The Office of Community Corrections has been working towards the implementation of performance-based contracting within the community corrections system. Performance-based contracting is a contracting method that bases payments, extensions, and/or renewals on contract performance. Since August of 2015 when the original concept and plan for performance-based contracting in community corrections was developed by the Governor’s Community Corrections Advisory Council, the Office of Community Corrections has been establishing the groundwork for performance-based contracting. This included a complete revision of Colorado Community Corrections Standards, the development of new evaluation and audit tools, and baseline audit and evaluation measures. Currently, the Office of Community Corrections is in the process of determining the details of performance-based contracting with stakeholder input in order to answer the legislative request for information and move the project forward. To ensure stakeholders have an important voice, the Office of Community Corrections is utilizing the consulting services of Brian Pool from Government Performance Solutions, Inc.
Update on legislative process for Performance Based Contracting
The Office of Community Corrections (OCC) has been executing plans for performance-based contracting (PBC) within the community corrections system for several years. PBC represents an opportunity to maximize the performance, efficacy, and quality of community corrections services through the use of incentives. Under PBC, the community corrections system becomes one of continuous improvement. An improved community corrections system in turn leads to greater public safety, successful rehabilitation for individuals, and long-term fiscal savings in relationship to reduced recidivism. The move to PBC embodies the mission of the OCC: Through regulation, innovation and collaboration, the Office of Community Corrections strives to support our community partners in delivering superior services to clients, building a stronger, safer Colorado.
The original plan submitted in 2015 by the Governor’s Community Corrections Advisory Council detailed a methodical and progressive approach to the implementation of PBC. Since then, OCC has undertaken large, system-wide improvements to pave the way for the implementation of PBC. Those changes include:
- Comprehensive revisions of the Colorado Community Corrections Standards;
- New audit and evaluation tools;
- A baseline measurement of community corrections programs.
In the 2021 legislative session, the Colorado legislature made a formal Request for Information (RFI) for the Department to provide an update on PBC:
“As part of its FY 2022-23 budget request, the Department is requested to submit a proposal for the implementation of performance based contracting. This proposal should include payment models, outcomes to evaluate the performance of community providers and local community corrections boards, baseline targets for the Program Assessment for Correctional Excellence (PACE) and core security audits, the frequency of PACE and core security audits, and a warning system for underperforming providers. The Department is requested to submit this proposal no later than January 3, 2022.”
The Department contracted with Government Performance Solutions, Inc., in April 2021 to help develop and facilitate a transparent and inclusive stakeholder engagement process to inform OCC’s response to the RFI. Stakeholder input is critical to developing and implementing a successful model for PBC in community corrections. Stakeholder views are acknowledged throughout the RFI response.
In order to keep you informed of the proposed plan as submitted to the legislature, view the full OCC response to the RFI.
RFI Highlights
Key aspects of the department’s plan as submitted to the legislature include:
- Performance Metrics and Targets
- Payment Model
- Timeline
Performance Metrics and Targets
The performance metrics and targets included in the proposed plan represent items both in the direct and indirect control of system providers, with a focus on program quality, program compliance, and individual client outcomes.
Performance Metrics and Targets
Risk-Informed Outcomes
Metrics: Successful Completion and Recidivism
Targets: Will be based on data analysis and formulas to set appropriate targets based on multiple years worth of Colorado system performance.
Program Compliance
Metrics: Core Security Audit
Target: Composite score of 2 or higher
Program Quality
Metrics: PACE Evaluation
Target: Composite score one deviation above the mean of statewide baseline measurement
Key Performance Indicators
Metrics: Staff training and retention indicators
Target: Specific metrics and targets to be individualized with input from local community corrections board in consideration of local needs, barriers, etc.
Payment Model
The payment model proposed includes several key factors:
- Slow progression into increased incentives and decrease of base per diem to allow for the system to become accustomed to the new contracting and reimbursement method.
- A model that allows for future flexibility in metrics, weights, and payments that can evolve with the system over time.
- Solutions to address concerns about funding and initial investment to ensure the success of PBC.
- Increased accountability and financial impacts for poor performance.
Timeline
The timeline submitted aims to get the first incentive payments out as soon as Fiscal Year 2022-23 for risk-informed outcomes, while proposing a slower timeline for other metric areas in regards to a reasonable audit and evaluation cycle. The audit and evaluation cycle takes into account resources needed and adequate time between audits and evaluations for improvements and corrections to be made.
Our Shared Project Vision
What is our objective?
Performance-based contracting is an innovative, transparent & fiscally responsible strategy ensuring local, safe & accountable providers deliver services & support to community corrections clients.
Why?
The criminal justice system and communities benefit from researched, rehabilitative sentencing options. Local boards and providers serve the diverse clientele with additional OCC support, training and technical assistance resulting in lower recidivism rates.
How will we get there?
This program offers the opportunity to listen and collaborate with community correction stakeholders, apply established research and provide clear, concise guidance to increase the quality and quantity of help & supportive programs to our communities.
Request for Information
As part of its FY 2022-23 budget request, the Colorado Department of Public Safety (Department) is requested to submit a proposal for the implementation of performance-based contracting. This proposal should include payment models, outcomes to evaluate the performance of community providers and local community corrections boards, baseline targets for the Program Assessment for Correctional Excellence (PACE) and core security audits, the frequency of PACE and core security audits, and a warning system for underperforming providers.
The Department is requested to submit this proposal no later than January 3, 2022.
