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April 29, 2022

In This Issue:


What's New:

Don't Miss These Headlines:

Learning Opportunities:
 
Resource Roundup: 

Find current funding opportunity announcements

Explore opportunities on NASMHPD's Job Board

988 Implementation Guidance Playbooks

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), in co-sponsorship with NASMHPD, convened with national partners across critical working sectors involved with 988 to help advance 988 planning efforts at the state and local levels. These national-level meetings brought together states, territories, and tribes; crisis contact centers; public safety answering points; and behavioral health providers to exchange resources and best practices for facilitating the 988 transition.

SAMHSA also collaborated with these national partners to create playbooks and other guidance documents to assess and improve the operational readiness of these critical groups to support implementation of 988. 

The following are the links to the individual playbooks:

To drive unified national communication about 988, SAMHSA is adding more communication materials and products to its 988 Partner Toolkit, including logo and brand guidelines, radio PSA scripts, and a sample e-newsletter. As the transition to 988 in July approaches, SAMHSA will add more 988 tools and resources, like short, shareable videos and sample social media posts to support partner communication planning efforts. These are available on the SAMHSA 988 web page.

Lindsey Browning on Bridging the Gap Between Medicaid and Behavioral Health


Across state agencies, people speak different languages. It can be a hindrance to cross-sectoral collaboration between Medicaid and offices of behavioral health, says Lindsey Browning, program director at the National Association of Medicaid Directors. "There’s sometimes a hesitancy, on both sides, to step into each other’s world and get the language wrong," she notes. In addition, the focus in behavioral health is often on specific programs and initiatives, while in Medicaid, it’s populations and coverage. As states prepare for 988, Browning says bridging the cultural and language gap between Medicaid and behavioral health is a critical component. Despite their differences, the two agencies have a common goal: helping people get the care they need. "This helps ground the partnership and can help overcome potential cultural or language differences," she says. Browning shares the latest Medicaid funding opportunities and steps for building a robust partnership. Read the April 20 #CrisisTalk

 

Tony Sanchez Says States Must Eliminate Peer Support Specialist Employment Barriers


With 988 going "live" on July 16, Tony Sanchez says federal, state, and local leaders must examine existing policies to determine which might contradict and create hurdles for 988 implementations. Employment barriers present challenges for people in recovery and for expanding the behavioral health peer workforce. "These policies were created by people who don't have lived experience," he says. "And they don’t understand the adverse impacts these policies continue to have on the very people 988 is designed to help." Sanchez is the director of Partnerships at Faces and Voices of Recovery and the former director of the Office of Recovery Transformation at Georgia’s Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities. Read the April 27 #CrisisTalk.


Want to Talk More About Crisis?

Join the 988 Crisis Jam Learning Community!
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) 988 Crisis Jam Learning Community, powered by Crisis Now, takes place each Wednesday at noon eastern on Zoom! Join SAMHSA, the more than 50 national organizations, and all 50 states taking part in these weekly crisis jam sessions. Sign up for weekly reminders and the #CrisisTalk newsletter.
Add the 988 Crisis Jam Learning Community to your calendar
Access the
Zoom link now

NASMHPD Welcomes New Commissioners
NASMHPD extends a warm welcome to the following new commissioners, who were recently appointed:
 
Lisa Burgess, M.D.
Acting Deputy Secretary, Maryland's Behavioral Health Administration

Sarah Squirrell
Acting Director, Maine's Office of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services

State Spotlight: Illinois Division of Mental Health CRSS Success Program

The Illinois Department of Human Services Division of Mental Health has awarded $4 million in grant funds to eleven post-secondary educational institutes to fund the Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) Success program. The CRSS Success Program provides post-secondary education for up to 600 individuals with lived experience of mental health or substance use recovery to enter the behavioral health workforce. The CRSS Success program prepares students for entry-level positions in a variety of capacities, such as inpatient and outpatient mental health and substance use treatment services, mobile crisis teams, and recovery homes. Students in the program will receive full funding to overcome practical barriers to success, including tuition, textbook costs, application fees, childcare, and transportation. Program participants will be prepared to sit for one of two certification exams through the Illinois Certification Board—Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) or Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS)—to further pursue their careers in behavioral health. Learn more here. Contact Nanette Larson, Deputy Director of the IL Division of Mental Health for additional information.

