Medicaid Transformation Gets 1115 Waiver Approval
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NC DHHS announced on October 24th that the 1115 Medicaid waiver application has been approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services (CMS). This approval was a major hurdle to overcome and now almost guarantees the timeline that NC DHHS had set for implementation going forward.
The approved waiver includes the BH/IDD Tailored Plans and behavioral health homes for Medicaid beneficiaries with high BH/IDD needs. Behavioral health homes are aligned with the Advanced Medical Home care coordination model. Further, there is a Healthy Opportunities pilot included in the waiver and authority for NC DHHS to implement new flexibilities that allow for treatment of substance use disorder in institutions of mental disease (IMDs) as another mechanism to fight the opioid epidemic. The overarching vision is to create whole person care that focuses on physical and behavioral health and I/DD needs as well as on Social Determinants of Health.
Need to get ready for the Waiver?
Attend the
Dec. 4th in Pinehurst - cost $125
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i2i Center Focuses on System of Care for Children's MH Services
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i2i Center is working in conjunction with the NC Division of MH/IDD/SAS to provide educational and informational materials and training on State and federal initiatives to System of Care Coordinators and Lead Family Partners for child and adolescent mental health services. Medicaid Transformation, the restructure of the North Carolina social service and child welfare system, passage of the Juvenile Justice Reinvestment Act (the law that raises the age for an individual to be considered an adult in the justice system), and recent national legislation on child welfare and social services that will reform those federal funding streams are all key initiatives that will have a tremendous impact on children's mental health services. These initiatives will be included in the materials and training that i2i Center provides.
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Child Welfare and Social Services Preliminary Reform Plans
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For several years, North Carolina has undergone an evaluation that resulted in the development of an improvement plan for its child welfare and social service structures. In 2017, the General Assembly passed State Law 2017-41 that created a legislative Social Services Regional Supervision and Collaboration Work Group and also called for a consultant firm to recommend needed changes in the system.
Most recently The Center for the Support of Families, completed the "Preliminary Reform Plans", including many draft recommendations to revamp the social service and child welfare systems. These proposed plans have already been presented to the legislative work group and are now a part of a larger cadre of discussions, plans, and proposals to reform the social services and child welfare systems. Ultimately, the General Assembly will consider and act on the recommendations of their legislative work group, and NC DHHS will move forward accordingly using all of the information developed.
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Cross System Navigation Advisory Group Begins Work
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A diverse group of 15 individuals participated, representing organizations ranging from state Medicaid agencies to LME-MCOs to family organizations. The guest subject matter expert, Barbara Brent, Director of State Policy at the National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services (NASDDDS), gave a presentation entitled, "The National Landscape: Navigating with Voice & Choice Across Systems." She reviewed national trends regarding Managed Long-Term Services & Supports (MLTSS), challenges states have faced, challenges of serving people with I/DD in what has (until recently) been a medically based model, and CMS rules and regulations that are affecting states as they transition to managed care.
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NC Receives $33 Million in Federal Grants
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The NC Department of Health and Human Services was awarded a $23 million grant to target opioid use disorder prevention and treatment. The grant is from the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The federal agencies awarded approximately $1 billion in grant funding to 57 agencies, including state agencies and U.S. territories. North Carolina has an Opioid Action Plan in place for 2017- 2021.
HRSA also awarded a little over $10 million to 36 of North Carolina's community health centers (CHCs) to expand access to behavioral health (mental health and substance use disorder) services, the NC Community Health Centers Association announced.
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Sponsored News
Monarch Awarded $1.6M Federal Grant to Expand Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Services in Stanly County
This grant will assist Monarch in establishing a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) to focus on mental health and substance use disorder needs in Stanly County, ensuring integration of care with primary care physicians through use of care coordination. The newly implemented CCBHC services are expected to begin in October.
Over the next two years Monarch estimates it will serve over 2,000 adults and children with serious mental illness, emotional disturbance, long-term chronic addiction, mild or moderate mental illness and substance use disorders, as well as complex health conditions. Monarch's newly established CCBHC will be located at the current behavioral health outpatient office at 350 Pee Dee Ave., Albemarle.
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Sponsored News
Autism Society NC Conference Reschedule for November 16th
The Autism Society of North Carolina's fall conference - Giving a Voice to People with Autism, by Tracy Vail, MS, SLP - has been rescheduled to Friday, November 16. The third annual fall conference will be held at the Odeon Theater at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex.
Join us to learn:
- How to select the most appropriate form of communication to match the individual needs of each learner
- Research-based strategies for teaching communication
- How to use some of the more popular speech-generating devices and applications
The conference will also feature:
- Morning coffee and lunch
- Opportunities to speak with Autism Society of NC staff
- Chance to network with area families affected by autism
- ASNC Bookstore
Ms. Vail brings more than 30 years of experience in working with individuals on the autism spectrum to the conference.
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REGISTER TODAY!
Early Bird Ends 10/31
Dec. 5-7, Pinehurst
Provider Success Symposium
December 4th
Over 800 Attend!
Deadline 11/2
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