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Authors Posts by Naomi Wallerson

Naomi Wallerson

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The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) is hosting a post-award forum regarding the federal Section 1115 Demonstration, which includes Medicaid coverage for out-of-state former foster care youth and substance use disorder (SUD) services. It will take place at 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm on Friday, March 8, 2024, via WebEx. The forum aims to gather public feedback on the progress of these initiatives, both of which were approved by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The Former Foster Care Youth (FFCY) component allows Medicaid coverage for individuals under 26 who were in foster care in another state upon turning 18. The SUD component provides funding for essential SUD services, including residential care.

Register for the forum here. Written comments are also acceptable until the same date. For inquiries, contact Shivani Patel. Further details and the announcement can be found here. Please contact RCPA Policy Director Jim Sharp for any further questions.

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Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash

The Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) successfully collaborated with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to revise Pennsylvania’s State Medicaid Plan for Certified Peer Specialists (CPS). The changes aim to enhance workforce opportunities, break down barriers, and establish a robust crisis system. The updated qualifications for aspiring CPS include:

  1. Elimination of the self-identification requirement for Serious Mental Illness, replaced with an attestation of a mental health diagnosis and a stage of recovery to support others;
  2. Removal of the high school diploma requirement and instead, as part of the Pennsylvania Certification Board (PCB) application, applicants will be providing narratives on how they achieved recovery and wellness; and
  3. The mandatory recent employment or volunteer experience within the last three (3) years has been removed.

Details on these changes can be found in the updated State Plan here (scroll down to 0013 Attachment 3.1A-3.1B, page 88). OMHSAS will issue a forthcoming bulletin, and inquiries can be sent electronically.

If you have further questions, please contact RCPA Policy Director Jim Sharp.

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The Free Virtual Family Peer Support Specialist Training, scheduled for February 20, 21, 22, 27, and 28, 2024, is designed for primary caregivers seeking to become Family Peer Support Specialists (FPSS). This comprehensive, five-day training, via Zoom, utilizes the Family-Run Executive Director Leadership Association (FREDLA) Parent Peer Support Provider Practice Model, covering core competencies and skills practice across six phases of family peer support.

To qualify, participants must be parents or primary caregivers of a child, youth, or young adult with past or present involvement in the Mental Health/Behavioral Health System. The deadline to register is February 6, 2024. A completion certificate is offered upon training conclusion. For those interested, contact Wanda Cummings, Family Peer Support Specialist Training Program Coordinator.

If you have any questions, please contact RCPA Policy Director Jim Sharp.

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Photo by Kane Reinholdtsen on Unsplash

The Pennsylvania Department of Health, Bureau of Family Health, is extending the deadline for presentation submissions for the annual Symposium on Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN), which is scheduled for Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at Best Western Premier, Harrisburg, PA. This one-day, in-person event convenes public health professionals and community stakeholders involved in CYSHCN care. Individuals, entities, and self-advocates serving CYSHCN are encouraged to submit presentation proposals. The new submission deadline is Friday, February 9, 2024. For more information and workshop guidelines, consult the Symposium Speakers page. Please refer to the attached Call for Presentations form for additional details and workshop guidelines. Inquiries and submissions should be directed to Katrina Harris, Event Planner.

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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced $50 million in grants to enhance school-based health services for children, particularly focusing on mental health. The grants, made possible by the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA), will provide up to $2.5 million each to 20 states through Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). CMS aims to connect millions of children to critical healthcare services, emphasizing the convenience of school-based care and its impact on children’s health and educational outcomes. The grants, supporting preventive, behavioral, and physical healthcare, hope to encourage more states to cover school-based health services and enhance existing programs. The application deadline for the grants is March 25, 2024. For further details, visit the grant’s information web page. The full press release is available on the CMS website.

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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released a set of frequently asked questions (FAQ) supplementing the 2021 State Health Official (SHO) letter about extending postpartum coverage in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The FAQ offer guidance to state Medicaid programs on the new option allowing states to provide 12 months of extended postpartum coverage to pregnant individuals in Medicaid and CHIP. They clarify what constitutes full benefits during this extended eligibility period and address whether states need to submit a state plan amendment (SPA) for coverage modifications. For more details, view the FAQ here.

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Governor Shapiro and Pennsylvania’s Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs have announced an $18 million funding initiative to assist practitioners in the substance use disorder (SUD) treatment, prevention, case management, and recovery support services workforce. The SUD student loan repayment program aims to address workforce shortages by providing loan repayment opportunities to retain professionals in the field. This initiative, funded by the Opioid Settlement Fund and Pennsylvania’s Medical Marijuana Program Fund, supports practitioners, including physicians, nurses, counselors, and case managers. Applications must be submitted by March 1, 2024, through the online portal. Practitioners are eligible for up to $75,000 for full-time practice or $37,500 for half-time practice. The program prioritizes those in rural areas with SUD workforce shortages and counties with underserved minority populations. For more information and application details, visit the DDAP Funding Opportunities page. Questions can be sent electronically.

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The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is offering online trainings to enhance cultural competency for mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) professionals, particularly in serving historically marginalized populations. These trainings, available through the Improving Cultural Competency for Behavioral Health Professionals program, aim to increase awareness of cultural and language competency, biases, and clients’ cultural identities and needs. The four courses, with an estimated completion time of 4–5.5 hours, cover topics such as self-awareness, understanding clients’ cultural identities, and providing culturally and linguistically appropriate interventions and services. The training is free but requires registration.

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The Office of Children, Youth, and Families (OCYF) is continuing to offer free Trauma Intensive Courses to support individuals and teams in their professional development. These courses provide essential training in trauma awareness and healing. Options include Train-the-Trainer Sessions and sessions on processing pain as well as facilitating healing. Participants can deepen their understanding and skills in trauma-informed care, with limited seats available. To register for these courses, visit the course registration page. Additionally, various trauma-related workshops are open for registration, covering different aspects of trauma. For more information, visit the Lakeside Global Institute — Trauma Workshops 2024 page.

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