I. Oversight by Board of Directors
Management and oversight are provided by a board of community volunteers. This structure provides greater accountability and responsiveness to the local communities.
II. Financial Flexibility
CAHS is allowed to retain all federal funds, self-generated funds and any funds collected under the Medical Assistance Program (Title XIX-Medicaid) in excess of funds provided in the general appropriation act, which are collected for the provision of services. These funds are placed in a separate account (Escrow), and use of these funds is determined based on recommendations from CAHS staff and approval of the Board of Directors.
III. Streamlined Contract Approval
Under the Louisiana Procurement Code, CAHS is allowed to let contracts directly.
IV. Hiring Flexibility
Operates without Limitations of Table of Organization
Pre-established tables of organization (T.O.) formulated by the Division of Administration through the budget development process limits the number of employee positions an organization can have at any given time. CAHS is exempted from this limitation and is allowed to create essential operational and services positions as needed and as funding allows.
V. Multi-disciplinary, Cross Program Planning
Management/community driven, Board directed strategy
Enhanced management efficiency by shifting from program-segregated, competing funding needs, to a highly efficient, integrated management structure which streamlined three offices into one, with one executive director as lead administrator to oversee the agency.
- Improves Geographic Access
- Expand Access to Services – Local accountability to all 7 parishes through Board oversight expands service access.
- Facilitates Prevention Focus and Early Intervention
- Strategically Seeks Community Input to: identify needs and resources, and to implement needed services
VI. Community Partnerships
Serves as community convener, developing a system of care.
Partnerships or collaborations have increased awareness of, and referrals to, CAHS’s services, helped to address the stigma associated with disabilities, and served as a means to implement prevention and early intervention strategies.
VII. Staff & Provider Training/Community Training
The purpose of the Staff Development Program is to provide: training to meet professional licensure and certification requirements; cross training across the three disability areas; “best practice” approaches to address client needs; and other training to fulfill objectives identified in the Strategic Plan.
Sample training topics include:
- Police Training
- Relapse Prevention
- Compulsive Gambling
- Overview of Developmental Disabilities Services:
- Who is Eligible and How to Assess Them
- Side Effects of Medication and Adverse Drug
- Reactions
- Working with Intravenous Drug Abusers
- Confidentiality
- Assessing the Suicidal Client
- Working with Clients in Spiritual Crisis
- Child Abuse/Neglect Reporting Laws
- Treatment of Clients with Co-occurring Disorders
- Implementing the Carver Model: Board Governance