Resources
Performance-Based Contracting for Community Corrections - Urban Institute October 2020
Statewide Baseline Report - Letter to Stakeholders
Stakeholder Workshops - COMPLETE
2021 Stakeholder Workshops
Timeline November 3, 2021
Payment Models October 20, 2021
Metric Details and Cut Off Levels October 6, 2021
- 10/06/21 Agenda (PDF)
- PBC Metrics Workshop Slide Presentation (PDF)
- RIO, CORE Security & PACE Themes Slide Presentation (PDF)
- 10/06/21 Workshop Recording
PACE Measurement September 22, 2021
Core Security Measurement September 8, 2021
PBC Risk-Informed Outcomes Workshop August 25, 2021
- 08/25/21 Agenda (PDF)
- 08/25/21 Slide Presentation (PDF)
- 08/25/21 Workshop Recording
- Data Set Summary
Performance-Based Contracting Orientation August 17, 2021
Stakeholder Engagement Methods Workshop
Questions or Feedback
PBC Timeline Workshop
Agenda - November 3, 2021
PDF Version of November 3, 2021 Workshop Agenda
|
Description |
Time Allotted |
|
Agenda & Introductions |
5 min |
| Timeline: Where We Are | 10 min |
| Activity: How Often Should Audits Occur | 15 min |
| Sample Timeline | 15 min |
|
Activity: Sample Time 2-3 positive and negatives about sample timelines |
15 min |
|
Discussion: Timeline |
35 min |
| Workgroup Wrap Up | 5 min |
| Discussion: What are your hopes and concerns now? | 15 min |
| Next Steps | 5 min |
Slide Presentations - November 3, 2021
Workshop Recording
PBC Payment Models Workshop
Agenda - October 20, 2021
PDF Version of October 20, 2021 Workshop Agenda
|
Description |
Time Allotted |
|
Agenda & Introductions |
5 min |
| Results of Homework & Discussion | 10 min |
| Original PBC Plan and Urban Institute Report: Payment Methods | 15 min |
| Activity: What do you like and what would you change? | 15 min |
| Discussion: Payment Models | 35 min |
|
Regulatory Role and Relationship to PBC |
5 min |
| Activity: Warning System | 15 min |
| Concern: PBC Funding | 15 min |
| Next Steps | 5 min |
Slide Presentations - October 20, 2021
Workshop Recording
PBC Metrics Workshop
Agenda - October 6, 2021
PDF Version of October 6, 2021 Workshop Agenda
|
Description |
Time Allotted |
|
Agenda & Introductions |
10 min |
| Summary of Themes from First 3 Workshops | 15 min |
| Original PBC Plan: Weights of Performance Areas | 5 min |
| Activity: Should Areas of Performance Be Weighted? | 20 min |
| Original PBC Plan: Review of Performance Categories | 10 min |
|
Activity: Defining Performance How to define underperforming, acceptable performance, and incentivized performance |
35 min |
| Statewide vs. Program Level Baseline for Performance Metric Measurement | 10 min |
| Feedback Ask: Occ will present idea to combine statewide and program-level metrics for feedback | 10 min |
| Next Steps | 5 min |
Slide Presentations - October 6, 2021
Workshop Recording
PBC Program Assessment for Correctional Excellence Workshop
Agenda - September 22, 2021
PDF Version of September 22, 2021 Workshop Agenda
|
Description |
Time Allotted |
|
Agenda & Introductions |
10 min |
| Original PBC Plan: Program Quality as a Performance Measure | 5 min |
| Activity: Programming, What matters to you? | 15 min |
| PACE and it’s alignment with PBC Plan Review of UI Recommendation |
15 min |
| Activity: What Standards/Areas would you emphasize | 20 min |
| Discussion: Composite vs. Targeted Measures | 25 min |
| Activity: Poll - Overall Preference Discussion: Innovative Approaches to Using PBC Measures |
25 min |
| Next Steps | 5 min |
Slide Presentation & Workshop Recording
September 22, 2021 Slide Presentation (PDF)
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Core Security Measurement Workshop
Agenda - September 8, 2021
PDF Version of September 8, 2021 Workshop Agenda
|
|
|
|
Agenda & Introductions |
10 min |
|
Original PBC Plan: Safety and Security as a Performance Measure |
5 min |
|
Activity: Safety, What matters to you? |
15 min |
|
What is Core Security Audit Today and its alignment with PBC Plan Review of UI Recommendation |
25 min |
|
Activity: Pros and Cons of Composite Score vs. Specific Measures for Performance Cycle What is your preference?
|
30 min |
|
Activity: What Standards/Areas would you emphasize? |
20 min |
|
Next Steps |
|
Slide Presentation
Workshop Recording
PBC Risk-Informed Outcomes Workshop
Agenda - August 25, 2021
Slide Presentation
Workshop Recording
Data Sets for Risk Informed Outcomes
Community Corrections Information & Billing Database Relevant Data Points for Risk-Informed Outcomes
PDF Version of Data Sets for Risk Informed Outcomes
|
Data Set |
Reliability of the Data Set |
Limitations |
|
Assessments (Risk/Need Data)
|
High |
Updated LSIs may not occur for stays less than 6 months |
|
Termination Reasons
|
High |
No detailed data about categories |
|
Employment (Unemployed, Disability, Part Time, Full Time)
|
High Employment Status Moderate Earnings |
Is there a difference between having a job and having a quality job? Lacking duration of employment. |
|
Education Level (Highest grade achieved)
|
High |
Many individuals already acquired desired/needed education level at entry. Time period it takes to increase education level. |
|
Treatment Matching Specific to Substance Use Treatment
|
High |
Limited to this one specific treatment area |
|
Treatment Services Received (Dosage)
|
Low |
Data entry expectations changed over time. Limited ability to match to assessed need, correct dosage |
Performance-Based Contracting Orientation
Workshop Recording
Stakeholder Engagement Methods Workshop
The purpose of this workshop was to review the project, hear from stakeholders on their hopes and concerns about performance-based contracting, and determine stakeholder representatives for future workshops.