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Attorney General James Secures Court Victory Blocking Trump Administration’s Attempt to Gut Social Services
New York Attorney General Letitia James announced a major court victory halting the Trump administration’s unlawful attempt to gut essential health, education, and social service programs for low-income families in 21 states. Attorney General James led 20 other attorneys general in a lawsuit challenging the federal government’s reinterpretation of a decades-old law governing access to social services. On Wednesday, a federal court granted Attorney General James and the coalition’s request for a preliminary injunction, blocking sweeping new rules that threatened to strip funding from programs like Head Start, Title X family planning clinics, food banks, domestic violence shelters, adult education, and community health centers. Read more here.
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New York’s Ban on Cellphones in Schools Is Going ‘Better Than Expected’
A new ritual marks the end of the school day at Brooklyn Technical High School this year. When the metal doors swing open, teenagers reach into their backpacks and rip open the school-issued Velcro pouches that have kept their cellphones out of reach since they arrived in the morning. The sound of screens coming alive with hours of notifications is sweet relief to students who are struggling to adjust to life under a new state law that forbids smartphones, smartwatches, laptops or other internet-connected devices from bell to bell. With one million students, New York City Public Schools is the largest district in the country to have banned students from using phones during the school day, although it is part of a growing national and international movement, with many states such as California and Louisiana implementing their own restrictions. Other countries, like China and France, have restricted phones in schools for years. Read more here.
Related: From burner phones to decks of cards: NYC teens are adjusting to the smartphone ban
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MAHA Plan Targets Youth Mental Health, Overprescribing, Screen Time
The Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission is looking to reform children’s behavioral health by targeting overmedicalization, mental health prescribing patterns and excessive screen time. Under the direction of U.S. Health and Human Services Department (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Make Our Children Healthy Again Strategy, which was released Sept. 9, is a response to MAHA’s findings released in a May report. The initial MAHA report compiled research on the Trump administration’s priority areas for healthcare reform. It included a suggested — but unproven — link between autism and the consumption of food coloring, environmental toxins, the impact of psychotropic medication prescribing and persistent technology use on youth mental health, among other things. Read more here.
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CDC Campaign Educates Youth About Substance Use, Mental Health
The CDC collaborated with youth to develop an educational campaign about the connection between substance use and mental health. The campaign, “Free Mind,” offers information for adolescents aged 12 to 17 years, as well as resources for parents, caregivers and health care providers to talk about these topics. "Recent research shows that substance use and mental health can go hand in hand,” said Allison Arwady, MD, MPH, director of the CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. “Youth may use substances to help them cope with mental health challenges like stress, anxiety and depression — and ongoing use can lead to substance use disorder.” She said a 2023 survey from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration revealed that youth who reported a major depressive episode in the past year were more likely than their peers to use illegal drugs, marijuana and tobacco products; misuse opioids; and binge drink alcohol. Read more here.
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Facing a Mental Health Crisis in NY? There’s a Growing Alternative for Getting Help
Jason Lopez was absorbed in a paperback titled “Be Strong Mentally During Tough Times” as he relaxed on a recent morning in the living room of a quiet two-story house on Flatbush’s Clarendon Road. He was surrounded by musical instruments, art and a TV with a video game console. The soft-spoken 42-year-old said he has diagnoses of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia and has been hospitalized "countless times,” in addition to being a frequent visitor to psychiatric emergency rooms. But when he was recently feeling stressed and overwhelmed and needed a break from the shelter he was staying at, Lopez came instead to the home on Clarendon Road, an 11-bed “crisis respite center,” where he stayed once before. “ I could do things a little more peacefully and humbly,” Lopez said of the quiet surroundings. Crisis respite centers offer intimate, homelike environments where people can recover from mental health crises for up to 28 days, while coming and going as they please. Instead of being staffed by doctors and nurses, the centers mostly employ peer specialists — trained counselors who use their own experiences with mental illness to relate to clients. Read more here.
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DiNapoli: New York May Be Paying Medicaid Premiums for People Living Out-of-State
An audit released today by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli found multiple issues with how the state identified out-of-state Medicaid members, and found close to $1.2 billion in managed care premiums that were paid for members who may have resided outside of New York. Auditors found that the state Department of Health (DOH) did not properly check to confirm that Medicaid members were New York residents and waited too long to recoup improper payments. "Medicaid is a vital program and the single biggest expense in the state budget. We cannot afford any wasteful spending,” DiNapoli said. “If a person is enrolled in more than one state at the same time, both states may end up paying premiums to his or her managed care plans. Responsibility for preventing enrollment in more than one state lies at both the federal and state levels, and stronger coordination is needed to reduce improper payments, protect the program’s integrity, and ensure New York is only paying Medicaid costs for its residents.” Read more here.
