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January 30, 2025

Attorney General James Secures $7.4 Billion from Purdue Pharma and the Sackler Family for Fueling the Opioid Crisis


New York Attorney General Letitia James last Thursday announced that a bipartisan coalition of states, and other parties led by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) have reached a $7.4 billion settlement in principle with members of the Sackler family and their company Purdue Pharma, Inc. (Purdue) for their instrumental role in creating the opioid crisis. Purdue, under the Sacklers’ leadership, invented, manufactured, and aggressively marketed opioid products for decades, fueling waves of addiction and overdose deaths across the country. The settlement ends the Sacklers’ control of Purdue and ability to sell opioids in the United States and will deliver funding directly to communities across the country over the next 15 years to support opioid addiction treatment, prevention, and recovery programs. The $7.4 billion settlement in principle, the nation’s largest settlement to date with individuals responsible for contributing to the opioid crisis, comes after the United States Supreme Court overturned a prior multistate settlement with the Sacklers and Purdue in June 2024. Read more here.

New York State Department of Health Launches State Medicaid Health Equity Regional Organization (HERO) Initiative


The New York State Department of Health last Friday announced the launch of the state's Health Equity Regional Organization (HERO), a core initiative under New York's current 1115 waiver amendment, approved by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in 2024. Establishing a HERO is part of the waiver amendment's multi-pronged approach to strengthen the integration of social services and health care delivery. United Hospital Fund (UHF) will coordinate HERO strategies with the goal to functionally bridge public health, social services and health care delivery. UHF will collaborate with the New York State Medicaid Program, healthcare providers, community stakeholders, and academic partners to understand effective regionally focused approaches to addressing the social needs of Medicaid beneficiaries, such as food insecurity, housing instability, and lack of transportation. Read more here.


Related: UHF to Lead Coordination of New York State Health Equity Regional Organization (HERO)

OPWDD Announces $850 Million Dollar Investment in New York’s Developmental Disability Service Providers


The New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities last week announced the release of updated reimbursement rates for non-profit residential and day service providers licensed by the New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD). The rates, included in the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 budget, are retroactive to July 1, 2024. With the new rates, providers will be able to offer more competitive wages for frontline workers, ensuring better retention and fewer staffing vacancies. The enacted Budget provided State resources to update provider reimbursement rates, a process known as rate rebasing, effective July 1. This State investment, combined with additional federal funding, will provide more than $400 million in new resources each year for OPWDD’s service providers. Rate rebasing is a federally required process where provider reimbursement rates are updated to reflect changes in the actual cost of delivering services. Read more here.

Insurers Failed to Comply With Mental Health Coverage Law, Department of Labor Report Finds


The U.S. Department of Labor found widespread noncompliance and violations of federal law in how health plans and insurers cover mental health care, findings that mirror a recent ProPublica investigation. Health plans, and the companies that administer them, have excluded key behavioral treatments, such as therapies for substance use and autism, and offered inadequate networks of mental health providers, according to a 142-page report released Jan. 17 in conjunction with the Treasury and Health and Human Services departments. The report, which the agencies are required to file regularly to Congress, also detailed the results of secret shopper surveys of more than 4,300 mental health providers listed in insurance directories and found an “alarming proportion” were “unresponsive or unreachable.” Such error-ridden plans, commonly known as ghost networks, make it harder for patients to get the treatment they need, ProPublica has previously found. Read more here.

Online Therapy Boom Has Mainly Benefited Privileged Groups, Studies Find


The number of Americans receiving psychotherapy increased by 30 percent during the pandemic, as virtual sessions replaced in-person appointments — but new research dampens the hope that technology will make mental health care more available to the neediest populations. In fact, the researchers found, the shift to teletherapy has exacerbated existing disparities. The increase in psychotherapy has occurred among groups that already enjoyed more access: people in higher-income brackets, living in cities, with steady employment and more education, researchers found in a series of studies, the most recent of which was  published Wednesday in The American Journal of Psychiatry. Among those who have not benefited from the boom, the team found, are children from low-income families, Black children and adolescents, and adults with “serious psychological distress.” Read more here.


