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December 14, 2018

Advancing Public Policies for People with Mental Illness, Chemical Dependency or Developmental Disabilities   

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Francine Sinkoff, Editor
fs@clmhd.org
Regional Planning Consortium (RPC) Creates Linkages Among Three Capital Region Health Homes Serving Adults

At a recent networking event, the Capital Region RPC facilitated linkages among all three Health Homes serving adults in the region, including Capital Region Health Connections, Adirondack Health Institute and Hudson River Healthcare. To learn more about this initiative, click here .
Sunmount resident release proves a challenge - Franklin County

St. Paul's Center in Rensselaer receives $2.4 million in grant funding

Hudson River Health Care (HRHCare) and Brightpoint Health Merge - Hudson River Valley, Long Island, NYC

How this nonprofit will adapt to Medicaid changes in behavioral health benefits for children - Westchester/NYC

CUNY, Health Home operator form partnership - NYC

Housing Works secures $4M for Hell's Kitchen clinic - NYC

Family Enrichment Network gets $4.1 million to create housing for homeless - Broome County

Addiction Center of Broome County receives grant

Report outlines options in opioid fight - Chautauqua County

UB Research Team Receives Grant to Help Assess Risks of Combined AUD, Opioid Use - Erie County
Short Wait Times as Rochester Regional Health Crisis Center Serves Nearly 300 People in First Two Months
Behavioral Health Access And Crisis Center A
This is what success looks like at the Behavioral Health Access & Crisis Center: Someone in distress severe enough to warrant inpatient psychiatric care is admitted within a couple of hours.

In the nearly two months since Rochester Regional Health opened the walk-in center at its St. Mary's Campus, staff has provided rapid admission to two people who wanted and needed that level of care.

Others have been seen with wait times averaging only about 30 minutes, and 80 percent of people have shown some interest in follow-up care.

The crisis center was envisioned as an alternative to the emergency department, both for people needing help and the ones who give care. Since the crisis center opened Oct. 16, it has averaged about eight patients a day - and the total of 286 people exceeded expectations for what was expected to be a ramp-up phase. The center now is open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Friday. Read more here.
Could The Latest In Medical Treatment Be... A Roof? Medicaid Says Maybe

For One Rural Community, Fighting Addiction Started With Recruiting The Right Doctor

FDA clears mobile medical app to help those with opioid use disorder stay in recovery programs

Fentanyl Surpasses Heroin As Drug Most Often Involved In Deadly Overdoses

Kaleo, maker of $4,100 overdose antidote, authorizes a generic version for just $178

Untreated Anxiety Is a Gateway to Other Mental Health Problems

Studies Support Use of Team-Based Care for Early Psychosis

Helping Kids with Autism Without Behavioral Meds, Restraints in ER
Attention PSYCKES Users: 
Action Needed for Web Browser Security Update (TLS 1.2)

On Tuesday, December 18th, the New York State Office of Information Technology Services (ITS) will update the security of NYS government websites - this will affect the PSYCKES application. After the update, only website browsers using the most current browser security (TLS 1.2 or higher) will be allowed to access PSYCKES.

Action Needed - confirm your web browser compatibility by selecting the following link: https://encryption.ny.gov

If your browser meets the necessary security criteria, you will see a message that you have successfully connected using TLS 1.2 and no further action is required. If your web browser does NOT meet the necessary security for TLS 1.2, please see these "Web Browser Update Instructions" a
nd follow the steps for your preferred web browser.

In order to avoid issues with accessing the PSYCKES application, please check your browser security prior to December 18th and update if needed. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact the PSYCKES Help desk at: PSYCKES-help@omh.ny.gov
UPCOMING TRAININGS

December 18, 3 - 4 pm, The National Center for Complex Health and Social Needs

Family Matters: Transitioning Towards a Family-centered Approach in Drug Courts
December 18, 3:30 - 5 pm, SAMHSA's GAINS Center

December 20, 3 - 4 pm, OMH

What's Advocacy Got to Do With You and the Future of Addiction Services
January 4, 2 - 3 pm, NAADAC

A Duty to Protect-Mental Health Care to the Incarcerated
January 9, 1 - 2 pm, National Sheriffs' Association

