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Reach Up Annual Report 2018 14

Section 4

Health Care Enrollment of Reach Up Leavers

Vermont is a leader in providing health care assistance to children and families. When a family’s income exceeds the Medicaid eligibility threshold due to earnings or increased child support, the family will continue to be eligible for Medicaid through Transitional Medical Assistance (TMA) regardless of the family’s increased earnings. TMA extends a family’s Medicaid eligibility for up to 12 months.5

Section 5

Summary of Reports by Contractors

Leslie Black-Plumeau, an independent contractor with the DCF, submitted “Leaving Reach Up: How did the experiences of Vermont’s 2013 welfare leavers compare to earlier leavers?” in FY15. A copy of the report can be found here: http://dcf.vermont.gov/sites/dcf/files/ESD/Report/2013%20Reach%20Up%20Leavers%20Report%20- %20July%2013%2C%202015%20%28Final%29.pdf

This report is available upon request. The Department plans to repeat this study with updated data within the next year. A report on families who left Reach Up due to time limits is included in Section 8 of this report.

Leslie Black-Plumeau also submitted drafts of two additional reports in 2017 – “Indicators of Child Well-Being Among Families Receiving Reach Up in 2013 and 2014” and “Use of Emergency Housing by Families Receiving Reach Up.” Both reports studied families who entered Reach Up in 2013 or 2014 and looked at data during the two subsequent years they participated in the program. Finalized reports will be available within the coming months.

The initial draft report of the child well-being study showed positive results in areas of child well-being. This study looked at data from Reach Up, in addition to data from Family Services Division and Child Development Division. Highlights include:

• 73% of families improved in at least one of the five self-sufficiency ratings closely related to child well-being o 37% showed improvement in child well-being – availability of child care and school enrollment and attendance o 51% showed improvement in shelter – stability of housing that is affordable, adequate and safe o 33% showed improvement in social well-being and connections – substance abuse and mental health of parents o 45% showed improvement in health – availability of affordable medical care and effects of disabilities

5 Health Benefits Eligibility and Enrollment rule § 7.03(a)(6)(i).