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2021 ASAM Criteria Skill Building Training Now Open for Registration
June 24–25, 2021 from 8:30 am–4:30 pm
This two-day application-focused training provides participants with an in-depth look at the theoretical foundations of the Criteria, including clinically driven services, bio-psychosocial assessment, the six dimensions, continued stay, and transfer/discharge criteria. Incorporating the use of the new edition of the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) Criteria, participants have opportunities for skill practice at every stage of the treatment process: assessment, engagement, treatment planning, continuing care, and transfer or discharge.
NHSC Substance Use Disorder Workforce Loan Repayment Program
To combat the nation’s opioid crisis, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) launched the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Substance Use Disorder Workforce Loan Repayment Program. The program supports the recruitment and retention of health professionals needed in underserved areas to expand access to SUD treatment and prevent overdose deaths. Application Submission Deadline is Thursday, May 6, 2021, 7:30 pm ET.
The Employment First Community of Practice will hold a three-part webinar series in May on “Value, Outcome and Performance-Based Payment Methodologies to Advance Competitive Integrated Employment.” The webinars will discuss value-based purchasing for Employment First services that support competitive integrated employment as a priority and preferred outcome for people with disabilities. The webinar series coincides with the release of a comprehensive guide on “Value-Based Payment Methodologies to Advance Competitive Integrated Employment: A Mix of Inspiring Examples from Across the Country.” The guide includes an overview of the topic, best practices, case examples from states and state systems, lessons learned, and future opportunities. Participants will be sent an advance copy of the guide, available nationally after the webinar series.
Register for Part I on Wednesday, May 5, 2021 from 3:00 pm–4:30 pm ET: “Value, Outcome and Performance-Based Payment Methodologies to Advance Competitive Integrated Employment in State Medicaid Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) Systems and Managed Care LTSS Systems”
Register for Part II on Wednesday, May 12, 2021 from 3:00 pm–4:00 pm ET: “Supporting Employment Service Providers to Succeed and Prosper by Partnering to Advance Competitive Integrated Employment: Applying Value, Outcome and Performance-Based Payment Methodologies”
Register for Part III on Wednesday, May 19, 2021 from 3:00 pm–4:30 pm ET: “Advancing Competitive Integrated Employment: Value, Outcome and Performance-Based Payment Methodologies in State Vocational Rehabilitation and Behavioral Health Systems”
The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) has issued clarifications on mandates it has created as part of the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) transition. Most notably, the requirement that two, two-hour group sessions be provided daily at Levels 3.5 and 3.7 has been removed, though providers still must provide at least six hours of therapy daily. Although clarifications have been provided for the credentialing mandate, no changes have been made. The Intensive Outpatient Level ratio remains at this time at 1:15.
All of the clarifications can be reviewed here.
On Tuesday, April 27, 2021, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a revised guidance for COVID-19 long-term care (LTC) facility testing requirements for both staff and residents. These revisions apply to the original guidance that was issued on August 25, 2020 and focus primarily on testing and vaccinations. CMS also revised the nursing home visitation guidance during the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE), which includes the impact of the COVID-19 vaccination.
Based on these recent revisions, the Department of Human Services (DHS) encourages all personal care homes (PCHs) and Assisted Living Residences to implement the policies contained in these revised guidances immediately. DHS will issue updated guidance in the near future. Questions about these revisions should be directed to ARL Headquarters.
Wolf Administration officials today outlined the impacts of COVID-19 on people living with substance use disorders (SUD) and highlighted projects and collaborations made possible through the opioid disaster declaration’s creation of the Opioid Command Center.
“As we continue to evaluate 2020 overdose trends, we are seeing a significant uptick in fatal overdoses,” Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam said. “We know that the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the challenges for people with the disease of addiction. Because of the disaster declaration in place, the entire Opioid Command Center, including the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program, is able to offer a variety of support to people in need.”
While the 2020 counts are expected to increase further since finalized death records for overdose deaths are often delayed into the following year, there have been 4,880 drug overdose deaths reported thus far. This preliminary data, as of March 2021, indicates there were at least 422 more deaths in 2020 than in 2019. Since the overdose epidemic began, the most overdose deaths in Pennsylvania during a single year was 5,396 in 2017. Panelists will discuss the history, modalities, policies, and implementation of syringe services programs in communities. Read the full press release here.