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Governor Hochul Announces $5.1 Million to Establish School-Based Mental Health Clinics
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that more than $5.1 million was awarded to support 137 school-based mental health clinic satellites throughout New York State, including 82 at high-needs schools. Administered by the New York State Office of Mental Health, the funding is part of the governor’s $1 billion landmark plan to transform New York’s mental health care system, which includes a total of $8.3 million to support and expand these clinics throughout the state.
Read more here.
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U.S. Suicide Rates Reached an All-Time High in 2022
Suicide rates in the U.S. reached an all-time high in 2022, continuing a surge that began in 2021, according to new provisional data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The increase to 14.3 deaths per 100,000 people in 2022, up from 14.1 in 2021, represented a 1% higher rate in suicides across the country. Though the rise is significantly smaller than the 4% jump in the rate from 2020 to 2021, the numbers indicate a still-growing problem with no clear explanation. Provisional data is also incomplete, which means that the final number of suicides in 2022 will likely be higher as additional death certificates are processed. Read more here.
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Improvements to Diversion Programs Needed After Bail Changes
Senior state officials tasked with combatting the opioid epidemic say an expansion of New York’s diversion programs for those arrested with a substance use disorder is desperately needed. The remarks from two commissioners and two senior-level state officials came during a recent meeting of the State Inter-Agency Task Force on Overdose Prevention, which was set up by Gov. Kathy Hochul this summer. “We see too many people that we are arresting, that we see they’re sitting on the bench, handcuffed and they need help,” State Police Capt. James Browne said. “And with 'bail reform,' they are returning to their homes and they’re there a lot of times (in what) are negative environments hours later and they’re going right back into using drugs.” Read more here.
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Waiting for Care: Three-Fourths of States Have Waiting Lists for Some Medicaid Home Care Programs
In a new analysis of survey data from state Medicaid home care programs, KFF found that in most years since 2016, there have been nearly 700,000 people on waiting or interest lists for expanded home and community-based services (HCBS), with a total of 692,000 across 38 states in 2023 and waiting lists averaging three years. People with intellectual or developmental disabilities make up almost three-quarters of waiting lists, with seniors and adults with physical disabilities constituting another quarter. Read more here.
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New York Congressman Calls on FCC to Reroute 988 Calls Locally
A recent survey found only one-third of people who dialed 988 – The National Suicide and Crisis hotline – in 2022 would call again. The three-digit number was changed last year to 988 to make it easier for callers to remember. A push at the federal level looks to address a growing issue with the program. The National Suicide and Crisis hotline uses technology that directs callers to call centers from their number’s area code, not their calling location. Read more here.
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Building Successful Partnerships with Peer-Run Organizations
Behavioral health-criminal justice programs that partner with peer-run organizations have been able to leverage their unique expertise in furthering program participants’ recovery, promoting systems change, and strengthening the peer workforce. But often, programs do not know where to start to ensure they are developing a successful partnership. This brief details information gleaned from interviews with two peer-run organizations engaged in Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program-funded projects and provides resources to help programs locate peer-run organizations locally.
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NACO Commission on Mental Health Sends Letter to Congress
On November 13, members of NACo's Commission on Mental Health and Wellbeing sent a letter to the U.S. Senate Committees on Finance and Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. The Commission called on Congress to support counties in delivering high-quality, assessible mental health services to address residents' comprehensive behavioral health needs in any mental health legislation package. Read more here.
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Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare: Considerations for Policymakers
In late October 2023, the Biden Administration issued a broad-ranging executive order directing numerous federal government agencies to evaluate Artificial Intelligence’s (AI’s) potential impacts—both good and bad—and to develop policies and procedures that will promote innovation while mitigating AI’s potential negative impacts. AI is an umbrella term that includes many subfields, and its applications are numerous. This piece focuses on some of the uses of AI in healthcare and provides broader considerations for policymakers as they seek to promote innovation while also protecting against unintended consequences. Read more here.
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HHS Releases the 2022 Report to Congress on Supportive Services for Individuals with Autism
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has released the 2022 Report to Congress on Supportive Services for Individuals with Autism (House Report 117-96). It describes supportive services that, in addition to healthcare services, may be beneficial for improving outcomes for autistic individuals and their families. Autistic individuals can have complex medical, behavioral, educational, and social service needs. Because the combination and degree of characteristics can differ greatly from one individual to another and change over the lifespan, there are many diverse service needs across the autism community. Read more here.
