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The NRI Newsletter is a bi-monthly publication offers news and events relevant to the public behavioral health system.
February 2, 2023

State & Federal | Research | Upcoming Events | Funding | Helpful Resources

SPOTLIGHT

New NRI State Profiles report: Financing Behavioral Health Crisis Services: 2022

States expended over $1 Billion supporting behavioral health crisis services in FY 2022. This is a substantial underestimate as only 36 states reported expenditures for crisis services.

State general funds and the SAMHSA Mental Health Block Grant (MHBG) were the most frequently used funding sources for all behavioral health crisis services. The MHBG includes a requirement that states spend at least 5% of the MHBG on Crisis Services, but many states are using additional MHBG funds above the 5% set-aside to support crisis services.  States are using the MHBG 5% set-aside to support 988/Lifeline crisis call centers (22 states), Other Call crisis call centers (19 states), Crisis Warm-lines (16 states), Mobile Crisis Teams (18 states), and less than 24-hour Crisis Receiving and Stabilization Programs (6 states). Note, many states are using their MHBG funds for multiple crisis service system components.
 
Medicaid is the other major funding source identified by states for funding crisis services, with Medicaid mostly supporting face-to-face crisis services such as Mobile Crisis Teams (29 states), Crisis Receiving and Stabilization Facility services (24 states) and Crisis Residential services (19 states). The Medicaid Rehabilitation option is the most frequently utilized Medicaid option supporting behavioral health crisis services. Medicaid is supporting behavioral health crisis call lines in 13 states, with the Medicaid Rehabilitation option being used by 5 states and managed care waivers such as 1115 waivers (3 states) and 1915(b) waivers (3 states) also being used by states to support crisis call centers. Nine states are supporting crisis warm lines with Medicaid funding. 
 
Guided by a Steering Committee of State Behavioral Health (SBHA) Agency Leaders, NRI has been compiling information about priority issues from all the state behavioral health agencies. The first 10 new Profiles reports were released in January and cover behavioral health crisis services, workforce shortages and training initiatives and state support for housing for individuals with mental illnesses.  Profiles reports are available at: www.nri-inc.org/profiles. State Mental Health Agency staff have access to detailed accompanying materials through the NRI’s State Profiles restricted access website. Please contact NRI at profiles@nri-inc.org with any questions or comments.
     

STATE AND FEDERAL

Connecticut's Health Horizon Initiative 

Connecticut Health Horizon is collaborative partnership between Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU), the Office of Workforce Strategy (OWS), multiple state agencies, the University of Connecticut (UConn), the Connecticut Conference of Independent Colleges (CCIC), and the Connecticut Hospital Association. The $35 million initiative seeks to address the state’s healthcare workforce shortage and is funded with federal American Rescue Plan Act money. The program includes three categories: tuition assistance, faculty support and innovative programs. Learn more.  

HHS Awards Nearly $245 Million to Support Youth Mental Health and Help the Health Care Workforce Meet Families’ Mental Health Needs

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) awarded nearly $245 million in Bipartisan Safer Communities Act funding – $185.7 million from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and nearly $60 million from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) – to support youth mental health, help the health care workforce address mental health needs, and fund other critical mental health supports. Read more.

SAMHSA Names New Director of the 988 & Behavioral Health Crisis Coordinating Office

Monica S. Johnson, M.A., LPC is the new Director of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) 988 & Behavioral Health Crisis Coordinating Office. Learn more.

RESEARCH

COVID-19 Pandemic Associated With Worse Mental Health and Accelerated Brain Development in Adolescents

A study supported by the National Institute of Mental Health suggests that adolescents living through the COVID-19 pandemic may be experiencing more anxiety and depression symptoms and accelerated brain aging. Read more.  

Buprenorphine Dispensing Rates to Youth With OUD Fell From 2015 to 2020

Despite the prevalence of adolescents and young adults with opioid use disorder (OUD), the proportion of youth aged 19 years or younger who received a prescription for buprenorphine fell by 45% between 2015 and 2020, according to a report published in Pediatrics. Read more.

Metabolic Side Effects of Antipsychotics Vary, Meta-Analysis Finds

When it comes to the risk of metabolic side effects, not all antipsychotics are equal, suggests a meta-analysis published in World Psychiatry. Read more.

Telehealth Options May Boost Number of Veterans Who Begin Treatment for Substance Use

Telehealth options may help increase the likelihood that veterans with substance use disorder (SUD) will initiate and stay in treatment, a study in the American Journal on Addictions has found. Read more.

NRI JOB OPENINGS


Senior Director of Consulting and Research Read full job description. 

Research Associate Read full job description.

To apply, please fill out the NRI Application, including salary expectations and submit along with your cover letter and resume to: careers@nri-inc.org
     

MEMBER HIGHLIGHT




Dr. Stephanie Woodard is member-at-large of the NRI Board of Directors. She is also the State Mental Health Authority and the Single State Authority for Substance Abuse.

UPCOMING
EVENTS

Feb 14: The Opioid Crisis: Disrupting the Status Quo with the HEALing Communities Study

Introduction to Serious Mental Illness

Implementing Tools for Symptom and Functional Assessment of Individuals with SMI

Using the Collaborative Care Model In Populations with Serious Mental Illness

Reentry Best Practices for Individuals with Substance Use Disorders

Foundational Competencies in Older Adult Mental Health Certificate Program

FUNDING

Healthy Transitions: Improving Life Trajectories for Youth and Young Adults with Serious Mental Disorders Program

Treatment for Individuals with Serious Mental Illness, Serious Emotional Disturbance or Co-Occurring Disorders Experiencing Homelessness Program

Minority Fellowship Program

HUD’s Continuum of Care Supplemental to Address Unsheltered and Rural Homelessness

Become a Buprenorphine Waivered Practitioner

HELPFUL RESOURCES


New Resource: Building and Sustaining Effective Behavioral Health Care for Older Adults

New from 988: Branded Photos, Holiday PSA and More

NASMHPD Annual 2022 Meeting Presentations & Videos

NRI’s Tobacco Cessation Resources

NRI State Profiling Systems - Public Reports

988 - Transforming Crisis Systems Resources

An Updated Rethinking Drinking Booklet and Website
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