Children's Integrated Services (CIS): Protect Family Access to Integrated Support Through CIS
Children’s Integrated Services (CIS) delivers evidence-based and informed services to families with young children as part of a coordinated continuum of care across multiple types of providers and settings. Unfortunately, recent state investments in CIS have not substantially improved the ability of community-based agencies to retain staff and provide services, even as demand has remained far higher than pre-pandemic levels. The study conducted by Burns and Associates the spring of 2024 analyzed CIS system costs and determined the actual costs were 14% higher than the current reimbursement rate.
The Alliance supports efforts to secure: 1) an FY26 Budget increase of about $1.6m to allow for full funding of the per member/per month rate of $738 identified by the recent study of the true cost of care; 2) inclusion of CIS services in a proposed bill that would require an annual rate study for certain services provided by state contractors, including Designated Agencies; and 3) full funding for the development of CIS data management modules.
Lead Organization: Vermont Early Childhood Advocacy Alliance
Data and Talking Points
- The actual costs of delivering CIS are 14% higher than the current state reimbursement rate.
- As the pandemic’s impacts have continued to play out, for the last three years monthly CIS caseloads have averaged around 1550 statewide, well above the 1450 monthly average in ’21.
- Moving toward predictable annual rate increases would allow CIS providers to strengthen program design and development, as well as staff retention
A holistic approach to CIS that includes identifying successful practices regionally and sharing them across the state can improve equity and effectiveness of service delivery.