NASMHPD and Vibrant Emotional Health Release States’ Options and Choices in Financing 988 and Crisis Services Systems
This 988 paper examines the planning process and operational readiness for the Lifeline. The crisis services continuum section describes, in detail, funding options including phone bill fees, Medicaid, Medicare, philanthropy, and insurance parity enforcement while emphasizing the importance of sustainability. It makes recommendations such as finding new partners to support financing plans, knowing who has the real budget power in the state, briefing the Governor and legislators so they are prepared to answer questions, and making your Assistant Attorney General and Medicaid your new friends. State-by-state summaries provide insight into the states’ creativity in financing their systems.
                 

HHS Awards Nearly $105 Million to States and Territories to Strengthen Crisis Call Center Services in Advance of July Transition to 988

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through its Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), is awarding nearly $105 million in grant funding, provided by the American Rescue Plan, to 54 states and territories in advance of the transition of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline from the current 10-digit number to the 988 three-digit dialing code in July. Strengthening our crisis care infrastructure is a core priority of President Biden’s Mental Health Strategy, which he announced at the State of the Union as part of his national Unity Agenda. Improving 988 readiness and responsiveness is a critical step to realizing this objective.

States and territories are expected to use the funds to improve response rates, increase capacity to meet future demand, and ensure calls initiated in their states or territories are first routed to local, regional, or state crisis call centers.  Award recipients may also use the funds to build the workforce necessary for enhancing local text and chat responses. These grants, along with other recent funding from the administration, represent a 40-fold increase in federal support of the Lifeline over the past four years. With states at varying degrees of operational readiness, the success of 988 now rests heavily on the willingness of state, territorial, and local leaders to make additional investments in shoring up the crisis care continuum. Read the full announcement here.

988 - Transforming Crisis Systems Resources
NASMHPD has developed a 988 crisis resource landing page and will continue to identify key resources. These resources support state and territorial mental/behavioral health authorities and key stakeholders in implementing and strengthening 988 crisis service systems. 

Resources:

Draft Recommendation Statement and Draft Evidence Review: Screening for Anxiety in Children and Adolescents
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force seeks comments on a draft recommendation statement and draft evidence review on screening for anxiety in children and adolescents. The Task Force determined that screening can help identify anxiety in children eight and older. More research is needed to recommend for or against screening in younger children. The draft recommendation statement and draft evidence review are available for review and public comment from April 12, 2022 to May 9, 2022 here.

Division Spotlight: Finance Policy Division and Forensic Division Collaboration on Presentation on Decriminalization of Mental Illness

On April 7, 2022, the NASMHPD Forensic Division and Finance-Policy Division held a joint meeting to discuss forensic system diversion efforts as part of a larger initiative to decriminalize mental illness. The meeting featured work in three states and was followed by questions and a cross-division discussion. The presenters included:

  • Jennie M. Simpson, Ph.D., Associate Commissioner, State Forensic Director and Felix Torres, MD, MBA, DFAPA, CCHP-MH, Chief of Forensic Medicine – Texas Health and Human Services Commission’s Health and Specialty Care System’s State Hospital System.
  • Debra Baeder, Ph.D, ABPP, Director of Clinical Services – Maine Office of Behavioral Health
  • Katherine Warburton, D.O., Medical Director of the California Department of State Hospital
View the recording by clicking the image below.

State-Level Barriers and Facilitators to IPS Implementation
This IPS employment center brief outlines findings from a 2019 national survey of state mental health and vocational rehabilitation (VR) leaders to help state leaders to identify common barriers and facilitators to implementing IPS supported employment and strategies to overcome the barriers, leading to successful implementation, maintenance, and growth of IPS programs. This brief also examines whether these issues differ among states and counties that have joined the IPS Learning Community, states implementing IPS, but not part of the learning community, and states that have no IPS services. Read the full issue brief here.

 
The team at the IPS Employment Center has defined the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) approach to supported employment. The center’s activities focus on employment for people with serious mental illnesses. The center offers training, educational materials, and consultation services. Learn more about training available through the IPS Employment Center.

