NYWe-works: Issue No. 17

An electronic circular of the New York Work Exchange

The New York Work Exchange, a project of the Coalition of Behavioral Health Agencies, Inc., provides assistance to the New York City mental health provider community through demonstration projects, information updates, expert trainings, focused technical assistance, and evaluation.

September 2005

(See all NYWe-works Issues)

This issue:

• Association for Persons in Supported Employment
• Catholic Charities Community Services
• Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
• Coalition of Mainstream Employment Programs
• Coalition of Behavioral Health Agencies
• Kaiser
• National Alliance for the Mentally Ill- NYC Metro
• NY Association of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services
• SAMHSA
• US Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association
• VESID

• NYCWorks
• NYS Department of Health
• US Department of Health and Human Services

• Bazelon
• Geriatric Mental Health Act
• Kaiser
• NYS Office of Mental Health
• SAMHSA
• US House Appropriations Committee

• Boston University
• Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
• Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
• NYS Office of Mental Health
• Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal
• SAMHSA

Education:

• Association for Persons in Supported Employment's Fall Supported Employment 101 Teletraining fall schedule includes topics on the foundations of supported employment, career planning, and job development. The sessions begin September 14th and run until December 14th. For more information go to: http://www.apse.org
• Catholic Charities Community Services, Archdiocese of New York, will be hosting a workshop called "Benefits Planning on the Journey to Employment" on September 20th from 9:30-11:30 AM at The Catholic Center, 1011 First Avenue, 12th Floor, NYC. This will be part of a Task Force Meeting examining employment opportunities between Catholic Charities (an Employment Network) and MAXIMUS Ticket to Work Program. For information call 212-371-1011 ext. 2031
• Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS): on September 23rd CMS/Division of Continuous Care Providers will be sponsoring a webcast called "Reducing the Use of Seclusion and Restraints in the Psychiatric Facilities" from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM EDT. An overview of this initiative, findings on its effectiveness, and a review of core theories are available. For registration and viewing instructions go to: cms.internetstreaming.com
• Coalition of Mainstream Employment Programs and the State University of New York at Buffalo will be presenting "Managing Challenging Behaviors" on Thursday September 29th from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM at 350 Fifth Avenue, Suite 314. The program, designed for rehabilitation staff, will provide an overview of applied behavior analysis designed to create supports for consumers. Application deadline is September 15th. For more information call 212-741-0100 ext. 4519
• Coalition of Behavioral Health Agencies: the Coalition's Professional Learning Center will be hosting a workshop called "Integrated Dual Disorder Treatment" (IDDT) on Monday October 3rd at 9AM-1PM at the Lighthouse International Headquarters located at 111 East 59th Street. This session will examine the relationship between substance abuse and mental health disorders. Details of the IDDT training series, in conjunction with New Hampshire-Dartmouth Psychiatric Research Center will be provided. For more information call 212-742-1600 ext. 102 and- The Coalition with the Council of Family and Child Care Agencies will be hosting "Forum on Family Foster Care and Mental Health Ideas for Improving the Interface - At Last!" on Friday October 7th at the Coalition from 9AM to 11:30AM. Included will be topics about the assessment tool and an evidence-based treatment model identified for treating trauma in foster children and an overview of the work of two Coalitions in addressing the mental health needs of children in foster care. For more information call 212-742-1600 x 109
• Kaiser will be hosting a live webcast on the 2005 Annual Employer Health Benefits Survey at 10AM, EDT on September 14th looking at workplace trends in health insurance costs and coverage. To access go to: www.kaisernetwork.org/healthcast/kff/14sep05
• National Alliance for the Mentally Ill- NYC Metro will sponsor a conference on September 24th from 8AM to 2PM called "Heal the Mind, Restore the Spirit: Mental Health Recognition and Recovery in the African-American Community". Two hundred individuals made up of consumers, family members, and providers will gather to discuss the impact of mental illness on the African-American community. For more information call (212) 684-3365
• NY Association of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services will be holding its 23rd Annual Conference September 21st-23rd in Ellenville, NY. "Transforming Our Services, Transforming Our Lives: Achieving the Promise of Recovery" will feature speakers addressing the definitions of transformation and recovery from numerous levels. For more information go to: www.nyaprs.org
• SAMHSA: Two teleconferences are being offered. On September 19th at 7PM EST "Outreach to Consumers of Color" will be offered presenting information on how providers can become more culturally competent. To participate call 800-657-1263 and use code 7827. A series of teleconferences called "Creating Trauma-Informed Service Systems" are designed to highlight emerging issues and disseminate best practices in the area of trauma. The series will begin on September 21st from 1PM-2:30PM EST. Other dates include October 12th, and November 9th. To access call 617-661-3991
• US Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association will host an audio conference for a fee on September 21st on Motivational Interviewing from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM EDT. This session will focus on the principles of motivational interviewing with historical information. For more information call 410-789-7054. and- Applications for the October 22nd Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner (CPRP) exam are still being accepted at most sites. Individuals can also apply for the March 25, 2006 exam. For more information on the CPRP exam go to: www.uspra.org/certification/applying/index.html
• VESID: please note that the Statewide Supported Employment Training Symposium scheduled for November 17th in Albany has been cancelled. Alternatives for working with and training VESID's supported employment providers will be forthcoming.

