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Senate Passes Impactful Mental Health Legislation
As reported by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, the Senate last night passed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, critical legislation to dramatically increase funding for mental health programs and reduce the threat and incidence of violence in America.
Introduced by Sens. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas), the bill provides funding to increase access to mental health and substance use services, notably through expanding Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) nationwide. This will connect considerably more people to lifesaving care, while helping support and grow the mental health and substance use treatment workforce.
The bill also includes aid to broaden access to telehealth services and mental health awareness programs, such as Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), and provides additional funding for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline ahead of next month’s 988 implementation, which will help save lives and provide needed support to strengthen the capacity of our crisis care system.
Given the speed the bill is moving, the National Council created an excellent initial analysis of the bill and its potential impact.
Key provisions include:
- Expanding the CCBHC program to allow any state or territory the opportunity to apply to participate in the demonstration and allocating additional planning grant monies for states to develop proposals to participate;
- Starting in July 2024, and every two years thereafter, 10 additional states will be selected to join the demonstration.
- The eight original demonstration sites will be extended until September 2025, and the two newer demo states (Kentucky and Michigan) are extended to six years after their program launch.
- $250 million for the Community Mental Health Services Block Grant;
- $120 million in additional funding for mental health awareness training programs;
- $150 million in additional funding for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline for FY 2022; and
- New requirements for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to provide guidance to states on how they can increase access to care via telehealth under Medicaid and CHIP, including strategies related to training and providing resources for providers and patients.
If you have questions, please contact your RCPA Policy Director.
Rebuilding a Direct Support Workforce in a Post-Pandemic Environment — Webinar on July 7
UPDATE: FAQ on Modifications to Medication Administration Course Requirements
ODP Announcement 20-114 provides an updated timeline on Medication Administration training requirements as it pertains to the “Modified” and “Standard” courses offered by the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP). Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, ODP allowed staff who are required to take the Standard Medication Administration Training Course (“Standard Course”) to take the Modified Medication Administration Training Course (“Modified Course”) until December 31, 2021.
Because the effects of the pandemic are ongoing, staff can continue to take the Modified Course in place of the Standard Course until July 31, 2022.
The Department previously required that staff who took the Modified Course in lieu of the Standard Course complete the Standard Course no later than December 31, 2022. Please be advised that this deadline has been extended to July 31, 2023.
Beginning August 1, 2022, staff persons must take the Standard Course.
ODP Announcement 22-068 UPDATED: Transition to Independent Living Payments
This communication is intended to provide guidance to all stakeholders who participate in the process of transitioning an individual from Residential Habilitation Service to Supported Living or Lifesharing. Updated information includes instructions for adding procedure codes for transition payments and directions to AEs. The new language is below:
Once a request is approved, ODP will issue communication directly to the Provider, AE, and SC with instructions for adding the transition payments to the individual’s ISP. The communication will contain procedure codes, steps for adding the service to the ISP, and additional instructions for submitting claims.
By signing the transition request form, the AE is indicating they agree that the provider has presented a plan that ensures the individual’s health and safety needs will be meet in the proposed Lifesharing or Supported Living program. A move date does not need to be determined for a signature to be applied, but the AE may use discretion to request more detailed transition information from the provider to assure a reasonable and safe transition plan is in place.
National Council to Host Webinar on “Examining Policy and Practice Trends in the LGBTQ+ Community”
Examining Policy and Practice Trends in the LGBTQ+ Community
June 30, 2022 | 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
Register here.
Pride Month is more than just an observance. It’s a chance to reflect on how far we’ve come in meeting the health care needs of the LGBTQ+ community and how much further we need to go. Join this cross-Interest Group (Crisis Response, Substance Use, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Children, Young Adults and Families, and LGBTQ+) collaborative effort to explore mental health and substance use conditions and wellbeing in the LGBTQ+ community, and the latest clinical practices and policies, including crisis response and suicide prevention.
2022 CIT International Conference Registration is Now Open!
The CIT International Conference is FAST approaching. Only 11 more weeks to go!
There will be many opportunities to learn and to network, so if you haven’t made your plans, you will want to get started today!
WHAT TO EXPECT:
Over 130 Workshops
Compelling Keynote Speakers
Bonus Sunday
- CIT Coordinator’s Course
- Building Resiliency Workshop
- NAMI and Advocacy Conversation
- “Coming Up For Air” — Critically-Acclaimed Film With Panel Presentation
FREE Networking Event — Pittsburgh Steelers’ Stadium
Enjoy the iconic city of Pittsburgh. RESERVE YOUR HOTEL ROOM.
Child Welfare Legislative Bills: Member Review & Feedback Requested
RCPA Update: National Council’s Hill Day at Home 2022
RCPA hopes that you found the National Council on Mental Wellbeing’s Hill Day at Home 2022 a valuable experience. This year’s focus supported the initiatives that are affecting our organizations and delivery of services to vulnerable consumers across Pennsylvania and our nation.
Be sure to check out the overview from Hill Day at Home 2022 that outlines the issues, impacts, strategies, and “The Ask” from our legislators and stakeholders. These include:
- Fulfilling the Promise of 988;
- Support for the Expansion of Certified Community Behavioral Health Centers (CCBHCs);
- Curbing the Nation’s Substance Use Crisis; and
- Addressing the Mental Health & Substance Abuse Treatment Workforce in America.
RCPA will continue to collaborate with the National Council and our members to advocate for these and other critical initiatives.
If you have any questions, please contact your RCPA Policy Director.
OMHSAS Stakeholder Meeting — June 24
The next OMHSAS Stakeholder Webinar will take place this Friday, June 24, 2022, from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm. You can register for the webinar here. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Call-in Number: (631) 992-3221
Access Code: 933633245#
In the meantime, if you have suggestions for agenda topics for June’s webinar, please submit them via email by COB this Thursday, June 23, 2022. OMHSAS will monitor the account and will reply to the sender if more information is needed.
If you have any questions, please contact your RCPA Policy Director.
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