Connecticut Senate Bill SB00491

Connecticut 2019 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/24/19
• Refer: 1/24/19

Caption

An Act Expanding Access To Quality Human Services.

Impact

The bill is positioned to impact the state's service delivery framework fundamentally. With the shift to nonprofit community providers, the legislation aims to ensure that individuals in need continue to receive quality services while simultaneously relieving the financial burden on the state. This could lead to a reinvestment of the savings back into the community service delivery system, potentially enhancing the overall quality and accessibility of human services available to residents. Stakeholders in the nonprofit sector could benefit from increased opportunities to deliver these essential services.

Summary

SB00491, titled 'An Act Expanding Access to Quality Human Services', focuses on enhancing the efficiency and quality of human services in the state. The core objective is to reduce state costs by transitioning group homes operated by the Department of Developmental Services and local mental health authorities to a nonprofit community provider system. This change is aimed at maintaining and expanding access to essential programs that support individuals relying on these services. By moving to a nonprofit model, the bill anticipates significant cost savings, projected at more than one million dollars per group home and seven thousand dollars per client for local mental health authorities.

Contention

A notable point of contention surrounding SB00491 is the potential implications of transferring services from state-run operations to nonprofit organizations. Proponents argue that nonprofits can provide care more efficiently and compassionately, fostering better recovery outcomes and greater accessibility for clients. However, critics may express concerns about the capacity and reliability of nonprofit organizations to handle such vital services, especially as they may face different funding and operational challenges compared to state-run entities. This transition raises important questions about service quality, oversight, and the ability of the nonprofit sector to meet the diverse needs of vulnerable populations.