National Council Shares Ten Ways to Take Action This World Mental Health Day
RCPA Partner Eleos Health to Host Webinar on AI Security in Behavioral Health October 22
Fortifying the Future: Data Privacy & Security in Behavioral Health AI
When: Tuesday, October 22, 2024, 2:00 pm ET
Register Here
In the behavioral health world, few things are more intimate and private than a provider’s conversation with a client.
Keeping those sessions secure — and complying with always-evolving government regulations and ethics concerns — is a top priority for behavioral health organizations looking to implement an AI tool.
Join Eleos Health for a 1-hour virtual discussion on “Fortifying the Future: Data Privacy & Security in Behavioral Health AI.”
Facilitated by Eleos Health’s VP of Customer Success Nisheeta Setlur, attendees will hear from behavioral health AI experts Raz Karmi, CISO of Eleos, and Rony Gadiwalla CIO of GRAND Mental Health, as they break down:
- Which existing and emerging security regulations and best practices apply to behavioral health organizations — and their AI vendor partners.
- How to navigate key AI security, compliance, and ethical concerns in a behavioral health setting.
- What steps orgs must take to protect sensitive client information from AI-specific threats.
- How Eleos accounts for all of the above in their industry-leading AI platform.
Register here and secure your spot. If you can’t make it live, Eleos will send you a recording to watch at your leisure.
Virtual Trainings Offered on Best Practices for Treating Xylazine-Associated Wounds
The Pennsylvania Department of Health (PA DOH) and Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH), in collaboration with the Center for Forensic Science Research & Education (CSFRE), are providing virtual trainings to clinicians and non-clinicians on best practices for caring for individuals with xylazine-associated wounds. These trainings are offered at no-cost to attendees.
The trainings will be offered in two separate two-hour sessions for individuals and organizations working in Pennsylvania.
DOS, DDAP Poised to Enable Tele-Induction of Narcotic Medications at OTPs
Last Thursday (October 3, 2024), the Pennsylvania Department of State’s Board of Medicine submitted to the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) a final-omitted regulation that would allow an initial physical examination required for prescribing, administering, and dispensing controlled substances to be conducted via telehealth under certain circumstances under 49 Pa. Code § 16.92. A final-omitted regulation does not require a public comment period and is in essence an expedited process for proposing a regulation change. IRRC will hold a public meeting on November 21 to approve or disapprove the regulation.
This final-omitted regulation would enable the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) to grant a statewide exception to 28 Pa. Code § 715.9(a)(4), which today requires Pennsylvania OTPs (called narcotic treatment programs in DDAP regulations) to conduct a face-to-face determination of whether an individual is currently physiologically dependent on an opioid.
In its Regulatory Analysis Form, the Department of State’s Board of Medicine wrote:
“This final-omitted rulemaking amends the Board’s regulations at § 16.92 by allowing the initial physical examination required for prescribing, administering, and dispensing controlled substances to be conducted by means of telehealth for those patients being admitted into an Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) for treatment of opioid use disorder with either buprenorphine or methadone, provided that the health care provider determines that an adequate evaluation of the patient can be accomplished via telehealth and a full in-person physical examination is completed within 14 days after admission to the OTP. This standard is the same physical examination standard utilized as a result of the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs regulatory waiver issued during the COVID-19 epidemic, which proved to be safe and effective during and after the COVID-19 epidemic. This final-omitted regulation also conforms the Board’s regulations to the Federal opioid use disorder treatment standards as the Board does not wish to unnecessarily maintain a more stringent standard than required by Federal law for OTPs given the continued opioid crisis in this Commonwealth.”
In February 2024, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) published a final rule amending the federal regulations for the certification of OTPs in 42 CFR Part 8. The changes to the federal rules were used temporarily to improve access to treatment during the COVID-19 federal public health emergency. SAMHSA has now made those changes permanent, and DDAP intends to implement the updated federal rules and reduce barriers to treatment, as described in its latest Licensing Alert 07-2024. This final-omitted regulation is part of the commonwealth’s process for aligning with the final rule on 42 CFR Part 8.
