Member Feedback Sought on Trio of Confidentiality Bills Soon to Be Introduced
Jason Snyder
HHS Announces $3 Billion in American Rescue Plan Funding for SAMHSA Block Grants to Address Addiction, Mental Health Crisis
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is distributing $3 billion in American Rescue Plan funding — the largest aggregate amount of funding to date for its mental health and substance use block grant programs.
The Community Mental Health Services Block Grant (MHBG) Program and Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant Program (SABG) will disperse $1.5 billion each to states and territories (with the latter also awarding money to a tribe). This follows the March announcement of supplemental funding of nearly $2.5 billion for these programs. SAMHSA, an operating division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has expedited federal funding to grantees to help communities grappling with mental health and substance use needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read the full press release here.
Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) Awareness 2021 Virtual Conference Series Set for June
RecoveryIsCommunityNWPA, UPMC Western Behavioral Health at Safe Harbor, and Mercyhurst University are presenting a free Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) Awareness 2021 Virtual Conference Series. The goal of the series is to increase awareness of NAS to help prevent it.
Free CEU/CME credits are available through Mercyhurst University and UPMC. Attendees may attend any of the sessions.
More information is available here.
Wolf Administration and Montgomery County Officials Discuss Importance of Substance Use Prevention
Yesterday, the Pennsylvania Departments of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) and Education (PDE) and Montgomery County Officials highlighted the importance of utilizing effective, evidence-based prevention efforts for reducing substance use disorder among youth across the commonwealth.
“Prevention is our first line of defense in assuring our children grow up to live healthy, productive lives,” said DDAP Secretary Jen Smith. “With increases in substance use, trauma, adverse childhood experiences, and other risk factors due to the COVID-19 pandemic, intensifying our prevention efforts to address these risk factors is absolutely critical.”
Read the full press release here.
DDAP Announces Webinar Opportunities
Improving Outcomes by Recognizing Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Presented by Dan Dubovsky — Part One
This training addresses the importance of recognizing an FASD in those with whom we work or live. The brain damage seen in FASD is examined, along with common behaviors that result from this damage and that may result in misdiagnoses such as Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Conduct Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, and Antisocial Personality Disorder in the individual and neglect and sabotaging treatment in family members. Methods to identify those with a possible FASD are identified.
Date: Thursday, May 13, 2021, 2:00 pm–4:00 pm
Register now.
Improving Outcomes by Modifying Approaches for Those with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Presented by Dan Dubovsky — Part Two
This training builds on the first FASD training provided. Due to the brain damage caused by prenatal alcohol exposure, which spans the intellectual spectrum, evidence-based practices that rely on verbal interactions and reward and consequence approaches such as point, level, and privilege systems are often not successful with them and set them up to fail.
Date: Thursday, May 27, 2021, 2:00 pm–4:00 pm
Register now.
Law Enforcement-Led Diversion and Mental Health and Opioid Outreach Innovations
The purpose of this presentation is to demonstrate the significant impact first responder-led diversion can have in connecting overdose survivors and those with mental health disorders to treatment. Retired Deputy Chief Mitch Cunningham from the Wilmington, North Carolina Police Department and Sheriff Daron Hall from the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office in Nashville, Tennessee will highlight the need for diversion and cite examples of the successful programs they have implemented.
Date: Thursday, May 20, 2021, 2:00 pm
Register now.
Gov. Wolf Signs 14th Renewal of Opioid Disaster Declaration
Governor Tom Wolf today signed the 14th renewal of his January 2018 opioid disaster declaration to help the state fight the opioid and heroin epidemic. This declaration was the first of its kind for a public health emergency in Pennsylvania that proves to be an important tool to allow the state to respond quickly, adapt to developing needs, increase access to treatment, and save lives.
The declaration allows the state to loosen regulations and work outside of typical procedures to expedite aid and initiatives to help those suffering from opioid use disorder and those who work to prevent and treat this medical condition. It also allows agencies more flexibility to coordinate and share resources to address the changing needs of communities throughout the commonwealth.
Read the full press release here.
Pa. Can’t Fine Addiction Treatment Facilities That Break Rules. Some Lawmakers Want to Change That — RCPA D&A Director Jason Snyder Quoted
Pa. Opioid Deaths Increased During COVID-19 Pandemic, Officials Say
Oversight of Pa. Recovery Homes Stalls as Officials, Advocates Disagree on Best Approach
As More Pennsylvanians Die of Drug Overdoses, Lawmakers Call for Review of Treatment Centers, Fines [Subscription]
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