Weekly Update October 25, 2024
News story and editorial: Northeast Michigan Community Health facing significant funding cuts
Below is a excerpt from a recent news story in the True North Radio Network on the view, by the Northeast Michigan Community Mental Health Authority regarding the need to close the yawning revenue gap being faced by Northeast Michigan CMHA and the rest of the state’s public mental health system.
As Michigan undergoes Medicaid redetermination, mental health providers across the state, including NeMCMHA, are facing significant financial shortfalls.
The $52 million deficit facing Michigan’s public mental health system was reduced from $93 million after the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced Tuesday that they would be sending out $41 million to the public mental health system.
The full article can be found here.
Additionally, an editorial by the CEO of the Northeast Michigan CMH on this topic was carried by the Alpena News. That editorial can be found here.
Listen to latest ‘Connections’ Podcast
Cassandra Phipps, is the Director of Children’s Initiatives for the Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network (DWIHN). Cassandra also is a licensed minister and passionate about helping others gain clarity in pursuing one’s life, purpose through spiritual and clinical practices. A journey of personal challenges and discovery have filled her with a contagious excitement for life and the work that found her.
Redesign of ‘Weekly Update’ Newsletter
As you might have already noticed, the publication of our newsletter will look a little different. We are delighted to introduce a newly designed version of our weekly update email! We’ve revamped our newsletters to make them more user-friendly and accessible. Get the latest news, insights, and updates to our public mental health system with even greater clarity and ease.
With this improved layout, you’ll find it simpler to search for keywords** and to navigate through each publication chronologically. One specific item to note, the creation of these newsletters are now solely constructed and published on the CMHA website. The email blast will now be condensed to only include article titles and a teaser sentence. Each article in the email is linked to the publication on our website where the entire document can be viewed in full. Once on this page, to access the months previous articles, simple follow the linked path located under the main navigation bar.
The Weekly Update home page now includes collapsible headers. To quickly see the previous week’s update just click on that week’s date. To the right, you will see an Archives column that will include all previous month’s editions.
Our goal is to enhance your reading experience while keeping you better informed and making it easier for you to access necessary information and resources. We’re excited for you to experience these enhancements and hope they make your weekly updates more engaging and informative.
**To search for text within a webpage use the “Control Find” keyboard shortcut. Press and hold Ctrl+F on your keyboard to open a search bar.
Connections
Connections purpose is to be an avenue for the exchange of information that includes people’s dreams, stories, concerns and successes. Its intent is to connect us all – the individuals who sit around the board room table, our customers, our administrators, caregivers, and our partners in the communities in which we live.
Recipient Rights Booklets
The Mental Health Code states that Community Mental Health Service Providers are required to distribute Recipient Rights Booklets to each recipient receiving services. To place an order with CMHA please visit our websites bookstore page.
‘BoardWorks’ Videos Online
The CMHA BoardWorks program was developed to assist Board members in fulfilling their obligations as CMH leaders, directors of policy, and advocates for those they serve.
State & Federal Developments
NACBHDD offers AI seminar
Augmented intelligence (AI) is all the buzz right now, promising to empower staff, optimize processes, simplify reimbursement and enhance the delivery of services.
County behavioral health and IDD leaders and their elected officials are challenged with understanding what’s real and what’s not in deploying AI. AI has the potential to be transformative in these specialized services but requires working through the noise to define a coherent, relevant and successful strategy.
Join us for an exclusive NACBHDD member-only Direct Dialogue with an expert in this field on Tuesday, October 29th, 2024 at 12:00pm – 1:00pm ET
Speaker: Chris Yakscoe was the co-founder of the company that created the first AI documentation assistant technology for human services. He has dedicated his time to the creation, implementation, and success of Meaningful AI solutions. Chris is eager and excited to answer questions about current and future AI tools for our industry, especially those designed to cure staff burnout and reduce the documentation burden. As GM of Bells AI with Netsmart, Chris works with partners to optimize their technology platforms and ensure they are using workflows efficiently. He is most proud of Bells AI, the augmented intelligence (AI) documentation solution, and the impact it has made across human services and post-acute providers.
