Youth Empowerment Services (YES)

Background

The Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and Department of State Health Services (DSHS) received approval by the federal government to implement a 1915(c) Medicaid Waiver. The program, called Youth Empowerment Services (YES), allows more flexibility in the funding of intensive community-based services and supports for children with serious emotional disturbances (SED) and their families. HHSC and DSHS worked collaboratively to develop the waiver, and sought input throughout the process from a broad array of stakeholders.

• Additional Information: YES Waiver Brief, May 2011 (MS Word)
• YES Tracking Report (MS Excel) Posted December 6, 2011

Program News

• YES Waiver Community Update – May 2011 (MS Word)
  New: Implementation Status, Participant Recruitment and Enrollment, Revised Provider Qualifications and Service Descriptions, Provider Recruitment, and more.
• YES Featured in HHSC's In-Touch Newsletter
  The YES Program was featured in the May-June 2010 Issue of In-Touch. Read the feature »
• Interest List for YES Waiver Services Available in Bexar County
  April 2010 – The Local Mental Health Authority in Bexar County, Center for Health Care Services, has begun an Interest List for youth and families interested in accessing services through the YES Waiver. To obtain more information or get registered on the Interest List for Bexar County, please call (210) 731-1300 extension 259.
  • Brochure for Youth & Families in Bexar County (MS Word)
• YES Waiver Policy Clarification - March 2010 Update (MS Word)
• RFA for Bexar County Service Providers
  February 2010 - The Center for Health Care Services has released an Open Enrollment Request for Applications (RFA) with the intent of recruiting YES Waiver Service Providers in Bexar County. The RFA can be viewed at: http://www.chcsbc.org/.
• Interest List for YES Waiver Services Available in Travis County
  February 2010 – The Local Mental Health Authority in Travis County, Austin Travis County Integral Care, has begun an interest list for youth and families interested in accessing services through the YES Waiver. To obtain more information or to get registered on the Interest List for Travis County, please call (512) 804-3191. Information is also available online at www.integralcare.org.
• Brochure for Youth & Families in Travis County (MS Word)
• RFA for Travis County Non-Traditional Community-Based Support Services
  Austin-Travis County Mental Health and Mental Retardation Center dba Austin Travis County Integral Care (ATCIC) is seeking applications for the provision of Open Enrollment for Non-Traditional Community Based Support Services, Request for Applications (RFA) for the residents of Travis County, Texas. Contracts will be initiated for all Providers who meet application criteria. If would like a copy of the RFA, contact Arianna Ramos at 512.440.4062 or by email at arianna.ramos@atcic.org. The application period will be open May 2, 2011 through July 5, 2011. Applications must be received no later than 5:00 PM on July 5, 2011. For other opportunities, please see http://www.integralcare.org/?nd=yes.

Current Status

DSHS and HHSC submitted the YES Waiver proposal to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in June 2008 and received approval in February 2009. Travis and Bexar Counties are serving as the initial two pilot sites. DSHS is contracting with Austin Travis County Integral Care (Travis County) and The Center for Health Care Services (Bexar County) as Waiver Providers for YES Waiver services for their respective service areas. Services began April, 2010.

DSHS’ Open Enrollment of additional Waiver Providers will continue and any individuals or organizations interested in becoming a Waiver Provider (must provide all YES Waiver services) may respond to DSHS’ Notice of Open Enrollment posted at http://esbd.cpa.state.tx.us/bid_show.cfm?bidid=82557. The ultimate goal is to have a variety of DSHS contracted Waiver Providers in each service area. Harris and Tarrant Counties will begin serving as pilot sites as early as 2012 if the waiver is determined to be cost effective in its first two years of operation.

