Connecticut Voices for Children Announcements

Asthma and Asthma-Related Health Care for Children Enrolled in HUSKY A: 2006

One in five children in HUSKY A (Medicaid) received health care for asthma in 2006. The proportion of children who received timely follow-up care after emergency visits or hospitalization was well below treatment guidelines. Fewer than one in four children (23%) who had emergency care for asthma in 2006 received follow-up care within 2 weeks of the visit, as recommended. Just over half of children hospitalized for asthma (52%) were seen in the 2 weeks following discharge. Most but not all children with persistent asthma received appropriate medications for long-term control of symptoms.

Review of HUSKY Program Changes

Connecticut Voices for Children has created this resource page for individuals and organizations to obtain information about health plan changes in the HUSKY program. These are some of the most recent and major changes to the participation of the health plans in HUSKY:

While the role of the health plans are changing, eligibility rules and benefits for members are not changing.
Wellcare (Preferred One) and Health Net no longer participate in the HUSKY program as of March 31, 2008.
HUSKY A Families now receive health care through Community Health Network of CT (CHNCT), Anthem (Blue Care Family Plan), or Traditional Medicaid (fee-for-service).
HUSKY B children now receive health care through CHNCT or Anthem (Blue Care Family Plan).
HUSKY families and children can still change health plans or move from traditional Medicaid to a health plan at any time.
Pharmacy benefits are now administered by DSS, effective February 1, 2008.
Dental benefits will be administered by DSS through one administrative services organization, on or after July 1, 2008.
Some or all HUSKY A families and HUSKY B children may be required to transition to new health plans between July 2008 and January 2009 under DSS"s plan to return the administration of HUSKY to a risk-based managed care program for all medical services except behavioral health, pharmacy, and dental services. Behavioral health continues to be provided through the CT Behavioral Health Partnership (www.ctbhp.com).

Summaries of program changes from Covering Kids and Families meetings

January 2008 summary of changes (PDF)
April 2008 summary of changes (PDF)

Presentations and materials from April 2008 Covering Kids meeting

DSS presentation by Rose Ciarcia on HUSKY transition (PDF)
DSS presentation on HUSKY dental improvements initiative (PDF)
Commissioner Starkowski letter to Gov. Rell on HUSKY program changes (PDF)
Carr v. Wilson-Coker dental lawsuit settlement highlights (PDF)

HUSKY members

Providers

Information for human service providers (updated April 10)
Notice on plan changes (PDF)
Frequently asked questions on plan changes (PDF)

Excluding Children from School: The Unintended Costs of Suspension Policy

The use of out-of-school punishments in Connecticut schools is surprisingly common -- 152,849 school days were lost to suspensions or expulsions, the equivalent of 850 school years. Students are frequently excluded from school for behavior that poses neither a danger to people or property nor a serious disruption to the learning process. This fact sheet concludes that excluding students from school is an ineffective method of promoting good behavior, there is a significant educational cost to missing school, out-of-school suspensions may increase risk of involvement in the juvenile justice system, and measures designed to get to the root of the disciplinary problem are more effective tools to prevent misconduct.

Income Gaps are Harming Connecticut's Children

The impact of Connecticut's income gaps, which are growing faster than in any other state in the country, are being felt by the state's children in their physical and mental health and educational development. A new study released by Connecticut Voices for Children indicates that low-income children are at least twice as likely as higher-income children to have physical health problems, experience emotional and behavioral health difficulties, have learning disabilities, and be at risk of developmental delays.

The gap between Connecticut's low-income and higher-income children in overall measures of child well-being is the fourth worst among all states. Among higher-income children, Connecticut ranks 15th highest among all states in child well-being compared to higher-income children in other states. However, Connecticut's low-income children fare poorly compared to low-income children in other states, ranking only 39th.

Education Policy Fellowship Available

Connecticut Voices for Children is seeking a well-qualified and enthusiastic person to fill a new full-time two-year Education Policy Fellowship position. This Fellowship is specifically designed for a person with a broad knowledge of education issues, including education financing, the achievement gap, and No Child Left Behind, as well as an interest in state-level education policy development and research. This position would be ideal for someone who has recently graduated from a Masters program in education or public policy who would like experience working in a non-profit organization that is increasing its work on state education policy and finance.

This is a salaried position with excellent benefits. Position begins summer 2008.

Please see the job description below for details.

Position Posted: April 28, 2008
Last Day to Apply: May 30, 2008

School Readiness: A Budget Update

This report evaluates funding proposals by the Governor and the Appropriations Committee for the School Readiness initiative, which helps families in Connecticuts poorest towns afford quality preschool. Both the Governor's proposed Fiscal Year 2009 budget and the Appropriations budget proposal would reduce total funding for School Readiness, though the Appropriations Committee budget would reduce funds by a lesser amount. Without clarification in the language of the Appropriations Committee budget proposal, it is not clear if School Readiness providers will get an increase in their low provider rates. In addition, the current Appropriations Committee budget includes an addition error that would mean that the Department of Social Services' School Readiness budget would fall $55,000 short.

Connecticut Economy: Current Trends in Employment, Unemployment, and Income

Recent economic indicators suggest that Connecticut like the nation as a whole is either headed towards, or is currently experiencing, an economic recession. Employment levels have dipped sharply downward, unemployment has risen faster than the national rate, and incomes for many Connecticut residents have flat-lined or declined. Economic growth in Connecticut as measured by gross state product also has been slow in recent years compared to overall economic growth in the United States.

This short report examines these recent trends in Connecticut employment, unemployment, and income to assess the health of our state economy and to what extent recessionary symptoms are appearing at the state level.