Specialized Foster Care Plan Implementation Delayed

North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services recently published a policy paper describing its intent to launch a specialty Medicaid managed care plan—the Specialized Foster Care Plan (FC Plan)—to meet the unique needs of the state’s children and youth currently and formerly involved in the child welfare system. The Department values partnerships with entities supporting these populations and appreciates the thoughtful input received.

After careful consideration and review of recommendations from stakeholders, the Department is postponing the launch of the FC Plan until July 1, 2023. This delay will allow time for additional design of and input on the key features of the FC Plan for children and youth currently and formerly involved in the child welfare system.

To ensure these individuals are not required to make multiple transitions as North Carolina moves to managed care, the Department will seek input from key stakeholders including local Departments of Social Services, providers, advocacy organizations and LME-MCOs, on an interim plan that will:

• Ensure children receive a full range of physical and behavioral health services;
• Leverage the existing NC Medicaid Direct primary care and LME-MCO behavioral health system while directly addressing challenges and mitigating problems children in foster care face today;
• Ensure children in foster care receive increased coordination of care; and
• Include legislative changes necessary to support a 2023 launch of the FC Plan and a local management entity structure that enables children’s access to behavioral services outside of the Behavioral Health/IDD Tailored Plan.

Additionally, in the coming weeks, the Department will continue stakeholder engagement to:

• Share additional details on the FC Plan outlined in the draft RFP beyond what was initially described in the policy paper;
• Consult with stakeholders on the written feedback they provided;
• Identify opportunities to align the FC Plan requirements with the Family First Prevention Services Act; and
• Explore potential changes to the FC Plan to reach children earlier and offer services to children in foster care and their families.

The Department will establish a Foster Care Plan Workgroup that will support the development of an interim and long-term plan for children in foster care. Interested individuals/groups should notify the Department at Medicaid.NCEngagement@dhhs.nc.gov.