AHCCCS Opens New $40 Million Award Program on April 17
AHCCCS is investing funds from the American Rescue Plan (ARP) into a new $40 million award program to strengthen Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) in the State.
Starting on April 17, providers can apply for up to $500,000 for programmatic or infrastructure projects to improve the health, safety, and member experience of individuals who receive HCBS. All applications must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on May 16, 2023.
The following providers of HCBS in Arizona are eligible to apply:
- Behavioral Health Outpatient Clinics (Provider Type 77),
- Attendant Care (Provider Type 40),
- Integrated Clinics (Provider Type IC),
- Assisted Living Centers (Provider Type 49),
- Assisted Living Homes (Provider Type 36),
- Habilitation Providers (Provider Type 39),
- Community Service Agencies (Provider Type A3),
- Board-Certified Behavior Analysts (Provider Type BC),
- Adult Foster Care (Provider Type 50),
- Home Delivered Meals (Provider Type 70),
- Adult Day Health (Provider Type 27),
- Elderly and Physical Disability (EPD) HCBS (Provider Type 81), and
- Area Agencies on Aging.
Find more information, including a full list of eligible activities and upcoming webinars on April 10 and 19, on the ARP Program Awards web page.
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Take Early Childhood Service Intensity Instrument (ECSII) Training At No Cost
The earliest years of life are the optimal time to build supportive and healthy child/caregiver relationships. Positive experiences help young children build brain architecture, and they help to set skills necessary for healthy development. Establishing strong, healthy relationships from the start can lead to optimal development and lessen chances for engagement in unhealthy behaviors as children grow to adulthood and beyond.
Anyone who works with infants, toddlers and children ages 0 to 5 can use the Early Childhood Service Intensity Instrument© (ECSII), a standardized, biopsychosocial assessment tool to improve their ability to provide services.
AHCCCS offers training on how to use the ECSII. The training is available at no cost to health care providers and anyone who works in the behavioral health field with this population.
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Increased Naloxone Distribution Counteracts Rising Fentanyl and Counterfeit Pill Deaths, Saves Lives
Arizona has seen an alarming rise of fentanyl and counterfeit pill deaths; in 2021, 96% of opioid deaths involved prescription or synthetic drugs. Naloxone, the opioid overdose reversal drug, has been proven to save lives.
AHCCCS used problem-solving techniques to identify an immediate need to increase naloxone distribution and build public awareness about its efficacy.
The Substance Abuse Coalition Leaders of Arizona, composed of substance abuse prevention coalitions statewide, created a toolkit and a statewide media campaign to increase public awareness of the availability of naloxone. The campaign coupled forums, presentations, training and prevention programming events to leverage naloxone distribution in Arizona communities.
AHCCCS funded two major naloxone distribution projects through Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) and Sonoran Prevention Works (SPW). ADHS mainly focused on distribution through law enforcement agencies, county health departments, emergency departments and community-based organizations. SPW focused on distribution to active users.
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AHCCCS Releases Strategic Roadmap to Modernize Mainframe Database
In its initial stages of updating its 30-year-old mainframe database, AHCCCS has released a strategic roadmap outlining project recommendations and considerations to modernize its Medicaid Enterprise System (MES).
AHCCCS and Med-QUEST Division (MQD), Hawaii’s Medicaid program, share an MES system. Together, they commissioned NTT Data Services, a national leader in Medicaid technology development, to assess the need to replace legacy infrastructure.
The current MES, developed on outdated mainframe application technology, has limited self-service capabilities, inflexible core systems, and is aging beyond a workforce with the skills to support it. In its MES Modernization Roadmap document, NTT weighs several critical factors and presents recommendations for the system upgrade project.
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New Public Awareness Campaign Promotes 988 Suicide and Mental Health Crisis Line
The 988 suicide and crisis lifeline provide free services 24/7 via phone call, texts, or online chat to anyone in need.
The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) and the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) are partnering on a new public awareness campaign called “Hope Always Answers” that promotes the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
People can reach the 988 suicide and crisis lifeline by dialing 988 from any phone, texting 988 from a mobile phone, chatting 988 or going to 988.az.gov. The crisis line is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to anyone experiencing suicide crisis, substance-related issues, social isolation, depression, relationship struggles, or any type of mental or behavioral health issues. Friends and family members can also use 988 on behalf of someone experiencing any type of mental or behavioral health crisis.
Sheila Sjolander, interim deputy director of Public Health Services at ADHS, said the new crisis line is a critical tool in helping to reduce the number of suicides in our state. In 2022, according to preliminary data from ADHS, 1,593 individuals in Arizona died by suicide, the highest number ever recorded in Arizona’s history.
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Regular Medicaid Renewals Resumed
AHCCCS reinstated the regular renewal process on April 1, 2023 and will complete a full eligibility renewal for all 2.5 million members over the course of 12 months.
Members will be notified in the month prior to their renewal month that their renewal is upcoming. AHCCCS encourages members to sign up for text or email alerts in HEAPlus and to update their contact information.
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Jacob’s Law Training
Thursday, April 13, Noon – 2:00 p.m.
online on Zoom.
This training will cover the following; overview of Jacob’s law, review and use of the DCS placement packet, legal rights and protections of children and resource parents, and covered services.
Share this flier with your stakeholders.
AHCCCS Community Forum
Monday, April 17, 10:00 a.m.—Noon, online
AHCCCS Community Forum is a two-hour event to inform and gather feedback from the community on AHCCCS updates and initiatives.
Share this flier with your stakeholders.
Office of Human Rights: The Individualized Service Plan and Why it Matters for Individuals Living with a Serious Mental Illness
Wed., April 19, 10:00 a.m.—11:30 a.m., online
This training is webinar-based and will demonstrate the importance of the Individualized Service Plan (ISP), including the important steps before and after the ISP is developed. The training will review how to navigate a person’s rights as it pertains to the ISP, up to and including the grievance and appeal process.
Share this flier with your stakeholders.
Office of Human Rights: The Individualized Service Plan and Why it Matters for Individuals Living with a Serious Mental Illness
Wed., April 19, 10:00 a.m.—11:30 a.m., online
This training is webinar-based and will demonstrate the importance of the Individualized Service Plan (ISP), including the important steps before and after the ISP is developed. The training will review how to navigate a person’s rights as it pertains to the ISP, up to and including the grievance and appeal process.
Share this flier with your stakeholders.
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