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How A Different Kind of Drug Testing Can Help Communities Stave Off Overdoses
Opioid’s decades-long grip on the nation continues to tighten, despite a nearly 50% reduction in prescription opioids since 2012, a new report finds. In fact, a steady increase of opioid-related fatalities in recent years suggests “overdose epidemic is deadlier than ever,” with overdose deaths estimated to surpass 109,000 last year. Opioids like morphine, oxycodone and legally manufactured fentanyl, originated as a pain management medication, said Bobby Mukkamala, chair of the substance use and pain task force at the American Medical Association. But when the burgeoning addiction epidemic forced health care providers to limit opioid prescriptions, illegally produced versions of the drugs made their way to the streets. Read more here.
Related: Help for rural governments tackling the opioid crisis
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Imagining a More Patient-Centered Approach to Methadone Treatment
On September 7, 2023, FORE convened an advisory meeting in New York City to understand the challenges faced by opioid treatment programs in providing patient-centered care and what practice, regulatory, and policy changes could help overcome them. This executive summary captures the discussion and outlines participants’ recommendations on the role the foundation could play in advancing work in this area through grantmaking, convening, and information dissemination. Read more here.
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‘Payer Ghosting’ Further Straining Behavioral Health-Health Plan Relationship
Dating slang is helping behavioral health professionals describe a troubling evolution in payer relations.
Payer ghosting. In dating, someone “ghosts” another person when they abruptly stop communicating despite previous interest. In this context, payer ghosting occurs when payers stonewall providers on claim reimbursement. This can be a trickier challenge for providers than the typical payer issues like other forms of delayed or denied payments. Contracts often have recourse for certain actions, including payer denials, prior authorizations, and special investigations unit (SIU) letters, to name a few, but this isn’t the case for payer ghosting. Often, there’s no clear recourse when a payer simply stops engaging with a provider on reimbursement. Read more here.
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Governor Hochul Convenes the New York State Office of Faith and Non-Profit Development Services
Governor Kathy Hochul on Tuesday convened the newly reimagined Office of Faith and Non-Profit Development Services. The Office, formerly known as New York’s Office of Faith-Based Community Development and Services, will help provide assistance to vulnerable New Yorkers and connect communities to state grant opportunities. “Scripture says, ‘As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." At a time when many New Yorkers are struggling, we are reminded of this responsibility to support and uplift each other, which makes all of us stronger,” Governor Hochul said. “The Office of Faith and Non-Profit Development Services, along with the Interfaith Advisory Council, are experienced faith leaders who know what their congregants and residents need, they understand faith overcomes divisiveness and it is with their eyes and ears we can help those who need it most.” Read more here.
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UPCOMING EVENTS & TRAININGS
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Complex Case Discharge Delay Learning Series: Considerations for Information Sharing During Discharge
November 30, 2 - 3 pm, HANYS
The Youth Mental Health Crisis and Opportunities for Integrated Care
November 30, 2 - 3:30 pm, National Council for Mental Wellbeing
Navigating PSYCKES Recipient Search for Population Health
November 30, 3 - 4 pm, OMH
Peer Recovery Support Series, Part 10: The ABCs of Problem Solving for Peer Specialists
November 30, 3 - 4 pm, NAADAC
NAMI Ask the Expert: The Future of WRAP with Founder Mary Ellen Copeland
November 30, 4 - 5 pm, NAMI
Helping Children & Adolescents with Emotional Problems - A Q&A with Daniel S. Pine, MD
November 30, 7 - 8 pm, BBRF
Improving Substance Misuse Prevention Outcomes through Data-Informed Decision Making
December 1, 12 - 1:30 pm, NAADAC
Identifying and Treating Tardive Dyskinesia
