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Mental Health

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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is proud to partner with the Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL), the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS), and the Office of Medical Assistance Programs (OMAP) to announce the launch of the DHS Choking Prevention web page, a dedicated online resource hub aimed at preventing choking events among all Pennsylvanians. This new platform provides all interested stakeholders with a myriad of practical tools and educational materials to promote safer mealtime environments as well as how to recognize and respond to the potential safety risks for someone who has swallowing issues. This new website is a crucial step in ODP’s continued efforts to ensure safety, dignity, and health for individuals with intellectual disability and autism.

The DHS Choking Prevention web page is now available. ODP encourages all interested stakeholders to visit the site and access the available resources to implement into daily use as needed. Questions about this communication should be directed to your ODP Regional Office.

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Christopher Boyle has been named President and CEO of Children’s Service Center of Wyoming Valley, effective July 1. He succeeds Mike Hopkins who led the organization since 2008. The two leaders have worked closely over 17 years, facilitating unprecedented growth to now serve 15,000 people of all ages annually. Boyle previously served as Chief Operating Officer overseeing mental health and primary care operations, and as Chief Human Resources Officer since 2008. Prior to CSC, Boyle worked in progressive leadership roles in human resources and financial management at American Asphalt and Pride Mobility Products Corporation. He graduated from Delaware Valley College with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a focus in accounting.

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The passage of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” has made significant changes to Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, and Medicare, with strict requirements to maintain Federal support and criteria to qualify and maintain enrollment in Federal healthcare programs. There are several key provisions that will result in hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians losing access to healthcare:

  • “Community Engagement” Requirements which will require able-bodied adults to study, work, or volunteer for a minimum of 80 hours per month for expansion enrollees aged 19 – 64.
    • There are exceptions to these work requirements for people who are: enrolled in Medicare; incarcerated (and for 90 days following incarceration); pregnant or receiving postpartum coverage; Urban and California Indians; are caretakers of dependents under the age of 14; veterans with a total disability rating; are “medically frail”; participate in SNAP and are not exempt from its work requirements; or who have a substance use disorder or a disabling mental disorder (though neither of those exemptions are clearly defined). In addition, individuals who are participating in a drug or alcohol treatment and rehabilitation program (as defined in section 3(h) of the Food and Nutrition Act [FNA] of 2008) are exempt. However, FNA defines drug addiction or alcoholic treatment and rehabilitation programs as “any such program conducted by a private nonprofit organization or institution.” With no clear guidance at this point on how an individual is determined to qualify as having an SUD, the definition of drug addiction or alcoholic treatment and rehabilitation program could be an issue for for-profit providers.
    • States may request an exemption for 2027 and 2028 if they show a “good faith” effort to implement the program.
  • Limits to certain non-citizen access to federal health services, which will prevent certain individuals from enrolling in or receiving Medicaid or CHIP benefits. Medicaid will no longer be available to refugees, asylees, victims of trafficking, or other people under temporary protected status, with certain exceptions.
  • Eligibility redeterminations must be made every six months for Expansion enrollees. Individuals who are exempt from the community engagement requirements are also exempt from the bi-annual eligibility redeterminations.

Additional Resources:

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Folders with the label Applications and Grants

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), is announcing the notice of a funding opportunity (NOFO) for a new Hepatitis C Elimination Initiative Pilot. SAMHSA estimates awarding between 13 to 40 grants. This grant will be up to three years, and the amount funded will be based on a tiered system explained in the NOFO. Applications are due no later than August 1, 2025.

The purpose of the Hepatitis C Elimination Initiative Pilot is to leverage existing health care institutions’ capacity to prevent, test for, treat, and cure Hepatitis C (HCV) in individuals with substance use disorder (SUD) and/or severe mental illness (SMI), particularly in communities severely affected by homelessness, as well as to gain insights on effective ways to identify patients, complete treatment, and reduce reinfection. Recipients of this program are expected to implement a holistic approach that integrates HCV and HIV testing, comprehensive prevention treatment, and recovery support services for SUD, SMI, hepatitis C, and HIV as needed. Through this initiative, SAMHSA aims to increase the number of individuals who are cured of HCV, reduce the incidence of HCV and HIV in grant-funded communities, and help address the intersection of SUD, SMI, infectious disease, and homelessness in high-need populations across the nation.

