New Group Therapy Program for LGBTQ+ Teens in Pittsburgh Begins at UPMC: RCPA Member UPMC Western Behavioral Health Highlighted
behavioral health
Historic New Mental Health Provisions Now Law — Message From National Council
PID Seeks Provider Input on Availability of Behavioral Health Specialists
The Pennsylvania Insurance Department (PID) is studying the availability of providers in various specialties, including behavioral health, and geographic areas. This is an opportunity for behavioral health providers, including drug and alcohol and mental health providers, to share their challenges in finding and employing specialists required by state regulations and payer contracts and the subsequent access issues that result.
The goal of the study is to understand areas of need based on the current availability of providers to accept new patients, the amount of time it takes to get an appointment with these providers, and the network adequacy considerations based on the findings. PID is seeking public comment from organizations, consumer advocates, providers, and consumers about their experience with getting an appointment or finding available specialists.
On behalf of its behavioral health provider members, RCPA is compiling comments to submit to PID, although members who prefer to submit their comments and experience on their own are encouraged to do so. Providers wanting to submit comments as part of an RCPA response can send them to Drug and Alcohol Division Director Jason Snyder. PID will accept comments until Friday, August 5, so please submit your comments to RCPA by Friday, July 29.
More information can be found in PID’s published Notice for Public Comment.
OMHSAS New Bulletin: Revised Guidelines for the Delivery of BH Services Through Telehealth
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.
10th Annual Lifesharing Conference: November 7–8
November 7–8, 2022
The Pennsylvania Lifesharing Coalition will be holding its 10th Annual Lifesharing Conference on November 7 and 8, 2022. The conference will take place in-person at Kalahari Resort in Pocono Manor, PA. Registration is $200 through June 30 and $250 thereafter. See the flyer for more information on hotel accommodations and instructions on how to register.
Sessions
The keynote speaker on Monday will be Rachel Simon, author of several books, including Riding the
Bus With My Sister. Sessions also include updates from the PA Office of Developmental Programs, mental health and wellness topics, and lifesharing best practices from families and providers. The Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services will be offering the 8-hour Mental Health First Aid course; 4 hours will be completed virtually in advance of the conference, and 4 hours will be completed on Tuesday, November 8, at the conference.
Visit here to register for the conference.
See the flyer for more information.
Once in a Generation Opportunity to Fund PA’s BH Services Programs — RCPA Announces Revised Recommendations for 2022/23 Budget
988: A Direct Link for Suicide Prevention & Crisis Support
ODP Announcement 22-062 is to inform interested parties of the 988 lifeline. Trained crisis response professionals can provide support to individuals considering suicide, self-harm, or any behavioral, mental health, or substance abuse need.
Starting on July 16, 2022, people who call, text, or chat with 988 will be directly connected to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The existing Lifeline phone number (1-800-273-8255) will remain available.
Callers can also connect with the Veterans Crisis Line or receive assistance in Spanish. These services will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and are free to any caller no matter where they live.
Additional resources can be found here.
Commissioners Ask for Help to Support ‘Crumbling Mental Health System’
Psychiatric Epidemiologist Tamsin Ford Talks Children’s Mental Health Amid Covid-19
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