorizes the vouchers? ATR COORDINATOR ATR Coordinators will meet with every client to: Do an initial intake Collect data including for the GPRA –SAMHSA requires GPRA at intake and then again 5-6 months later –80% follow-up rate is required Review the Recovery Plan with client Explain the voucher process and how to access the services Remind them that in 5 months they will be doing the GPRA again.

Who authorizes the vouchers? ATR COORINDATOR (continued) Input all data into the WITS VM System In WITS, authorize the voucher for the client and electronically send the provider the appropriate voucher In a few days, call client to check in and see if they are happy with the service 30 days later, the ATR Coordinator calls the client to check in on voucher needs and … the process begins again…

Process Flow Possible Referral Sources: 1.Suffolk House of Corrections 2. Clinical Treatment Facilities 3. Recovery Homes/Sober Homes 4. Community Health Centers 5. ATR Provider Network

Process Flow Flow: 1.Client sees ATR Coordinator 2.Recovery Plan developed 3.Client chooses the services and the provider of those services 4.ATR Coordinator creates a voucher and electronically sends that voucher to the provider 5. Provider accepts the referral and voucher and provides the service to the client 6. Provider documents that the service was delivered 7. Provider’s billing department bills AHP (through the WITS system)

Summary of Key Points about ATR ATR pays for Recovery Support Services that have been non-reimbursable up until now. Both traditional providers and community organizations can provide services under ATR Client has the choice of both services and providers Recovery Oriented System of Care Traditional Clinical Treatment Providers Faith-Based and Community Organizations

MA-ATR Client Targets BSAS must manage the yearly voucher budget and meet the yearly client targets for the grant Year per Month =121 Year per Month = 244 Year per Month = 254 Year per Month = 172 TOTAL Unique CLIENTS – 9001

MA-ATR Budget Administrative Costs $2,623,888 Vouchers $10,495,552 Year 1 $ 2,381,600 Year 2 $ 2,604,800 Year 3$ 2,732,272 Year 4 $ 2,776,880 TOTAL $10,495,552 Amount to be given out in Vouchers TOTAL BUDGET $13,119,440 We have much more to spend in Year 1 than in any other year of the grant

Why Should My Agency Join ATR? Receive payment for services that are not presently reimbursed Receive additional revenue to support program enhancements Clients already in your agency can obtain non-traditional recovery support services that will help them in their recovery…and they can be paid for by ATR

Why Else? You will be part of a network that partners with clients, providers, and the state to develop a comprehensive recovery support system and will add needed services to the continuum. You will receive training, capacity-building, and technical assistance from local and national consultants.

What Should You be Thinking About? 1.What services could your organization offer ATR clients? 2.Do you have a special niche, i.e. languages spoken, multi-cultural staff, easy access by public transportation? 3.How can you best market those services to entice clients to choose your agency? 4.What will be your process for initially meeting with these clients? Who will they call? How will they make the appointment?

Becoming an ATR Provider 1.Providers have to submit a registration form for approval by the State 2.Go to for this formwww.ma-atr.org 3.Once provider is approved, AHP will enter into a Provider Agreement with the provider, outlining specific obligations for this ATR program

Questions?

Toll Free Help Line for Providers DPH/BSASAHP Advocates for Human Potential Karen Pressman (617) Rebecca Starr Paul Sheehan (617) Beth Fraster