|
 |
An Evolving Update on Behavioral Health in New York
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LEAD STORY
|
New York City Budget Victory
Discretionary Allocations Announced
On Thursday, June 9, 2016, the Mayor and City Council came to agreement on an $82.1 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2017, which begins on July 1st. On Tuesday, June 14st, the Council voted to adopt the budget including the "Schedule C" which lists the Council's discretionary allocations including Citywide-funding initiatives.
Through the advocacy of The Coalition and our members, we have had a huge impact on the budget. As most of you are aware, the Children Under 5, Geriatric and several other mental health initiatives were baselined by the City. Though the funding was allocated through an RFP process, it did not fully reflect rate or scope of services that the Council had intended. The additional Council funds will enhance the baselined funding, make most of the groups funded under the original Council mental health initiatives (the vast majority Coalition members) whole, and prevent many consumers from being lost to care!
We are also thrilled that the Court Involved Youth Mental Health Initiative championed by Council Member Deborah Rose, which provides funding to fifteen Coalition members, has been restored at $1,900,000 in FY '17.
These victories could not have happened without Coalition members' advocacy, including an email campaign, lobby days and briefings at the City Council with Council Members and meetings with Council Members at City Hall and in their district offices.
Congratulations for this hard fought victory!
|
|
EVENTS
Note: Please visit the PLC and the CRR to learn more
and register
for our events and trainings. For more info,
please call (212) 742-1600
|
Managed Care Infrastructure Planning for Agencies
by Cheryl Bobe Cheryl Bobe
Cheryl Bobe, LCSW, CPP
Senior Associate for Substance Use Services
Date and Time: July 20, 2016, from 10:15 AM to 11:30 AM
Title of Presentation: “Managed Care Infrastructure Planning for Agencies”
Location: Mount Sinai Beth Israel, 160 Water Street, 24th fl., New York, N.Y. 10038
Audience: Healthcare staff from Mt. Sinai hospital’s adolescent/adult units
|
Then, Now, Wow!
Peer Specialists 10th Annual Conference Patricia Feinberg, Peer Educator
Amanda Saake, LMSW, CPRP, Senior Program Associate
Deborah Short, Administrative Coordinator
Margie Staker, Certified Benefits & Work Inclusiveness Instructor, Center for Recovery & Rehabilitation
Date and Time: July 14, 2016, from 8:15 AM (registration) to 5:00 PM
Location: New York University Kimmel Center, 60 Washington Square South, New York, NY 10012
Audience: Peer Specialists • Peer Counselors • Peer Advocates • Peer Recovery Facilitators • Peer Bridgers
Planning Committee: Deborah Short
Presentation: Amanda Saake, "The Building Blocks of Medicaid Redesign in New York."
Resource Room: Patricia Feinberg & Margie Staker will be available provide information on the Medicaid Buy-In program for Working People with Disabilities (MBI-WPD) and other issues.
Click Here to Register
|
|
NEWS
|
2016 New York State Legislative Session Summary
by Jamin R. Sewell,
Counsel & Managing Director for Policy and Advocacy
Coalition Scorecard
- The Coalition tracked one hundred fourteen (114) bills relevant to our members and consumers/clients.
- We adopted a public position on thirteen (13) bills by issuing memoranda of support or opposition to the legislature and/or Governor.
- One (1) bill The Coalition supported passed and was signed into law.
- One (1) bill we supported passed both houses and awaits the Governor’s signature.
- Two (2) bills The Coalition supported became part of the Governor’s Program Bills on Opioids, which was enacted.
- One (1) of these bills passed both the Senate and Assembly.
- Five (5) bills we supported passed at least one house of the legislature.
- Three (3) of the bills we opposed, were defeated.
Opioid Bills Enacted
Uncompensated Care Pool – Passed by the Senate Only
Mental Health in NYS Health Education Curriculum – Passed Both Houses and Awaiting Governor’s Signature
Increasing the Administrative Burden of Siting & Relicensing of Supportive Housing & Social Services – Defeated
Supportive Housing MOU – Unsigned
- In April, the state budget included $1.9 billion for supportive housing. Currently there is only $150 million being released for year one, and no further commitment for the remainder of the funds. All that was preventing the building of 6,000 new units of supportive housing for the most vulnerable homeless people and families in our state is a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Governor and the Leadership. The Coalition will continue as a lead partner with the Campaign 4 NYNY Housing to fight for a signing of the MOU and additional units.
