NEWS

 

MAY IS MENTAL HEALTH MONTH
  
For 60 years Mental Health America has asked public officials to proclaim May as mental health month. The agency has once again created a tool kit for mental health awareness activities, the toolkit is available on Mental Health America's Website . 

PMHCA CELEBRATES MAY 10 STIGMA AWARENESS DAY
 
The Pennsylvania Mental Health Consumers Association (PMHCA) is celebrating Stigma Awareness Day on May 10 at the Capitol Rotunda in Harrisburg at 10 a.m. The press conference will launch the "What Are You Thinking?" Documentary.

PACA MH/DS SOLICITS COMMENTS ON UNIFICATION PROPOSAL

Last week you received information regarding Governor Wolf's proposal to unify the Department or Human Services, Health, Aging and Drug and Alcohol Programs. The draft legislation and the draft organizational charts can be found here . There is a feedback form included in the notice and we encourage you to send in your observations. We are planning to submit comments regarding the proposal as an organization. If you have specific issues that you would like us to include please send them to Lucy Kitner at lkitner@pacounties.orgby Monday, May 15. Also, feel free to submit any questions and we will work to provide clarification. 

MHPA AMENDMENT PROPOSALS ABOUND
 
There are currently five bills in the General Assembly proposing to amend the Mental Health Procedures Act (MHPA). Two of the proposals seek to frame a means for assisted outpatient commitment and two seek to use the Act to involuntary examine and treat individuals with alcohol and other drug abuse disorders.One proposal seeks to expand the act to include individuals with substance use disorders. PACA MH/DS is following the proposed legislation and reaching out to other stakeholders regarding our position as the legislative process evolves. Here is a brief overview of each:

H.B. 713 - introduced by Representative Baker (R-68) on March 6, and referred to Appropriations after second consideration by the Health Committee. The bill would expand the scope of the MHPA to include the involuntary emergency examination and treatment for individuals disabled due to a substance use disorder. 

S.B. 391 - introduced by Senator Greenleaf (R-12) on February 28, and referred to Judiciary on the same day. The bill adds a new article to the MHPA for the involuntary examination and treatment of alcohol and other drug abuse.

H.B. 1233 - introduced by Representative Murt (R-152) on April 17 and referred to Human Services. The bill provides for assisted outpatient treatment.

S.B. 599 - introduced by Senator Greenleaf (R-12) on April 13 and referred to Health and Human Services. The bill provides for assisted outpatient treatment.

HB 449 - introduced by Representative Murt (R-152) on February 13 and referred to Judiciary. Bill would make the extend review period for emergency evaluation to include the past 30 days.

STATE BILL EXTENDS DEFINITION OF AT-RISK CHILDREN

Senate Bill 200, introduced by Camera Bartolotta (R-46) would require the tracking of children who have a parent that is at high risk for or diagnosed as having postpartum depression. The bill passed from the Health and Human Services and has had first consideration. 

OUTPATIENT PSYC OVERSIGHT BILL MOVES TO SENATE
 
Representative Pickett (R-110) sponsored the Outpatient Psychiatric Oversight Act to require a psychiatrist on site for two hours of psychiatric time per week for each full time treatment staff employed by the clinic. The bill provides for tele-psychiatry, but not as part of the required psychiatric time.The bill was introduced in February and passed over to the Senate in March where it is has been assigned to the Health and Human Services Committee.

