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Substance Use Disorder

The Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) has released a set of guidelines and an updated COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to stakeholders on May 5, 2020.

The BHRS/IBHS Telehealth Guidance outlines the steps necessary for these services to be provided through the telehealth platform.

It should be noted that if a BHRS/IBHS provider has already submitted their attestation for the delivery of telehealth services to this population; they WILL NOT need to submit further attestations or program descriptions. It is important for all providers to review your current telehealth service delivery as it relates to the telehealth expansion guidance provided by OMHSAS on March 15, 2020.

OMHSAS released the initial Telehealth Bulletin on February 20, 2020.

After reviewing the FAQs and guidance, please email the IBHS account or contact RCPA Children’s Director Jim Sharp or Courtney Malecki at OMHSAS, to talk through the questions regarding BHRS/IBHS.

OMHSAS also released a COVID-19 FAQs that outlines questions and OMHSAS recommendations to questions and queries that have been submitted during the pandemic. The purpose of the memorandum is to issue additional FAQs for delivery of behavioral health services in the Medical Assistance (MA) program during the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) disaster emergency declaration period.

This memorandum supplements the initial set of COVID-19 FAQs issued by the OMHSAS on March 25, 2020.

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

As providers prepare for the plan of reengaging site-based services, RCPA has created a PowerPoint overview with resource guidance for consideration. The presentation frames the guidance information within Governor Wolf’s three phase plan.

Also included are links to resources and guidance from the CDC, PA Department of Health, and the Department of Human Services entities.

Access the Provider Resource Guidance here. If you have questions, please contact Jim Sharp or your RCPA Policy Director.

Community Survey: Issues Related to COVID-19
From The University of Pittsburgh’s Center for Family Support

The University of Pittsburgh Center for Family Support is doing research that involves a community survey about issues related to the current COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. During this difficult time, community input is more important than ever. Your responses will inform professionals and policymakers who are designing programs and interventions to help people cope with this serious public health crisis. Please take a few minutes to share your experiences about how you are personally being impacted and coping with COVID-19. The survey covers COVID-19 impacts on employment, financial well-being, social interactions, health behaviors, physical health, mental health, and if you or anyone in your household has been diagnosed with COVID-19 or are experiencing related symptoms.

If you are providing unpaid care to a loved one because of an illness, disability, or functional problem, you will also be asked detailed questions about how COVID-19 has affected your caregiving duties and ability to provide quality care. These answers will also be extremely helpful in designing programs to help caregivers during this difficult time.

You are not asked any identifying information, your participation is voluntary, and the survey will take about 20 minutes. You can stop taking the survey at any time. De-identified survey data will be kept strictly confidential, with only limited project staff having access to the data in password-protected folders. Your research data may be shared with investigators conducting other research; however, this information will be shared in a de-identified manner.

If you have any questions or concerns about this study, please contact principal investigator Scott Beach, PhD.

Updated Publication

Medications for Opioid Use Disorder. Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series 63, Full Document.

This updated Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) reviews the use of the three Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medications used to treat OUD — methadone, naltrexone, and buprenorphine — and the other strategies and services needed to support recovery for people with OUD.

Download the Publication