Unlicensed Practice Exemption – Agreement Elusive
As part of this year’s budget negotiations and The Coalitions advocacy, the unlicensed practice exemption for titles including: Psychologist (not licensed), CASAC, Social Worker (not licensed) Certified, Rehabilitation Counselor Vocational Counselor, Recreation Therapist (not licensed), Mental Health Therapy Aide, Case Worker, Service Coordinator, Social Work Case Manager, Peer Specialist social workers, mental health counselors was extended for two additional years to July 1, 2018. As part of this year’s State budget agreement, it was expected that all stakeholders would convene before the legislative session ended. The Coalition looks forward to this occurring soon, so that meaningful discussions begin between advocacy organizations (including The Coalition), effected State agencies such as OMH, OASAS, OPWDD and the State Education Department, to work on the scopes of practices and other pertinent issues.
A more complete summary of this year’s NYS Legislative Session can be found in the linked document.
|
Coalition Holds Briefing on Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Parity
by Cheryl Bobe, LCSW, CPP,
Senior Associate for Substance Use Services
The Coalition of Behavioral Health Agencies recently held a briefing entitled, Mental Health and The Addiction Treatment Parity: Rights & Compliance where Michael Reisman from the Attorney General’s office and Karla Lopez of the Legal Action Center provided education on the parity law so that they providers and others can effectively advocate for behavioral health services that are a right for their clients and consumers. The Coalition plans to monitor compliance with the parity law and is interested in partnering with others to educate and advocate for its enforcement.
The public is largely uninformed about its rights as patients to receive benefits, such as equal copayments, deductibles and office visits, for the treatment of mental illness and addiction comparable to what their health insurance provides for physical illness.
In New York, Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has successfully prosecuted a handful of insurers for parity violations and achieved several high-profile settlements that included fines and orders of restitution.
This article below, “Enforcement of Mental Health Care Coverage Lacking”, highlights the fact that while as many as 22 million people have a substance use disorder, only one in 10 has access to a treatment center and fewer than half receive mental health care.
The full article can be viewed here.
|
New Board Members
Welcome!
At The Coalition's Annual Membership Meeting on May 26, 2016, the membership unanimously ratified a slate of candidates to become the Board of Directors. We welcome the following newly elected Board Members:
John Darin, President & CEO, NADAP, Inc.
Traci Donnelly, Chief Executive Officer, The Child Center of New York
Eliana Leve, Deputy Executive Director of Contracts, Quality & Compliance, ASCNYC
Kerron Norman, Vice President and Chief Program Officer, ANDRUS Children's Center
Fern Zagor, CEO, Staten Island Mental Health Society
Coalition Board Members 2016
John Darin |
Traci Donnelly |
Fern Zagor |
Eliana Leve |
Kerron Norman |
Thank You
Everyone! |
Long time Coalition board member and sector leader, Jean Newburg of Weston United retired on June 29, 2016. We thank Jean for her years of dedication and leadership.
Thank you to all of our Board of Directors for their commitment and fantastic work on behalf of The Coalition and the sector!
|
The Coalition in Washington
Coalition Advocates in Washington, DC for National Council Hill Day
Nearly 600 advocates met with hundreds of Members of Congress, sharing with them the important messages of funding and supporting mental health and substance use treatment services. A fifteen- member New York delegation, led by State Captain, Jamin Sewell, Christy Parque, Coalition members ICL and Catholic Charities as well as advocates from across the state, participated in the National Council for Behavioral Health’s Hill Day 2016 in Washington DC on June 7th.
Our New York team met with New York State Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and fourteen New York House Members. While we were in Washington, the Senate and the House announced that a conference committee would be established to come to agreement on comprehensive mental health and substance use disorder legislation. The timing was perfect to give our perspective on what should be in the final bill. Thank you to our members who joined us for Hill Day 2016!
|
|
MEMBERS
|
|
Welcome New Members!
Jamaica Service Program for Older Adults, Inc. (JSPOA) has joined the Coalition
In late May, Jamaica Service Program for Older Adults, Inc. (JSPOA) joined The Coalition as a new member. JSPOA is a multi-service social service agency founded in 1972 that serves over 5,000 adults directly and reaches another 15,000 people indirectly each year.
JSPOA sponsors three nationally accredited senior centers in Southeast Queens and provides a wide range of programs such as Healthy Aging classes that focus on diet and exercise, Senior Strollers walking club, Computer Training, Trips, Intergenerational Programs, Drama, Dance, Arts & Crafts, Ceramics, and social events. Welcome to The Coalition family!
|
|
AROUND THE WATER COOLER |
On July 7th from 10:30 AM to 11:45 AM Acacia Network will hold a ribbon cutting for The Ramon Velez Health and Recovery Center located at 254 East 151st Street, Bronx, NY 10451. The ribbon cutting will be followed by an Open House/Health Fair that will run from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Click here to RSVP.
|
On July 21st The Coalition’s very own Amanda Saake, along with members Danika Mills of CBC, Jill Poklemba of Fortune Society, Amie Pospisil of Breaking Ground and Mike Hollis of SUS will be honored as a 40 under 40 Rising Star. Congrats to all of the honorees!
|
On June 8th The Coalition’s CEO and President, Christy Parque received the Sister Barbara Lenninger Legacy Award from Homeless Services United and a proclamation for her work from Council Member Stephen Levin.
|
Callen-Lorde Community Health Center opened a new site on the ground floor of the new BOOM!Health Wellness Center located at 3144 Third Avenue in the Morrisania neighborhood of The Bronx.
