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Tags Posts tagged with "behavioral health"

behavioral health

RCPA was honored to have Stacy DiStephano of Consulting for Human Services, LLC and Ross Harper of Limbic AI join us for a discussion regarding the use of clinical AI in behavioral health care. The recording is now available on RCPA’s website; you will need to log in to your RCPA member account to access. If you have any questions regarding the content or recording, please contact Carol Ferenz. You can find more information below on the speakers and their respective organizations.

Speaker Bios:

Stacy DiStefano, Founder and CEO of Consulting for Human Services, LLC, is a passionate and dynamic healthcare and human services executive advisor, strategist, and retained leader. She has worked on high level strategic initiatives for behavioral health provider organizations, private equity firms, state departments, and tech vendors. Stacy is a visionary with a clinical background, enabling growth and mission achievement. She also works as a trusted advisor who easily builds rapport and works in collaboration with key stakeholders. A resilient and creative problem-solver with an eye on efficiency and a track record of improving financial performance, Stacy always strives to solve complex challenges.

Ross Harper, PhD, CEO of Limbic AI, is a distinguished computational neuroscientist with a rich academic background. Holding a PhD in Computational Neuroscience and a Master’s in Mathematical Modeling from University College London as well as a Master’s in Natural Sciences from the University of Cambridge, Ross possesses an intricate understanding of the overlap between mathematics, technology, and the human mind. He launched Limbic AI in 2020 to enable large language models and generative AI to aid and assist processes in the mental health space, supporting clinicians and their patients within the NHS during the pandemic. Used by over 230,000 patients and mental health professionals within the NHS, Ross is leading a company that is improving patient access to mental health resources, speeding up diagnosis, and supporting mental health professionals to avoid burnout as the company prepares to expand into the US.

Limbic AI:

Limbic is a clinically-validated AI copilot to drive quality and efficiency in behavioral healthcare, drastically improving service operating margins while demonstrably improving patient outcomes. Limbic has been proven at scale in the UK, currently working with 40% of the National Health Service, which now implements Limbic as part of routine care (used by 320,000 patients already). In 2024, Limbic has published 3 large-scale clinical studies, showing improved patient outcomes, lower cost-per-recovery, expanded provider capacity, enhanced access for underserved communities, reduced patient wait times, and elevated satisfaction for patients and clinicians (Nature MedicineJMIRBritish Medical Journal). The company is now working with community health providers in the United States to deliver economic and clinical ROI.

Drexel University Division of Behavioral Healthcare Education has announced a Call for Proposals for the Virtual 32nd Annual Forensic Rights and Treatment Conference on December 4 – 5, 2024. Complete the Proposal Application, which includes an Award Nomination Referral Form, to submit your proposal. Applications must be received no later than August 31, 2024. If you have any questions regarding this email, please feel free to contact Anna Auch.

The Pennsylvania Association of Community Health Centers (PACHC) is offering free behavioral health training opportunities. A training session on Co-Occurring Mental Health & Substance Use Disorders for PACHC members will take place on July 25 from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm, focusing on evidence-based practices and medication-assisted treatment. Registration is free; register here to attend.

Additionally, PACHC is partnering with the Association of Clinicians for the Underserved (ACU) for a five-part webinar series on Suicide Safer Care July – August 2024, which is aimed at equipping health center staff with strategies to support patients and staff at risk. Sign up for the series at the Webinar Series for Suicide Safer Care for Health Center Staff Registration page or browse ACU’s Suicide Safer Care resources.

Keep Your Providers Happy and Thriving With Going Back to In-Office Care
Monday, June 10, 2024
11:00 am – 12:00 pm EST
Register Here
Join RCPA Partner Eleos Health on June 10 for a webinar focusing on recruiting and retaining staff across behavioral health in PA. Andrew Schimitt from Gaudeniza will join Eleos to share insights around how implementing Eleos has helped increase staff satisfaction. We will also show a brief demonstration of Eleos to see it live in action!

Webinar attendees will:

  • Evaluate how Eleos Health’s augmented intelligence can help to address top workforce challenges while improving care;
  • Witness Eleos live in action through a brief demonstration; and
  • Apply lessons learned from Gaudenzia to their own organization.

Register today!