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Continuing Care Is an Essential Part of Suicide Prevention
Acute care hospitals—which provide short-term, intensive medical care to treat illnesses or injuries—play a vital role in suicide prevention. Providers in these settings are well positioned to screen patients for suicide risk and address imminent safety concerns through evidence-based tools, such as safety planning and lethal means counseling, that help prepare individuals to return home safely. But the focus on patient well-being should not end there. After a person is treated in the hospital for suicidal ideation or an attempt, ongoing care from outpatient mental health providers is typically necessary to promote long-term wellness and recovery. It is especially important to access this care soon after hospitalization as suicidal thoughts and behaviors often resurface, and frequently intensify, once individuals return home. Read more here.
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Large Jump in Poison Center Calls Tied to Self-Harm in Preteens
Exposures to medications, dietary supplements, or psychoactive substances increased among children from 2000 to 2023, particularly exposures associated with suspected self-harm or suicidal intent, according to data from U.S. poison centers. Among children ages 6 to 12 years, the overall rate of exposure increased non-linearly by 53.8% over this time period, while the exposure rate associated with suspected self-harm or suicidal intent increased by 311%, reported Gary A. Smith, MD, DrPH, of the Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. Read more here.
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Sweeping Health Policy Changes | New Policy Outsider Episode
Federal health policy is undergoing its most significant changes since the Affordable Care Act was signed into law more than 15 years ago. The health policy team at the Rockefeller Institute is tracking these changes closely and has written extensively on how provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and related rule-based changes may impact New York State. On this episode of Policy Outsider, the authors of these recent analyses are interviewed about the shifting health policy landscape and share what they are keeping an eye on as the impact of these changes comes into focus. Listen to the podcast here.
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Planning, Implementing, and Assessing Law Enforcement Responses to Homelessness
Homelessness is a growing crisis in America, increasing by 12% between 2022 and 2023 alone. While there are a range of ideas about how to address this issue, in many places across the country, law enforcement officers are still typically the default first responders to these kinds of community concerns. This publication details how communities can strategically plan for and assess their law enforcement homelessness response efforts, using a shared vision, a logic model, and regular assessments to determine if the response is achieving its intended goals. It also discusses the importance of expanding the knowledge base of law enforcement practices and strategies to establish a set of national standards for effective and successful homelessness responses.
Related: Opinion: A Powerful Tool to Address the Homelessness Crisis, Waiting for its Big Moment
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Community Health Workers Generate Value at Health Systems and Hospitals. Here's How.
Cedars-Sinai Health System is generating positive outcomes with its community health worker program. The primary role of community health workers is helping health systems and hospitals address their patients' social drivers of health. Unmet social needs such as food insecurity, housing instability, and transportation barriers impact clinical outcomes and key healthcare organization metrics such as hospital readmissions. At Cedars-Sinai, community health workers are fully integrated and embedded in clinical care teams across several service lines, including emergency medicine, primary care, inpatient care teams, and outpatient clinics. "Our community health workers are full-time staff, so they are not volunteers or contracted with community-based providers. This helps ensure accountability and the sustainability of our workforce," says Kathryn Hren, LCSW, MPH, director of the Community Connect Program at Cedars-Sinai. "They are not an adjunct service—they are directly part of our care teams." Data indicates that community health workers at Cedars-Sinai are having a positive impact. Read more here.
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UPCOMING EVENTS & TRAININGS
Key Strategies to Tackle Unsheltered Homelessness - Session 2
September 11, 1 - 2 pm, CSH
Integrating Behavioral Health and Primary Care in Rural Communities
September 15, 12 - 1:30 pm, NCROTAC
Underwriting Services Funding in Supportive Housing
September 15, 3 - 4:30 pm, CSH
Express Yourself For Public Health: An Informal Discussion about the Stress and Uncertainty Facing Public Health and the Communities We Serve
September 16, 12 - 1 pm, NYSPHA
National Recovery Month Virtual Event: Recovery Ready, Set, Go!
September 16, 2 - 3 pm, National Council for Mental Wellbeing
Advancing Integrated Care Via Collaborative Partnerships: Hospitals, Health Systems, CMHCs and CCBHCs
September 16, 2 - 3 pm, National Council for Mental Wellbeing
Understanding and Treating Personality Disorders Part 1: Foundations of Personality Disorders in Clinical Practice
September 17, 12 - 1:30 pm, CTAC
Supporting Older Adults with Behavioral Health Needs
September 18, 10 am - 12 pm, SPOP
Children and Family Treatment and Support Services (CFTSS) Webinar
September 18, 11 am - 12:30 pm, CTAC
Co-occurring Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders in Youth
September 18, 12 - 1 pm, NYSPHA
Braiding Funding Streams to Provide More Person-Centered Care for People with Complex Health and Social Needs
September 18, 1 - 2 pm, CHCS
The Essentials for Contracting: Models, Contract Negotiation, and Compliance for Peer Organizations
September 18, 2 - 3:30 pm, SAMHSA
Stories of Hope: A Value-Centered Approach to Storytelling Informational Webinar
September 18, 3 - 4 pm, National Council for Mental Wellbeing
Responding to Technology-Facilitated Harms Among Young People: What Are We Getting Wrong & What Do Young People Want?
