MINUTES OF THE
SOCIAL SERVICES APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE
Wednesday, February 13, 2019 • 7:59 a.m. • 30 House Building


Members Present:
Sen. Allen M. Christensen, Senate Chair
Rep. Paul Ray, House Chair
Rep. Raymond P. Ward, House Vice Chair
Sen. Kirk A. Cullimore
Sen. Todd Weiler
Rep. Kim F. Coleman
Rep. Jennifer Dailey-Provost
Rep. Brad M. Daw
Rep. Sandra Hollins
Rep. Marsha Judkins
Rep. Adam Robertson
Rep. Travis M. Seegmiller
Rep. Norman K. Thurston

Members Absent:
President J. Stuart Adams
Sen. Luz Escamilla
Sen. Keith Grover
Sen. Daniel Hemmert

Staff Present:
Mr. Russell T. Frandsen, Fiscal Analyst
Ms. Clare Tobin Lence, Fiscal Analyst
Ms. Maddy Oritt, Fiscal Analyst
Ms. An Bradshaw, Committee Secretary

Note: A copy of related materials and an audio recording of the meeting can be found at www.le.utah.gov.

Chair Christensen called the meeting to order at 8:13 a.m.
1. Public Input on Topics on Today's Agenda
Mr. Bart Kinsey, citizen, spoke about the importance of Support Coordination Services and how it enables him to live independently and be an employed, tax paying citizen.
Ms. Debbie Stickler, Owner, Training in Life Choices, spoke about the importance of Support Coordination Services in helping people set and attain goals for independent living.
Mr. Dave Brooke, Owner, Brookeridge Farms, told how Support Coordination Services helps them serve the disabled.
Ms. Anna Thomas, Voices for Utah Children, spoke in support of the Home Safe Program and the need for good childcare services.
Mr. Dustin Erekson, Director, Community Treatment Alternatives, expressed his appreciation for the funding provided by the Legislature and the difference it has made in his company's ability to increase staff wages. He also spoke in support of funding transportation for the disabled and the waiting list.
Ms. Kate McConaughy, Director, Work Activity Center, spoke of the need to increase direct care staff wages and fund transportation services for people with disabilities.
Rep. Ward requested that those testifying tell the committee what funding proposals they are speaking to.
Mr. Jim Jensen, Director, TKJ Services, asked for funding for FN, increased direct-care staff wages.
Ms. Erin Jemison, Director of Public Policy, YWCA Utah, encouraged funding for BG, safe child care.
Ms. Julie Smith, Executive Director, YCC Family Services, requested continued funding for the program and said requests for their services have increased 61 percent.
Chair Christensen said he wished he could clone Ms. Julie Smith because of the incredible amount of good she does.
Mr. Dennis Hansen, Director, Center for Women and Children in Crisis, explained the center's need for funding item BH, to increase the number of clients they can serve with a new facility. He provided a handout, "Center for Women and Children in Crisis."
Chair Christensen concurred with the need for a larger facility in Utah County.
2. Requests for Appropriation - Human Services
5k-RFA - Weiler - Disability Services - Support Coordinator Rate Increase
Sen. Weiler presented the request for ongoing funding and provided "ISCA Talking Points for 2019 Legislative Session."
Ms. Lori Packard, Vice President and Legislative Chair, Independent Support Coordination Association, talked about the need to fund support coordination services.
5j-RFA - Weiler - Disability Services - Motor Transportation Payment Rate Increase
Mr. Charlie Luke, Utah Association of Community Services, explained the need for transportation services funding, especially in rural areas.
Rep. Robertson asked for clarification on the settings rule and Mr. Luke and Sen. Weiler responded.
5m-RFA - Hollins - Children Reunifying in Residential Treatment
Rep. Hollins presented the budget request with the assistance of Mr. Andy Cohen, CEO, Odyssey House.
Kelly, a mother and recovering addict, told about her experience with Odyssey House and being reunified with her baby with their help.
Rep. Ward asked about the Families First Act funds and how it relates to the Odyssey House program and Mr. Cohen responded.
5n-RFA - Hutchings - Medication Assisted Treatment
Rep. Hutchings presented the budget request with the assistance of Mr. Seth Teague, Program Manager, Salt Lake County Behavioral Health.
Mr. Teague gave the committee feedback on what Salt Lake County Behavioral Health has done with the funding previously provided and the impact of its work in helping participants overcome their addictions. He also gave a cost/benefit analysis.
Rep. Hutchings provided additional statistics on the value of the program.
Rep. Ward asked about the medications used to help addicts overcome their addiction and Rep. Hutchings and Mr. Teague responded.
Rep. Dailey-Provost asked about data regarding medically-assisted treatment and Mr. Teague and Rep. Hutchings responded.
Rep. Daw commented on quitting substance abuse cold turkey vs. medically-assisted treatment of prisoners and the likelihood of overdosing upon release.
5l-RFA - Quinn - National Ability Center Programming
