';
CLOSE
Authors Posts by Jason Snyder

Jason Snyder

307 POSTS 0 COMMENTS

0 1238
Image by Dirk Wouters from Pixabay

The Reagan-Udall Foundation for the FDA is creating a patient journey map on use of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD). Recognizing that the impact of providers is critical to the individual journey, providers are being asked for their input and perceptions about working with individuals who have considered or used MAT/MOUD.

Surveys can be accessed at the following links.

Please complete the full survey (open-ended questions are optional). Surveys that are incomplete cannot be used. Responses are confidential, and no personally identifiable information is requested. Full terms of the survey can be read here.

0 2388
Deadline, as Letters on a Clock

In a meeting on March 18, 2021 the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) met with the behavioral health managed care organizations (MCOs) and HealthChoices primary contractors to discuss its expectations of providers’ initial alignment with DDAP’s mandates that are part of the ASAM transition. The deadline for providers to align their services with ASAM services at each level of care is July 1. In part, the purpose of the meeting was to stress to the MCOs and primary contractors that ASAM alignment is a continuous process, not a date to be met, and alignment is not an all-or-nothing proposition. Rather, DDAP is seeking substantial compliance with the criteria and does not expect payers to be punitive in their audits of providers’ alignment with ASAM.

This document defines “Initial Alignment” at each level of care. Per the document, at Levels 2.5 and 3.7, “DDAP will document initial alignment for licensed facilities.” RCPA sought clarification on this point.

According to DDAP, at those levels of care, during a provider’s first audit after July 1, DDAP will be looking for “substantial” alignment. What constitutes “substantial” alignment, what happens if DDAP determines substantial alignment has not occurred, and how other audits by other regulators and payers will be conducted relative to the determination of “substantial” alignment are still being determined.

In addition, RCPA continues to work with DDAP, the Department of Human Services/Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, MCOs, the legislature, and the governor’s office, among other key stakeholders, to illustrate the challenges this transition is placing on providers, the potential consequences, and workable solutions for providers. RCPA will make an in-depth presentation of its efforts to date and plans going forward at the Tuesday, April 6 Drug and Alcohol Committee meeting.

Please contact Jason Snyder with any questions or concerns.

0 1009

As part of Pennsylvania’s Life Unites Us initiative to end the stigma surrounding opioid use disorder, the webinar “Life Unites Us: Race & Recovery” is being held at 12:00 pm on Tuesday, March 23.

In this webinar, participants will learn about:

  • Key data from SAMHSA’s 2019 report on race, treatment, and recovery;
  • The specific barriers that hinder long-term recovery;
  • DDAP’s action plan for recovery equity; and
  • How you can help shatter these barriers and advocate for equitable recovery programs.

Register here for the webinar. Visit Life Unites Us for more information about the initiative.

0 937

The Annual 2021 Pennsylvania Gambling Conference (March 11, March 18, March 25) still has scholarships available for this virtual event. Registration is required through the conference event page.

To access the scholarship:

  1. After selecting the number of tickets you would like, click ‘check out.’
  2. You will then be directed to the ‘info/payment’ page.
  3. The promo code option is under the credit card info section.
  4. Enter the word ‘Statewide’ – this will apply the discount (the total cost should reduce by $40).

The scholarship only covers registration, so if you are requesting Social Work CEs, there will still be a fee, but the $40 fee will come off for each person registered. IGCCB & PCB CEs will be available at no cost.

You can register multiple individuals, but each attendee’s name and email address is applied under the ‘ticket holder’ area. If you have any questions, please submit to this email.

0 1258

A drug and alcohol treatment provider member has asked whether regulations requiring clients to sign releases of information (ROIs) are suspended during the Covid pandemic disaster.

The Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) has not suspended these regulations. In instances where a client’s signature is missing, the provider will be cited.

DDAP has suggested that providers can use a drop box, socially distance or mail releases to obtain signed consent. Some providers are also using document managements systems, including Docushare, to obtain client signatures.

In March 2020, DDAP issued a clarification on 42 CFR that explained that, under both federal and state law, Pennsylvania’s providers can only release client information in a medical emergency, even during the covid pandemic. The two-page clarification can be found here.

0 1087

Title: What’s the Big Deal About Trauma? presented by Diane Wagenhals, Program Director for the Lakeside Global Institute, and Dr. Sandra Bloom, Author of Creating Sanctuary: Toward the Evolution of Sane Societies

Date: Thursday, April 22, 2021, 2:30 pm to 4:00 pm EST

Registration is required for this FREE event.