PACA MH/DS JOINS OMHSAS INPATIENT WORK GROUPS

The Office of Mental Health and Substance Services (OMHSAS) kicked off their initiative to develop comprehensive inpatient regulations on April 6. These regulations will contain at least four distinct subchapters to address the provision of Inpatient, Extended Acute Care, Residential Treatment Facilities for Adults and Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities for individuals under age 21.  PACA MH/DS representatives on the four subcommittees are:

Extended Acute Care
Andy Grossman, Northampton County
Meredith Pickens, Bucks County

Inpatient
Michelle Henry, Centre County
Marianne Daniels, Mercer County Behavioral Health
Joe Korney, Behavioral Health Alliance of Rural Pennsylvania

Residential Adults
Donna Holiday, Delaware County

Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility for Individuals Under 21
Steven Jasper, Community Connections of Clearfield/Jefferson Counties
Megan Neugebauer, Juniata Behavioral and Developmental Services
Joe Korney, Behavioral Health Alliance of Rural Pennsylvania

HHS AWARDS GRANTS TO COMBAT OPIOID ADDICTION

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is funding $485 million in grants to states and territories to combat opioid addition. This is the first of two rounds of funding as provided for in the 21 st  Century Cures Act. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) will administer the funds through the State Targeted Response to the Opioid Crisis Grants. Pennsylvania's grant award is $26.5 million.

MHA NATIONAL CERTIFIED PEER SPECIALIST CREDENTIAL RELEASED

Mental Health America (MHA) has established a National Certified Peer Specialist Credential. The certification does not replace existing certifications or training, but builds on current standards to ensure peers can thrive. The Mental Health Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania is home to one of the approved training partners: The Institute for Recovery and Community Integration Peer Specialist Training. Details are available on the MHA Website.

ABLE ACT IMPROVEMENT BILLS INTRODUCED
 
As Pennsylvania announces the inauguration of Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) accounts, tax deferred savings accounts for individuals with disabilities, Congress considers changes to expand the program. Congress has three initiatives under consideration to improve the current law:

  • The ABLE Age Adjustment Act (H.R. 1874/S. 817) raises the eligibility age limit to individuals disabled before age 46
  • The ABLE Work Act (H.R. 1896/S. 818) increases the savings limit if the beneficiary works and earns income.
  • The ABLE Financial Planning Act (H.R. 1897/S .816) allows families to rollover college savings plans to an ABLE account.

NACBHDD SEEKS PILOT COUNTIES FOR DECARCERATION INITIATIVE

The National Association of County Behavioral Health and Developmental Disability Directors announced a special pilot project to promote the decarceration and full community integration of persons with mental illness and/or substance abuse use conditions incarcerated in city and county jails. The focus of the project is to improve the capacity of county behavioral health programs to prevent persons with these conditions from engaging or re-engaging with the police or correctional system. Eight pilot counties will have a mentor county and receive technical assistance for the yearlong pilot.  To express interest, contact Ron Manderscheid at rmanderscheid@nacbhd.org

AAIDD 141ST ANNUAL MEETING - PROMOTING HEALTH & WELLBEING
 
The American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities will hold their conference on June 26-29 in Hartford, Connecticut. Registration is $549 with discounts for members who register before June 1. Details are available at the AAIDD Website.

NACBH ANNUAL POLICY MEETING - NEXT GEN HEALTH CARE:  INTEGRATING CHILDREN'S BEHAVIORAL HEALTH IN 2017 AND BEYOND
 
The National Association for Children's Behavioral Health (NACBH) will hold the conference on Jun 14 and 15 in Baltimore Maryland. Details are available at the NACBH website. Registration is $985 with discounts for multiple registrants and members.
 
ODP WEBINARS FOR COUNTIES IN PREPARING FOR WAIVER IMPLEMENTATION
 
Administrative Entities need to register at myodp.org for the upcoming webinars. The webinars will provide critical information that will be helpful in preparing for the various changes in the waivers which will be effective, July, 1, 2017. Webinar schedule is:

May 9 - Auto Approval Rules, Auto Authorization Rules, AE Dashboard and ISP Approved Report
May 23 - Intake and Eligibility
June 13 - Waiver Renewals
June 27 - Quality Assurance and Improvement process
 
WEBINAR - IDEAL VERSUS REAL:  HOW DATA CAN DRIVE EMPLOYMENT SERVICE PRACTICES

The National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disability Services is presenting this free webinar. On May 18 from 3- 3:45, ThinkWork will present how data can inform and improve employment outcomes.  Register here: