Friday, November 3, 2023
Good morning,
Here's the latest from the AHCCCS Office of Individual and Family Affairs (OIFA).
Round 2 of AHCCCS ARP Program Award Opens December 4
Request up to $1,000,000 for Your Project
Round 2 of the AHCCCS ARP Program Awards opens on December 4, 2023. Organizations that applied for Round 1 are encouraged to apply again for Round 2, whether their Round 1 application was awarded or denied.

Up to $47.5 million in funding is available for infrastructure and programmatic projects that improve the experience, health, or safety of recipients of home- and community-based services (HCBS) in Arizona.

Eligible HCBS providers can request up to $1,000,000 per application and submit up to two applications. Projects may use funds to support any of the following activities:
  • Increase engagement in community activities,
  • Expand supportive employment and employment skills development including volunteerism,
  • Support member voice and their choice to lead self-directed lives, 
  • Expand opportunities for social engagement and building relationships,
  • Support recreation and health promotion programs that promote physical activity and nutrition,
  • Expand technology that improves connectivity and telehealth,
  • Create environmental/physical plant upgrades that promote health and safety,
  • Increase or build transportation capacity,
  • Provide support for family caregivers,
  • Provide access to assistive technology or service animals to support independence,
  • Enhance data systems and infrastructure that serve to streamline service delivery, promote access to care or supports care coordination efforts, or
  • Expand and enhance independent housing opportunities.
Webinar to Introduce Round 2, Nov. 13 at noon
Join AHCCCS for a webinar to introduce Round 2 on Monday, Nov. 13 at 12 p.m. During the webinar, we’ll cover:
  • An overview of the ARP Program Awards,
  • Important updates for Round 2,
  • Eligible providers and activities, and
  • Examples of successful projects from Round 1.
Learn more on the ARP Program ARP Program Awards web page which has additional resources and FAQs. You can also submit questions to AHCCCSARPAwardsHelp@pcgus.com.
Monthly News from AHCCCS!

November events, ABA rates, ALTCS survery, and more! AHCCCS Seeks Survey Response from ALTCS Members and Families AHCCCS and the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) are condu

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myemail.constantcontact.com
Rapid Whole Genome Sequencing Testing for Children Under...

AHCCCS announced pilot coverage, contingent upon federal approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, of medically necessary Rapid Whole Genome Sequencing Testing for Children Under One Year to Medicaid Covered Services.

Read more
www.azahcccs.gov
AHCCCS Scholarships To Help Health Care Students at...

The Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) has partnered with Northland Pioneer College to provide scholarships to students in behavioral health care programs and courses. "Offering more...

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azahcccs.gov
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Holding on For Others: Caregiving, Chronic....

Holding on For Others: Caregiving, Chronic Illness, and Self Care Thursday, November 9th 2:00 pm ET / 11:00 am PT Living with a chronic health condition is taxing on one’s physical and mental health. Mental Health America and the...

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mhanational.salsalabs.org
News from National: November 2, 2023

This year, Mental Health America is highlighting how caregiving, workplaces, and mental health intersect. We know caregivers need support in balancing their personal and professional obligations, and employers need resources to better support...

Read more
mhanational.salsalabs.org
SIRC Opioid Initiatives

ASU Opioid Initiatives is committed to increasing access to Medication for Opioid Used Disorder (MOUD), coordinated and integrated care, opioid use disorder (OUD) recovery support services and overdose prevention.

Read more
view.reply.asu.edu
ACHIEVE | The Sonoran Center Monthly Newsletter

The CDC recommends that everyone aged 6 months and older get the updated COVID-19 vaccine to protect against serious illness, as protection from previous vaccination or infection weakens over time. This new vaccine is a better match to protect...

Read more
mailchi.mp
AHCCCS Explains
AHCCCS Explains... Health-e-Arizona Plus!

Learn more about Health-e-Arizona Plus and how to update your contact information using the online platorm at www.healthearizonaplus.gov.

