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Substance Use Disorder

The Pennsylvania Department of Health (PA DOH) is currently accepting applications for the PA-SUN Request for Applications (RFA). Hospitals and Health Systems, on behalf of their ED(s), are invited to apply to the Department in accordance with RFA # 67-166.

The Department is interested in funding applications addressing building and implementing health system-wide clinical capacity to screen, diagnose, and support longitudinal care for opioid use disorder (OUD) and stimulant use disorder (StUD) as well as support recovery for adults and adolescents.

The overall goal of this funding is to promote and support ED linkage to care via multidisciplinary teams utilizing navigators, to include strategies like focused connections during care for conditions that may represent sequelae of substance use and enhanced universal screening for substance use disorder (SUD) among patients presenting for other reasons to EDs to identify new opportunities to engage in and link to care.

All questions regarding this RFA must be directed via email, no later than 12:00 pm on December 4, 2023. All questions must include the specific section of the RFA about which the potential applicant is requesting clarification. Answers to all questions will be posted on PA eMarketplace. To review the responses to posed questions, select ‘Solicitations’ and search for RFA #67-166. Applications must be received no later than 1:30 pm on January 16, 2024.

An additional update regarding the educational modules: By end of year 2023, the PA-SUN team intends to release asynchronous (self-study) education modules to aid EDs in increasing knowledge on topics such as harm reduction, buprenorphine initiation, linkage to care, and stigma.  For updates regarding the education modules please visit the PA-SUN website.

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We all know that hiring and retaining workforce is challenging and that more is being expected of our employees across the spectrum of health and social care providers.

The Complex Care Certificate is a comprehensive introduction to the essential knowledge, skills, and attitudes required to provide complex care, including client engagement, care planning, trauma-informed care, and team-based practice. The Complex Care Certificate consists of nine self-paced, online courses that teach frontline health and social care staff how to build relationships to best support people with complex health and social needs. This new certificate is a first of its kind and provides comprehensive, high-quality education on a range of topics related to working with clients with complex health and social needs. The Camden Coalition has designed the program to be taken by teams and include a host of team activities. 13 CEUs are available upon completion.

THE CERTIFICATE IS FOR:

  • Complex care teams in heatlh care, social services, or other settings;
  • Frontline staff who are new to this work or are looking for a fresh perspective;
  • Anyone who works with people with complex health and social needs; and
  • Students who want to go into complex care or learn more about it.

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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced it is finalizing policies to support primary care, advance health equity, assist family caregivers, and expand access to behavioral and certain oral health care. These policies are included in the calendar year (CY) 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) final rule. The regulations will be effective January 1, 2024.