Related: New York ranked fourth in access to healthcare professionals, study finds

Crisis Care in Crisis: New Report Reveals Escalating Workforce Shortages


Research shows that mental health care is critical for overall health, with a recent study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association finding that mental health treatment significantly reduces readmission of patients who’d been hospitalized for heart failure and ischemic heart disorders by 75%. Yet, the mental health workforce is shrinking. A new report reveals that states are facing critical behavioral health workforce shortages, particularly in crisis services. The report, authored by the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors Research Institute, known by its acronym NRI, surveyed 44 states on their workforce shortages, providing insight into how different parts of the crisis system have been affected, from call centers to mobile crisis and crisis stabilization programs. Read more here.


Related: Crisis Services Struggle to Meet Increased Need Generated From Launch of 988

Researchers Track Sharp Increase in Diagnoses for Sedative, Hypnotic and Anxiety Use Disorder in Young Adults


The prevalence of diagnosed disorders from recurrent use of sedative, hypnotic and antianxiety medications in adolescents and young adults has increased sharply since 2001, according to Rutgers Health researchers. Their study, published in Addiction, examined diagnoses of these disorders in adolescents and young adults between 2001 to 2019. Sedative, hypnotic and antianxiety medications are used to treat a variety of conditions, including sleep and anxiety disorders. According to Harvard Health, consistent use of these drugs can lead to a higher tolerance for their effects, meaning patients require higher doses to achieve the intended effects. For some, a problematic pattern of use of these medications can lead to significant impairment and distress. When this happens, patients may be diagnosed with sedative, hypnotic or anxiolytic use disorders, which are estimated to impact 2.2 million Americans, according to data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Read more here.



ALBANY/SCHENECTADY/SARATOGA: Safe Options Support Program Focuses On Rise In Capital Region Homelessness


ALBANY: Youth mental health facilities reopen in Albany


BROOME: Women housed at Broome County Jail find healing through music


BROOME: Alliance for Rights and Recovery hosts forum, prepares for Legislative Day 2025


CORTLAND: CARS, Cayuga Health open opioid treatment program in Cortland


DELAWARE: Delaware County expanding mental health budget for hospitalized inmates


DUTCHESS: Astor seeks to prevent out-of-home treatment for kids


FINGER LAKES: Finger Lakes Community Health and Mosaic Health Consider Joining Forces


MONROE: The Respite Place gives mental health professionals a space to rest and relax


MONROE: After surge in homelessness, shelters face a new count of unhoused populations


NORTH COUNTRY: Point in Time survey finds homelessness increasing in the North Country


NYC: New pharma opioid settlement funds will bolster harm reduction, treatment in New York City, officials say 


NYC: NYC Council Votes to Expand School-Based Mental Health Support for Students as Next Part of Its Mental Health Roadmap


NYC: As Number of Homeless Students in NYC Hits Record High, Advocates Call for Community Help


OTSEGO: Otsego County to install Narcan vending machines


PUTNAM: Mahopac Schools endorse threat assessment plan


STEUBEN: Steuben County launches overdose tracking dashboard


SULLIVAN: Governor Hochul and Senator Schumer Announce First-of-Its-Kind Children’s Specialty Hospital in New York State for Children With Complex Disabilities Now Open Under the Center for Discovery


TOMPKINS: The Sophie Fund aims mental health and suicide prevention initiative at schools


WESTERN NY: BestSelf's WNY opioid hotline achieves lifesaving milestones

CSG Justice Center: New York Criminal Justice Data Snapshot - 2025


JAMA: Brain Function Outcomes of Recent and Lifetime Cannabis Use


Evaluating Partnerships Between Faith Communities and the Mental Health Sector


SAMHSA: National Guidance on Essential Specialty Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Care


Universal suicide screening crucial for children with developmental disorders


Zero Overdose Partners with Verity Health to Enhance Overdose Prevention and Safety Planning


Collaborative Solutions for a Brighter Future: A New Report Explores State-Level Student Mental Health Initiatives

UPCOMING EVENTS & TRAININGS


Funding Opportunities for Your Community in 2025: Corrections, Community Corrections, and Reentry

