DHHS' COVID-19 Website

Read more about Saint Patrick's Day

Benchmarks' Updates & Resource Page

Upcoming Benchmarks' Webinars Please align your calendars with the dates below. This Week: Benchmarks' Friday Membership Webinar Rhett Melton (Partners Behavioral)Joins Karen McLeod Date: Friday, March 19, 2021 Time:  8:30 am thru 9:30 am Register Here Benchmarks' Friday Membership Webinar Dave Richard Joins Karen McLeod Date: Friday, April 2, 2021 Time:  8:30 am thru 9:30 am Register Here New: Benchmarks' Child Welfare Webinar Lisa Cauley Joins Karen McLeod Date: April 8, 2021 Time: 8:00 am thru 9:00 am Register Here Benchmarks' Legislative Report Download Here

NCDHHS Launches Statewide Open Enrollment for NC Medicaid Managed Care NCDHHS announced today the launch of statewide open enrollment for NC Medicaid Managed Care. Beneficiaries can enroll through one of four channels: online, by calling the NC Medicaid Managed Care Call Center at 833-870-5500 (TTY: 833-870-5588), through the free NC Medicaid Managed Care mobile app available on Google Play or the App Store, or by using the mail-in forms sent to them in an enrollment packet. The NC Medicaid Managed Care website offers a wide variety of tools and resources to assist beneficiaries in choosing a primary care provider (PCP) and a health plan for their families’ care. Resources include frequently asked questions, a chat function, and the Medicaid and NC Health Choice Provider and Health Plan Lookup Tool. The Lookup Tool offers four categories of search capabilities, advanced search based on specialty and the ability to view all providers within an organization/location and by practice name. A variety of public communications will be utilized, including television and radio ads, web and social media to inform beneficiaries of the enrollment channels that are available through May 14, 2021, when open enrollment ends.

New Medicaid Bulletins, Special COVID Bulletins and Pharmacy Newsletter Published New Medicaid Bulletins Available   The NC Division of Health Benefits (DHB) has recently published new Medicaid Bulletin articles:  Medicaid Managed Care Provider Update Interim Process for Comprehensive Independent Assessment Entity Requests Cost of Dispensing Survey NCDHHS Launches Statewide Open Enrollment for NC Medicaid Managed Care NCDHHS announced today the launch of statewide open enrollment for NC Medicaid Managed Care    SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #160 and #161 Available   The NC Division of Health Benefits (DHB) has recently published two Medicaid Bulletin articles related to COVID-19:   SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #161: Billing for Administration of Monoclonal Antibodies The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued an Emergency Use Authorization for the unapproved products, bamlanivimab and etesevimab to be administered together for qualifying patients. Read more   SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #160: Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine HCPCS Code 91303 and 0031A Billing Guidelines Janssen COVID-19 vaccine is authorized for use under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for active immunization to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in individuals 18 years of age and older. Details     Providers are encouraged to review this information. All bulletin articles, including those related to COVID-19, are available on DHB's Medicaid Bulletin webpage.     March Pharmacy Newsletter Available   The latest Medicaid Pharmacy Newsletter, dated March 2021, is now available on the N.C. Medicaid website. In addition to the April 2021 checkwrite schedule, this edition of the newsletter includes the articles: Call Center Verification of Caller  Oral Contraceptive Coverage Extension Cost of Dispensing Survey   Providers are encouraged to review this important information. The 2021 Medicaid Pharmacy Newsletters can be viewed here.

Child welfare agencies spent little on prevention in 2018 A new report from Child Trends finds that child welfare agencies spent little on prevention in 2018, compared to their expenditures on other services and activities. The Child Welfare Financing Survey for state fiscal year (SFY) 2018 provides a national and state-by-state analysis of the composition of, and changes in, child welfare agency expenditures. State leaders can use the survey findings to understand how COVID-19, the passage of the Family First Prevention Services Act (Family First Act), and renewed mainstream attention to race equity may affect spending levels and priorities in the coming years.

Developing Transition Plans for Children and Youth Moving to Adoptive Homes Moving from being a child in foster care to an adopted member of the family is a transition that extends well past when the formal process is completed. It is a gradual process for all members of the family and requires careful consideration and planning to ensure that children and youth can smoothly adapt to their new permanency. Caseworkers and family members should work together to develop a plan to help the child or youth through the transition process. Child Welfare Information Gateway provides an important resource to help families navigate the transition: Helping Your Child Transition From Foster Care to Adoption. There are many ways adoptive parents can help their newly adopted child adjust. Some examples include creating "lifebooks" that feature important memories and people from a child's past, enlisting the support of significant attachment figures in the child's past to help ease the transition, or planning on how you will acknowledge all the questions a child or youth may have about the process, their history, and what it means to their identity. It can be challenging to navigate the process as children's reactions vary. Many children and youth wrestle with grief and loss and may need a helping hand to resolve these feelings and form new or strengthen existing attachments. There are many postadoption services and support networks that parents can utilize to give them the tools they need to support their children and themselves throughout the process. Read More

