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Mental Health

Image by David Mark from Pixabay

President Biden signed the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 into law on March 23. This Act includes the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024. Notable FY 2024 funding totals for mental health and substance use include:

  • $385 million for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (level with FY 2023);
  • $986,532,000 for the Mental Health Block Grant, which includes maintaining the existing 5% of the total set aside for evidence-based crisis care programs that address the needs of individuals with serious mental illnesses, children with serious emotional disturbances, or individuals experiencing a mental health crisis (level with FY 2023);
  • $153 million for the Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Program, including $40 million for the Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Loan Repayment Program (level with FY 2023);
  • $1,575,000,000 for State Opioid Response Grants (level with FY 2023); and
  • $1,928,879,000 for Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services Block Grants (level with FY 2023).

Additionally, key provisions of the Act include an $18 million increase in funding for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and a $1 million increase for the Primary and Behavioral Health Care Integration grant technical assistance program. There is also a $75 million increase for mental health research conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health. Various mental health and substance use programs maintained funding levels similar to those of FY 2023. For more information, you can access the full explanatory text as well as the comparative highlights table.

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

Photo by Chris Montgomery on Unsplash

Full Diagnosis: Impact of Trauma, Physical Health, and Metabolic Health
Virtual Event
May 22 – 23, 2024

The Pennsylvania Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) and the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) invite you to save the date for the statewide Dual Diagnosis Conference. This year’s two-day conference will be held virtually. Nationally recognized speakers will provide perspectives on the impact of trauma, physical health, and metabolic health. Schedule and registration information will be available soon!

Visit the Dual Diagnosis Conference website for more information.

The Inglis Impact Accelerator is dedicated to fostering a more accessible and inclusive world by investing in entrepreneurs within, and allies to, the disability community with disruptive ideas and business ventures.

To that end, RCPA member Inglis is looking for six businesses to participate in a 15-week virtual program that concludes with a virtual pitch event. The program includes interactive webinars, workshops, and both one-on-one and group coaching sessions about refining and testing business ideas, attracting and engaging customers, optimizing sales funnels, and more.

Each business that successfully completes the program and pitches at the virtual pitch event will receive a $5,000 cash prize provided by Highmark Wholecare.

Eligibility requirements:

  • Founder must reside in Pennsylvania.
  • Founder will ideally have identified a target market and created a minimum viable product/service or prototype.
  • The program does not require a legal business entity to apply, but we are seeking businesses that plan to file in the near future if they haven’t already.
  • Our rigorous selection process will prioritize ideas in three core areas — housing accessibility, assistive technology, and innovative healthcare models, as well as founders who identify as having a disability.
  • At least one member of the founding team should expect to spend a minimum of 4-6 hours per week participating in programming and dedicated work efforts for the duration of the 15-week program.

If you know any founders whom you think might be interested in participating in the program, please share the flyer and link to apply.

If you have any questions, please contact Fady Sahhar.

Photo by Sincerely Media on Unsplash

Pediatric to Adult Health Care Transition Summit
Thursday, June 13, 2024
Live and In-Person at St. Cloud, MN
Virtual Attendance Also Available
REGISTER

Summit Overview
The Pediatric to Adult Health Care Learning Collaborative Summit will offer participants valuable insights into enhancing programs and overall state practices regarding pediatric to adult health care transition (HCT). This progress is urgently needed to support the growing number of youths with special health needs aging into adulthood. IPRC member Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare is a part of the Learning Collaborative.

Target Audience
The Summit is open to those interested in advancing pediatric to adult HCT. This includes pediatric/adult clinicians from any setting, family advocates, insurers, policymakers, health system and health administrators, and more.

Virtual Attendance
All Clinicians: $25
Family Members: Free

Register to attend in person or virtually before May 30. You can find more information in the event flyer.

Moving From Fear and Fantasy to Find Functionality: Leveraging AI in Behavioral Health
Wednesday, March 27
2:00 pm EST
Register Here

Are you navigating the intricate terrain of artificial intelligence (AI) and what role it plays at your behavioral health organization? Register for a virtual session guided by industry leading experts who specialize in charting this new territory as they discuss practical ways to learn and apply AI into your day-to-day or leverage it to innovate your services.

Tailored for executive leaders of behavioral health organizations, this session is your compass in understanding the dynamic AI landscape. The speakers will explore the latest regulations, practical applications, and strategies for effectively navigating fear in this evolving field. Whether you’re seeking to innovate your services or ensure compliance with changing regulations, this webinar will provide invaluable guidance.

Speakers include:

  • Tonya Long of Quantum Crow Advisory;
  • Mari Savickis of CHIME; and
  • Stacy DiStefano of RCPA Business Member Consulting for Human Services.

Register Here

RCPA hosted our 2024 Capitol Day today, March 19 inside the Main Rotunda. The rally focused on workforce issues within health and human services as well as budget items addressed in Shapiro’s 2024/25 budget. You can view our 2024 legislative and administrative priorities here.

RCPA President and CEO Richard Edley addressed the crowd, highlighting the continued need for funding, training, and assistance for those working in various areas of health and human services.

Other organizations came to support our cause as well as to advocate for themselves, their families, and their loved ones. Sherri Landis, Executive Director of The Arc of PA, spoke to the audience, while RCPA member Step by Step, Inc. showed up dressed in orange, ready to stand and offer their support!


Legislators also took to the stand to speak about the ongoing crises occurring in health and human services. Representative Stephen Kinsey and Representative Doyle Heffley, Co-Chairs for the House Human Services Committee, conveyed their support, as did Representative Dan Miller, Representative Frank Farry, and Senator Art Haywood, Co-Chair for the Senate Health & Human Services Committee.


RCPA thanks everyone, from legislators and their staff to advocates representing their friends and families, for coming out and supporting our efforts today. We appreciate and admire the work you do for our communities and will continue to serve on your behalf!