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Affiliation Status Granted Mental Health America (the national organization) has granted Mental Health America of Arizona (MHA-AZ) a provisional one-year affiliation. This allows MHA-AZ to continue on the path of renewal and revitalization for this 60-year-old nonprofit. MHA-AZ is working to revive its role by joining others in promoting the mental health and well-being for all Arizonans through education, advocacy and the shaping of public policy.
"This is welcomed news coming so soon after our Birthday Bash in May", noted Chair Jack Beveridge of MHA-AZ. "This is recognition of the Board's efforts to renew MHA-AZ's presence in Arizona. I'm truly thankful for the local Board members as well as the national staff and Board who have fostered us in this effort. I also want to thank the community for their support."
"In closing, let me share a quote from Henry Ford who observed, 'If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself.' I hope in the coming months MHA-AZ is moving forward together, creating success in our mission for our community, state and families impacted by mental illness," stated Jack.
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Next Phase of Change
As promised, the Arizona Department of Health Services issued the Request for Proposals (RFP) for Integrated Care in Greater Arizona on Monday, July 7th. Proposals are due in early October 2014 and the new contract will begin service delivery on October 1, 2015. This RFP seeks to consolidate the Regional Behavioral Health Authorities into the North and South areas of the state. The North area has been defined as Apache, Coconino, Gila, Mohave, Navajo, Yavapai Counties and a small portion of Graham County. The South GSA has been defined as Cochise, Graham, Greenlee, La Paz, Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz and Yuma Counties.
 This map represents the changed regions with the goldenrod color representing the North and the brown color representing the South region. The San Carlos Apache Tribe in Graham County with Zip Codes 85530 and 85550 has been assigned to the North region.
Guidance has been issued assuring the following:
- SMI eligibility determination will not be a function of the RBHA.
- General Mental Health/Substance Abuse (GMH/SA) Duals (those enrolled in Medicare & AHCCCS will have behavioral health services integrated into their AHCCCS acute health plan.
- Behavioral and physical health for SMI populations will be integrated as it is now in the Maricopa County area.
- AHCCCS and DHS are seeking a waiver from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) relating to choice of plans for acute care similar to the one granted for Maricopa County. If the choice waiver is not granted, then choice will be provided members.
- Crisis Services in Greater Arizona is dependent upon a CMS waiver. If the waiver is granted, then each RBHA will be responsible for that service. If the waiver is not granted the RBHAs who receive the contract may be required to jointly create and manage a crisis system through a joint governance agreement as outlined in the RFP.
- A RBHA will not be awarded or hold a contract in more than one geographic area.
As anticipated, there's lots of interest in this round of RFPs by a host of existing RBHA contractors and other managed care organizations. As the saying goes, "Let the games begin." A bidders' conference is scheduled for July 31st at the Executive Towers in Phoenix.
The end result, we can all hope for, is that the transition will go smoothly and that clients will be well-served. We've a ways to go before those results will be known.
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Yes indeed it is an election year, in case you haven't noticed the radio or TV ads or the mail from candidates in your mail on a daily basis. It is an important election, with Arizona selecting a new Governor, other statewide offices, members of Congress and the Legislature.
Here are some important things to remember. -
If you're not registered to vote or you've moved or changed your name, you have until midnight July 28th to register to vote. You can do so online here. In case you're not certain about your registration status you can verify that here. -
Early voting begins on July 31st, which will allow you to receive your ballot at home and then simply complete it and return it by mail. That's the process for being placed on the Permanent Early Voting List (PELV). Even as a registered Independent/No Party Preference, you can vote in the Primary by requesting a ballot for a political party.
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The actual Primary Election is on August 26th, which for those not voting by mail, means going to your local polling place.
- The General Election is on Tuesday, November 4th. If you didn't register for the Primary you have until October 6th at midnight to register to be able to vote in the General. Early voting begins on October 9th.
Other websites that might help you with your decision for the election include: - Children's Action Alliance has election information check out their website here or this portion of their site They also have information for Independent voters, legislative scorecards from the 2014 legislative session ("Who's for Kids" and "Who's Just Kidding"). The results of a questionnaire from the state legislature can be found here.
- An interesting website can be found about who is running in statewide elections and has some links to their election websites, but the state legislative links aren't that helpful. Check out here.
- Lastly, check out these two videos about the upcoming election, good since they're short, sweet and informative.
A "2014 What's on My Ballot? Arizona's General Election Guide" is mailed to registered voters before the General Election which outlines the arguments for and against the various propositions as well as contains the rating for Superior Court judges for the two metropolitan counties whose judges stand for retention. This is a handy booklet to have when deciding on the propositions as well as marking your ballot on the judges.
There's plenty for us to do to exercise our civic responsibilities. You will be getting information about candidates as well as the propositions that will be on the ballot in November in a mailing in the next few weeks. Take the time to review the materials. Let's get busy learning about the issues and the candidates so we can have elected officials who truly do represent our interests.
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Coming Events
Many of you are still taking your family vacations and are just beginning to look at the fall and the events that are coming our way. Please share your events with us so we can help share the word. - Tuesday, July 22nd at 5:30 pm, "Decision in Law Enforcement", hosted by David's Hope at the Disability Empowerment Center, 5025 E. Washington, check here for the event.
- Housing Workshop & Resource Fair on Thursday, July 24th from 5:30 to 8:00 pm at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church WORD Center, 1401 E. Jefferson Street in Phoenix. Targeted for foster youth. Free, but please RSVP to [email protected] by July 18th.
- AZ Foundation for Behavioral Health's Eric Gilbertson Advocacy Institute for Behavioral Health is accepting applications for the fall training. Submit your application by August 11th. Applications can be found here. There is a $10 application fee and, if accepted, a $50 program fee. The training sessions are on Saturdays, with the dates outlined at the Foundation's website. Seating is limited, so get those applications in now.
- Southwest Interdisciplinary Research Center's Community Engagement & Outreach Core will be hosting information insights webinars on Thursdays at 11 am-12 pm Arizona Time. For more information contact [email protected]. The sessions are:
- August 14th on Information Insights: Doing a Needs Assessment;
- August 21st on Collecting & Using Information to Know What Works;
- August 28th Information for Influence: Supporting Policy & Advocacy Efforts; and
- September 4th on Can Collect Data!
- Walk Now for Autism Speaks, Sunday, October 26th. Register here.
- Annual Family Connection Fun Day! & Back to School Bash, Saturday, August 2nd, 9 am to 1 pm at the Salvation Army Kroc Center, 1375 E. Broadway in Phoenix. Free day of family fun with snacks, resources fair, games, music, and free haircuts & backpacks.
- August 7th & 8th, 41st Annual Arizona Rural Health Conference and 9th Annual Performance Improvement Summit. Theme is "Access to Health Care in Rural Communities". The conference will be at Wigwam Resort, Litchfield Park. Please contact Rebecca Ruiz at [email protected] for details.
- October 1st, Seeds Conference, "Intersection of Behavioral Health & Criminal Justice" at ASU West, 4701 W. Thunderbird. Details will be announced in coming newsletters. The event is a collaboration between MHA-AZ, ASU Center for Applied Behavioral Health, David's Hope, and Arizona Justice Alliance.
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We invite your participation and sharing of this newsletter by forwarding to your friends and colleagues. If they wish to receive the free newsletter, encourage them to simply click on the link here. Let's share the word. Let's get involved.
Eddie L. Sissons
Executive Consultant
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