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White House Executive Order Establishes National Substance Use Disorder Response
On January 29, the White House issued an Executive Order (EO) establishing the Great American Recovery Initiative, a new federal effort aimed at coordinating a national response to substance use disorder (SUD). The EO calls for a more unified, data-driven federal approach to prevention, treatment and recovery amid continued concern about the scope of the SUD crisis across the nation. According to the Administration, over 15 percent of Americans, or 48.4 individuals, have a SUD. In addition, the vast majority of individuals who need treatment do not receive it or do not perceive a need for care. The EO is intended to better align federal programs, reduce fragmentation and elevate recovery as a national priority. Read more here.
Related: Trump’s Latest Executive Order Forms New Task Force to Address Addiction Crisis
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Childhood Trauma Doesn’t Have to Be a Lifelong Curse
Not far from San Diego’s scenic coastline, a local internist discovered an unsettling truth nearly 30 years ago: Childhood trauma could lead to lifelong health damage. Abuse victims often felt devastated when they learned about the landmark research, known as the 1998 adverse childhood experience (ACE) study, which showed that childhood trauma could significantly increase risks of cancer, heart disease, stroke, alcoholism and suicide. But research now points to ways of mitigating these long-term effects, and has led to a framework that is being adopted by educators, health care workers and social service providers around the world. Nowhere is it being embraced more enthusiastically than in San Diego, home of the original ACE research, where a local university, the county welfare department and the nation’s largest YMCA are all banding together to transform the community’s health. Read more here.
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DiNapoli: Bullying and Drug-Related Incidents in Schools on the Rise
A report by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli found bullying and drug-related incidents statewide are on the rise, even exceeding pre-pandemic highs, while the rates for the number of serious violent and disruptive incidents remained near zero even after students returned to in-school instruction, and have stayed low. The report examined seven years of data from the New York State Education Department’s (SED) School Safety and Educational Climate (SSEC) report. “Reliable public data about school safety is critical and informs where we need to address problems and identify solutions,” DiNapoli said. “This report builds on my office’s previous work examining violent and disruptive incidents in our schools. It’s disturbing to see the rise in bullying and drug-related incidents. We need to do everything we can to make sure students and teachers feel safe and this data shows there is more to do inside and outside our schools to meet these goals.” Read more here.
Related: Bullying tied to higher suicide attempt risk for high school girls
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New York Launches Initiative to Build Mental Health Workforce
New York State is launching a statewide effort to attract more workers to the mental health field, addressing workforce shortages and connecting job seekers with career opportunities. The State Office of Mental Health (OMH) announced Monday a survey to gather feedback from mental health providers and professionals. The survey will help design a new website highlighting careers, programs, and workplaces across New York’s public mental health system. “Our continued efforts to strengthen New York’s mental health care system depend on having a robust, skilled workforce at the ready,” OMH Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan said. “The website we are developing will offer an exciting presentation of careers in this field and a pathway for job seekers to connect with employers in communities throughout our state.” Read more here.
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OPWDD Releases Updated Data on Developmental Disabilities Services
The New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) has released updated data on developmental disabilities services, including new interactive dashboards with Medicaid expenditure information. The dashboards allow users to view total and average expenditures by service type, region, and provider. OPWDD also updated its public data pages and released new “By the Numbers” infographics that highlight key service and spending data. These updates are intended to increase transparency and improve access to information about the developmental disabilities service system. To view the updated data resources, click here.
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Senator Gillibrand Announces $500K for NY Law Enforcement Mental Health Services
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced $500,000 in federal funding to support mental health services for law enforcement officers across New York State. The funding will go to the New York Law Enforcement Assistance Program (NYLEAP) and was included in the Fiscal Year 2026 federal appropriations package signed into law this week. Senator Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, personally secured the funding as a congressionally directed spending item. According to Gillibrand’s office, the federal dollars will allow NYLEAP to expand outreach efforts and increase access to mental health services for law enforcement officers, particularly in rural areas of the state. Read more here.
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National Council on Problem Gambling Adopts 1-800-MY-RESET as New National Problem Gambling Helpline™ Number
The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) today announced it has adopted 1-800-MY-RESET as the new National Problem Gambling Helpline™ number, designed to be memorable and easily accessible for the public. 1-800-MY-RESET is now live and operational to receive calls. The adoption of the new number strengthens national visibility for the Helpline and supports NCPG’s ongoing network modernization efforts. 1-800-MY-RESET is neutral, non-stigmatizing, and user-defined, signaling that individuals can reach out for support at any point in their relationship with gambling. Calls to 1-800-MY-RESET will connect individuals to the National Problem Gambling Helpline Network, which serves as a single point of access to 24 contact centers across the United States, staffed by trained professionals who meet internationally recognized helpline quality standards. The National Problem Gambling Helpline™ is available 24/7, is free and confidential, and provides support and referrals to local resources. Read more here.