Read more
www.youtube.com
ADVOCACY
Your Voice Matters!
AHCCCS provides up to a 45-day public comment period prior to publishing AHCCCS Contractor Operations Manual (ACOM) and AHCCCS Medical Policy Manual (AMPM) policies that have a substantial change. Should an expedited time period be required, the expedited time period will not be less than two weeks. Tribal members, stakeholders, and the general public are able to review and submit comments regarding changes being presented. Click the link below if you would like to review any policies currently posted for AHCCCS Public Comment.
RESOURCES
CRISIS & WARM LINES
NATIONAL CRISIS HOTLINES
National 24-Hour Crisis Hotlines

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:
  • 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

National Substance Use and Disorder Issues Referral and Treatment Hotline:
  • 1-800-662-HELP (4357)

Text the word "HOME" to 741741
ARIZONA CRISIS HOTLINES

24 Hour Statewide Suicide and Crisis Line

1-844-534-4673 (HOPE)

Suicide and Crisis Hotlines by County

Maricopa, Pinal and Gila counties served by Mercy Care:
  • 1-800-631-1314 or 602-222-9444

Cochise, Graham, Greenlee, La Paz, Pima, Santa Cruz and Yuma Counties served by Arizona Complete Health - Complete Care Plan:
  • 1-866-495-6735

Apache, Coconino, Mohave, Navajo and Yavapai Counties served by Care1st Health Plan:
  • 1-877-756-4090

Gila River and Ak-Chin Indian Communities:
  • 1-800-259-3449

Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community:
  • 1-855-331-6432

Tohono O'odham Nation:
  • 1-844-423-8759
ARIZONA WARM LINES FOR PEERS
Warm Lines are free and confidential telephone services staffed by peers who have, themselves, dealt with behavioral health challenges. Peer support specialists can relate to behavioral health situations because many have been through similar experiences. Peers offer peer support and compassion for callers who just need someone to talk with.
Central Arizona
Crisis Response Network Warm Line (peer to peer):  602-347-1100
  • 10 am -10 pm, 7 days a week
(some hold time when at high volume)
Northern Arizona
NAZCARE Warm Line (peer to peer):  1-888-404-5530
  • 4 pm - 10:30 pm, Monday - Thursday
  • 3 pm - 10:30 pm, Friday - Sunday
(recorded message asks for name and number and staff will return call)
Southern Arizona
HOPE, Inc Warm Line (peer to peer) for Pima County:  520-770-9909
All other Southern AZ Counties:  844-733-9912
  • 8 am -10 pm, 7 days a week 
(recorded message: can hold or leave a Voice Message requesting call back
ARIZONA WARM LINES FOR FAMILIES
Warm Lines are free and confidential telephone services staffed by family support partners who support family members that deal with behavioral health challenges.The support service provides free guidance and connects people to resources for helping deal with job loss, insurance, heightened anxiety and much more. FIC is urging any who feels overwhelmed due to life’s current challenges to call:
Statewide in Arizona
  • Family Involvement Center (FIC) Warm Line:  877-568-8468
  • 8am – 6pm M-F (weekdays)
  • 8am – Noon S-S (weekends)
Drug And Alcohol Abuse Hotline Numbers
Drug & Alcohol Abuse Hotlines | Addiction Hotlines |...

If you or a loved one are struggling with an addiction, calling the right hotline number can be the first step to seeking help. The brave decision to get help may be difficult, but it can be life-changing. The person you speak with on

Read more
www.addictionresource.net
PROVIDER RESOURCES
Where Collaboration Happens
Collective Resource Hub is a directory for youth-serving professionals in our community to find professional development opportunities, events, resources, partnership opportunities, and more. Our hope is that these resources will allow you and your organization to better serve the adolescents you work with.
Collective Resource Hub provides access to:
  • Webinars
  • Training Materials
  • Best Practices
  • Tool Kits
  • Research
  • Partners, and more.
Copa Health Information & Resources - A FREE Service!
Call Andy Arnowitz, Copa Health Information and Resources Coordinator.
No matter your need, Andy is committed to solve problems or point you in the right direction!
Information & Resources for: Mental Health Support Groups / Crisis Lines / Petitioning (Involuntary Commitment / Therapists / Seriously Mentally Ill (SMI) / AHCCCS (Medicaid),
AND MORE!
Andy can be reached at 480-994-4407, Monday through Friday, 9 am - 4 pm
Substance Abuse Treatment in Arizona, AZ

Addicted.org has access to a database of over 4000 outpatient, detox, residential, and even no-cost drugs and alcohol centers in North America and one of them would fit your needs. Our trained counselors will conduct general assessments ....