YES Waiver Information

• Brochures for Youth and Families
  • Brochure for Youth & Families in Bexar County (MS Word)
  • Brochure for Clients & Families in Travis County (MS Word)
• Approved Waiver Application (PDF) Posted October 3, 2011
• Waiver Provider Brochure (MS Word)
• YES Waiver Overview –  April 1, 2011 (MS PowerPoint)

YES Waiver Provider Information

• Youth Empowerment Services (YES) Notice of Open Enrollment posting can be viewed at: http://esbd.cpa.state.tx.us/bid_show.cfm?bidid=82557
• Provider Credentialing Criteria (MS Word)

YES Waiver Provider Rates

• To view rates, please visit HHSC’s Rates Analysis for Long-Term Care Services website at http://www.hhsc.state.tx.us/rad/long-term-svcs/yes/index.shtml. This link also provides additional information about the YES Waiver Rates (Contacts, Methodology/Rules, Payment Rate Information).
• HHSC sets rates for all YES Waiver Services. To receive notice of Meetings, Public Hearings, Workshops and Events please visit http://www.hhsc.state.tx.us/news/meetings.asp

YES Waiver Policies and Procedures Manual
Version 5 - Published August 23, 2010

• Manual (MS Word) — Revised August 23, 2010
  • Waiver Participant Eligibility and Enrollment Change Log ( Updated January 24, 2011) (MS Word)
  • Waiver Participant Eligibility and Enrollment Change Log (Updated August 20, 2010) (MS Word)
• Appendices
  • Appendix A – YES Waiver Service Codes Descriptions and Provider Qualifications (MS Word) Revised - Posted April 6, 2011
  • Appendix B – Quality Management Plan (MS Excel)
  • Appendix C – Waiver Provider Credentialing Process Flow (MS Word) (NEW)
  • Appendix D – Eligibility and Enrollment Process Flow (MS Excel) (NEW)
  • Appendix E – Billing Guidelines (MS Excel) Revised  - Posted April 6, 2011
  • Appendix F (NEW/REVISED)
    • LMHA Staff Training Q & A (MS Excel)
    • Question and Answer Document (MS Word)
• Forms
• Clinical Eligibility Determination Form (MS Excel) Revised - Posted March 29, 2011
• Consumer Choice Consent (MS Word) (REVISED)
  • Spanish - Consumer Choice Consent (MS Word)
• Co-Occurring Diagnosis Needs Assessment (NEW)
• Denial of Eligibility Letter - Travis County (MS Word) (REVISED)
  • Spanish - Denial of Eligibility Letter - Travis County (MS Word) (REVISED)
• Denial of Eligibility Letter - Bexar County (MS Word) (REVISED)
  • Spanish - Denial of Eligibility Letter - Bexar County (MS Word) (REVISED)
• Documentation of Provider Choice (MS Word) (REVISED)
  • Spanish - Documentation of Provider Choice (MS Word)
• Encounter and Invoicing Template (MS Excel) Revised - Posted April 16, 2012
• Financial Eligibility Screening Tool (MS Word) (REVISED)
• Individual Plan of Care Form For Existing Clients (MS Excel) Revised - Posted April 16, 2012
• Individual Plan of Care Form For New Clients (MS Excel)  Posted April 16, 2012
• Interest List Removal Letter (MS Word) (REVISED)
  • Spanish - Interest List Removal Letter (MS Word)
• Letter of Withdrawal (MS Word) (REVISED)
  • Spanish - Letter of Withdrawal (MS Word) (REVISED)
• Notification of Hospitalization and Participant Absence Form (MS Word) (NEW)
• Notification of Participant Rights (MS Word) (REVISED)
  • Spanish - Notification of Participant Rights (MS Word) (REVISED)
• Offer Letter (MS Word) (REVISED)
  • Spanish - Offer Letter (MS Word)
• Optional Eligibility Screening Tool (LMHA) (MS Word) (REVISED)
• Optional Eligibility Screening Tool (Referral Source) (MS Word) (REVISED)
• Participant Handbook and Provider Directory (MS Word) Updated March 2012
  • Spanish – Participant Handbook and Provider Directory (MS Word) Updated March 2012
• Participant Referral Form (MS Word) (REVISED)
• Respite Relative Provider Form (MS Word) (REVISED)
  • Spanish - Respite Relative Provider Form (MS Word)
• Signature Page (MS Word) (NEW)
• Transportation Log Template (MS Excel) (REVISED)
• Vacancy and Deadline Notification Form (MS Word) (REVISED)
  • Spanish - Vacancy and Deadline Notification Form (MS Word)

YES Training Topic/Dates

• Information to come

YES Extended Observation Unit Standards

• Extended Observation Unit Standards (MS Word)