FCC Launches Emergency Broadband Benefit Program The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has launched an Emergency Broadband Benefit Program to help households struggling to pay for internet service during the pandemic. This new benefit will connect eligible households to jobs, critical healthcare services, and virtual classrooms. The Emergency Broadband Benefit will provide a discount of up to $50 per month towards broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute $10-$50 toward the purchase price. The Emergency Broadband Benefit is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per household. A household is eligible if one member of the household: Qualifies for the Lifeline program; Receives benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision, or did so in the 2019-2020 school year; Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year; Experienced a substantial loss of income since February 29, 2020, and the household had a total income in 2020 below $99,000 for single filers and $198,000 for joint filers; or Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating providers' existing low-income or COVID-19 program. The program has been authorized by the FCC, but the start date has not yet been established. The FCC is working to make the benefit available as quickly as possible. Please continue to check the program webpage for updates.

IEI Announces 2021 BAND-NC Broadband Grants The Institute for Emerging Issues (IEI) announces a new round of funding from BAND-NC, a grant program designed to increase the number of people with internet in their homes, with the goal of making the state “first in digital inclusion.”  The effort, in partnership with the Broadband Infrastructure Office at the NC Department of Information Technology, and with principal support from the John M. Belk Endowment, is addressing the digital divide across NC by providing $5,000 mini-grants to communities who want to implement digital inclusion plans, begin a digital inclusion planning process, or who are looking to meet immediate digital needs.  Learn more about NC-Band and apply before Friday, April 30th IEI and the Broadband Infrastructure Office will be hosting a BAND-NC informational webinar on Thursday, March 18 at 1:00 p.m. If you have questions about digital inclusion, BAND-NC and/or the application criteria, we encourage you to attend.   Register for the informational webinar on Thursday, March 18th

AAHD Launches COVID - 19 Vaccine Survey for Adults with Disabilities The American Association on Health and Disability (AAHD) is very concerned about the impact of COVID-19 on persons with disabilities and has launched a cross disability survey to look at vaccine hesitancy and access challenges people with disabilities are encountering. The objective of the COVID-19 and Vaccine Survey for Adults with Disabilities is to better understand the reasons adults with disabilities have or will take the vaccine, are not sure about taking the vaccine, or have decided not to take the vaccine. This information will be shared with the disability community, health and public health professionals, policymakers, and researchers.     The survey will be open from March 12, 2021, to March 26, 2021 at the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/COVID_Vaccination_Survey   The average completion time for the survey is less than 8 minutes. The survey asks a series of disability-specific and general questions about vaccine decisions. Please feel free to circulate the survey.   Alternate formats such as large print, Braille, or electronic versions of the survey are available upon request to [email protected]. For more information about the survey contact: Charles E. Drum, MPA, JD, PhD at [email protected] or (301) 545-6140, Extension 5.

A new resource: Advancing Wellbeing and Expanding Opportunities: Reframing Transition Age Foster Youth Those of us who work with and support transition age foster youth need new ways of communicating about challenges they face, their resilience in the face of adversity, and the opportunities we can provide when we support them effectively. By thinking about the stories we tell and the ways we tell them, we can offer up powerful alternatives to narratives that reinforce thinking about young people permanently damaged by their circumstances. A new strategic framing brief from the FrameWorks Institute offers a variety of ways to talk about transition age foster youth that simultaneously builds understanding about their needs while raising support for addressing them. View Report

Brain Awareness Week (March 15-21) Brain Awareness Week is the global campaign to foster public enthusiasm and support for brain science. Every March, partners host imaginative activities in their communities that share the wonders of the brain and the impact brain science has on our everyday lives. NIMH and the National Museum of Health and Medicine for a virtual Brain Awareness Day program on Friday, March 19!

The Teen Brain: 7 Things to Know This fact sheet outlines how a teenager’s brain grows, matures, and adapts to the world. It also presents information on the teen brain’s resiliency, vulnerability to stress and mental health conditions, and sleep patterns in teens.

Get Excited About the Brain! Coloring and Activity Book This science education activity book intended for children ages 8-12 years old helps them learn facts about the brain through games and puzzles about brain science and research.  Download the PDF or order your free print copy today!