December 4, 1 - 2 pm, National Council for Mental Wellbeing
Growing Combination Drug Use and The Overdose Crisis
December 4, 2 - 3 pm, NIHCM
Recovery Ready Workplace New York Symposium
December 4 - 5, Crowne Plaza, Albany, FOR-NY
Mitigating Crisis with Presence: Developing Mobile Crisis Response to 988 Calls
December 4, 2:30 - 4 pm, SAMHSA's GAINS Center
Help Wanted: Addressing the Workforce Shortage
December 5, 12 - 1 pm, MHANYS
Understanding DOL’s Proposed Rule on Overtime Requirements for Salaried Workers
December 5, 2 - 2:30 pm, National Council for Mental Wellbeing
How Anchor Institutions Improve Patient, Community, and Workforce Health
December 6, 12 - 2 pm, NEJM Catalyst
Powering Recruitment and Retention Through a Culture of Belonging
December 6, 2 - 3 pm, National Council for Mental Wellbeing
New Year, New Start: Talking with Teens about Social Media and Mental Health
December 6, 4 - 5 pm, National Council for Mental Wellbeing
The Double-Edged Sword of Representation: Lived Experience, Tokenism and the Portrayal of Addiction Recovery Stories
December 7, 1 - 2 pm, National Council for Mental Wellbeing
Addressing equity in home and community-based services among older adults of color enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid
December 7, 2 - 3 pm, Camden Coalition
Fostering a Healthcare Workforce for Today's Social Health Challenges
December 7, 3 - 4:30 pm, SDOH Academy
How Technical Assistance Improves Responses to People with Behavioral Health Needs in the Justice and Crisis Systems
December 11, 12 - 1:30 pm, CSG Justice Center
The Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program in Rural Areas
December 11, 1 - 2 pm, Rural Health Information Hub
New(er) MHFA Instructor Speed Coaching: Tips for a Successful Start
December 11, 1 - 2:30 pm, National Council for Mental Wellbeing
OMH All Provider Meeting – Hospital & Community Connections
December 11, 10 - 11 am, OMH
Collaborating to Improve Children’s Behavioral Health- A Comprehensive Playbook to Fostering Healthy Behavioral Health in Children
December 12, 12 - 1 pm, HMA
Burnout Prevention for Community-Based Complex Care Teams
December 12, 1 - 2 pm, Camden Coalition
Communities Talk to Prevent Alcohol and Other Drug Misuse: Launching New Cycle in 2024!
December 12, 2 - 3 pm, SAMHSA
Virtual Town Hall: Advancing Equity in 988 Crisis Response
December 12, 3 - 4:30 pm, NAMI
The Poison Center's Role in Suicide Prevention: Seasonality and Suicide Risk
December 13, 10 - 11 am, OMH, Upstate NY Poison Center, NYSSPC
American Tragedy: Dopesick Author Beth Macy on the Opioid Crisis, Overdose Deaths and What's Next
December 13, 2 - 3 pm, National Council for Mental Wellbeing
The Intersection of Harm Reduction and Peer Support: Moving Beyond Abstinence-Based Models
December 13, 2 - 3:30 pm, Peer Recovery COE
Addressing New York’s Opioid Crisis Through Integrated Systems of Care
December 14, 12 - 1 pm, NY Health Foundation
Equity in Action: Caring for Incarcerated Individuals Living with HIV/AIDS
December 14, 12 - 1 pm, National Council for Mental Wellbeing
Health Center Preparedness and Response Forum
December 14, 1 - 2 pm, National Training and Technical Assistance Partners (NTTAPs)
Promoting Equity through Police-Mental Health Collaborations (PMHCs): A Community Workshop
December 14, 1:30 - 3 pm, CSG Justice Center
NAMI Ask the Expert: Suicide in Pretrial Detention and Expanding the Crisis Care Continuum
December 14, 4 - 5 pm, NAMI
Exploring Technology Solutions for Criminal Justice, Substance Use Treatment, and Mental Health Agency Partnerships
December 19, 12:30 - 2 pm, SAMHSA's GAINS Center
Engaging and Leveraging Community-Based Organizations in Your Crisis System
December 19, 2 - 3:30 pm, CSG Justice Center
Community Connections: Working with Justice-involved Individuals
December 20, 12 - 1 pm, National Council for Mental Wellbeing
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CLMHD CALENDAR
DECEMBER
CLMHD Executive Committee Meeting
December 6: 8 - 9 am
LGU Clinic Operators Call
December 12: 10 - 11:30 am
Addiction Services & Supports (ASR) Committee Meeting
December 14: 11 am - 12 pm
Mental Health Committee Meeting
December 14: 3 - 4 pm
Children & Families Committee Meeting
December 19: 11:30 am - 1 pm
Membership Call
December 20: 9 - 10:30 am
Mental Hygiene Planning Committee Meeting
December 21: 1 - 3 pm
CLMHD Office Closed - Christmas
December 25
Deputy DCS Call
December 26: 10 - 11 am
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