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Single Consent Forms Reshape SUD Privacy Rules, Raise Patient Data Risks
Federally assisted substance use disorder (SUD) treatment providers that qualify as “Part 2 programs” have had two years to get into compliance with updated changes to a rule known as “42 CFR Part 2” that aim to bring it closer in line with HIPAA regulations. The major changes aim to streamline consent and clarify protections for SUD records by introducing a singular treatment, payment and health care operations (TPO) form. A patient’s signature on the single consent form will allow the use and disclosure of their treatment records at a Part 2 SUD program to be shared downstream with other providers as needed, without requiring repeated consent for each subsequent disclosure. The singular form stays in effect until that same patient revokes it. It also aligns redisclosure rules with HIPAA. Rad more here.
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Research Finds Interaction With Father, Not Mother, Affects Child Health
For much of the 20th century and beyond, social scientists attributed a range of chronic mental health problems to dysfunction between infants and their mothers, who were categorized as overbearing, rejecting, domineering or ambivalent. But a team of researchers from Pennsylvania State University has found that at times the early parenting behavior of fathers may have a greater impact on children’s health.
For a study published recently in the journal Health Psychology, the scientists observed three-way interactions between 10-month-old infants, their fathers and their mothers, and then checked in on the families when the children were 2 and 7. They found that fathers who were less attentive to their 10-month-olds were likely to have trouble co-parenting, instead withdrawing or competing with mothers for the children’s attention. And at age 7, the children of those fathers were more likely to have markers of poor heart or metabolic health, such as inflammation and high blood sugar. Read more here.
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ACF Expands Access to Medications for Opioid Use Disorder for At-Risk Families
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through its Administration for Children and Families (ACF) today announced that three U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) have been added as prevention services eligible for funding under Title IV-E, which supports children and families involved with the child welfare system. States and tribes can now receive a 50% federal match to provide buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone to parents when children are at imminent risk of entering foster care but can remain safely in the home or in a kinship placement with access to these treatments. Following President Trump’s new Executive Order, Addressing Addiction Through the Great American Recovery Initiative, this expansion gives states new resources to address the opioid crisis, stabilize families, and prevent entries into foster care. Read more here.
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It's the Foundation of Psychiatric Diagnosis. And It's About to Get a Makeover
The diagnostic manual known as "the Bible of psychiatry" is about to get a major overhaul. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) puts out the tome known in the field as the DSM-5. That stands for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition. The APA outlined its thinking and approach for the next revision in five papers published Wednesday in The American Journal of Psychiatry. Instead of a weighty volume, the next DSM will be "a living document" online and easier to update. The APA hasn't set a strict timeline and hasn't decided yet if it will be called the DSM-6 or some new name. But it is seeking input from a broad range of both health care professionals and people who have psychiatric conditions. Read more here.
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UPCOMING EVENTS & TRAININGS
Treating People who Use Meth or other Stimulants: Leveraging Contingency Management in Criminal Justice Settings
February 5, 2:30 - 4 pm, SAMHSA's GAINS Center
NACo Policy Insider Webinar Series: Understanding the Federal Landscape for Counties
February 5, 3 - 4 pm, NACo
Problem Gambling Treatment & Support
February 6, 1 - 2 pm, National Council on Problem Gambling
Neuromodulation: Promising New Approaches to Addressing Substance Use Disorders
February 9, 1 - 2:30 pm, Addiction Policy Forum
Understanding the Rise of Prediction Markets in Gambling
February 10, 1 - 2 pm, National Council on Problem Gambling