Funding and Grant Opportunities:

• (9/26)NYCWorks, a Workforce Development Initiative of the NYC Council is requesting proposals for services provided to chronically underemployed and unemployed individuals including young adults ages 17-21. A Pre-Submission Information Session will take place on September 16th. Organizations being sought are those that can incorporate best practices in client assessment, job preparation, placement, and retention. For more information go to: www.unitedwaynyc.org/?id=17&pg=nycworks
• (ongoing)NYS Department of Health is providing funding to assist in stabilizing health care providers and health care programs that are experiencing fiscal challenges impeding their delivery of services. The grant period begins August 1, 2005 and is ongoing. Total funding is $28,000,000. For more information go to: www.health.state.ny.us/funding/grants/health_care_stabilization/description.htm
• (11/15)US Department of Health and Human Service's Assets for Independence Demonstration Program within the Administration for Children and Families, Office of Community Services is accepting applications for financial assistance to establish and administer Assets for Independence Projects. Projects assist low income individuals towards economic self-sufficiency. For more information: a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/05-2512.htm

News Briefs/Events:

• Bazelon: Congress is currently reviewing recommendations from the Bush Administration to amend the definitions of Medicaid rehabilitation and case management services. If enacted, this legislation could create barriers for states and localities to bill Medicaid for intensive community-based services for adults with serious mental illness. To read more go to: www.bazelon.org/takeaction/2005/8-18-05medicaid.htm and: www.nccbh.org/POLICY/alert-EliminatesMedicaidCaseManagement.htm and- The Bush Administration is proposing critical housing cuts for low-income individuals. This proposal includes dismantling of protections against disability-based discrimination and roll backs on legal protections within current housing programs. For more information go to: www.bazelon.org/takeaction/2005/8-22-05housing.htm
• Geriatric Mental Health Act was signed into law by Governor Pataki. This landmark piece of legislation will establish demonstration grants that will foster the development of new approaches to help older adults live in the community and integrate their mental health, health, and elder care. Older adults with mental health issues will increase from 7 to 14 million in the next 25 years of which 800,000 will be New York State residents. For more information on the bill go to: mhawestchester.org/advocates/gmhact62805.asp
• Kaiser has redesigned their Medicaid Benefits Online Database. Users can search state by state and locate service information, co-payment requirements and benefit limitations. To access go to: www.kff.org/medicaidbenefits
Other recently added fact sheets are available including information of dual eligibles and the impact of current policy changes on these recipients. To access this fact sheet and others go to: www.kff.org/medicaid/index.cfm
• NYS Office of Mental Health is putting together a panel as part of a quality improvement initiative focused on the Assisted Outpatient Treatment program established under Kendra's Law. The panel will be comprised of recipients of mental health, county representatives, stakeholder groups, and family members. Panel members will be announced this fall. For more information go to: www.omh.state.ny.us/omhweb/news/AOT_QualityRelease.htm
• SAMHSA: a list of resources related to the disaster and subsequent trauma of Hurricane Katrina are available through SAMHSA- 1. self-care tips for dealing with stress: www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/KEN-01-0097/default.asp
2. disaster relief information: www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/cmhs/katrina 3. disaster technical assistance center: www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/dtac 4. trauma and disaster related mental health publications: store.mentalhealth.org/cmhs/EmergencyServices/pubs.aspx and- www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/SMA-3717/default.asp
• US House Appropriations Committee has recommended terminating 98 programs for a savings of more than $4.3 billion. The Supported Employment State Grant Program is not included however key programs that serve individuals with mental disabilities are on this list including Mental Health Integration in Schools and State Grants for Incarcerated Youth Offenders. For more information go to: appropriations.house.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressReleases.Detail&PressRelease_id=506&Month=7&Year=2005

Publications:

• Boston University's Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation's quarterly newsletter (June 2005) has a free download highlighting the need for vocational rehabilitation for mental health recipients. Included is a description of the PVR (Psychiatric Vocational Rehabilitation) Certificate Program. For more information go to: www.bu.edu/cpr/rr/pvr2005/pvr2005index.html
• Center on Budget and Policy Priorities publication "What Does the Safety Net Accomplish?" (July 2005) looks at the influence and successes of TANF, EITC, and Medicaid in assisting low-income families and individuals. State-by-state data on successes for each program are provided. To access go to: www.cbpp.org/pubs/accomplishments.htm
• Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released documents providing approximate premium ranges of the prescription drug plans under Medicare Part D across different regions including New York. Specific information for New York can be accessed in a pdf within a zip file at the following address:www.cms.hhs.gov/media/press/release.asp?Counter=1542
• NYS Office of Mental Health's "SPEAK College Booklet" is being distributed statewide (August 2005) in Spanish and English as part of a pilot program to educate NY teachers, administrators, and counselors about suicide risk among students. The booklet is designed to be used at college orientations and counseling centers. A Chinese version will be released this fall at the NY Coalition for Asian American Mental Health Conference (see upcoming NYWe-works). To access the SPEAK College Booklet go to: www.omh.state.ny.us/omhweb/speak
• Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal's article "Making Sense of It All: Consumer Providers' Theories About Factors Facilitating and Impeding Recovery from Psychiatric Disabilities" (Summer 2005) is a qualitative study that examines the stories of 15 mental health recipients and their process of recovery. To download go to: www.bu.edu/prj/summer2005/ManciniPRJSummer29.1.pdf
• SAMHSA'S Matrix: Mental Health Transformation website posted the July 2005 briefing of Mental Health Transformation Trends. This briefing identifies the national transformation of mental health systems articulating steps SAMSHA is taking towards creating a Federal Action Agenda. To access go to: www.samhsa.gov/matrix/matrix_mh.aspx

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NYWe-works is a monthly electronic newsletter for mental health and rehabilitation providers in New York City. NYWe-works contains news briefs, information on publications, funding information, and educational resources.

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