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Authors Posts by Jason Snyder

Jason Snyder

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The Secretaries of the Department of Human Services, Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, Department of Health, and Department of Aging have written a letter to human services organizations about the budget impasse and an estimated $5.9 billion in planned state and federal funding that cannot be disbursed without a signed budget. The letter details specific funds that cannot be distributed through each department.

For Gov. Shapiro to sign HB 611, the General Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2023/24, which was passed by both the House and Senate, Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward must first deliver a signed physical copy of the bill to him. Sen. Ward is the only person with the power to call the Senate into session to complete this procedural step. Ward has adjourned the Senate until Sept. 18, 2023.

Read the full letter here.

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The Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) issued Policy Bulletin 23-02, which describes modifications to the DDAP Gambling Treatment Manual. Changes outlined in the bulletin include updated qualifications for providers, extended certification timelines, revised billing rates, and streamlined processes for client sessions, record-keeping, and grievance handling. The revised manual can also be accessed on the DDAP website.

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Life Unites Us is hosting a webinar at 12:00 pm on Tuesday, July 25, titled “Uniting Provider Communities: Improving Access to Behavioral Health and Substance Use Disorder Services for Older Pennsylvanians.” The webinar will cover Pennsylvania aging programs and services, the integration of behavioral health and addiction services, their delivery methods, and available resources within the aging network. Registration is available.

Life Unites Us is a collaboration between the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, the Douglas W. Pollock Center for Addiction Outreach and Research at Penn State Harrisburg, and the nonprofits Shatterproof and The Public Good Projects. It aims to end stigma and improve access to addiction treatment and recovery by bringing together organizations fighting the opioid epidemic.

The Pennsylvania Department of Drug & Alcohol Programs (DDAP) is offering an online training module “Anxiety Disorders & Substance Use Disorder (SUD): Research-Based Strategies & Treatments.” The training covers effective treatments for individuals with co-occurring anxiety and substance use disorders, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and mindfulness meditation. It includes interactive elements and takes approximately 4 hours to complete. To access the training, create or log in to your account on the TrainPA website and search for “PA-DDAP: Anxiety Disorders & SUDs” under courses. You can email DDAP’s training inbox or call 717-736-7452 for inquiries.

The Department of Human Services (DHS) Offices of Medical Assistance Programs (OMAP) and Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) issued a Medical Assistance (MA) bulletin today detailing MA payment for street medicine.

This bulletin informs MA providers that DHS will cover certain services for MA beneficiaries experiencing unsheltered homelessness in their lived environment, known as street medicine. Covered services include physical and behavioral health services, such as primary care, vaccinations, wound care, counseling, and diagnostics in the lived environment. The bulletin applies to enrolled physicians, nurse midwives, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, psychologists, mobile mental health treatment providers, and outpatient practitioners in mental health. Managed care providers should contact their managed care organization(s) for billing questions.

The complete bulletin can be viewed here as well as on the DHS website.

The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) is organizing various training sessions throughout the state. View the schedule for information about the dates, locations, and available courses in your region. Trainings will start on August 8, 2023 and include Case Management Skills, Ethics in Prevention, Screening and Assessment, and more. To attend these courses, you need to register through DDAP’s Training Management System. Each course requires separate registration, and seats are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. If you have any inquiries, contact DDAP’s Training Section via email.

The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) on Wednesday issued Policy Bulletin 23-01, which outlines modifications to the DDAP Fiscal Manual, Prevention Manual, Operations Manual, Case Management & Clinical Services Manual, and the Substance Abuse Prevention & Treatment Block Grant Provisions. The modifications cover various topics, including funding strategies, media restrictions, outcome measures, licensure requirements, treatment definitions, telehealth assessments, staff qualifications and training, and confidentiality of information. The updated documents are available on the DDAP website, and the bulletin applies to all single county authorities and their contracted providers. The changes are effective immediately.

Leaders at Twin Lakes and UPMC on Thursday celebrated a years-in-the-making, $16.2 million expansion at Twin Lakes that added space for 24 additional patients inside an all-new 19,300-square-foot building. RCPA Director of SUD Treatment Services, BH Division Jason Snyder was in attendance at the ribbon cutting on June 29, along with RCPA Board Chair-Elect Noreen Frederick of University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Deborah Brodine, president of UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital and the Behavioral Health Services Network of UPMC, is pictured in the center, holding the scissors. View the article here.

The Pennsylvania Senate has confirmed Dr. Latika Davis-Jones as Secretary of the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP). As secretary, Davis-Jones leads the Commonwealth’s efforts to reduce substance use disorder (SUD) and problem gambling disorder, with a large focus on expanding access to and increasing the quality of SUD treatment.

Before serving in the Shapiro administration, Secretary Davis-Jones was Senior Director of Behavioral Health at Highmark Wholecare, a Medicaid managed care organization in Pittsburgh. Prior to that, she served as Allegheny County’s Single County Authority Administrator.

Read DDAP’s official press release.