Provider Updates on Community Mental Health
News and Information for the Week of October 16, 2023
Let’s Start With Some Good News .. for some people.
No industry is immune to a shortage of workers. The legislature is pushing through HB 4613-14, which will allow EMTs to work under temporary state licenses for a year instead of 120 days under the current guidelines. This will allow them to retake their tests to secure their license. According to Emily Bergquist, the director of DHHS’ Division of EMS and Trauma, in a recent story in MIRS, the bill would give people more time to get their licenses, accommodating people who have issues with financing, scheduling, or test anxiety. Sounds familiar.
At the same time, the state continues to find ways to increase the number of teachers in our schools. The Governor signed legislation last week allowing retired teachers to step back into the classroom without affecting their pension (HB 4752). Even before this bill was enacted, the state budget included funding to provide tuition to college students who were becoming teachers and create mentoring programs (MI Future Educator Program).
What is the state doing to address the gaps in the behavioral health workforce? The MDHHS and DLEG have periodic workgroup meetings to explore how to bolster the behavioral healthcare workforce instead of passing legislation and funding to address the shortages. The state should create similar incentives for all the industries affected by workforce shortages, and we should engage our lawmakers to prioritize this.
To learn more about what the state is doing to address workforce shortages in behavioral health, attend the November 6 webinar. Details are below under “events”.
Our full-time legislature may take a political break
Rumors are in Lansing that the Michigan House of Representatives will adjourn for the year in early November. Why? Two House Democrats are running for Mayor and, with the November 7 election, will most likely win.
If they win, they must vacate their House seat immediately, leaving a split House, 54-54. If the House adjourns, they may not return to session until May 2024. Why? Because the Governor cannot appoint anyone to replace the missing members, there will be a special election. The election, however, won’t be until February (which may also be the Presidential Primary in Michigan), and then the General (Special) Election will be in May.
Although the Senate will be in session, there will be no House activity, including
committee hearings, unless the Governor calls a special session to vote on single-issue bills.
In an average year, the Governor introduces her budget in February, with hearings held shortly after that. It is rumored that a budget may be negotiated in advance and then immediately voted on when the House reconvenes in May.
Here is something we can do…
Given this unprecedented move by House Democrats, there will be little legislative activity between November 2023 and May 2024. Advocacy efforts should shift to the MDHHS and the Governor’s office to take advantage of single-issue bills, monitor the budget, and engage legislators to inform them of issues.
Here is what else I am reading …
HRSA Invests Nearly $3M to Expand Access to Youth Mental Health Care in Michigan— The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), awarded nearly $3 million to expand access to mental health care for young people in Michigan.
“Every child in Michigan should have the opportunity to live a safe and healthy life,” says Elizabeth Hertel, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services director. “
To view the full list of recipients and award amounts, visit here. (Article courtesy of dBusiness)
In Michigan mental health crisis, a tug-of-war over too few social workers, bridge magazine - Bridge Magazine
Michigan's foster children face mental health challenges – but these agencies set them up to succeed - Rapid Growth + Model D.
Tara Bijarro works to help others with addiction after one phone call saved her life (Monroe News) — She is also certified through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to handle peer recovery. “I am here to be the voice of all the friends and family I lost. I lost my brother last year to an overdose. He was 38,” she said. … “Substance abuse is so heavy, and many people at the shelter deal with mental health. They are not getting the care they need and dealing with substance abuse,” Bijarro said. “Pastor Boone created a full-time position for me for substance abuse alone. I’m always on call. *Behind a Paywall
MacDonell Announces Disability Caucus - The caucus aims to establish a consistent base of support, bringing together legislators and stakeholders in the disability community to advance policies to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities - Press Release.
The Molina Healthcare Charitable Foundation Presents $25,000 Grant to Playworks Michigan to Address Social, Emotional, and Physical Health of Detroit Children - See Molina Healthcare Press Release.
Michigan Supreme Court Successfully Diverts Offenders, Slashes Recidivism, and Boosts Employment. The Michigan Supreme Court is working to divert substance abusers, individuals with mental health issues, and veterans into problem-solving courts (PSC). According to the court, this initiative has led to lower crime rates, reduced joblessness, and improved quality of life for participants. Recent statistics highlight the impact:
$18.5 million in grants have shown that PSC participants are three times less likely to commit another drug-related offense within three years.
Graduates of the PSC program have experienced an 88% decrease in joblessness.
Sobriety court participants are five times less likely to return to court for similar violations, with an 86% reduction in joblessness.
Mental health system graduates have seen a two-fold drop in crime rates, and 81% have found employment.
Veterans treatment court graduates are almost twice as likely to avoid reoffending within three years, with an 88% drop in veteran defendants' unemployment rates.
Legislative + Congressional Updates
Senate Introduces Ensuring Excellence in Mental Health Act, Formalizes CCBHCs in the Health Care Landscape. Recently, Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) introduced the Ensuring Excellence in Mental Health Act (S. 2993), which builds upon the previous bipartisan actions of Congress to expand and enhance the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) model. This legislation takes the next step of supporting the long-term success of the model by formalizing CCBHCs in the healthcare landscape. The Ensuring Excellence in Mental Health Act defines CCBHCs in federal law. It creates an infrastructure to continue their growth and excellence in mental health and substance use care. Source National Council for Mental Wellbeing
Telemedicine Flexibilities for Prescription of Controlled Medications Extended Through End of Year. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced an extension of telemedicine flexibilities for controlled substances through December 31, 2024. The flexibilities were first enacted through a temporary rule in March 2020 to address the COVID-19 pandemic, and a temporary extension was issued earlier this year to extend flexibilities through November 11, 2023, while the DEA and HHS considered public comments to two proposed rules. The second extension will allow patients and practitioners time to adapt to the final set of telemedicine regulations that the DEA and HHS expect to release in the fall of 2024. To read more, click here. Source National Council for Mental Wellbeing
Events we are thinking about going to
October 2023
OCT 16, 2023; 9:00 am -4:00 pm ET | Healthy Safety Net 2023 | Crowne Plaza Hotel West Lansing | 925 Creyts Rd | Lansing, MI 48917 | To review the agenda or register an additional guest, please go towww.bcbsm.com/healthysafetynet.
OCT 18, 2023; 1:00 pm -4:00 pm ET |Hill Day at Home, National Council for WellBeing’s annual virtual advocacy event. What’s on their agenda — lingering workforce shortage, expanding access to substance use care and treatment, strengthening the nation’s crisis care infrastructure.
November 2023
NOV 6, 11:00 AM, Talent Pipeline Management (TPM) - A virtual meeting to learn about two initiatives to build a strong talent pipeline for a skilled workforce. This includes,
Social Worker Career Pathway for High School Students (SWCP), scheduled to launch in Fall 2024
Community Health Worker Foundations in Behavioral Health Micro-credential (syllabus is attached) (Certification is provided through the Michigan Community Health Worker Alliance (MiCHWA))
Political Events
The Michigan Republican Party is hosting an event on October 21, 2023, featuring US Senator Ron Johnson from Wisconsin at Friske Farms. Here is the link for tickets.
Senate Republicans are hosting an event on October 31 at the St. Julian Winery in Paw Paw, MI. Contact Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt’s campaign staff if you want to attend.
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