The new site will offer the same range of health and behavioral health services as are available in its Chelsea site, including primary care, young adult care, HIV care, lesbian and bisexual women’s health, transgender, mental health, sexual health and a pharmacy services
|
Catholic Charities Neighborhood Services Glendale Mental Health is now offering immediate intake appointments to serve you and your clients. More information can be found in the brochure.
CCNS Brochure
|
Children’s Aid Society announced in a press release of June 16th, that it received a three-year grant of more than $300,000 from New York City Department of Youth and Community Development in support of its Saturday Program for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children and Teens.
The program is free to participants, and the only one of its kind in New York City. It offers enriching recreational and social activities while also empowering these young people to advocate for themselves.
|
On June 3rd, Crain’s Health Pulse highlighted a report released by Common Ground on The Elder Care Health Outreach (ECHO) Pilot Initiative which is a two-year pilot at three trial locations brought service enhancements provided by CUCS that would strengthen aging in place capabilities.
|
Sharen Duke, ED/CEO of ASCNYC, was interviewed for NY1’s June 18th “Health Beat “segment regarding the state of HIV/AIDS 35 years into the epidemic.
|
On Friday, May 20th at The Queens Theatre, Goodwill Industries of Greater New York and Northern New Jersey held a public performance of its cooperative project to reduce stigma related to mental health, “Going Mental: Stopping Stigma One Story at a Time.”
|
Tony Hannigan, Founder and Executive Director of CUCS and Rosa Gil CEO of Comunilife were mentioned in a New York Nonprofit Media article as have been appointed to the Governor’s Interagency Council on Homelessness, on June 3rd.
|
On June 7th, the Institute for Community Living (ICL), announced that it had successful partnered with the Primary Care Development Corporation (PCDC), Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH), U.S. Bancorp Community Development Corporation (USBCDC), and Deutsche Bank’s Community Development Finance Group to provide financing towards the construction and substantial renovation of a $29.8 million, 44,600 square foot, comprehensive service delivery Hub in Brooklyn, New York.
ICL is collaborating with Community Healthcare Network, to deliver integrated primary care and behavioral health services under one roof to meet the comprehensive needs of people dealing with serious challenges and the community and neighborhoods they live in.
When completed, the Hub will consolidate several health and community-based services including family support, outpatient programs, day treatment, and care coordination to address behavioral and physical health concerns.
|
Carla Rabinowitz, Director of Advocacy Coordination of Community Access, was quoted in a Gotham Gazette article about the State’s attempt to negotiate a NY/NY 4 supportive housing MOU.
|
Andy Sommers, chair of the JCCA's budget and planning committee, was quoted in Politico New York in about the financial state of Nonprofits on June 20th.
|
Coalition member, SAGE (Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders) center was highlighted in the June 21st edition of New York Nonprofit Media.
|
Service Program for Older People, announced in a press release that Catherine Thurston, LCSW has joined the staff of as Chief Program Officer, where she will oversee the SPOP Clinic, PROS/Personalized Recovery Oriented Services Program, Bereavement Support, community outreach and other program initiatives.
Catherine has over 29 years of experience in geriatrics. She served most recently as Chief Services Officer at SAGE/Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders and was formerly Director of Alzheimer's Programs at the Cobble Hill Health Center.
|
On May 12, SPOP welcomed Bruce Vladeck, Ph.D., Senior Advisor to Nexera, Inc. and a national expert on health care policy and geriatrics, to speak on Medicare and Behavioral Health: Unfinished Business.
Representatives of government agencies and nonprofit organizations attended and joined in a lively conversation about the future of support for mental health care for older adults.
|
In a press release dated, June 14, 2016, the board of directors of University Settlement and The Door announced the appointment of Eric Weingartner as Chief Executive Officer. The appointment builds upon the organizations' 130-year foundation of social change impact in New York City.
A leader in the non-profit, policy and philanthropic sectors, Mr. Weingartner has over 20 years of experience driving solutions-oriented work on poverty, social justice, education, and workforce development.
He will assume the role held by Dr. Michael H. Zisser, who after more than 28 years of service announced last year his plan to retire this summer. Mr. Weingartner is currently a Managing Director at the Robin Hood Foundation.
|
Susan Wiviott, CEO of The Bridge, was quoted in a June 1st article in New York Nonprofit Media, regarding the impact of HUD’s decision to no longer fund most transitional housing.
|
|
|
|
|
|