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Mental Health

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The Collaborative Family Healthcare Association (CFHA) and the Value-Based Care Work Group have created a value-based survey that is being distributed across the US to seek insights into the current state of value-based care, identify existing gaps, and explore opportunities for better alignment between payment models and clinical practice.

The target audience includes health systems, quality and administration professionals, primary and specialist care providers, and funding sources such as payers, policymakers, foundations, and grants.

The results of the 5-minute survey, which you can view here, will be shared with members as accompanying review is completed. If you have any questions, please contact RCPA COO and MH Policy Director Jim Sharp.

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[Official Devereux Press Release]

 

Congratulations to Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health Senior Vice President and Chief Clinical/Medical Officer Yolanda Graham, M.D., FAPA, DFAACAP, who was recently elected president of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry’s (AACAP) Regional Council of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (RCCAP) of Eastern Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey.

Graham, who joined RCCAP in 2020, previously served as secretary (2021-23) and president-elect (2023-24), before being elected president in June 2024.

The mission of AACAP and its regional councils is to “promote the healthy development of children, adolescents and families through advocacy, education and research, and to meet the professional needs of child and adolescent psychiatrists throughout their careers.”

“I am honored to be elected president of RCCAP of Eastern Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey,” said Graham. “Taking on this esteemed leadership role will allow me to serve as a representative of our regional council at AACAP’s general assembly meetings where I can elevate issues that impact our field to a national level. This includes recommending policy changes, best practice guidelines and system of care reforms that will ultimately benefit Devereux and the individuals and families we serve.”

Strengthening outreach; increasing advocacy
In her new position, Graham hopes to further the critical mission of RCCAP and AACAP to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and adolescents throughout the region.

“Chief among my goals is to provide greater outreach to early career psychiatrists, encouraging their active participation in RCCAP and AACAP, and strengthen engagement with medical students to cultivate the next generation of child and adolescent psychiatrists,” explained Graham. “I also hope to increase advocacy for children and adolescents by partnering with other child-serving trade organizations. Finally, recognizing the importance of a strong and cohesive leadership team, I want to develop a comprehensive onboarding training program for all new RCCAP board members.”

Engaging youth, families
Prior to taking on her role as president of RCCAP of Eastern Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey, Graham was invited by AACAP President Tammy Benton, M.D., to serve as lead author for a chapter in a compendium, titled “Bringing the village to the child: Addressing the crisis of children’s mental health.” The compendium was published in July 2024 in the journal, Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America.

Graham’s chapter – “Engaging youth voice and family partnerships to improve children’s mental health outcomes” – focuses on promoting active participation of families and youth in mental health systems of care.

“Youth and families are the true experts on their own strengths, needs and preferences. By elevating their perspectives, we can ensure our interventions and support systems are meeting them where they are now,” Graham noted. “This collaborative approach fosters a heightened sense of investment and engagement with youth and parent peer supports, and can lead to improved outcomes and sustainable change. Prioritizing the inclusion of families and young people is an essential component of building a mental health system that works for everyone.”

Learn more about Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health.

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The 2024 RCPA Conference Embracing Challenges, Empowering Success kicks off in just a few days, and it’s your very last chance to contact RCPA and register to gain access to speakers who work on the cutting edge of health and human services.

In addition to keynote and plenary speakers as well as educational and interactive workshops, RCPA is hosting a variety of events throughout each day that will only be available to those onsite at the Hershey Lodge!

Tuesday, Sept. 24:

  • During the afternoon, the Oral Health + Disability Exhibit will highlight the urgent need for inclusive dental care for people with disabilities.
  • Attendees will join RCPA staff, Conference Committee members, and colleagues at the Welcome Reception for hors d’oeuvres, beverages, and plenty of networking opportunities!
Wednesday, Sept. 25:
  • The Association Awards Luncheon will recognize Rep. Eric Nelson, Kim Sonafelt, and Mike Hopkins for their dedication, commitment, and leadership in health and human services.
  • Throughout the day, the Bodhana Group, a 501(c)3 nonprofit based in York, will be on hand to discuss their mission of using tabletop games for education, skill building, and therapy.
Thursday, Sept. 26:
  • With Connections Hall open, attendees will have the day between sessions to explore exhibit booths, participate in the mobile app game, and enjoy both breakfast and lunch with RCPA staff and colleagues.
  • Silent Auction items will be distributed this day. Attendees will have a chance to earn prizes while supporting the RCPA PAC, which provides financial support to state legislators who have demonstrated a strong, consistent, and positive interest in our issues and priorities.

All of these and more will only be available onsite for in-person attendees. If you haven’t registered yet, registrations with credit card information included may be faxed to the office until September 20 at 5:00 pm, fax number 717-364-3287. Registration and payment for the RCPA conference is accepted on-site at the Hershey Lodge and Conference Center, provided space and materials remain available. Questions regarding registration should be directed to Allison Brognia, Conference Registrar.

Contact Carol Ferenz, Conference Coordinator, or RCPA with any additional questions. We look forward to seeing you at the Hershey Lodge!

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Image by Werner Moser from Pixabay

The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP), through RCPA, is seeking input on its plan to license telehealth-only outpatient SUD treatment providers.

