Benchmarks Survey 
Continuing Flexibilities and Waivers After COVID-19 Emergency Declaration
Note:  Survey will close on COB Wednesday, May 20, 2020


Provider Update: NC Medicaid COVID-19
 
This issue of Provider Update contains the following latest information on North Carolina's COVID-19 response:
  • NCDHHS Updates Guidance on Who Should be Tested for COVID-19
  • North Carolina Working with Local Manufacturers to Make Critical Supplies
  • New Public Service Announcement (PSA) on the Ws
  • North Carolina's Key COVID-19 Indicators Remain Stable
  • Make Sure Water Systems are Safe before Reopening
  • Guidance for Overnight Camps Now Available
  • Governor Signs Executive Order to Provide Regulatory Flexibility for Health Care System During Response to COVID-19
NCDHHS Updates Guidance on Who Should be Tested for COVID-19
There is updated guidance on who should be tested for COVID-19. The new guidance recommends that clinicians test any patient in whom COVID-19 is suspected and ensure the following populations have access to testing, regardless of symptoms:
  • Anyone with symptoms suggestive of COVID-19
  • Close contacts of known positive cases, regardless of symptoms 
  • Persons who live in or have regular contact with high-risk settings (e.g., long-term care facility, homeless shelter, correctional facility, migrant farmworker camp)
  • Persons who are at high risk of severe illness (e.g., people over 65 years of age, people of any age with underlying health conditions)
  • Persons who come from historically marginalized populations
  • Health care workers or first responders (e.g. EMS, law enforcement, fire department, military)
  • Front-line and essential workers (grocery store clerks, gas station attendants, etc.) in settings where social distancing is difficult to maintain
 
North Carolina Working with Local Manufacturers to Make Critical Supplies
The state's Task Force for Emergency Repurposing of Manufacturing has partnered with the N.C. Manufacturing Extension Partnership, Carolina Textile District and the Economic Development Partnership of N.C. to identify and collaborate with manufacturers statewide who are able to pivot their operations to produce critical personal protective equipment (PPE) including face shields, hand sanitizer, cloth masks, gowns and more. The Task Force has worked with over 300 North Carolina companies.  
 
 
New Public Service Announcement (PSA) on the Ws
Wear. Wait. Wash. As North Carolina eases some COVID-19 restrictions, the NC Department of Health and Human Services is asking people to remember these three things to continue to slow the spread of COVID-19 and flatten the curve. If you leave home, practice your Ws: Wear, Wait, Wash:  
  • Wear a cloth face covering if you will be with other people. 
  • Wait 6 feet apart. Avoid close contact.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer. 
Share our new 30-second   public service announcement on the 3 Ws.
 
North Carolina's Key COVID-19 Indicators Remain Stable
On May 14, Governor Cooper and Secretary Cohen provided an update on North Carolina's key COVID-19 metrics, which showed that the state remained stable nearly one week into Phase 1.
 
 
Make Sure Water Systems are Safe before Reopening
To help slow the spread of COVID-19, many buildings have closed to the public or have limited access. Reduced water use for extended time periods can lead to stagnant water, which can increase the risk for growth of Legionella and other waterborne pathogens. Owners and operators of buildings with complex water systems such as hotels, dormitories and some recreational facilities should take steps now to make sure that building water and water systems are safe to use and minimize the risk of Legionnaires' disease and other disease associated with water. NCDHHS urges owners and operators of buildings with complex water systems to read and follow the CDC’s Guidance for Building Water Systems. 
 
Guidance for Overnight Camps Now Available
NCDHHS has new guidance available for overnight camps in the state. The guidance includes recommendations on prevention, combatting misinformation, monitoring campers and staff for symptoms, protecting vulnerable populations, cabins and sleeping areas, daily activities, meal service and cleaning.
 
 
Governor Signs Executive Order to Provide Regulatory Flexibility for Health Care System During Response to COVID-19
Governor Roy Cooper Issued Executive Order No. 139 to provide additional regulatory flexibility to help ensure capacity in the state's health care system and improve its ability to effectively respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
 

Developing capacity for child mental health EBTs across North Carolina
 
Greetings from the NC Child Treatment Program (NC CTP).
 
As the  mental health system continues to adjust to COVID-19 era challenges, children and families require access to effective services more than ever. In an effort to address this need, NC CTP would like to share two resources, our Provider Roster and a link to ongoing clinical training opportunities:
 
Developing Community EBT Capacity
While maintaining current COVID-related social distancing standards, NC CTP is moving forward with our nationally-endorsed, AHEC-accredited Learning Collaboratives across an array of child, mental health evidence-based treatment models (EBTs), including:
  • Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
  • Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)
  • Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP)
  • Structured Psychotherapy for Children Responding to Chronic Stress (SPARCS)
  • Problematic Sexual Behavior Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, school age and adolescent versions (PSB-CBT)
Time sensitive:  NC CTP is currently accepting applications for several of our EBTs, and will be releasing additional applications over the summer/in early fall. We encourage you to share this 2020 training link with your clinicians, agencies to whom you send referrals, and/or to your broader professional network.  Link to training opportunities:
 
 
NC CTP Provider Roster 
NC CTP maintains a public list of community-based clinicians who have been trained across our array of EBTs, the NC CTP Provider Roster. In order to remain on this roster, NC CTP graduates must: continue to accept client referrals; monitor client outcomes and their own fidelity; participate in peer supervision; and engage in continuing education. Link to our Provider Roster:
 
 
As we navigate these uncharted waters together, please do not hesitate to reach out with questions, suggestions, or concerns. 