January 30, 3 - 4 pm, BJA


Funding Opportunities for Your Community in 2025: Law Enforcement

February 4, 3 - 4 pm, BJA


When clinicians become family caregivers

February 5, 2 - 3 pm, Camden Coalition


Funding Opportunities for Your Community in 2025: Behavioral Health

February 5, 3 - 4 pm, BJA


FREE Getting the Grant Workshop - In-Person - Ithaca, NY

February 6, 8 am - 4 pm, Appalachian Regional Commission


Funding Opportunities for Your Community in 2025: Community-Based Organizations

February 6, 3 - 4 pm, BJA


Financing Strategies for Community-Based Organizations

February 6, 4 - 5 pm, SAMHSA


Key Considerations in Supporting Parents with Intellectual Disabilities and Specific Learning Disabilities

February 11, 10 - 11:30 am, TTAC


Navigating Concerns on Youth Crime, Violence, and Behavioral Health: 3 Steps to Take Series

February 11, 2 - 3 pm, CSG Justice Center


Trans 101: Creating a Safe and Affirming Environment for Transgender Consumers

February 11, 2 - 3:30 pm, NYSOMH


The Power of Collaboration: Aligning Perspectives to Build with Purpose

February 11, 2 - 3 pm, Behavioral Health Business


Supporting African Americans in Treatment and Recovery: Medications for Alcohol Use Disorder (MAUD)

February 13, 3 - 4 pm, PCSS


Providing Quality Treatment Programming: What It Means to Ensure Fidelity to the Treatment Model

February 18, 2 - 3:30 pm, SAMSA's GAINS Center


Wellness and Resilience in Rural Communities: An Overview of Rural Minds

February 19, 12 - 1 pm, OMH/SPCNY


Overcoming Workforce Challenges in Behavioral Health Care

February 26, 1 - 2 pm, National Council for Mental Wellbeing


Justice Center Code of Conduct Train-the-Trainer Session

February 26, 1 - 4 pm, Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs


Conducting Cultural Assessments: Engaging and Providing Treatment for Justice-Involved Individuals from BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ Communities

February 26, 3 - 4:30 pm, NAADAC


Forging Partnerships Between Schools and the Crisis-Coordinated System of Care

February 27, 2 - 3 pm, SAMHSA


Youth and the Legalization of Marijuana

March 12, 3 - 4:30 pm, NAADAC


Justice Center Code of Conduct Train-the-Trainer Session

March 26, 1 - 4 pm, Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs


Sequential Intercept Model (SIM) of Peer Support in Criminal Justice

March 26, 3 - 4:30 pm, NAADAC


New York State Behavioral Health Tobacco Summit

April 2, 9 - 4:30 pm, NYSOMH/NAMI-NYS

GRANTS/FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES


Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA)


HRSA Health Workforce


NYS Grants Gateway


NY Health Foundation


OASAS Procurements


OMH Procurements


OPWDD Procurements


Rural Health Information Hub - New York


Better Grants Better Service (BGBS) | Rural Development (usda.gov)


SAMHSA Grants Dashboard


Veterans Affairs

CLMHD CALENDAR


FEBRUARY


CLMHD Executive Committee Meeting

February 5: 8 - 9 am


AOT Coordinators Call

February 7: 10 - 11:30 am


LGU Clinic Operators Call

February 11: 10 - 11 am


LGU Billing Staff Call

February 11: 11 am - 12 pm


Addiction Services & Supports (ASR) Committee Meeting

February 13: 11 am - 12 pm


Mental Health Committee Meeting

February 13: 3 - 4 pm


CLMHD Office Closed - Presidents' Day

February 17


Children & Families Committee Meeting

February 18: 11:30 am - 1 pm


Membership Call

February 19: 9 - 10:30 am


Developmental Disabilities Committee Meeting

February 20: 1 - 2 pm

Links to State Guidance and Updates on COVID-19


NYS Coronavirus Vaccination Information

The Conference of Local Mental Hygiene Directors advances public policies and awareness for people with mental illness, chemical dependency and developmental disabilities. We are a statewide membership organization that consists of the Commissioner/ Director of each of the state's 57 county mental hygiene departments and the mental hygiene department of the City of New York.

Affiliated with the NYS Association of Counties (NYSAC)
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