Capitolwire: Senate DHS Budget Hearing Looks at Provider Wage Boost
Jim Sharp
RCPA Member Achieva & PA Health Law Project to Host Webinar on Medicaid Waivers for Disabilities
RCPA member Achieva and the Pennsylvania Health Law Project are hosting a webinar titled “Understanding Medicaid Home and Community-Based Waivers for People With Disabilities” from 10 am – 12 pm on Tuesday, April 2, 2024. Led by Janice Meinert from the Pennsylvania Health Law Project, the webinar will explore Pennsylvania’s Medicaid Home & Community-Based Waiver programs. Topics include eligibility criteria, the application process, available services, and annual waiver clinical eligibility redeterminations. For more details and registration, visit Achieva’s website. This project receives funding from the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council. For accessibility accommodations, please contact Patty Yerina. If you have additional questions, you may contact Jim Sharp, RCPA Mental Health Policy Director.
Early Bird Registration Extended for Children’s Interagency Conference
The Early Bird registration deadline for Pennsylvania’s 21st Children’s Interagency Conference has been extended to March 15, 2024. From April 22 – April 25, 2024, the event will be held at the Penn Stater Hotel in State College, PA, focusing on the theme “Shining The Light on Mental Health: Building Youth Wellness & Resilience.” Keynote speakers Dani Bowman, Anthony Cammilleri, and Victor Armstrong will address attendees on April 22, 2024. The conference is organized by the PA Department of Human Services, Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Bureau of Children’s Behavioral Health Services, and the PA Care Partnership. Registration is now open at the 21st Children’s Interagency Conference Registration web page. For more information about the conference, visit the conference website. For assistance, contact conference planner Katrina Harris.
If you have any further questions, please contact Jim Sharp, RCPA Mental Health Policy Director.
DDAP Releases Phase 1 Findings of Statewide Stakeholder Engagement Tour
The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) released the Phase 1 findings of its statewide stakeholder engagement tour, detailing actions to enhance community and treatment provider engagement and improve access to substance use disorder services. The findings address various challenges within the behavioral health workforce, regulatory and data aspects of service delivery, and unmet needs within priority populations. For more details, read the full press release.
DDAP to Host Monthly ASAM Technical Assistance Webinar on March 4
The Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) is hosting its monthly ASAM technical assistance webinar at 10:00 am on Monday, March 4. The topic is “Individualizing Services and Group Development” and will include a discussion on documentation with ASAM’s Golden Thread, transitioning to clinically driven treatment, and strategies for group development. You can email DDAP’s ASAM Transition team to learn more. ASAM technical assistance webinars are held every first Monday of the month at 10:00 am via Microsoft Teams.
OMHSAS and SAMHSA Announce On-Site SOAR Technical Assistance
The Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS), collaborating with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) SOAR Technical Assistance Center, offers on-site technical assistance (TA) to communities interested in implementing or expanding the SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR) model, aiding individuals at risk of homelessness or returning from institutions in navigating complex benefits systems. The TA, likely occurring in May or June 2024, requires community coordination and commitment. You can also view the one-pager regarding SOAR outcomes and an overview. Providers interested in participating should complete this survey. For any questions, contact Lauren MacWithey.
If you have any further questions, please contact RCPA Policy Director Jim Sharp.
ODP and OMHSAS Announce Dual Diagnosis Professional Conference Series
The Department of Human Services Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) and the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) announce the Dual Diagnosis Professional Conference Series, aimed at supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism (ID/A) and mental health needs. The series features presentations on best practices and promising approaches, with session topics chosen based on identified needs and stakeholder input. Registration is free for all professional stakeholders, offering three hours of training credit and a certificate of achievement. Register here. Please send all questions regarding registration electronically.
If you have any further questions, please contact RCPA Policy Director Jim Sharp.
February 2024 Telehealth Work Group Meeting Notes Now Available
DDAP Issues New Information Bulletin on Individuals Receiving High Doses of MOUD
The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) has issued Information Bulletin 01-2024, reminding single county authorities (SCA) and residential treatment providers about obligations regarding individuals on high doses of medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD). It emphasizes adherence to Part 4.04 of the Case Management and Clinical Services Manual and relevant licensure standards. It states that SCAs must ensure providers do not exclude individuals using MOUD and that treatment is individualized without restrictions. Providers may lose funds for restricting admission based on medication use. For additional questions, treatment providers can contact the Bureau of Program Licensure, and SCAs can contact the Treatment Division.
Pennsylvania Delta Center Project to Host Equity Webinar on March 12
RCPA invites you to join us and the Pennsylvania Association of Community Health Centers (PACHC) for a free webinar on creating equitable planes for access to care in physical and behavioral health settings. The webinar will be held March 12 at 12:00 pm and will feature William Seto, Chief Diversity Officer from the National Council of Mental Wellbeing. You can register for the webinar here.
This webinar will focus on addressing diversity and health disparities that lead to health inequities within both the physical and behavioral health spaces that you work in on a daily basis. It has been designed for members of both organizations and supports equity work our organizations have undertaken the last three years as a Delta Center grantee. We are appreciative of your support and look forward to you joining us in the webinar.
Register here. If you have any questions, please contact RCPA Policy Director Jim Sharp.
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