NASMHPD Annual 2021 Meeting Session Recap:
Crisis Services Response for IDD and Other Special Populations

 
The NASMHPD Annual 2021 Meeting Session, "Crisis Services Response for IDD and Other Special Populations", discussed crisis services, treatment, and targeted services for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Presenters included Debra A. Pinals, M.D., Chair, Medical Directors Division, NASMHPD Medical Director, Behavioral Health and Forensic Programs Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Director, Program of Psychiatry, Law and Ethics University of Michigan, Wendy D. Bailey, Director, Mississippi Department of Mental Health, and Mary P. Sowers, Executive Director, National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services.

Don't Miss These Headlines

 

How Communities Must Use 988 to Improve Care and Correct Crisis System Disparities
S. Hepburn and M. Hogan | Think Bigger Do Good

Trends in Prevalence of Cigarette Smoking Among US Adults with Major Depression or Substance Use Disorders, 2006-2019
Han et al. | JAMA

Factors Associated with Bullying Victimization and Bullying Perpetration in Children and Adolescents With ADHD: 2016 to 2017 National Survey of Children’s Health
Butinza et al. | Journal of Attention Disorders

Evaluation of Suicides Among US Adolescents During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Charpignon et al. | JAMA Pediatrics

Policy Stringency and Mental Health During the Covid-19 Pandemic: A Longitudinal Analysis of Data from 15 Countries
Aknin et al. | The Lancet Public Health

Temporal Trends in Associations Between Severe Mental Illness and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Lambert et al. | PLOS Medicine

Learning Opportunities
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Virtual Workshop: Responding to the Current Youth Mental Health Crisis and Preventing the Next One
Register here
Date: May 2, 2022 at 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm Eastern, May 4, 2022 at 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm Eastern, and May 9, 2022 at 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm Eastern
 
This Mental Health Awareness Month, the Forum for Children’s Well-Being will host a virtual workshop focused on the promotion of positive mental health in children and youth. Over the course of three days—May 2, 4, and 9—the Forum will bring together expert presentations, lived experience perspectives, and community-level strategies for responding to the current youth mental health crisis and preventing the next one. Including a conversation with U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy on a paradigm shift towards promotion and prevention in mental health.
Older Adult Behavioral Health 101
Register here
Date: May 4, 2022 at 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm Eastern
 
Due to medical, public health, and social efforts, more and more Americans are living to old age. Older generations are healthier, better educated, and more psychologically- minded, allowing unique opportunities for mental health professionals. The E4 Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Disparities in Aging presents this webinar on the knowledge that every mental health clinician needs to work effectively with older adults. This webinar is sponsored by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Division of Behavioral Health, and the University of Nebraska Public Policy Center
National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day 2022: Peer Support for Youth and Families
Register here
Date: May 5, 2022 at 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Eastern

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is sponsoring an event commemorating child and youth mental health and honoring youth and family peer support. Featured Speakers include Miriam Delphin-Rittmon, Ph.D., Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use, Hugh Davis, Executive Director, Wisconsin Family Ties, and Johanna Bergen, Executive Director, Youth MOVE National. Remarks by Dr. Anita Everett, Director, Center for Mental Health Services, and Melinda J. Baldwin, Ph.D., Director, Division of Prevention, Traumatic Stress, and Special Program. The Event Emcee will be Gary M. Blau, Ph.D., Senior Advisor for Children, Youth and Families. 
Transformation Transfer Initiative (TTI) Information Exchange Recording- The Roots of Tribal Relations
Part One Recording
Part Two Recording

In part one, American Indian and Alaskan Native (AI/AN) national behavioral health subject matter experts, Andy Hunt and Dolores Jimerson discussed and examined ways states may work with tribal and Urban Indian communities and behavioral health systems, sharing their expertise on how to successfully connect and build trust as states/territories plan for 988 implementation and the expansion of crisis services. In part two, Mr. Hunt and Ms. Jimerson answered specific questions and listened to your thoughts on how your crisis services array and 988-readiness intersect with tribal and other indigenous communities, whether on reservations or in urban centers. As all states/territories seek to appropriately engage and elevate the voices of Tribes and urban Indigenous people in your states, this is your opportunity to share steps, ideas, challenges, and new discoveries in building an inclusive and equitable behavioral health continuum. 
Using Evidence-Based Tools to Improve Clinical Care of Early Psychosis
Register here
Date: May 6, 2022 at 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm Eastern

