Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State Efforts to Address Serious Mental Illness and Street Homelessness

Governor Kathy Hochul today updated New Yorkers on the latest State efforts to provide treatment and support for individuals with serious mental illness, part of efforts funded by her $1 billion investment in mental health care in FY 2024 State Budget. The Governor announced that Safe Options Support teams have helped nearly 200 formerly homeless individuals find permanent housing. She also highlighted 99 new state-operated inpatient psychiatric beds are now available for use – more than halfway to the goal set in her budget proposal – and that approximately 500 inpatient psychiatric beds at community hospitals will be restored by January 2024. Read more here.

‘We’re In a New World’: American Teenagers on Mental Health and How to Cope

To be a U.S. teenager in 2023 is both the same as it ever was, and astoundingly different from even a generation ago. Along with all the classic challenges of growing up—grades, parents, first loves—looms a crop of newer ones: TikTok, gun violence, political division, the whipsaw of COVID-19, the not-so-slow creep of climate change. “The main domains are the same: school, home, family, and peers,” says Dr. Asha Patton-Smith, a child and adolescent psychiatrist at Kaiser Permanente in Virginia. But the stressors that emerge within those domains have changed tremendously in a world where the internet and real life have largely blurred into one, with everything from school to social interaction now happening at least partially online and a fire hose of bad news always only a swipe away. Read more here.

Related: New York Seeks to Limit Social Media’s Grip on Children’s Attention

Here's How New York Medicaid Plans to Bring Social Care Networks and Revamp Its Value-Based Payment Program

Pending final approval, New York plans to introduce social care networks to serve regional Medicaid-enrolled organizations in the state. New York Medicaid Chief Operating Officer Amanda Lothrop laid out these and other agency plans at a conference on value-based care held in New York City at the end of September. The state is currently finalizing the details of its 1115 Waiver amendment proposal with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, which is expected to infuse funds into population health, social care and workforce improvements. The planned social care networks will be responsible for managing social needs screening, verifying the eligibility of members for health-related social needs services and generating a social care plan for them. The networks will be facilitated by a platform that connects the state, managed care organizations and community-based organizations (CBOs) to address social needs. Read more here.

Related: Value-Based Payments in Medicaid Tied to More Behavioral Health Visits

Accelerating Care Delivery Transformation — The CMS Innovation Center’s Role in the Next Decade

Health Care Workforce Investment: How States Are Leading the Way

The shortage of health care workers is a significant issue that has garnered the attention of state policymakers seeking to bridge the workforce gap and ensure access to vital services. More Americans are reporting mental health issues that would benefit from care. Simultaneously, states have received unprecedented short-term funding from the federal government and are considering the most strategic use of such funds. While workforce development efforts are underway nationwide, Colorado and Ohio have taken notable strides in expanding their workforce through innovative mechanisms, attracting new workers, and fostering retention. Both states have benefited from strong gubernatorial and legislative leadership in their work to sustain the health care workforce, as well as focusing on coordination and collaboration across state agencies. Read more here.

NY’s Mental Health’s Assisted Outpatient Treatment Program to Undergo Review

The New York State Office of Mental Health has awarded $1 million to the Human Services Research Institute to conduct an extensive two-year review of its Assisted Outpatient Treatment Program, which was created following the passage of Kendra’s Law in 1999. The agency was tasked with conducting an independent evaluation as part of the five-year renewal of the law that was approved in the FY 2023 State Budget. Starting in January 2024, Human Services Research Institute will design and develop the evaluation, collect, and analyze data, and submit a final report within two years. Read more here.

Teen Depression Rose Sharply During the Pandemic, but Treatment Didn’t Follow

Approximately 20 percent of adolescents had symptoms of major depressive disorder in 2021 — the first full calendar year of the pandemic — but less than half who needed treatment received it, according to a new study. The research, published in JAMA Pediatrics, found that treatment was most lacking for minority adolescents, particularly those who are Latino and mixed-race. Read more here.

Related: MTV Entertainment Studios and Active Minds announce national campaign "A.S.K." to address critical youth mental health challenge

How AI Brings the Human Element to SUD Treatment While Saving Time

Between 40 and 60% of people with substance use disorder relapse after detox and rehabilitation. Providers are eyeing artificial intelligence (AI) as a key to help improve that statistic. The technology, which is not without its risks, has already been used for years in behavioral health treatment. In the substance use disorder (SUD) field, machine learning tech is being used to improve the connection between people struggling with SUD and care teams. SUD providers say the technology may add a human element to recovery support. Read more here.