Responding to COVID-19: Managing a PPP Loan Effectively

Many nonprofit financial leaders who have received a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan, or expect to receive one in the near future, are wondering, "Now what? How do I manage this loan properly, and very importantly, how do I get it forgiven?"
In this session, Gina McDonald, CPA of FMA, shares detailed guidance for nonprofit leaders, including:
  • how organizations can and cannot spend the funds
  • how to properly account for and track the funds
  • what we know to-date about how forgiveness will be calculated
  • strategies for what to do if a portion of the loan was not needed
  • other decisions related to PPP that organizations may need to make (e.g., how will this funding interact with restricted revenue that has been received).
This free webinar is meant to be shared widely, so make sure you let your nonprofit colleagues know it's available. We'll be tracking the anticipated clarifications and guidance from the feds, so keep an eye on this site.


View Webinar Here.
Wednesday:  May 20, 2020 (All Providers)
Provider Information Sessions

Time:  2:30 pm
Thursday:  May 21, 2020 
SPARCS Information Call

Time:  12:30 pm
 
Meeting number: 473 235 227
Password: HQmtXJmy445
Thursday:  May 21, 2020  (Repeats Each Thursday)
COVID-19 Update for Long Term Care Settings

Time: 10:00 am
 
Or dial-in at (646) 558-8656 
Webinar ID 997-9499-7344
Wednesday:  May 21, 2020 (All Providers)
New:  Wednesday:  May 21, 2020 
Connections and Protective Factors: Why they Matter Today
Time:  7:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Friday:  May 22, 2020 (Each Friday)
Benchmarks' Membership Friday Webinar

Time:  8:30 am
Monday:  May 25, 2020 (Each Monday until May 26, 2020)
Joint DMHDDSAS and DHB (NC Medicaid) COVID-19 Update Call For BH/IDD Consumers, Family Members and Community Stakeholders

Time:  2:00 pm to 3:00 pm

Toll-Free:   844-291-5495 Access Code: 1279313
New:  Tuesday:  May 26, 2020 
Focus Webinars: Children with Complex Behavioral Health & IDD Needs

Time:  11:30 am to 12:30 pm
Tuesday:  May 26, 2020 
Trauma and Mental Health Peer Support 

Time:  2:00 pm
Wednesday:  May 27, 2020 (Each Friday)
QUESTION, PERSUADE, REFER (QPR) - SUICIDE PREVENTION WEB-BASED TRAINING

Time:  2:00 to 4:00 pm (7 Slots Available)

Thursday:  May 28, 2020
Let's Talk w Dave Hingsburger; Human Trafficking and People with an Intellectual Disability-Staying 'As Safe As Possible'

Time:  2:00 pm

Thursday:  May 28, 2020  (Repeats Each Thursday)
NC DHHS COVID-19 Healthcare Professional Webinar Series, in partnership with CCNC and AHEC

Time: 5:30 pm
New:  Thursday:  May 28, 2020
Focus Webinars: Children with Complex Behavioral Health & IDD Needs 

Time:  7:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Friday:  May 29, 2020 
COVID-19 Q&A Webinar for Behavioral Health Care

Time:   1:30 pm to 2:30 pm 

Monday:  June 1, 2020 
Statewide Developmental Disabilities Council Launches Virtual Road Tour to "Meet" Communities

Times:  
  • 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm 
  • 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm 
Monday:  June 15, 2020 
Connecting Expertise to Communities to Support Comprehensive Care for People with I/DD: Building on North Carolina's Assets 

Time:  11:00 am to 12:00 pm

Monday:  July 20, 2020 
PCIT Information Calls

Time:  10:00 am
 
Meeting number: 730 385 489
You can also dial 173.243.2.68 and enter your meeting number. Or, join by phone: 1-650-479-3207 Access code: 730 385 489 
Thursday:  July 23, 2020 
PCIT Information Calls

Time:  10:00 am
 
Meeting number: 730 385 489
You can also dial 173.243.2.68 and enter your meeting number. Or, join by phone: 1-650-479-3207 Access code: 730 385 489 
Cumberland Recovery Response Center (CRRC) is now operating 24/7 at its  facility  at 1724 Roxie Avenue in Fayetteville. Formerly known at the Roxie Center, it provides a range of services for people experiencing mental illness and substance use disorder, and is designed to provide a clinically appropriate, community-based option to help stabilize those in behavioral health crisis without a hospital emergency department or inpatient setting.   Learn more.