Newsletter, periodic publication

Getting consumers to serve on your board can be difficult. Getting consumers who are knowledgeable about serving on boards can be even more difficult. However, including at the table those who are most impacted by your services and decisions is a great opportunity with valuable benefits.This article appeared in an issue brief from the Center for Medicare Education.

As the nation moves toward a recovery-oriented, consumer-and family-driven mental health system, it is vital for all of us to stay involved, informed, and invested in the challenging process at hand. As a periodic briefing, Mental Health Transformation Trends is an important tool to keep our partners and ourselves up to date on emerging issues, practices, and trends in transformation. The premiere issue contains state profiles, partner spotlights, news and resources

Transformation is happening. From California to Connecticut, promising models of transformation in behavioral health are being developed and piloted. The latest issue of the SAMHSA/CMHS publication includes information on:<br>+ Connecticut Transforms Its System of Care Toward Recovery<br>+ Federal Partner Spotlight: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs<br>+ SAMHSA/CMHS Identifies Key Priorities<br>+ State Teams to Get Help on Mental Health Transformation<br>+ Leadership is Everyone's Business

The Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program is an employment program for people with disabilities who are interested in going to work. The quarterly newsletter covers marketplace news, opportunities and experiences. The Summer 2005 issue details National Alliance Updates and Information, Sustainability Champions and Ticket to Work Funding, Partnership-Building Resources, a Conference Calendar and a list of recently approved Employment Networks (ENs).

Medicaid funding can play a critical role in meeting the needs of children with emotional disturbances and adults with mental illnesses. This paper provides information regarding recent state activities and trends in developing and revising the Rehab Option; relates to service coverage, agency and practitioner requirements, rates and coding, and management of services; and offers steps that states and other interested parties should consider when “updating” their Rehab Option. Brief: Vol 3 Iss 2

This ILRU publication addresses common myths about abuse against people with disabilities by personal assistance providers and family members. The newsletter also addresses the personal barriers to stopping abuse and violence. This issue is Vol. 3, Issue 1.

This is the first in a series of newsletters produced at the Exchange to provide assistance to our CMS Real Systems Change grantees. This newsletter is produced biannually. Topics include: 2004 Real Choice Systems Change Grant Solicitation; Real Choice Systems Change Grant Summary Chart; Clearinghouse for The Community Living Exchange Collaborative. A table includes the types of Real Choice Systems Change Grants that the Community Living Exchange Collaborative provides technical assistance to.

This is the second in a series of newsletters produced at the Exchange to provide assistance to our CMS Real Systems Change grantees. This newsletter is produced biannually. Topics include: Connecting the Dots: Maryland; Money Follows the Person: Grantee Meeting in Nevada; Information Technology (IT) Systems Survey for Single Point of Entry; Housing Work Group Established for Real Choice Grantees; Children’s Mental Health Audio Conference.

This is the third in a series of newsletters produced at the Exchange to provide assistance to our CMS Real Systems Change grantees. This newsletter is produced biannually. Topics include: Physicians’ Role in Determining Level of Care, Nurse Practice Policies for Home and Community Living, ADRC Toolbox, Massachusetts Connecting the Dots, Making Medicaid Work in the 21st Century, Assessment Instruments, HCBS Quality Management Roles & Responsibilities, Family Caregiving, and Housing.

A wage pass-through is an additional allocation of funds provided through Medicaid reimbursement for the express purpose of increasing compensation for direct-care workers. Twenty-one states have implemented these programs in expectation that doing so will help address the worker shortage. The purpose of this issue brief is to: describe the structure in selected states; summarize what is known about the impact of these programs on recruitment and retention; and identify key design elements.