Using Trauma-Informed Care to Support Public Sector Equity Champions

Building a robust workforce is essential for health care safety net organizations that aim to address gaps in access to care, improve health outcomes, and eliminate long-standing health inequities. A challenge, however, is that this dedicated workforce — including providers, support staff, and policymakers — is prone to burnout, which is especially prevalent among individuals with diverse identities and experiences who are tasked, either formally or informally, with leading equity efforts. This is due to the nature of challenging systemic work but is compounded by staffing shortages, the effects of second-hand trauma from patients and clients, and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Finding ways to prevent burnout and support career longevity is critical; however, there are obstacles to adequately sustaining individuals who apply an equity lens to their work at the individual and organizational levels. Read more here.

NYS Comptroller: Gambling-Related Calls to Hotline Increase as Gaming Expansion Continues

Mobile sports betting continues to grow in New York State. While it is contributing to the state’s revenue, the NYS Comptroller is calling attention to an increase in calls regarding gambling addiction. According to the NYS Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, $727.4 million was the total of state collections from taxes on mobile sports betting in the fiscal year of 2022 to 2023. He adds that this number has continued to grow in the first quarter of the current fiscal year. The New York State Gaming Commission says from 2021 to 2022, there was a 26 percent increase in problem-related gambling calls to the Office of Addiction Services and Supports. Read more here.

CAYUGA: Walsh: Addressing the mental health crisis in Cayuga County schools

DUTCHESS: Dutchess County unveils new jail

ERIE: Cheektowaga Police Chief explains how CPD responds to mental health calls

ESSEX: Essex Co. Mental Health to host 'Community Conversations '

FRANKLIN: SLPD installs overdose prevention vending machine

JEFFERSON: Suicide Prevention Month: Connecting Fort Drum Soldiers with themselves, and others

MONROE: County Executive Bello Announces $11 Million ARPA Investment To Address Long Term Healthcare Staffing Shortage

MONROE: Innovative Law Enforcement Leaders 2023: Monroe County SO's Mental Wellness Program

NYC: NYC Health + Hospitals Unveils the First of Nine New Community Murals, Starting with NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County

NYC: $50K in awards will help Staten Island groups address community health

ORANGE: Wallkill police tout early success of its mental health response team

OSWEGO: Sargeant joins Oswego Health as executive director of mental health and wellness

OTSEGO: Otsego County offers more signing bonuses to address understaffing

ROCKLAND/WESTCHESTER: Mental Health Association of Rockland County and the Mental Health Association of Westchester County toast to new beginnings

SOUTHERN TIER/FINGER LAKES: Upstate New York health systems want to form joint parent company for five hospitals

STEUBEN: Steuben County overdose numbers released for September

WAYNE: Wayne County combats opioid crisis with Narcan “Red Box” initiative

WESTCHESTER: Westchester County Interfaith Appreciation Breakfast Celebrates Unity and Community Harmony

No ride, no health care: New project provides ‘mobility wallets’ to get residents to medical appointments

Excessive drinking during the pandemic increased rates of liver disease, transplants

Study Uses Data to Examine Mental Health Trends in Patients With HIV Before, After COVID-19 Outbreak

Clergy burnout is a growing concern in polarized churches. A summit offers coping strategies

UPCOMING EVENTS & TRAININGS

LGBTQ+ Young People and Suicide – Tackling the Crisis Together

October 12, 1 - 2 pm, National Council for Mental Wellbeing

Central City Concern: Providing Access to Harm Reduction Services for People Experiencing Homelessness

October 12, 3 - 4:15 pm, Better Care Playbook Implementation Lab

Exploring Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Trauma, Trends & Diagnostic Insights

October 16, 12 - 1 pm, PsychU

Breaking Down Silos to Address Maternal and Infant Mortality: Lessons from the Local Level

October 16, 1 - 4 pm, NACo

Stepping Up and Elevating the Voices of People with Lived Experience

October 17, 1 - 2:30 pm, CSG Justice Center

PSYCKES for Health Homes and Care Management Agencies

October 17, 3 - 4:30 pm, OMH

Leveraging the Capacities of Peers in Rural Health Services

October 18, 12 - 1 pm, NCROTAC

At the Intersection of HIV and HCV (Part 1): Prevention Frameworks and Strategies

October 18, 2 - 3:30 pm, Corporation for Supportive Housing

Gun Violence Prevention and Medicaid: State of the Field

October 18, 3 - 4:30 pm, Center for Healthcare Strategies

OMH Peer Supporter Celebration Day

October 19, 9 am - 12:30 pm - VIRTUAL

Narrative Enhancement and Cognitive Therapy (NECT): An Evidence-Based Intervention Designed to Reduce Self-Stigma in Adults with Mental Health Challenges