MDHHS issues Pre-Arrest Jail Diversion grant opportunity
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has released a Request for Proposals (RFP) on the EGrAMS system for the PAJD-2025-Pre-Arrest Jail Diversion – 2025.
All proposal responses with related materials must be submitted electronically using the EGrAMS system located at http://egrams-mi.com/mdhhs. Agencies interested in applying for this Request for Proposal must first register both the agency and users and process a Project Director Request in http://egrams-mi.com/mdhhs and submit their proposal by 11/19/2024 at 15:00.
To review information about the RFP, go to http://egrams-mi.com/mdhhs and scroll down until you find Childrens Services Agency. Click on it, and look for PAJD-2025-Pre-Arrest Jail Diversion – 2025 to access RFP-related information.
For application instructions, please visit http://egrams-mi.com/mdhhs and click the “About EGrAMS” link. The “Competitive Application Instructions” manual will provide detailed instructions on completing an application in the EGrAMS system.
For technical assistance when completing registration for the EGrAMS system or entering application materials, contact the Bureau of Grants and Purchasing Helpdesk at MDHHS-EGrAMS-HELP@michigan.gov
Education, Sponsorship & Exhibition
CMHA Events
To search all upcoming CMHAM events, including conferences, trainings and webinars click here.
Resources from Great Lakes MHTTC
CMHA is the Michigan partner with the SAMHSA funded Great Lakes Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC). That partnership provides Michigan’s behavioral health community with access to cutting edge education and training offerings from across the country and the Great Lakes region while also allowing CMHA to expand its catalog of education and training offerings to its members and allies. For more about the Great Lakes MHTTC click here.
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You are invited to join the Great Lakes MHTTC email list! Subscribe and you will be one of the first to receive upcoming event information, access new products, and stay informed on the latest research and news from the Great Lakes region, the national MHTTC Network, and SAMHSA – all through the Great Lakes Current, the electronic newsletter of the Great Lakes MHTTC.
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NASW-Michigan provides information on work, in other states, to remove test from social work licensure process
Below is a recent announcement from the National Association of Social Workers – Michigan Chapter (NASW-Michigan) on the findings of their research related to the work, in other states, to eliminate the test from the social work licensure process. NASW-Michigan is a strong partner, with CMHA, in this effort in Michigan.
We wanted to take a moment to thank everyone for your ongoing support and dedication as we prepare to shift gears with our strategy for the Social Work Licensure Modernization Act (SWLMA). Your commitment has been invaluable, and we’re excited about the next phase of our efforts.
As we discussed, there have been numerous exciting updates across the country regarding licensure reform, particularly in relation to the ASWB exam. Many states are taking action to provide alternative pathways to licensure, and I wanted to share some of the most recent developments with you:
Minnesota: In June, Minnesota removed the ASWB exam requirement, building on a successful pilot program for Hmong immigrants and others for whom English is a second language. Licensing candidates now have the option to choose between taking the traditional exam or completing additional supervision instead. This applies to all licensing categories, including the clinical level.
Rhode Island: In response to the mental health crisis and the critical need for more social workers, Rhode Island has suspended the ASWB exam requirement for Master’s level licenses until at least August 2025.
Colorado, Maine, and Utah: These states have either passed or have active bills that remove the examination requirement for Bachelor’s and Master’s level licenses.
Illinois: Illinois now offers an alternative pathway at the clinical level, providing more flexibility for licensing candidates.
Oregon: Oregon has taken a bold step by forming a committee to review the ASWB exam and social work licensing standards. The committee’s findings highlight significant concerns about the exam’s impact on BIPOC social workers, noting that the ASWB exam has perpetuated a system of exclusion. The committee also determined that the exam requirement is rooted in eugenic theories and white supremacist power structures and that eliminating exams has not affected the quality of services provided in other professions.
Read the full report here: Alt. Pathways to Social Work Licensure Committee Final Report & Recommendations to the Oregon Board of Licensed Social Workers