Dear Benchmarks' Members, 

See below for upcoming calls, meetings and webinars related to COVID-19 that we are aware of so far for the upcoming week.  

Take care of each other and stay safe and healthy!

The Benchmarks' Team

Webinar on the COVID-19 Pandemic and Legislative and Regulatory Changes:  A Behavioral Health Provider's Legal Guide


Monday, April 13, 2020
11:00 am - 12:00 pm (including time to address general questions)

The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered dramatic legislative and regulatory action and altered the way health care is being delivered.  Combined, these effects of the pandemic have upended the status quo for health care providers across the country.  As employers, health care providers are faced with unique challenges in this new landscape.  As heavily regulated entities, providers need to navigate the rapidly changing landscape to ensure compliance. 
 
Our team is prepared to help health care providers, vendors, and other entities understand and adapt to their evolving obligations during this pandemic with the least amount of stress and uncertainty possible.   This webinar will cover the following topics: 
  • CARES Act
    • Payment Protection Program
    • Economic Impact Disaster Loans (Including Grant Advances)
    • Expansion Of Accelerated And Advance Payment Program
    • Public Health And Social Services Emergency Fund
    • Employee Retention Tax Credit    
  • The Families First Coronavirus Response Act
    • FMLA Expansion Leave
    • Emergency Paid Sick Leave
    • The "health care provider" exception
  • DOLL guidance on wage payment and leave issues
  • CDC guidance for businesses and employers
  • Business Interruption Insurance Policies
  • North Carolina Medicaid Policy Changes
  • Potential North Carolina Licensure Changes 
Join DHHS COVID-19 Update Call

For BH/IDD Consumers, Family Members and Community Stakeholders
Monday-April 6, 2020
2:00 p.m.
 
Toll-Free:

844-291-5495
 
Access Code:
1279313

From DHHS:

Dear NC Behavioral Health and IDD Consumers, Family Members and Community Stakeholders,
 
We hope that you are staying well as we continue to combat the COVID-19 pandemic in North Carolina.  The Division of MH/DD/SAS and Division of Health Benefits (NC Medicaid) remain committed to working hard to assess service gaps, create and amend policies, and direct funding into service areas that will be impactful in preventing the interruption and delay of BH/IDD services  during this challenging time.  

The COVID-19 situation is ever-changing and evolving rapidly;  we all must continue work together to meet the needs of individuals, families and communities. As promised, in an effort to help keep consumers, family members and community stakeholders informed and updated on policies and actions impacting service access and health outcomes for BH and IDD consumers, and perhaps more importantly - to hear directly from you about any questions or issues that have emerged since we last communicated- we are hosting another conference on Monday April 6, at 2:00pm. We hope that you can join us.  

The details on how to join is as follows:
Toll-Free:

844-291-5495
 
Access Code:
1279313
 
And, as another resource for submitting questions and requests for information, please send to:    BHIDD.COVID.Qs@dhhs.nc.gov or Medicaid.COVID19@dhhs.nc.gov.


Feel free to share this email address with consumers and providers in your network.





House Select Committee Working Groups will meet tomorrow, and we are particularly interested in the Health Care Workgroup. 

Please click the links below to view the members of each workgroup.  We are also  including a link that you can use to connect to the meeting and listen in.  The link will open a new window, so be sure to click the the small "play" button associated with the meeting room you are interested in tuning in to.  *Be aware that are often delays in the meeting getting started.

We have heard that these groups are working on a way to live stream the meetings on Youtube, but have not yet seen links shared.  As soon as those are available, we will share!


Tuesday, April 14, 2020:
10:00 am: Health Care Workgroup Room 1124/1224 LB
10:00 am:  Subcommittee on Economic Support Room 1228/1327 LB
2:00 pm:  Continuity of State Operations Workgroup Room 1228/1328

Benchmarks' Thursday Child Welfare Webinars
Each Thursday at 8:00 am

Topic: Benchmarks' Thursday Child Welfare Call
Time:
Apr 9, 2020 08:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Every week on Thu, until May 21, 2020, 7 occurrence(s)
Apr 9, 2020 08:00 AM
Apr 16, 2020 08:00 AM
Apr 23, 2020 08:00 AM
Apr 30, 2020 08:00 AM
May 7, 2020 08:00 AM
May 14, 2020 08:00 AM
May 21, 2020 08:00 AM

Please download
and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 613 431 460

One tap mobile
+19292056099,,613431460# US (New York)
Meeting ID:
613 431 460

BENCHMARKS' Friday Membership Webinar
Friday Mornings at 8:30 am

Please update the information in your calendar for
Benchmarks' Friday Morning Call with Members 
with the following information!
Topic: Benchmarks' Membership Webinar
Time:
Apr 10, 2020 08:30 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Every week on Fri, until May 15, 2020, 6 occurrence(s)
Apr 10, 2020 08:30 AM
Apr 17, 2020 08:30 AM
Apr 24, 2020 08:30 AM
May 1, 2020 08:30 AM
May 8, 2020 08:30 AM
May 15, 2020 08:30 AM
Please download
and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 626 815 379
Password: 081879

One tap mobile
+19292056099,,626815379# US (New York)
Meeting ID:
626 815 379