October 19, 10 am - 12 pm, CTAC/MTAC

Supporting Patients with Dementia

October 19, 2 - 3 pm, HANYS

A Family-Centered Approach to Implementing Plans of Safe Care for Infants and Families Affected by Prenatal Substance Exposure

October 19, 2 - 3 pm, NCSAC

Peers and Clinicians Together (PACT)

October 19, 2:30 - 3:30 pm, NTTAC

Health Equity in Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Prevention - in Rural Communities

October 23, 10 am - 12 pm, NCROTAC

Key Takeaways: Survey Of 4,000 Health Plans On Behavioral Health’s Future

October 24, 12 - 1 pm, PsychU

Informational Webinar for SIM and TTT Opportunities

October 25, 1:30 - 2:30 pm, SAMHSA's GAINS Center

At the Intersection of HIV and HCV (Part 2): Treatment Frameworks and Strategies

October 25, 2 - 3:30 pm, Corporation for Supportive Housing

Rewiring Your Life

October 25, 3 - 4 pm, NAADAC

Overview of Harm Reduction - for Rural Communities

October 26, 9 - 11 am, NCROTAC

Narrative Enhancement and Cognitive Therapy (NECT): Adaptations for Youth and Caregivers Impacted by Mental Health Challenges

October 26, 10 am - 12 pm, CTAC/MCTAC

Emerging Care Models: The Transformative Potential of Sobering Centers

October 26, 1 - 2 pm, National Council for Mental Wellbeing

How to Use Data for Change: Improving Outcomes for Families Affected by Substance Use

October 26, 2 - 3 pm, NCSACW 

Peer Recovery Support Series, Part 9: Supporting Recovery - Who’s Who at the Zoo?

October 26, 3 - 4 pm, NAADAC

Utilizing Family Engagement to Improve Outcomes in Drug Treatment Courts: In Research and Practice

October 30, 12:30 - 2 pm, SAMHSA's GAINS Center

Person-Centered Care: Applications in Methadone Maintenance Treatment and Outpatient Program Settings

October 30, 1 - 3 pm, NCROTAC

Cost and Financing Strategies for Coordinated Specialty Care for First Episode Psychosis

October 30, 2 - 3 pm, SAMHSA

Systematic Pathway to Integrated Care: General Health Integration Framework Learning Collaborative Evaluation Findings

October 31, 12 - 1 pm, National Council for Mental Wellbeing

Using the PSYCKES Clinical Summary

November 1, 10 - 11:30 am, OMH

Moving from Data Collection to Action: Improving Patient Access to SDOH Resources

November 2, 3 - 4:30 pm, SDOH Academy

Lived Expertise and Data Management: Trauma-Informed Approaches and Perspectives

November 9, 2 - 3 pm, CSH

PSYCKES Mobile App for iPhones & iPads

November 14, 11 am - 12 pm, OMH

Peers and Clinicians Together (PACT)

November 16, 2:30 - 3:30 pm, NTTAC

Navigating PSYCKES Recipient Search for Population Health

November 30, 3 - 4 pm, OMH

GRANTS/FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

HRSA Health Workforce

NYS Grants Gateway

NY Health Foundation

OASAS Procurements

OMH Procurements

OPWDD Procurements

Rural Health Information Hub - New York

SAMHSA Grants Dashboard

CLMHD CALENDAR

OCTOBER

Membership Call

October 18: 9 - 10:30 am

Mental Hygiene Planning Committee Meeting

October 19: 1 - 2:30 pm

Deputy DCS Call

October 24: 10 - 11 am

Fall 2023 Full Membership Meeting

October 25 - 27, Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel

NOVEMBER

CLMHD Executive Committee Meeting

November 1: 8 - 9 am

Quarterly LGU Billing Staff Call

November 8: 11 am - 12 pm

LGU Clinic Operators Call

November 14: 10 - 11:30 am

Addiction Services & Supports (ASR) Committee Meeting

October 12: 11 am - 12 pm

Mental Health Committee Meeting

October 12: 3 - 4 pm

Children & Families Committee Meeting

October 17: 11:30 am - 1 pm

Membership Call

October 18: 9 - 10:30 am

Mental Hygiene Planning Committee Meeting

October 19: 1 - 2:30 pm

Deputy DCS Call

October 24: 10 - 11 am

Links to State Guidance and Updates on COVID-19

NYS Coronavirus Vaccination Information