Many organizations today are under a lot of pressure to become trauma-informed. Both professionals and parents are hearing about the importance of recognizing as well as preventing trauma from happening to the children in their lives. These demands can be a source of confusion: what does being trauma-informed mean? Why is it so important? What is trauma about, anyway?

You are invited to attend this webinar that will feature Dr. Sandra Bloom and Diane Wagenhals. Together they will describe what history and science have taught us about the nature of trauma, what becoming trauma-informed and trauma-responsive means, and why it is such a big deal.

Learning Objectives:

  • Define trauma and its impact, and why it is such a big deal;
  • Describe the causes and neurobiological underpinnings of trauma; and
  • Explain what being trauma-informed means for organizations and individuals.

Visit this web page for more information.

0 1331

The Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) is seeking members for the Medication Death and Incident Review (MDAIR) Team. This team will review circumstances surrounding medication-related deaths and incidents for medications approved by the FDA for the treatment of opioid use disorder. These reviews will lead to recommendations that promote safety, reduce deaths and incidents, as well as improve treatment. The MDAIR Team is established by Act 126 of 2020.

DDAP is seeking representation from:
• Narcotic treatment programs;
• Licensed drug and alcohol treatment providers;
• Law enforcement;
• The medical community;
• District attorneys;
• Coroners and medical examiners;
• Community members;
• Individuals with a substance use disorder or family advocates;
• Individuals from recovery organizations;
• Individuals who prescribe buprenorphine with a DEA number related to prescribing; and
• Toxicologists.

If you are interested in sharing your knowledge, positively affecting the drug and alcohol treatment system, and can dedicate approximately 30 hours per year, please complete the application via SurveyMonkey by March 19, 2021.

DDAP will review applications and select members within 3 weeks of the application closing date. Questions can be submitted to Derrick Pelletier.

0 1156

The Dennis Marion Impact Award recognizes local and state government employees whose initiatives, processes, and projects have led to significant improvements in Pennsylvania’s behavioral health service delivery system.

Background
The Dennis Marion Impact Award was established in 2017 in honor of Dennis Marion’s commitment to public service throughout his distinguished career, which spanned over three decades. Dennis served as Deputy Secretary for Pennsylvania’s Department of Human Services’ Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services from 2013 to 2017. Prior to his state employment, Dennis served Cumberland County, Pennsylvania for 31 years in various positions, such as County Administrator, Director of the Drug and Alcohol Commission, and Director of the Office of Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities.

Just like Dennis Marion, whose strong leadership, passion for public service, and commitment to the people he served did not stop at the boundaries of his work in any single county or agency, the Dennis Marion Impact Award recognizes strong performers who bridge disparate missions and drive towards a single goal of excellence in public service.

Purpose
The purpose of the Dennis Marion Impact Award is to recognize outstanding and meritorious achievement in working for state or local government, encourage the highest standards of performance in Pennsylvania’s public sector, attract outstanding individuals to a career in public service, and highlight public awareness of the value of public service and its impact on the behavioral health and quality of life of individuals and communities.

Eligibility Criteria
Any current state and/or local government employee in Pennsylvania that has made an outstanding contribution in the area of behavioral health (mental health and/or substance use disorders) in Pennsylvania is eligible for nomination for the Dennis Marion Impact Award. Individuals that have built effective, collaborative partnerships across different organizations, agencies, and/or other stakeholders to define and solve problems, or reach agreements on a course of action, will be given priority consideration for this award. Nominees’ contributions may be on a sustained basis or through a single, exceptional accomplishment. Nominations will be judged on three measurements: innovation, implementation, and outcomes.

Instructions
The nomination form is available here. The nomination period is open from March 5, 2021 to April 5, 2021. Completed nominations must be submitted electronically to Dwaneen Hicks by 5:00 pm EST on April 5, 2021. Nominations will not be accepted before or after the nomination period. Note, individuals may not self-nominate. The award will be announced during Pennsylvania’s May 2021 Mental Health Awareness Month events. Questions regarding this award may be directed to Dwaneen Hicks.

Sponsoring Organizations
Pennsylvania Department of Human Services – Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
Mental Health Association in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Association of County MH/DS Administrators
Rehabilitation and Community Providers Association
Pennsylvania Association of County Drug and Alcohol Administrators
Pennsylvania Mental Health Consumers’ Association

0 968
Image by Tom und Nicki Löschner from Pixabay

On Monday, March 1, Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs Secretary Jen Smith was joined virtually by the Pennsylvania Lottery, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, and the Council on Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania to kick off March as National Problem Gambling Awareness Month. The recording is available here (password: 8xJTCw3p).

Prev1...293031Next Page 30 of 31
© 2021 - Rehabilitation & Community Providers Association