The NOFO and application details can be found at the following websites:

This is a unique opportunity for Certified Community Behavioral Health Centers (CCBHC), as many CCBHCs may have the infrastructure to support this grant and may find this pilot to be aligned with their CCBHC programming.

To prepare and submit an application for the Hepatitis C Elimination Initiative Pilot, it is essential to refer to the specific NOFO and the FY 2025 NOFO Application Guide. The Application Guide provides detailed instructions on the application process, including registration requirements, attachment completion, budget preparation, and adherence to federal policies and regulations.

SAMHSA requires applicants to download application forms from the Grants.gov website and may need additional forms from the SAMHSA website. It is crucial to ensure that all required forms are completed and included in the application. Incomplete applications without all the necessary forms may be deemed ineligible for review.

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Beyond the Cuts: Protecting Behavioral Health in an Era of Policy Change (webinar)
Presented by Qualifacts, National Council for Mental Wellbeing, and OPEN MINDS
Tuesday, July 22, 2025 | 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM ET

Presenters include Josh Schoeller, CEO of Qualifacts; Chuck Ingoglia, President and CEO of the National Council for Mental Wellbeing; and Monica E. Oss, Founder and CEO of OPEN MINDS.

The behavioral health system is being reshaped at an unprecedented pace. In just weeks, the federal government has terminated over $12 billion in public health grants, dissolved SAMHSA under a sweeping HHS reorganization, and passed legislation that will transform Medicaid through work requirements, cost-sharing, and reduced provider tax caps. These changes are already leading to funding cuts, stalled infrastructure projects, and increased pressure on providers to prepare for reduced support and stricter eligibility. To help organizations navigate this evolving landscape, the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, OPEN MINDS, and Qualifacts are joining forces for a timely webinar. The session will focus on how behavioral health leaders can adapt service models, protect financial stability, and continue meeting community needs.

Register here.

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McAuley Ministries, the grant-making foundation of Pittsburgh Mercy, has awarded over $2.8 million in grants to 14 local nonprofit organizations and appointed Sister Barbara Anne Quinn, RSM to its Board of Directors. These grants support education, empowerment, essential needs & social services, and peacemaking initiatives in Pittsburgh’s Hill District, Uptown, and West Oakland neighborhoods.

View full release here.

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Checklist concept - checklist, paper and pen

The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) and the Department of Human Services (DHS) launched a new initiative designed to reduce administrative burden for substance use disorder (SUD) and mental health treatment providers that are licensed by both agencies.

Specifically, licensing staff from both DDAP and DHS will begin conducting coordinated annual inspections of SUD and mental health treatment facilities that are licensed by both agencies for outpatient, partial hospitalization, and residential services. The new initiative, which is voluntary, could impact up to 170 jointly licensed facilities that provide SUD and mental health services.

DDAP and DHS launched the new initiative today, July 14, by holding a webinar for impacted providers on the new inspection process, including how to pre-submit information. In addition, the agencies plan to survey providers to receive feedback on the new process that will allow for any necessary modifications to be made to the joint inspection process.

“On behalf of our behavioral health provider members across the Commonwealth, I want to thank DDAP and DHS for their hard work on this initiative. Reducing administrative burden has been and remains a top priority for RCPA, and we are grateful that the Shapiro Administration has responded, not only with this joint licensing inspection process, but with the other work it is currently doing to address provider burdens, including its work to reform regulations,” said Jason Snyder, Substance Use Disorder Treatment Services Director of Rehabilitation & Community Providers Association. “We look forward to continuing to collaborate with both departments in the future on additional ways to enable providers to put even more of their focus on patient care.”

Read the entire press release.

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