Gov. Ricketts, DHHS Release Second Annual Business Plan and Priority Initiatives

Press Release

Today, Governor Pete Ricketts and Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) CEO Courtney Phillips released DHHS' second annual business plan, titled "Good Life. Great Mission. Helping People Live Better Lives." The business plan identifies and details 20 key priority initiatives that will guide the work of DHHS through the 2017-2018 fiscal year.

"These DHHS initiatives align with my top priorities, including making state government more efficient, more effective, and more customer-focused," said Governor Ricketts. "The DHHS business plan for the coming year will continue the department's focus on these priorities through strategic actions, measurable outcomes, and transparency."

"I appreciate the Governor's leadership, his support of our work, and his focus on measurable outcomes," said DHHS CEO Phillips. "Our plan outlines DHHS priorities for the coming year, defines goals, identifies deliverables, and compels us to measure progress as we continue our efforts to effectively manage resources. We're here because we believe in what we do and we're dedicated to our mission of helping people live better lives."

Phillips said some of this year's initiatives will build on the progress made on last year's priorities while others provide new opportunities for DHHS and ultimately, for those the agency serves.

The 20 initiatives are aimed at integrating services, promoting independence, focusing on prevention, leveraging technology, and increasing operating efficiencies. Each goal will result in measurable improvements and continue a commitment by the agency to be accountable and transparent. The initiatives include:

Integrating Services and Partnerships. Working to create more efficient and effective ways to serve Nebraskans, DHHS is integrating services across DHHS and with stakeholders and partners. The priority initiatives include:

Nebraska System of Care for Children, Youth and Families
Keeping Families Together
Beatrice State Development Center

Promoting Independence through Community-Based Services. Built on the needs of DHHS' varied customers, community-based services provide the supports within communities to help them maintain independence and flourish. The priority initiatives include:

Medicaid Long-Term Care Services and Supports Redesign
Timely Access to Developmental Disability Services

Focusing on Prevention to Change Lives. DHHS is investing in healthy behaviors, safety, and prevention to help Nebraskans achieve lifelong success and live better lives. The priority initiatives include:

Prescription Drug Overdose Prevention and Prescription Drug Monitoring
Prevent and Reduce the Number of Children in Out-of-Home Placements
Expansion of Alternative Response

Leveraging Technology to Increase Effectiveness. Using technology, DHHS will streamline processes; make information more accessible, timely, and customer focused; and effectively position the agency for the future as data needs change. The priority initiatives include:

Nebraska Caregiver Responsibility Tool
Child and Adult Abuse/Neglect Central Registry
Behavioral Health Centralized Data and Electronic Billing Systems
Electronic Benefit Transfer Cards for the WIC Program
MMIS Replacement Project -- Data Management Analytics and Claims Broker Services
Medicaid Eligibility and Enrollment System

Increasing Operating Efficiencies and Improvements. A strong base for DHHS is essential to have continued success. DHHS will focus on improvements, efficiencies, and reduction in regulatory complexities to enhance quality and performance. The priority initiatives are:

Maintain and Improve ACCESSNebraska's Performance
Patient Admission and Discharge Flow at the Lincoln Regional Center
Developmental Disabilities Quality Management
Children's Services Licensing and Community-based Agency Provider Certification
Reduce Single State Audit Findings
Streamlining Operational Improvements

Earlier this week, Governor Ricketts highlighted achievements from the past year made by DHHS as part of its first ever business plan, including:

Sustained reforms with ACCESSNebraska
Shorter application period for professional licenses
Coordinated Medicaid service delivery through Heritage Health
Transformed behavioral healthcare for children
Customer-friendly developmental disabilities services application

Ricketts said the DHHS successes can be attributed to a team dedicated to their mission, a commitment to excellence, and a focus on change and continuous improvement. Earlier this week, Governor Ricketts applauded Phillips and the DHHS team for accomplishing over 93 percent of the 213 deliverables in last year's plan.

"This is great news and another example of the changes we are bringing to state government to improve services to help Nebraskans live better lives," said Governor Ricketts.

Source