Upcoming Events

Thursday, March 18, 2021 Advanced Hot Topics in Medicaid Transformation Time: 5:30 pm thru 6:30 pm   Register Here

Friday, March 19, 2021 Benchmarks' Friday Membership Webinar Rhett Melton Joins Karen McLeod Time:  8:30 am thru 9:30 am   Register Here

Friday, March 19, 2021 NC Medicaid's Move to Managed Care: What Health Care Advocates Need to Know Time:  12:00 pm thru 1:30 pm   Register Here

New: Friday, March 19, 2021 Moving Mindsets: The Public Imperative for Policy Change Time: 1:00 pm   Register Here

Friday, March 19, 2021 State-funded Community Living and Support I/DD and TBI Time: 2:00 pm thru 3:00 pm   Register Here

Monday, March 22, 2021 Reframing Childhood Adversity: Promoting Upstream Approaches  Time:  2:00 pm thru 3:30 pm   Register Here

Tuesday, March 23, 2021 Virtual Career Fair for Individuals with Disabilities Time:  9:00 am thru 4:00 pm   Register Here

Tuesday, March 23, 2021 Labor Trafficking in the US Time:  10:00 am thru 12:00 pm   Register Here

Thursday, March 23, 2021 IDD and Me, Understanding and Supporting Individuals with IDD Time:  2:00 pm thru 3:00 pm   Register Here

Wednesday, March 24, 2021 Are You Ready For Value-Based Reimbursement? An Executive Guide For Assessing Readiness In A Value-Based Market  Time:  10:00 am thru 11:15 am   Register Here

Wednesday, March 24, 2021 Partners Community Cafe' Occurs Monthly, Fourth Wednesday of the Month This Month's Topic: Medicaid Transformation-An Introductory Discussion Time:  10:00 am thru 11:00 am   Register Here

New: Wednesday, March 24, 2021 THE CONFIDENTIALITY OF SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER RECORDS COMPREHENSIVE OVERVIEW AND RECENT CHANGES The Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services is pleased to offer, in conjunction with UNC School of Government and the Governor’s Institute, free training on 42 CFR, the federal code specific to confidentiality of patient records for individuals with substance use disorders. The training will cover the current regulations, including recent changes. 3 Hours of CEUs are available for SUD professionals and there is no cost to participate.  Time:  12:30 pm thru 3:30 pm   Register Here

Wednesday, March 24, 2021 It's OK Not to Be OK: Physician Burnout and Mental Health  Time: 2:00 pm thru 3:00 pm   Register Here

Thursday, March 25, 2021 Federal Panel Discussion on Rural Health  Time: 12:00 pm thru 1:30 pm   Register Here

Friday, March 26, 2021 NC DHHS Supported Living Level 2 &3 STAKEHOLDERS MEETING Time: 2:30 pm thru 4:30 pm   Register Here

Tuesday, March 30, 2021 Rehabilitative or Habilitative: What is the Difference and How Does it Affect Services Time:  12:00 pm thru 1:00 pm   Register Here

New: Tuesday, March 30, 2021 Youth At-Risk of Homelessness (YARH2) Webinar Series Time:  1:00 pm thru 2:00 pm   Register Here

Tuesday, March 30, 2021 Police Interactions and Creating Positive Outcomes Time: 2:00 pm thru 3:00 pm   Register Here

Friday, April 2, 2021 Benchmarks' Friday Membership Webinar Dave Richard Joins Karen McLeod Time:  8:30 am thru 9:30 am   Register Here

Wednesday, April 7, 2021 Identifying Bias and Addressing Stigma in the Clinical Setting Time: 12:00 pm thru 1:00 pm These sessions are approved for continuing education credits for doctors, nurses, and social workers (live attendance only). The University of Vermont designates each session of this internet live activity for a maximum of: 1 AMA PRA Category 1 credit(s)TM: each physician should claim only those credits commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity; up to 1 Nursing Contact Hours; and  1 general continuing education credits for social workers completing this course 1 Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) Credit      Register Here

New: Thursday, April 8, 2021 Benchmarks' Child Welfare Webinar Lisa Cauley Joins Karen McLeod Time:  8:00 am thru 9:00 am   Register Here

Wednesday, April 21, 2021 Bridging The Gap From Data To Data-Driven Performance Time:  10:00 am thru 11:15 am   Register Here

April 28, 2021 The Ethics of Feedback within the Therapeutic Milieu  Time: 9:30 am thru 11:45 am   Register Here

Wednesday, April 28, 2021 Understanding the Harm Reduction Approach:  Principles and Practice Time: 12:00 pm thru 1:00 pm These sessions are approved for continuing education credits for doctors, nurses, and social workers (live attendance only). The University of Vermont designates each session of this internet live activity for a maximum of: 1 AMA PRA Category 1 credit(s)TM: each physician should claim only those credits commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity; up to 1 Nursing Contact Hours; and  1 general continuing education credits for social workers completing this course 1 Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) Credit      Register Here

Wednesday, May 26, 2021 Developing New VBP Services That Increase Quality & Decrease Service Costs  Time:  10:00 am thru 11:15 am   Register Here