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Cuyahoga Job and Family Services Demonstrates Transparency and Commitment to Improving Customer Service at Community Forums

By Rachel Cahill, Community Solutions Consultant Emily Muttillo, Research Fellow Beginning on August 28, the Cuyahoga Job and Family Services (“Cuyahoga JFS”) will participate in a statewide overhaul of the systems used to apply, determine eligibility and manage caseloads for food and cash assistance (SNAP and OWF). In May, Rachel Cahill outlined the upcoming conversion from...

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Transportation for people with disabilities, older adults takes center stage at HSAN meeting

The August 10 meeting of the Human Service Advocacy Network (HSAN) featured special guest Randy Cole, Executive Director of the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission. His remarks to the approximately 30 attendees touched on a number of topics that impact the world of transportation, including both the rapid advancement of technology and the change in...

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Ohio Medicaid ends “spread” pricing for prescription drugs, discussion around contractual Medicaid overhead costs just beginning

By: Loren Anthes, Public Policy Fellow, Medicaid Policy Center Adam White, Policy and Planning Assistant   Background The Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) announced on Tuesday, August 14 that it is directing Medicaid Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) to cancel contracts with Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) that use a “spread pricing” model. Spread pricing allows PBMs to keep...

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What are Cuyahoga County teens saying about sex? Community conversation lessons, themes and evidence

All of the themes are based on the thoughts, feelings, and ideas that were expressed by students. This is not intended to be an exhaustive listing, reproduction of original notes or formal research. Each theme represents a collective concept or lesson and is supported by quotes recorded by staff during each of the conversations. Education...

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“They give you all this information but don’t want you to use it ever”: Cuyahoga County teens share conversations about their sexual health education experiences

Comprehensive, medically accurate, evidence-based and inclusive sex education is vital to providing young people with the foundation they need to have healthy relationships, positive body image and to make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health. Ohio is the only state in the country without health standards. Ohio is the only state in the...

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Transportation for Medicaid eligible residents major topic of discussion at Cuyahoga County HHSA committee meeting

The July 18 meeting of the Cuyahoga County Health, Human Services and Aging committee heard presentations related to two important public policy areas, transportation and early childhood. The first testimony was from Sheronda Isler-Hunter, Non-Emergency Transportation Coordinator for the Cuyahoga County Department of Health and Human Services. Isler-Hunter requested approval of an $8 million contract...

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“Any recommendations?” Word of mouth is a key source of information

In social service speak we call them “trusted intermediaries” – those people and organizations who are good at getting the word out about programs and services. Most often, we think of relying on trusted intermediaries when trying to connect with hard-to-reach populations, especially those with language or cultural barriers. But as The Center for Community...

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If You Want to Cut Costs in Medicaid, Sharpen Your Knives: Innovation in Medicaid Pharmacy

Pharmacy is a Byzantine policy area that confounds and frustrates wonks, reporters and policymakers alike. However, it is common knowledge that the pharmacy benefit in Medicaid is, if anything, a major driver of cost. While this is well known and was most recently identified by the Joint Medicaid Oversight Committee’s (JMOC) actuary in late 2016,...