Rep. Quinn presented the request for funding of the National Ability Center (NAC) and told about his special needs daughter and her need to feel normal.
Mr. David Driggs, Development Consultant, NAC, gave an overview of the programs they provide, including PTSD treatment for veterans, and the increased geographical reach.
Mr. Brad Peterson, Board Chairman, NAC, told about his travels around the state to meet with every mayor and county commissioner in Utah to assess the needs of all communities.
5f-RFA - Last - Domestic Violence - Self-Protection and Dating Violence Prevention for FLDS Refugee Women
Rep. Last presented the request for funding for this program, with the assistance of Ms. Shirlee Draper, Cherish Families.
Ms. Draper explained the needs of the community because of early trauma suffered by FLDS refugee women and how the program addresses this trauma.
Rep. Last concluded his presentation.
Chair Christensen provided information about the amount of funding being requested.
Rep. Seegmiller commended Ms. Draper and expressed his support for the funding request. He asked for more information and Ms. Draper and Rep. Last responded.
5b-RFA - Judkins - Child and Family Services Caseworkers
Rep. Judkins presented the budget request with the assistance of Ms. Diane Moore, Director, Division of Child and Family Services, and Mr. Todd Losser, Executive Director, Utah Public Employees Association.
Ms. Moore thanked Rep. Judkins for noticing the need and seeking to address it with funding. She talked about the low pay for case workers and the impact it has on retaining good employees.
Mr. Losser spoke in support of the funding increase to attract and retain qualified employees.
5c-RFA - Ray - Childrens Service Society - Grandfamilies Kinship Program
Ms. Encarni Gallardo, Executive Director, Children's Service Society (CSS), asked for ongoing support to enable them to become a state-wide program. A video presentation made by 60 Minutes was shown.
Ms. Cindi Rogers, the grandmother who was featured in the 60 Minutes segment, told about her experience with CSS and the help they provided as she and her husband went from being grandparents to being parents to their grandchildren.
Ms. Bacall Hincks, Program Administrator, CSS, provided information about the services provided, the number of people served, the costs associated with those services, and outcome data.
Rep. Ward asked for clarification of the funding previously given and Rep. Ray responded.
Rep. Ray summarized the funding request. Ms. Gallardo told how to find the 60 Minutes segment.
5e-RFA - Ward - Domestic Violence - Never Again Foundation Legal Services
Rep. Ward explained the budget request and the services provided by the foundation.
Mr. Brandon Merrill, Executive Director, Never Again Foundation - Utah Chapter, explained how perpetrators of domestic murder can experience financial gain after their crime and the effort required by the victims' families to stop them from benefiting from their crime.
Rep. Daw asked for clarification of the percentage of domestic violence murders in Utah. Mr. Merrill responded.
Rep. Dailey-Provost asked for more information about murderers profiting from their crime and the legal efforts required to stop them from benefiting. Mr. Merrill responded.
Rep. Seegmiller asked for more information about how Mr. Merrill developed his interest in his profession and Mr. Merrill responded.
5o-RFA - Watkins - Carbon County Transitional Center
Rep. Watkins explained the needs of her district in combating the opioid crisis.
Ms. Jana Abrams, Director, Carbon Volunteers, talked about the need for and benefits that would be provided by the Transitional Center.
Mr. David Safford, Carbon County Transitional Center, talked about the ability to change and the need for transitional housing for addicts being released from jail.
Ms. Abrams explained the funding request and the population the center would serve.
5i-RFA - Ray - Disability Services - Direct Care Staff Salary Increase - Phase V
Rep. Ray provided an overview of the request.
Mr. Charley Wilke presented the request and answered questions from the committee.
5g-RFA - Christensen - Domestic Violence - Shelter Funding - Home Safe Program
Ms. Jennifer Oxborrow, Executive Director, Utah Domestic Violence Coalition, explained the need to address the high percentage of domestic violence-related homicides, the value of lethality assessments, and ways to increase safety.
Rep. Daw asked for the numbers of domestic violence murders and Ms. Oxborrow responded.
Ms. Clare Tobin Lence, Fiscal Analyst, Office of the Legislative Fiscal Analyst, provided information about the agenda for upcoming meetings and voting motions and adjusting priority lists.
MOTION: Rep. Ray moved to adjourn. The motion passed with a vote of 10-0-7.
Yeas - 10Nays-0Abs-7
Sen. A. Christensen
Sen. K. Cullimore
Rep. S. Hollins
Rep. M. Judkins
Rep. P. Ray
Rep. A. Robertson
Rep. T. Seegmiller
Rep. N. Thurston
Rep. R. Ward
Sen. T. Weiler
Sen. J. Adams
Rep. K. Coleman
Rep. J. Dailey-Provost
Rep. B. Daw
Sen. L. Escamilla
Sen. K. Grover
Sen. D. Hemmert
Sen. Christensen adjourned the meeting at 10:32 a.m.