DDAP to Discuss Changes to PA’s NTP Regulations in ASAM Technical Assistance Webinar on Monday
The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) will host its monthly ASAM Technical Assistance webinar at 10:00 am Monday, October 7. Staffers from the Bureaus of Quality Assurance and Administration, County Program Oversight, and Program Licensure will provide updates, including information about changes to 42 CFR Part 8, impacts to licensing, and how those changes align with the ASAM Criteria.
Past webinars and additional ASAM 3rd Edition resources are available on DDAP’s ASAM Transition page.
If you want to receive email notification of upcoming ASAM Technical Assistance webinars, email DDAP’s ASAM Resource Account.
The following information can be used to connect to each month’s webinar, including Monday’s.
Microsoft Teams meeting
Join on your computer, mobile app or room device
Click here to join the meeting
Meeting ID: 225 792 355 092
Passcode: fEEaG4
Download Teams | Join on the web
Or call in (audio only)
+1 267-332-8737,,336948391# United States, Philadelphia
Phone Conference ID: 336 948 391#
Find a local number | Reset PIN
Stakeholder Input Sought for Statewide Crisis Intervention and Response Services Assessment
The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) is partnering with the Department of Human Services, Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, and the Council of State Governments Justice Center (CSG) to support a new statewide crisis intervention and response services assessment, gap analysis, and strategic planning initiative. This project will explore the intersections of the justice system and crisis response with a specific emphasis on crisis intervention team programs and their adherence to the Memphis Model, and is a component of PCCD’s federal Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program Funding Plan.
Through this assessment, it is essential to hear from stakeholders at the local and state levels across the behavioral health and criminal justice systems, including community members and people with lived experience, to identify assets, gaps, and challenges within the current crisis landscape. To accomplish this, CSG will be hosting 13 listening sessions, each for specific stakeholders, starting on Oct. 21, 2024.
More information about the project, including a direct link and QR code for listening session registration, is available. If you have any questions, please email Michael Leister.
OMHSAS Monthly Stakeholder Call Registration
The Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) October 2024 Stakeholder Webinar is currently scheduled for Thursday, October 17 from 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm.
Use this link to register for the webinar. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
For those that want to join via phone:
Call-in Number: 914-614-3221
Access Code: 854-614-804
If you have any questions, please contact RCPA COO and Mental Health Director Jim Sharp.
RCPA Supports CCHBC Program for PA ICWC Providers
RCPA submitted a letter of support to OMHSAS Deputy Secretary Jennifer Smith on October 1, to advocate for re-entry into the SAMHSA CCBHC Demonstration project, on behalf of all Integrated Care and Wellness Clinic (ICWC) providers in the commonwealth. We believe this action would further support the state’s vision of quality integrated whole-person care. Read the letter here.
DHS Issues Important Notice: Immediate Action Required for Regulatory Compliance
Providers who hold a license to operate a facility licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) are being notified of a change to the Civil Rights Compliance process. There is a new Civil Rights Compliance form when submitting a new licensing application as well as a new Civil Rights Compliance Renewal form when submitting a licensing renewal application.
Entities seeking a new license will utilize a Civil Rights Compliance (CRC) form (HS2126). The prior Civil Rights Compliance (CRC) form is now obsolete and will be returned back to providers. This form must be included in the packet submitted as part of any new license request. The new application, supporting documents, and CRC form must be emailed to the DHS office that issues your license; the email address can be found in the chart below.
Entities licensed by OCDEL or ODP who use CLS or PELICAN to submit new applications must submit the form by email. The CRC forms are not part of the electronic CLS/PELICAN new application process. The updated CRC form for new applications can be found on the DHS website under the “Application for License” page.
For licensing renewals, a licensee will now submit a CRC Renewal form (HS 2125). The prior Attestation form is now obsolete and will be returned back to providers. The renewal form must be submitted as part of a renewal licensing application, and the renewal notice will still be sent out 130 days prior to expiration. The renewal application must be emailed to the DHS office that issues your license; the email address can be found in the chart below.
Entities licensed by OCDEL or ODP who use CLS or PELICAN to submit renewal applications must submit the renewal by email. The renewal is not part of the electronic CLS/PELICAN renewal application process. The CRC form for can be found on the DHS website under the “Application for License” page.
