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Mental Health

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.

As part of the ongoing efforts by the Office of Children, Youth, and Families (OCYF) and the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) to assist children’s providers in the states’ trauma-informed initiative, these offices have partnered with PA Care Partnership to provide any child welfare professionals in Pennsylvania FREE Trauma Training by Lakeside Global through September 30, 2024, or while funding is available. Available trainings will be offered in-person or live via a web-based platform.

For individuals looking for Trauma Training, there are multiple cohorts for courses and workshops scheduled on specific dates and times.

Trainings available include the following:

  • Enhancing Trauma Awareness;
  • Deepening Trauma Awareness;
  • Applying Trauma Principals;
  • Train the Trainers;
  • Trauma-Sensitive Certification;
  • Processing Pain, Facilitating Healing; and
  • Trauma 101 through 110 Workshops.

Questions?
If you already registered for training and did not receive a training link, here are your contacts:

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

Image by Dirk Wouters from Pixabay

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is conducting a study to help them improve your experience with Medicare program and billing resources. Share your thoughts with them by taking this survey today. Responses are confidential, and the survey should take about 15 minutes to complete.

CMS thanks you for your time and valuable feedback.

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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is pleased to announce an initiative to promote physical activity to help everyone lead healthier lives.

Based on the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, comes a promotional campaign called Move Your Way.

To learn more join our informational lunch and learn to get an overview of the Move Your Way campaign and help the listener understand the importance of physical activity, the recommended amounts and how it all adds up to better health.

Please join us to learn about Move Your Way!

This lunch and learn will take place on Wednesday, November 15, 2023, from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm.

Visit here to register for the lunch and learn.

Visit here to learn more about Move Your Way.

Visit here to view Val Arkoosh’s message on this new program.