Changes coming to two of the Single Entry Point Agencies (SEP)

CCDC is pleased to announce that in July 2020, there will be changes to two of the Single Entry Point Agencies (SEP). The Single Entry Point System is a collection of more than 20 state-wide SEPs that provide eligibility determinations and case management for particular Home and Community Based Services Waiver programs. 

Specifically, the SEPs help people needing services from the following waivers:

• Elderly, Blind, and Disabled (EBS)
• Community Mental Health Services (CMHS)
• Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)
• Brain Injury (BI)

Some SEPs also work with the Children’s Home and Community-Based Services (CHCBS) programs.

SEPs are a combination of county human service agencies and private nonprofit organizations. Every few years, the contracts awarded to the private organizations go out to bid, allowing others the opportunity to become the new SEPs. At the same time, the county agencies have the right to give up their contracts.   

Due to this competitive process, there are two new Single Entry Point Agencies: 

• Rocky Mountain Human Services (RMHS) replaces Colorado Access for Denver, Adams, Arapahoe, Douglas, and Elbert Counties.
• Rocky Mountain Health Plans (RMHP) replaces the Mesa County Department of Human Services.

CCDC is pleased with this change as we have existing relationships with both incoming organizations. They have firm commitments to participant-directed services like the Consumer Directed Attendant Support Services and In-Home Support Services. They believe in client engagement at all levels of decision making and the client’s absolute right to live, work, worship, learn and play in their home community. 

CCDC acknowledges that change is hard, and no transition is without bumps. We are working with each organization as they assume this new role. Both organizations know we will help in any way possible. However, they are also aware we maintain our high expectations of client satisfaction, and if there are problems, we will engage in vigorous advocacy. 

We take comfort that the new SEPs asked for our involvement precisely because of our commitment to engage in active advocacy without exception. An excellent service provider understands the need for external support as no system works perfectly.   

CCDC had made no secret regarding our concerns with Colorado Access. We want to be clear that we never believed the SEP directors (three in three years) or the existing case managers caused these difficulties. Most of the case managers are terrific people doing the best they can under challenging circumstances, and we anticipate most of them will end up working for Rocky Mountain Human Services. Our hope for Colorado Access is they use this opportunity to their benefit. We encourage them to take stock of their values and reassess how they listen to feedback, both external and internal. By doing so, they have the opportunity to recover and realign their focus to provide excellent services as the Regional Accountable Entity in the Denver Metro area.

Regarding the changeover in Mesa County, CCDC believes the county agency no longer wanted the contract. The community agreed Rocky Mountain Health Plans would be an ideal organization to step into the SEP role. RMHP has a history of taking over services from others and already has a qualified and able client council. This council recommended an increase in integration between the Regional Accountable Entity (RAE) and Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS). This SEP contract will enable said integration to begin. 

We want to assure everyone that NO benefits or services will be cut or changed. Hopefully, the change in SEP agencies will be a net positive for everyone—clients and case managers alike. As July nears, and the transition becomes a reality, CCDC’s Individual Advocacy team will regularly communicate with the new SEPs. They will be ready to assist with any problem related to the transition. 

If you are a stakeholder in the affected counties and are interested in participating in the community advisory council, watch for announcements closer to July for ways to engage.