Concern to Confidence: Strengthening 988 & 911 Coordination While Managing Risk and Liability
February 10, 2 - 3 pm, SAMHSA
Advancing Brain-Based Therapeutics to the Forefront of Addiction Care
February 10, 2 - 3 pm, Brain & Behavior Research Foundation
Justice Center Code of Conduct Train-the-Trainer Session
February 11, 9:30 am - 12:30 pm, Justice Center for the Protection of People With Special Needs
Navigating Ethical Boundaries: Decision Making for Peer Support Specialists and Addiction Counselors
February 11, 12 - 1:30 pm, NAADAC
Ensuring People’s Rights, Choice, and Control in the Person-Centered Service Planning Process
February 11, 1:30 - 3 pm, CMS
Becoming a Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Instructor
February 12, 2 - 3 pm, National Council for Mental Wellbeing
Toolkit for Trauma-Informed Care
February 12, 2 - 2:30 pm, NCSACW
NACo Policy Insider Webinar Series: Understanding the Federal Landscape for Counties
February 12, 3 - 4 pm, NACo
Mental Health Matters Day 2026: Introduction to Advocacy
February 12, 7 - 8 pm, MHANYS
Workforce Solutions Jam Series: Extending the Behavioral Health Workforce - Training the Allied Workforce
February 17, 1 - 2 pm, National Council for Mental Wellbeing
Integration Under the Microscope: Proving Outcomes as Behavioral Health Enters a New Era of Accountability
February 17, 2 - 3 pm, Behavioral Health Business
AI and Youth Well-Being: Why One-Size-Fits-All Narratives Fall Short
February 18, 1:30 - 2;30 pm, JED Foundation
Expanding Access to Community Health Workers in Rural Communities
February 18, 2 - 3:15 pm, Center for Health Care Strategies
The Virginia Model: Enhancing the Quality and Impact of Competence to Stand Trial Evaluations
February 18, 3 - 4:30 pm, SAMHSA's GAINS Center
Integrated Safety Planning (Suicide Safety Plans & Overdose Safety Plans)
February 19, 12:30 - 1:30 pm, Zero Overdose/Zero Suicide
Older Adults Behavioral Health Services
February 19, 2 - 3 pm, National Council for Mental Wellbeing
Peer-to-Peer Learning Session: Service and Support Considerations for Individuals with Co-occurring Mental Health Conditions and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Across the Crisis Continuum
February 23, 3 - 4 pm, SAMHSA
North Country Telehealth Partnership Webinar
February 24, 10 - 11:30 am, CMS, NGS
Contingency Management Programs: State Lessons from Planning to Scaling
February 24, 12 - 1:15 pm, Center for Health Care Strategies
Process Addictions: Maladaptive Coping Across the Ages
February 25, 12 - 1:30 pm, NAADAC
Getting Ready for Medicaid Work Requirements: Strategies for Supportive Housing Providers
February 26, 1 - 2 pm, CSH
Transforming Futures: Education, Law, and Youth Wellbeing - IN PERSON
February 27, 9:30 am - 3 pm, Albany Law School Government Law Center
Addressing Veteran Substance Use: Promoting Recovery Through Collaboration and Compassion
March 3, 2 - 3:30 pm, SAMHSA
Reducing Problem Gambling Stigma Through Language and Action
March 6, 1 - 2 pm, National Council on Problem Gambling
Strengthening Helping Professionals: Ethics, Resilience, & Attachment-Informed Approaches
March 11, 12 - 1:30 pm, NAADAC
Means Reduction Counseling and Overdose Prevention Strategies
March 12, 12:30 - 1:30 pm, Zero Overdose/Zero Suicide
Workforce Solutions Jam Series: Extending the Behavioral Health Workforce - Technology as an Extender
March 17, 1 - 2 pm, National Council for Mental Wellbeing
Leading Change With H.O.P.E. — How Leaders Can Enable Change That Sticks
March 18, 1 - 2 pm, Positively Partners
Understanding The Role of Toxic Shame in Substance Use Disorders
March 25, 12 - 1:30 pm, NAADAC
Workforce Solutions Jam Series: Extending the Behavioral Health Workforce - Lived Experience as a Resource
April 21, 1 - 2 pm, National Council for Mental Wellbeing
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CLMHD CALENDAR
February
LGU Clinic Operators Call
February 10: 10 - 11 am
Mental Health Committee Meeting
February 12: 3 - 4 pm
CLMHD Office Closed - Presidents Day
February 16
Children & Families Committee Meeting
February 17: 12 - 1:30 pm
Membership Call
February 18: 9 - 10:30 am
Developmental Disabilities Committee Meeting
February 19: 1 - 2 pm
March
Executive Committee Meeting
March 4: 8 - 9 am
Mental Hygiene Planning Committee Meeting
March 5: 1 - 3 pm
LGU Clinic Operators Call
March 10: 10 - 11 am
Addiction Services & Recovery Committee Meeting
March 12: 11 am - 12 pm
Mental Health Committee Meeting
March 12: 3 - 4 pm
Children & Families Committee Meeting
March 17: 12 - 1:30 pm
Membership Call
March 18: 9 - 10:30 am
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