Previously, the DHS Bureau of Equal Opportunity (BEO) would issue you a letter verifying that you are compliant with applicable civil rights laws. With the new process, a letter from BEO will no longer be sent out to licensed entities. Instead, the issuance of the new license or renewal license will indicate that your CRC form or renewal form submission was approved. If there are issues or questions on the submitted CRC or renewal form, a staff member from BEO or DHS will contact you.
| If your license is issued by… | Submit your application AND your CRC form (if new license) or CRC Renewal (if license renewal) to: |
| The Bureau of Human Services Licensing (Renewals) – PCH & ALR | [email protected] |
| For NEW applications for Personal Care Homes or Assisted Living Residences | Send the application, supporting documents, Civil Rights Compliance Form (HS2126) and the application fee, check or money order payable to DHS to:
Via USPS: Or via courier: DHS/BHSL DHS/BHSL Room 623 Health & Human Services Bldg. PO Box 2675 Rm 623 Harrisburg, PA 17105-2675 625 Forster Street Harrisburg, PA 17120 |
| The Office of Children, Youth, and Families | [email protected] |
| The Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services | [email protected] |
| The Office of Developmental Programs* | [email protected] |
| The Office of Child Development and Early Learning* | Child care providers should include their MPI number in the subject line and email the appropriate regional office:
Northeast Region: Central Region: Counties: Dauphin, Cumberland, Lancaster, York, Adams, Lebanon and York Counties: Snyder, Perry, Juniata, Centre, Mifflin, Tioga, Lycoming, Northumberland, Union and Clinton South Region: |
| Western Region:
Counties: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Cameron, Clarion, Clearfield, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Fayette, Forest, Greene, Indiana, Jefferson, Lawrence, McKean, Mercer, Potter, Venango, Warren, Washington and Westmoreland Counties: Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon and Somerset |
*Licensees who use CLS or PELICAN to submit renewal applications must submit the renewal by email. The renewal is not part of the electronic CLS/PELICAN renewal application process.
The new process is effective on Tuesday, October 1, 2024. Existing licensees and applicants must begin following the new process on or before that date.
If you have any questions about the new process, please contact the applicable DHS office, DHS Human Services Licensing Office at 717-705-0383, or, if your facility is a childcare facility, please reach the Office of Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) at Western Region 1-800-222-2149, Central Region (Harrisburg) at 1-800-222-2117, Northeast Region (Scranton) at 1-800-222-2108, or Southeast Region (North & South) at 1-800-346-2929.
If you have any questions or need assistance with the completion of your civil rights compliance application, please contact Bureau of Equal Opportunity Licensing office at 717-787-1579 or electronically.
Thank you for your commitment to protecting the rights of Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable citizens. If you have any additional questions, please contact your respective RCPA Policy Director.
Wireless Calls to 988 Get a More Localized Response With Geo-routing
The process to route cell phone calls to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline based on the caller’s approximate location, versus by area code, has started; FCC to vote next month on a final rule that would require all U.S. wireless carriers to implement geo-routing with specific timelines
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline announced that the process to start routing cellular phone calls to 988 contact centers based on the caller’s approximate location, versus by area code — known as “geo-routing” — began last week with two major U.S. wireless carriers that combined make up about half of all wireless calls to 988. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the 988 Network Administrator, Vibrant Emotional Health, have been working with all of the major U.S. cell phone carriers for more than a year to improve call routing to 988 so that callers on a cell phone can be connected more locally to centers that are better equipped to provide nearby resources and services.
These new rules, if adopted by a vote from the full commission next month, would require all U.S. wireless carriers to implement geo-routing. In addition, the rules will also establish an implementation timeline for geo-routing calls to the 988 Lifeline of 30 days following the effective date of the rule for nationwide wireless providers and 24 months after the effective date of the rule for smaller, non-nationwide providers.
More than 200 contact centers across the country provide support through the 988 Lifeline network. Geo-routing connects cell phone callers to the closest 988 contact center to the caller’s physical location. Geo-routing differs from geolocation in that it does not provide a precise location of the caller, allowing callers to maintain their location privacy. Studies have shown that after speaking with a trained crisis counselor, most callers feel more hopeful and less depressed, suicidal, and overwhelmed.
If you have additional questions, please contact RCPA COO and Mental Health Director Jim Sharp.
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