I can't say that we took proactive steps per se, but TAADAS has had a state contract since around 1986. We do lobby and employ a lobbyist but we pay for those services out of non-grant funds. Given the services that we are contracted to provide (24/7 state hotline, clearinghouse, training, access to a recovery app, managing a scholarship for BH students, etc.) I think what we do supports our members and is not in conflict. We have an informal understanding (not in our contract scopes) that the services we provide are to all Tennesseans and to all providers, regardless of whether they are TAADAS members.
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Mary Linden Salter
Executive Director
Tennessee Association of Alcohol, Drug and Other Addiction Services
Nashville TN
615-780-5901
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Original Message:
Sent: 12-21-2023 09:36
From: S H
Subject: associations in state contracting?
I'm writing to see how others have handled state concerns about contracting with associations. In Maryland, we have been disallowed from participation in state contracts - even as a subvendor - for two reasons: (1) prohibitions on expending state or federal dollars on lobbying and (2) conflict of interest. Obviously we can dispute the state's interpretation but I'm wondering if any associations take proactive steps to address such concerns in responding to a state RFP?
All of our policy staff register as state lobbyists, but we file annual activity reports demonstrating that lobbying is a small portion of our time and expenditures. Before we serve on state commissions about behavioral health reforms, we are required to file forms disclosing that we have a financial conflict of interest if there is a vague possibility that someday any single one of our members may reap a financial benefit from our participation in the commission.
Have others had states push back on your participation with conflict or lobbying prohibitions? If so, I'd love to know how you handle it.
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S H
Executive Director
Community Behavioral Health Association of Maryland
Catonsville MD
410-788-1865 ext 2
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