Last week, House Bill 2300 was referred to the House Professional Licensure Committee. HB 2300: Legislative Package to Join the National Counseling Compact & Changes to Behavioral Specialists (Former HB 2852), allows Pennsylvania to join the Counseling Compact, enabling Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) to practice across state lines without needing additional licenses. This change aims to improve access to mental health services by supporting telehealth, allowing LPCs to provide remote counseling. The compact also mandates standardized licensure requirements, including a 60 semester-hour master’s degree, a nationally recognized exam, and supervised postgraduate experience. RCPA is seeking member input as we develop our position on the legislation.

The Compact establishes a data system for sharing licensure and disciplinary information among member states, enhancing oversight and public safety. It mentions granting authority to member states to take actions against LPCs who violate regulations and creates the Counseling Compact Commission to oversee the implementation and administration. These changes ensure consistent standards for mental and behavioral health providers, increasing mobility and the availability of BH services.

As RCPA reviewed the details of this piece of legislation, one item of interest was that the bill entails the creation of a commission in Pennsylvania that will need to be funded. In the past, portions of commission operating costs have been realized by an increase in licensing fees. It is important to note that RCPA has not yet seen any fiscal package associated with the bill.

We ask that members review the bill and provide commentary as well as an organizational position of support, neutrality, or non-support. Please contact RCPA COO and Policy Director Jim Sharp with any feedback or questions.

Keep Your Providers Happy and Thriving With Going Back to In-Office Care
Monday, June 10, 2024
11:00 am – 12:00 pm EST
Register Here

Join RCPA Partner Eleos Health on June 10 for a webinar focusing on recruiting and retaining staff across behavioral health in PA. Andrew Schimitt from Gaudeniza will join Eleos to share insights around how implementing Eleos has helped increase staff satisfaction. We will also show a brief demonstration of Eleos to see it live in action!

Webinar attendees will:

  • Evaluate how Eleos Health’s augmented intelligence can help to address top workforce challenges while improving care;
  • Witness Eleos live in action through a brief demonstration; and
  • Apply lessons learned from Gaudenzia to their own organization.

Register today!

The Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) is excited to engage with stakeholders in developing a statewide child, youth, and young adult (CYYA) behavioral health emergency (crisis) community. As a first step, they have developed a brief survey to gauge interest in a symposium on this topic. They also have plans for ongoing opportunities for discussing CYYA behavioral health crisis response, identifying and highlighting promising practices within the Commonwealth and nationally, sharing training opportunities, and gathering feedback on interests and needs.

If you are interested in this topic or otherwise have feedback on Pennsylvania’s crisis continuum for CYYA and their families, please complete this short survey. The survey is available now and will be accessible through June 7, 2024, at 5:00 pm EST.

Thank you in advance for your time and dedication to Pennsylvania’s children, youth, young adults, and families. Any questions can be sent via email, or you can contact RCPA COO and Policy Director Jim Sharp.

The Hispanic/Latino Behavioral Health Center of Excellence has announced the Vamos por Más Hispanic/Latino Behavioral Health Empowerment and Leadership Academy 2024–2025. This innovative 12-month program aims to select up to 10 behavioral health services personnel from community-based organizations serving Hispanic and Latino populations. Participants will have the opportunity to access mentorship and leadership skill-development sessions, focusing on various behavioral health-related topics. These include fostering culturally responsive leadership, driving system changes to enhance the well-being of Latino communities, and strengthening advocacy skills for Hispanic and Latino populations. Additionally, the program emphasizes building cross-sector partnerships between communities and behavioral health systems. Healthcare providers, including those in substance use disorder prevention, treatment, and recovery, are encouraged to apply for this unique opportunity.

Applications can be submitted here. The deadline for applications is April 30, 2024.

The newly established Pennsylvania Certification Commission for Addiction Professionals (PCC AP) is now offering certification and training for clinical supervisors and counselors who provide clinical treatment services in licensed substance use disorder (SUD) treatment facilities. Historically in Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Certification Board (PCB) has provided these certifications and trainings.

PCC AP, which also offers SUD and mental health peer certification, is affiliated with the Pennsylvania Association of Addiction Professionals and the National Association of Addiction Professionals (NAADAC). Both PCB and PCC AP/NAADAC offer certifications and training beneficial to those in the SUD field.

PCC AP aligns with Pennsylvania regulations and is currently providing a test-exempt period from February 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024. During this time, field licensure or certification holders can obtain PCC AP certification without a test, including certification for peers, counselors, and supervisors.

Detailed information about each certification level, including application processes and fees, can be found on the NAADAC website. Additionally, an FAQ page is available.