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Substance Use Disorder

SAMHSA’s National Prevention Week (NPW) is a public education platform that promotes prevention year-round through providing ideas, capacity-building, tools, and resources to help individuals and communities make substance use prevention happen every day.

NPW culminates in May by recognizing the important work that communities have done throughout the year to inspire action and prevent substance use and mental disorders.

Each day this week, SAMHSA will focus on a specific health theme related to prevention. SAMHSA provides free publications, tip sheets, and resource centers for each of the 2020 daily themes to educate and discuss in your community:

Prevention Challenge
Take your best selfie and tell us where prevention happens for you! This year’s Prevention Challenge shows us that substance misuse prevention happens in a lot of places, spaces, and communities. Follow #PreventionHappensHere on social media.

Planning Toolkit
By hosting a prevention-related event or activity during NPW, or at any time of year, you can help raise awareness about the importance of substance use prevention and positive mental health. Check out the Planning Toolkit (available in English and Spanish) for templates, tools, and support for organizing your own prevention events and activities.

Learn More About NPW

The Department launched an online dialogue and is accepting comments through May 7 on safely reopening American workplaces to position the economy for a strong rebound.
The U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) continues its efforts to support American workers and position the economy for a strong rebound. The USDOL is hosting a national online dialogue to solicit ideas about challenges that may be faced as businesses reopen and how best to help employers and workers reopen America’s workplaces safely.

We want to hear from you — America’s employers and workers. Join your fellow citizens and share your best ideas about (1) reopening businesses, (2) commuting safely, (3) working safely, (4) accommodating members of vulnerable populations, (5) supporting America’s families, and (6) reducing regulatory burdens. Don’t miss your chance — please share your feedback by Thursday, May 7!

On April 30, OMHSAS presented a stakeholder informational webinar, led by Deputy Secretary Kristen Houser. The updates included overviews from OMHSAS Bureau Heads of certain issues as they relate to OMHSAS operational guidance during the COVID-19 crisis.

Additional expanded guidance is forthcoming from OMHSAS that covers telehealth, the BHRS/IBHS operations, and Pre Authorization changes. OMHSAS is also seeking feedback from providers on the utilization of telehealth and the experience and successes providers are having in this mode of service delivery. RCPA is currently working with members to gather this data and information to present to DHS.

Please follow this link to the PowerPoint slides that provide an overview as well as links to guidelines and FAQs from DHS during the pandemic.

 The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will conduct weekly calls that focus on COVID-19 and lessons from the front lines. Two calls have been scheduled for May 1 and May 8 (from 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm) and are a joint effort between CMS Administrator, Seema Verma; Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner, Stephen Hahn, MD; and the White House Coronavirus Task Force, along with physicians and other clinicians. Participants will be encouraged to share their experiences, ideas, strategies, and insights related to your COVID-19 response. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions.

To Participate on May 1:

  • Conference lines are limited, so we encourage you to join via audio webcast, either on your computer or smartphone web browser
  • Or, call 877-251-0301; Access Code: 9545128

To Participate on May 8:

  • Conference lines are limited, so we encourage you to join via audio webcast, either on your computer or smartphone web browser
  • Or, call 877-251-0301; Access Code: 9146779