Read more
www.addicted.org
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
Adventure Resource Solutions
System Navigation & Community Resources
Website: www.ars411.org
Main Telephone: 623-866-5733
  • Are you living with SMI Diagnosis, or supporting someone who does?
  • Do you experience issues with connecting with your clinic or support team?
  • Do you want to be a leading example of what it takes to improve our systems?
If you are saying “ Yes “ to all of these questions please CLICK HERE
READ MORE about the resources we have to offer.
MHA's I Am Not Alone

Community - Here you will find a listing of community support groups including peer support groups, AA groups, and more. Activities - Here you will find a listing of community activities including cooking classes, karaoke meetings, virtual yoga...

Read more
iamnotalone.mhanational.org
Beneath the Brave
Mental Health | Beneath The Brave | Phoenix

WE ARE IN THIS THING TOGETHER... Amplify your life by normalizing conversations about mental health. ERIN CALLINAN, MSW Consultant, Speaker, Author Founder of Beneath The Brave Erin Callinan, MSW is a nationally recognized speaker who provides...

Read more
www.beneaththebrave.com
Together AZ

Our mission is to help as many people as possible recover from substance abuse addiction and other behavioral health issues. Through our vast network of quality treatment providers, mental health facilities, sober...

Read more
togetheraz.com
MORE ADVOCACY OPPORTUNITIES
Member and Family Advocacy Council (MFAC)

Please see descriptions of our councils and involvement opportunities below: Agency Member and Family Advisory Councils Focus- Agency and Provider concerns Member and Family Advocacy Councils Focus- Community Concerns Member and Family Governance ...

Read more
www.azcompletehealth.com
I am supporting a Stigma Free AZ

Stigma, both self-directed and from others, is the negative attitudes and behaviors toward people experiencing mental health issues and substance use disorders. Stigma prevents people from getting the help they need. Over 50% of people...

Read more
www.azblue.com
Blue Cross Blue Shield of AZ/Health Choice is looking for peer, member and family voice on our committees. We have multiple committee where lived experience can play a crucial role in discussions about service delivery, barriers, successes and suggestion for future changes. If you or someone you know are interested in learning more about the BCBSAZ HC, please email oifa@azblue.com for more information.
UnitedHealthcare is currently recruiting for our Member Advocacy Council (MAC)!
Our UnitedHealthcare Community Plan (UHCCP) Member Advocacy Council (MAC) offers a safe place for members and their loved ones, community stakeholders and providers the opportunity to ensure their voices are heard at all levels of UHCCP.  

The goal of the UHCCP MAC is to gather firsthand experiences from our MAC members to create positive change in our healthcare system. We encourage community advocacy by updating our MAC members on UHCCP internal committees and creating opportunities for our MAC to attend both internal and external council meetings. We share what we learn from one another and take the information back to our leadership of UnitedHealthcare Community Plan. 

Your voice and experience can help to create positive changes.
If you are interested and are a UHCCP member, community stakeholder or contracted provider please reach out today for more information. 

You can email our group email box at: Advocate.OIFA@uhc.com
Request to Speak System

Weigh in on bills from the comfort of your couch! Arizona's Request to Speak (RTS) is an online tool that lets everyday citizens give Arizona state lawmakers our feedback on bills. It's an easy way to get involved in state politics, stay informed ...

Read more
www.cebv.us
FIND SUPPORT
Support Groups

The NAMI Peer Recovery Connection Support Groups are facilitated by adults who live with Mental Illness. NAMI Family Support Groups are open to all adults who have a family member or friend who is living with mental illness, regardless of diagnosis.

Read more
namivalleyofthesun.org
Support Groups (Free)

The groups are located throughout the greater Phoenix metropolitan area (Maricopa County). If this is your first time attending a group or for more information, please call Andy Arnowitz (Peer Support Group Coordinator) at 480-994-4407.