In an effort to regulate unlicensed, out-of-state telehealth providers marketing themselves as addiction treatment providers as well as expand access, DDAP plans to license telehealth-only outpatient SUD treatment providers. These DDAP-licensed telehealth-only providers may provide intake, evaluation, and referral, as well as outpatient, intensive outpatient, or partial hospitalization services via telehealth only, without a physical plant location in Pennsylvania, to individuals who are located in the Commonwealth as long as the provider complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

DDAP will not require the provider to maintain a physical location in Pennsylvania. DDAP also will grant all telehealth-only providers an exception to §709.11(b) regarding the requirement to conduct an onsite inspection for the renewal of a license as part of licensure.

DDAP has also said licensure is no guarantee of payment. Providers that are considering applying for a telehealth-only license should consult their public and private insurance payers to confirm whether they will meet conditions for network enrollment and payment, as DDAP cannot guarantee a DDAP-licensed telehealth-only provider funding or a contract.

Some providers have raised concerns about:

  • The effectiveness and quality of tele-only treatment without an ability for in-person counseling and how it could harm patients;
  • The siphoning of commercial patients from community-based providers and how it would negatively affect their financial situation;
  • The long-term sustainability of community-based providers who understand their community as large national players enter Pennsylvania; and
  • Maximizing existing outpatient capacity in Pennsylvania.

Comments may be emailed directly to DDAP Deputy Secretary Kelly Primus. Or, by the close of business this Friday, Sept. 20, please submit to RCPA SUD Treatment Services Provider Policy Director Jason Snyder any comments about this plan. RCPA will then share the comments with DDAP. In addition to any concerns you may have about this new license category, please include in your comments any proposed solutions you have about preventing unlicensed telehealth-only outpatient organizations from providing SUD treatment counseling via telehealth in Pennsylvania.

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Online registration has officially closed for the 2024 RCPA Conference. Registrations with credit card information included may be faxed to the office at 717-364-3287 until September 20 at 5:00 pm. Registration and payment for the RCPA conference is accepted on-site at the Hershey Lodge and Conference Center, provided space and materials remain available. Questions regarding registration should be directed to Allison Brognia, Conference Registrar.

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The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) will be holding quarterly public meetings for anyone interested in discussing the topic of peer support services (PSS) working in the mental health realm. These meetings will provide a regularly scheduled opportunity for OMHSAS representatives to give PSS updates and information as well as answer questions and obtain essential insight and feedback from stakeholders.

The first quarterly meeting will be held on October 8, 2024, at 9:00 am – 10:00 am. The TEAMS meeting link is available here. Going forward, these meetings will be held on the second Tuesday in the months of January, April, July, and October 2025. Attendees will receive general updates and discussion topics OMHSAS will send ahead of time. Meeting links will also be provided in advance of each meeting.

Recommendations for agenda topics or questions can be submitted via email and must be submitted at least two weeks prior to the meeting date. The email account will be monitored, and the sender will receive a reply if more information is needed. Responses will not be provided if additional information is not needed.

If you or your colleagues would like to be added to an OMHSAS Listserv to receive the quarterly invitations, please go to the Listserv DHS website, then select the “join or leave the list” link.

Meeting Dates:

  • Tuesday, October 8, 2024, 9:00 am
    • Topic: Introductions, Welcome, & OMHSAS Updates
  • Tuesday, January 14, 2025, 9:00 am
    • Agenda Topics Due December 30, 2024
  • Tuesday, April 8, 2025, 9:00 am
    • Agenda Topics Due March 25, 2025
  • Tuesday, July 8, 2025, 9:00 am
    • Agenda Topics Due June 24, 2025
  • Tuesday, October 14, 2025, 9:00 am
    • Agenda Topics Due September 30, 2025

OMHSAS is open to ideas and suggestions on maximizing the effectiveness of these meetings.

These quarterly meetings are not a replacement for the Mental Health Planning Council quarterly meetings. Those meetings will continue in addition to these newly established meetings.

OMHSAS appreciates your review and hope you will join them for these PSS discussions. Questions pertaining to these meetings should be submitted via email.

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Online registration for the 2024 RCPA Conference officially closes COB today, September 13, meaning if you haven’t done so, now is your final chance to gain early access to the mobile app, reserve your seat, and guarantee your access to our exciting events!

By registering today, you will be able to network and connect with other attendees both in the mobile app and onsite. You’ll also be able to participate in our game, which will take place in Connections Hall, sponsored by Carelon. Attendees will meet and learn from our many exhibitors, whose contributions helped make this conference possible, while earning prizes and recognition. In addition, breakfast and lunch will be served in Connections Hall on Thursday, Sept. 26, giving you the opportunity to chat and relax with other attendees, speakers, and RCPA staff.

Online Registration Closes Today, Sept. 13!
Don’t Delay — Register Here!
We would like to extend a special thanks to Carelon, our Connections Hall Platinum Sponsor. Thank you for your generosity!

We would also like to thank each and every sponsor and exhibitor. Without you, our conference would not be possible! You can view our current sponsors and exhibitors on the RCPA Conference website.
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