Hosted by the MHTTC Network, in collaboration with the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), the Early Psychosis Intervention Network (EPINET), Psychosis-Risk and Early Psychosis Program Network (PEPPNET), and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the webinar is for providers who support individuals in coordinated specialty care clinics and environments. This webinar will introduce clinicians to the Core Assessment Battery (CAB), and WebCAB, and discuss how even a subset of these measures can help enhance clinical interactions with clients and foster shared decision making. Staff from early psychosis programs in Texas will discuss their experience with collecting CAB measures, how to incorporate evidence-based measures into routine clinical practice, and the use of these measures as a part of quality improvement initiatives among early psychosis teams.
National Prevention Week and SAMHSA’s Prevention Day 2022
Register here
Date: May 8-14, 2022

National Prevention Week (NPW) is a national public education platform bringing together communities and organizations to raise awareness about the importance of substance use prevention and positive mental health. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration's (SAMHSA) Prevention Day will take place on Monday, May 9, and it will be delivered virtually through an interactive online conference platform. Hear from prevention leaders; learn about the latest developments in the areas of mental illness and substance abuse prevention, treatment, and recovery; network with other practitioners; and sharpen your skills.
Parenting with Co-Occurring Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities
Register here
Date: May 10, 2022 at 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm Eastern

Last summer, the Center for Accessible Living and the Advocado Press in Louisville, Kentucky, published “A Celebration of Family: Stories of Parents with Disabilities.” The book contains 30 stories of families in which one or both parents have disabilities. This webinar is hosted by the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities National Training Center (MHDD-NTC) and will focus on the experiences of parents and families who have lived experiences with co-occurring mental health and developmental disabilities. 
NTTAC System of Care Strategy Virtual Summit - A Journey Together: Redefining Our Approach to a System of Care
Register here
Date: May 10-11, 2022
 
The National Center for Training and Technical Assistance on Child, Youth, and Family Mental Health (NTTAC) is pleased to announce a no-cost System of Care Strategy Summit on May 11, 2022 for all children's mental health advocates. This event is preceded by a half day System of Care/CMHI grantee pre-meeting on May 10, 2022 for SAMHSA-funded SOC/CMHI grantees. The System of Care Strategy Summit is an opportunity for all children’s mental health partners to come together to renew and re-energize their efforts to support children and young people with behavioral health needs, as well as their caregivers. Please join us to collaboratively envision the future of mental health care for children, youth, and their families.
Integrated Illness Management and Recovery (I-IMR) and Helping Older People Experience Success (HOPES)
Register here
Date: May 13, 2022 at 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm Eastern
 
Join the E4 Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Disparities in Aging for the third and final part of this Evidence-Based Practice Series. Integrated Illness Management and Recovery (I-IMR) is a self-management program for adults with serious mental illness and chronic medical conditions. Built on the Illness Management and Recovery Program, I-IMR includes psycho-education, cognitive-behavioral interventions for treatment adherence and relapse prevention, along with social skills training. Helping Older People Experience Success (HOPES) is a community-based intervention for older adults with serious mental illness that provides skills for social interaction, living in the community, and health promotion.
Older Adult Mental Health Awareness Day Symposium
Register here
Date: May 16, 2022

Mental health is critical to well-being at every age. Join a free virtual event on May 16 that will empower professionals with the latest tools to improve the lives of older adults in their communities. The all-day symposium is sponsored by the National Council on Aging, U.S. Administration for Community Living, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Health Resources and Services Administration, and E4 Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Disparities in Aging.
Justice Briefing Live: Responding to Homelessness: Effective Strategies for Law Enforcement and Community Partners
Register here
Date: May 24, 2022 at 2:00 pm - 3:15 pm Eastern

Join the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) and The Council of State Governments (CSG) Justice Center for a virtual event, Responding to Homelessness: Effective Strategies for Law Enforcement and Community Partners.  Featuring BJA Director Karhlton Moore and U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Jeff Olivet, the event will explore practical strategies communities across the U.S. are using to build and strengthen police-mental health collaborations. It will also feature discussions on how these efforts can help communities provide people experiencing homelessness and who have behavioral health needs with vital connections to housing and supportive services.

