CCO/HH Program Evaluation Report prepared for the New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD)
Via ChatGPT
Willow Baer is the “Acting Commissioner” of OPWDD in New York State. The NY Post explains why she uses “Acting”.
Okay, the Bureaucracy issues the 800 page report which NO AUTISM PARENT HAS THE TIME TO READ. Now we have the awesome tools that can “read it”, and summarize it for us.
Here’s a summary of the CCO/HH Program Evaluation Report prepared for the New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) via ChatGPT.
I normally edit these A.I. post, but I want people to see this is a tool to use against the bureaucracy. I added the illustrations for fun.
Mike Sweeney
Purpose of the Report
The report evaluates the Care Coordination Organization/Health Home (CCO/HH) program implemented in 2018 to coordinate care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) in New York. The goal is to assess its effectiveness and provide recommendations for improvement.
Key Program Goals
Improve preventative and transitional care
Reduce avoidable ER visits and hospitalizations
Enhance health, safety, and quality of life
Promote community inclusion and independence
Deliver culturally competent and person-centered care
Evaluation Approach
The evaluation, led by American Institutes for Research (AIR), used:
Document reviews
Surveys (care managers, providers, enrollees, families)
Focus groups and interviews
Quantitative analysis of Medicaid claims and care data
Findings
✅
Program Strengths
Improved Health Outcomes: Enrollees report feeling safer and healthier; data shows reduced ER and inpatient visits.
Service Access: Long-term enrollees more frequently use Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS), personal care, and CDPAP.
Care Manager Support: Care Managers are generally responsive and assist with service access, though provider views are more critical.
Satisfaction: High enrollee satisfaction with Life Plans and care managers.
Technology Use: Electronic records and real-time alerts support care coordination.
❌
Challenges Identified
Care Manager Burnout: High caseloads and administrative burden lead to stress and turnover.
Disparities: Racial/ethnic disparities in service utilization; systemic inequities persist.
Technology Gaps: Inconsistent internet access and digital tools in group homes.
Limited Service Access: Housing, behavioral health, and employment supports are hard to access.
Communication Barriers: Nonverbal and non-English-speaking enrollees lack adequate support.
Operational Complexities: Bureaucracy, documentation, and unclear approval processes delay care.
Training Gaps: More focus needed on complex care, cultural competency, and system navigation.
Key Recommendations
Training & Support: Enhance Care Manager training on complex needs and system processes.
Technology Improvements: Streamline platforms and increase interoperability.
Caseload Management: Set limits and provide admin support to reduce burnout.
Person-Centered Planning: Revise tools and processes for flexibility and customization.
Service Expansion: Increase access to housing, employment, and therapeutic services.
Equity Focus: Address disparities in service access and outcomes.
Stakeholder Collaboration: Strengthen partnerships with I/DD and non-I/DD providers.
Improved Communication: Better multilingual and assistive communication tools.
Conclusion
The CCO/HH program has had positive impacts, especially in health outcomes and satisfaction. However, challenges like care manager burnout, systemic inequities, and limited access to services persist. A coordinated effort to address these issues through policy reform, training, and systemic investment is needed for long-term success and sustainability.
Mike’s Question to Willow Baer:
Why are we spending money for an 800 page useless report? I could do this for 10-20% of the price, and use the balance on our kids!!!
#AeternusUmbra