September 23, 12 - 1 pm, NYS Youth Justice Institute
From Policy to Practice: Behavioral Health Therapists Using AI and Emerging Technologies
September 23, 1 - 2 pm, National Council for Mental Wellbeing
State Peer-to-Peer Learning Session: Model Definitions for Behavioral Health Emergency, Crisis, and Crisis Related Services Part 2
September 23, 3 - 4 pm, NASMHPD
Law Enforcement and Public Health Collaboration
September 24, 10 - 11:30 am, NCROTAC
Mental Health Awareness: Shedding Light on the Interplay between Suicide & Stigma (Part 2)
September 24, 12 - 1 pm, PsychU
Youth Protective Factors Study: Key Findings on Risk-Reduction Services
September 24, 12 - 1:15 pm, CSG Justice Center
Layers of Denial Prevention: Shift Your Focus from Working Denials to Preventing Them
September 24, 1 - 2 pm, Streamline Healthcare Solutions
Strategies to Build and Support the Health Care Workforce
September 24, 2 - 3 pm, NIHCM
Navigating Levels of Care
September 25, 11 am - 12 pm, The Baker Center for Children and Families
Innovative Prevention and Care for People Who Use Drugs (PWUD)
September 25, 12 - 1 pm, NCROTAC
988 in New York State
September 25, 12 - 1 pm, NYSPHA
Integrated Care Billing: Bi-Directional Care Coordination & Integration Strategies
September 29, 1:30 - 2:30 pm, National Council for Mental Wellbeing
Advancing Child & Youth Behavioral Health with Measurement-Based Care
September 30, 1 - 2 pm, greenspace
Soteria Houses: Safe, Humane, Life-Enhancing Treatment for Psychosis
September 30, 2 - 3:30 pm, National Empowerment Center
Understanding and Treating Personality Disorders Part 2: Treatment Challenges and Strategies with Personality Disorders
October 1, 12 - 1:30 pm, CTAC
Scenario Planning for Nonprofits: Building Resilience and Sustaining Impact
October 1, 1 - 2 pm, Social Current
Embracing Tech-Enabled Innovation in an Evolving Medicaid Environment
October 1, 2 - 3 pm, CHCS
Public Education Strategies to Tackle County Challenges: Mental Health, Workforce, and Gun Violence
October 2, 2 - 3 pm, NACo
Securing the Future: What Behavioral Health Providers Need to Know About AI and Data Security
October 7, 1 - 2 pm, National Council for Mental Wellbeing
Innovative Medicaid Strategies to Enhance the Behavioral Health Care Workforce
October 7, 2 - 3:15 pm, CHCS
Sexual Misconduct: Where's the Line? Boundaries and Ethics in Addiction Counseling
October 8 - 9, 9 am - 4 pm, CCSI - IN-PERSON in Rochester, NY
Scaling Behavioral Health: Strategies for Sustainable Growth
October 15, 2 - 3 pm, Behavioral Health Business
Putting Communities First: How Counties Leverage Tech to Improve Behavioral Health
October 21, 2 - 3 pm, NACo
AI in Action: Community Behavioral Health Providers Share Lessons Learned
October 23, 1 - 2 pm, National Council for Mental Wellbeing
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CLMHD CALENDAR
SEPTEMBER
Membership Call
September 17: 9 - 10:30 am
IOCC Meeting
September 18: 1 - 3 pm
Developmental Disabilities Committee Meeting
September 25: 1 - 2 pm
OCTOBER
CLMHD Executive Committee Meeting
October 1: 8 - 9 am
Addiction Services & Supports (ASR) Committee Meeting
October 9: 11 am - 12 pm
Mental Health Committee Meeting
October 9: 3 - 4 pm
CLMHD Office Closed - Columbus Day
LGU Clinic Operators Call
October 14: 10 - 11:00 am
Membership Call
October 15: 9 - 10:30 am
Developmental Disabilities Committee Meeting
October 16: 1 - 2 pm
Children & Families Committee Meeting
October 21, 11:30 am - 1 pm
CLMHD Fall 2025 Full Membership Meeting
October 22 - 24, Penn Yan, NY (Yates County)
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