Resource Roundup
988 FAQs on Telecom Industry’s Concerns about a 988 Fee. NASMHPD and Vibrant Emotional Health, the administrator of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL), have released a document, FAQs about 988: a Small Price for Strengthening Suicide Prevention, Crisis Response, and Care. The goal is to answer common 988 questions and to address some of the concerns being raised by the telecommunication industry in states with pending 988 legislation.
States' Experiences in Legislating 988 and Crisis Services Systems. In partnership with Vibrant Emotional Health, NASMHPD has released a new report to provide information on states’ 988 and crisis services legislative experiences. The report includes a summary of states’ 988 legislative process through January of 2022; methods of financing noted in some states’ legislation or fiscal note; obstacles encountered when attempting to legislate sustainable funding sources for their crisis systems; and the interface between 988 and 911 systems.
988 Model Legislation. A 988 Model Bill for Core State Behavioral Health Crisis Services Systems (revised: February 2022; original draft: April 2021) was developed by NASMHPD to provide a template to states in developing 988 legislation.
Ready to Respond: Mental Health Beyond Crisis and COVID-19. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released ongoing resources to help mental health system leaders and providers deliver needed support services and establish integrated programs that continue to build out a robust mental health continuum of care. With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the pre-pandemic rising suicide rates, the opioid crisis and numerous challenges in meeting demands for mental health services across the country, the 2021 Compendium of Ready to Respond: Mental Health Beyond Crisis and COVID-19, comes at a critical time.
SAMHSA Resource: Crisis Services: Meeting Needs, Saving Lives. This SAMHSA resource, Crisis Services: Meeting Needs, Saving Lives, is composed of SAMHSA’s National Guidelines for Behavioral Health Crisis Care: Best Practice Toolkit and related papers on crisis services.
Visit the SMI Adviser website for evidence-based education, consultation, and resources on serious mental illness (SMI). Request a free clinician-to-clinician consultation. Access dozens of online courses and earn free continuing education credits. Learn about the My Mental Health Crisis Plan app. See data on serious mental illness in the U.S. Find resources on COVID-19, clozapine, and long-acting injectables.

Upcoming Webinars:
 

Save the Date!  Thursday, May 12 from 3:00 to 4:00 Eastern
Join us on Thursday, May 12 from 3:00 to 4:00 Eastern for an SMI Adviser/NRI webinar on 
Recognizing and Supporting the Value and Careers of Peer Support Specialists.
 For more information, and to be alerted when the registration link is available, please email Kristin Neylon at kneylon@nri-inc.org. 
 

Keep an Eye Out!
During the month of May, NRI, in partnership with NASMHPD, will facilitate a two-part webinar series,Telling the Story: Data, Dashboards, and the Mental Health Crisis Continuum.  
Details are being finalized for this two-part webinar series. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Kristin Neylon (kneylon@nri-inc.org).
 
EPINET is a national learning health care system from the National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH) that links early psychosis clinics through standard clinical measures, uniform data collection methods, data sharing agreements, and integration of client-level data across service users and clinics. Clients and their families, clinicians, health care administrators, and scientific experts now have the opportunity to partner within EPINET to improve early psychosis care and conduct large-scale, practice-based research. Learn more about EPINET. Download a shareable flyer about EPINET. 
 
The MHTTC Network accelerates the adoption and implementation of mental health related evidence-based practices across the nation, develops and disseminates resources, provides free local and regional training and technical assistance, and heightens the awareness, knowledge, and skills of the mental health workforce.

The Network is comprised of 10 Regional Centers, a National American Indian & Alaska Native Center, a National Hispanic & Latino Center, and a Network Coordinating Office. Find your Center and get connected to free products and free training and events. Stay up to date with resources by following @MHTTCNetwork on Facebook and Twitter, or subscribe to the monthly e-Newsletter, Pathways.
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