Implementing SBIRT in Rural Clinics: A How-to Guide
January 9, 2019, 3 - 4 pm, NAADAC

Working with Individuals Diagnosed with Personality Disorders
January 10, 3 - 4:30 pm, NAADAC

Medicaid Innovation Accelerator Program: Reducing Substance Use Disorders
January 17, 3 - 4 pm, NAADAC

Brief Intervention: Process and Techniques
January 24, 3 - 4 pm, NAADAC

 
CALENDAR OF EVENTS

DECEMBER 2018

Children & Families Committee Meeting
December 18: 11:30 am - 1 pm, GTM

CLMHD Office Closed - Christmas
December 25

JANUARY 2019

CLMHD Office Closed - New Year's Day
January 1

C-SPOA Coordinators Call
January 4:  1 - 2 pm,

Executive Committee Call
January 9:  8 - 9 am

Children & Families Committee Meeting
January 15: 11:30 am - 1 pm, GTM

Regional Reps Call
January 16:  8 - 9 am

CLMHD/DOH/OMH/C-SPOA Meeting
January 17:  3 - 4 pm, GTM

Directors Call
January 23:  9 - 10:30 am

Mental Hygiene Planning Committee Meeting
January 24: 1 - 3 pm, GTM

Contact CLMHD for all Call In and Go To Meeting information, 518.462.9422 
City Announces $95M Investment in Mental Health Centers

Mayor Bill de Blasio's office last week
announced plans to open two health diversion centers for individuals referred by law enforcement with mental-health and substance-use needs. The city's total investment will be about $95 million for 10 years.

The centers will be operated by Samaritan Daytop Village, in the Williamsbridge neighborhood of the Bronx, and Project Renewal, in East Harlem, the mayor's office said. Both operators said they were selected through a request-for-proposals process for 10-year contracts worth about $44 million each. The centers, which can provide police officers an alternative to arrest, are expected to divert 2,400 people annually.

Admittance to the centers will be voluntary, with both clinical and nonclinical services provided for up to 10 days, according to the mayor's office. Read more here.

Related article and video:  For Police, a New Alternative to Arrests or Emergency Rooms
Governor Cuomo Announces More Than $29 Million for Supportive Housing and Emergency Shelter Repairs

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo this week announced $29.6 million in state funding has been awarded to eight projects that will provide homeless veterans, survivors of domestic violence and individuals with mental illness with permanent housing and support services. The grants, awarded through the state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance's Homeless Housing Assistance Program, will create 215 supportive housing units in seven counties and fund necessary repairs at three emergency shelters in Suffolk County.

The projects - located in Oneida, Schenectady, Rensselaer, Broome, Bronx, Warren, and Livingston counties - are also supported through other funding sources. In total, they represent a $198 million investment that will add a total of 472 units of affordable and supportive housing throughout the state. Read more here.
Growing Community Health Centers Across New York State

Community health centers (CHCs) were a cornerstone of the ACA's plan to develop primary care capacity, but as the new health care law went into effect, many CHCs were already laboring with low margins and limited funding. The growing demand expected under the roll-out of the ACA would add to these struggles if CHCs did not take measures to grow their services, staff, or physical capacity.

This NYSHealth report takes a look at a funding initiative to support CHCs in New York State to take practical steps to care for more patients, expand existing sites, establish new sites, and/or increase the range of services provided, including behavioral health, dental, optometry, and pharmacy. 
Law Enforcement & CCBHCs: Increasing Access to Treatment, Decreasing Recidivism

The National Council for Behavioral Health, in partnership with Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Roy Blunt (R-MO), hosted a Congressional staff briefing on Tuesday to highlight how Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) are partnering with their local law enforcement to connect community members to timely addiction and mental health treatment and help officers to focus more of their time on their main duty: keeping their communities safe. The briefing brought together law enforcement officers and clinic leaders who urged Congress to act quickly to pass the Excellence in Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Expansion Act (S. 1905/H.R. 3931) to extend the CCBHC demonstration.