Read more
mentalhealthaz.org
Home - Schizophrenia & Psychosis Action Alliance

We are a Global Impact Organization Moving Individuals, Families, and Policies Forward to Improve and Save Lives For people living with schizophrenia and psychosis, every day without treatment can mean the difference between life and death

Read more
sczaction.org
Family Involvement Center - Parenting Resources

FIC is a family-run, nonprofit organization where more than 51% of our Board of Directors are parents with lived experience navigating child-serving systems. Also, most FIC staff members have direct experience parenting children...

Read more
www.familyinvolvementcenter...
ONGOING TRAININGS
ARIZONA TRAUMA INSTITUTE
Arizona Trauma Institute works with professionals, companies, and organizations to provide training in trauma sensitive care. We provide courses for individuals who wish to improve the treatment they provide to their patients, as well as consulting and training to large corporations who want to provide instruction in Trauma Sensitivity to their employees.

Arizona Trauma Institute is approved by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) to grant Continuing Education credit for live workshops.
ACEP number is 6677.
M.I. LEARNING EXCHANGE, LLC
Motivational Interviewing (MI) began in the 1980s when it was discovered that it was the worker’s style that mattered most in helping people make changes. Since that time, it has become an industry standard for evidence- based practices.  Motivational Interviewing Learning Exchange, LLC provides organizations, groups and individuals customized MI training, coaching and implementation that is adapted specifically for workplace needs.
We also provide introductory training for beginners and intermediate training that has approved by the Arizona Psychological Association for Continuing Education for 3 and 10 credit hours. READ MORE

Contact Mary Dillon, MA of Motivational Interviewing Learning Exchange, LLC to learn more about how MI can be trained and used at your workplace at:  mdillon@milearningex.com
Thanks for all your support.
Have a great weekend!

-AHCCCS OIFA Team
Visit our webpage http://www.azahcccs.gov/OIFA
WANT TO RECEIVE THIS NEWSLETTER AND OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM AHCCCS OIFA?
ABOUT AHCCCS
Founded in 1982, the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS, pronounced "access") serves 1.9 million individuals and families in Arizona who meet qualifications for federal Medicaid healthcare coverage. Built on a system of competition and choice, AHCCCS is a $14 billion program that operates a mandatory managed care system through an 1115 Research and Demonstration Waiver. Contracted health plans coordinate and pay for medical services delivered by more than 80,000 healthcare providers.
  • Mission: Reaching across Arizona to provide comprehensive, quality health care to those in need.
  • Vision: Shaping tomorrow's managed care...from today's experience, quality and innovation.
  • Values: Passion, Community, Quality, Respect, Accountability, Innovation, Teamwork, Leadership
  • Credo: Our first care is your health care.
ABOUT OIFA
The Office of Individual and Family Affairs (OIFA) was created in 2007 at the Arizona Department of Health Services/Division of Behavioral Health Services and became part of AHCCCS in 2016. OIFA promotes recovery, resiliency, and wellness for individuals and families with mental health and substance use challenges. Together with our Contractor counterparts, we collaborate with key leadership, stakeholders and community members in the decision making process at all levels of the behavioral health system. Our primary areas of focus are: Peer/Recovery Support, Family Support, Foster Families and community engagement.
AHCCCS MEMBER RESOURCES
Applying for coverage? Need to report a change of address or income?
CLICK HERE to get help with these and learn more about the AHCCCS programs.
ACCESSING BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES
Are you or someone you know looking for help with mental health and/or substance use disorders?
CLICK HERE to see a flow-chart of how that process works.
AHCCCS HEALTH PLAN AND PROVIDER RESOURCES
Looking for a policy or contract? Want to become a new provider?
CLICK HERE to learn more about participating in the AHCCCS programs.
AHCCCS OIFA wants to hear from you!
Tell us what issues are most important to you.
FILL OUT THE FORM and email it to OIFA@azahcccs.gov; or DOWNLOAD a copy and mail it to: AHCCCS OIFA 701 E. Jefferson, MD 9000, Phoenix, AZ 85034. You may remain anonymous.
Have something to share?
We're always looking for more news and resources.
Newsletters are published every Friday morning. Please submit any content you wish to share in an upcoming newsletter no later than noon on Thursdays. You can submit content to OIFA@azahcccs.govPlease include the words "Constant Contact" in the subject line. Not all submitted content will be published.
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