REDUCING CRIMINAL JUSTICE COSTS AND RECIDIVISM
In many communities across the country, jails and prisons act as the largest mental health and addiction treatment facilities in their area because there are simply not enough community-based treatment options available. CCBHCs have begun to fill these gaps in unmet need as they are required to provide a wide array of evidence-based services and create partnerships in their communities, including with law enforcement agencies, in exchange for a payment rate that covers the costs of these expanded services. Roughly 70% of individuals incarcerated in Niagara County, NY live with a serious mental illness or substance use disorder, or many times both. Read more here.
Addressing Social Determinants of Health via Medicaid Managed Care Contracts and Section 1115 Demonstrations
The conditions in  which people live, learn, work, and play affect health in myriad ways. State Medicaid agencies are increasingly exploring opportunities to address these social determinants of health (SDOH) in an effort to provide more efficient care and improve health outcomes. As states begin to support these efforts, they are thinking strategically about how best to align SDOH-related activities with other reforms - such as value-based purchasing, care transformation, and the development of cross-sector partnerships.

This report, developed by the Center for Health Care Strategies for the Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP), examines 40 Medicaid managed care contracts and 25 approved ยง 1115 demonstrations across the country to identify common themes in state approaches to incentivizing and requiring SDOH-related activities. Read more here.

Five Keys To 'Partnering' With Health Plans On Social Determinants

The issue of "non-medical" factors on health care outcomes and health care spending continues to get attention. The reasons are obvious-social determinants of health (SDH) like nutrition, transportation, housing, and more have a big impact on health.

So it is not surprising that 80% of health plan executives believe addressing SDH are important-42% are integrating SDH programs into their population health efforts, and 34% are using census and socioeconomic data to augment their clinical data. For example, the Humana Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Humana Inc., announced it is dedicating $7 million to address social determinants of health-funding that aligns with the organization's stated goal of improving the health of the communities it serves by 20% by 2020.

But how do executives of provider organizations propose (and get paid for) solutions for health plans that address the SDH of their members. Our team has come up with a model for demonstrating the "ROI" of integrated health/social programs. For provider organization executive teams, this is where a specialized and focused approach to health plan/ACO marketing comes in, based on six key steps. Read more here.
Value-Based Payment in Medicaid Managed Long-Term Services and Supports: A Checklist for States

State Medicaid agencies, and their contracted managed care plans, are shifting away from fee-for-service systems to value-based payment (VBP) models that tie provider payment to better outcomes. Although most Medicaid VBP models target medical care, states are beginning to explore payment reforms that encourage quality and outcomes for long-term services and supports.

This checklist identifies four issues that states may want to explore as they develop and adopt VBP models for home- and community-based services (HCBS) within managed long-term services and supports programs. Read more here.
MACPAC Releases 2018 Edition of MACStats: Medicaid and CHIP Data Book

The Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) released the December 2018 edition of the MACStats: Medicaid and CHIP Data Book, with updated data on national and state Medicaid and CHIP enrollment, spending, benefits, and beneficiaries' health, service use, and access to care. This year's data shows total Medicaid/CHIP enrollment decreased 2.2 percent nationally from July 2017 to July 2018. Read more  here
NYS OASAS Announces New Actions to Increase Availability and Awareness of Problem Gambling Services

The New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (NYS OASAS) today announced new actions to increase the availability and awareness of problem gambling services in New York State. This includes the opening of two new Problem Gambling Resource Centers (PGRC), which will serve as central hubs for the public to access prevention, treatment and recovery support services on problem gambling in their respective regions. OASAS has also launched a new media campaign designed to raise awareness of the warning signs and impact of problem gambling, and direct people on how to get help for themselves or others. The "You're Not Alone" campaign includes content on several different platforms, and will run across New York State through January.

The two Problem Gambling Resource Centers that are now operational are located in the Finger Lakes and Northeast regions. Future PGRCs will be placed in the New York City, Long Island, Central New York, Western New York, and Mid-Hudson regions. Read more here.
The Conference of Local Mental Hygiene Directors advances public policies and awareness for people with mental illness, chemical dependency and developmental disabilities.  We are a statewide membership organization that consists of the Commissioner/ Director of each of the state's 57 county mental hygiene departments and the mental hygiene department of the City of New York.

Affiliated