Other Resources & Events
Member Spotlight

 

 

On Feb. 18, National Council Vice President for Public Policy Chuck Ingoglia appeared as a guest blogger on MentalHealthcareReform.org to answer readers’ questions about the federal budget. The discussion covered both proposed cuts to behavioral health spending for 2011 as well as the President’s 2012 budget proposals. Visit MentalHealthcareReform.org today to learn how you may be affected by proposed budget reductions, and what you can do to fight spending cuts! Read More. 

 

 

 

The Maternal and Child Health Research Program will award grants of $300,000 each to conduct research on evidence-based practices for interventions to improve the health and well-being of children and adolescents with ASD and other developmental disabilities. Eligible entities include public or private nonprofit agencies. Applications are due Mar. 28, 2011. Read More. 

 

The Department of Labor has announced that it will provide $20 million in grants though its Civic Justice Corps program. Up to 13 grants will be awarded for projects that help juvenile offenders gain job skills and demonstrate accountability through community service projects. Applications are due March 15, 2011. Read More. 

 

SAMHSA has announced it will award grants of $100,000 each for programs to prevent suicide attempts and improve services for students with mental and behavioral health problems. Eligible applicants are institutions of higher learning. Applications are due March 4, 2011. Read More. 

 

The Department of Health & Human Services has announced it will award grants of at least $200,000 each to programs designed to facilitate the enrollment, renewal, and retention of CHIP-eligible children. Eligible applicants include community-based organizations. Applications are due by Apr. 18. Read More. 

 

 

 

At our 2011 conference in San Diego, May 2-4, the National Council will be offering several workshops and sessions designed to help you make the most of grants and fundraising. These include: “Cultivating Individual Donors” (half-day institute); “Grant Opportunities: $42 Million in Lessons Learned;” and “The Mental Health Conversation: How to Make the Development Case.” Read More. 

 

The National Council is pleased to announce that at Hill Day 2011, for the first time, we will honor our most active grassroots advocate(s) with a new award. But that’s not all – from now until Hill Day, we’ll also recognize our members who are most active each month in contacting your legislators. Visit our website to learn more about this new opportunity – and don’t forget to register for Hill Day! Read More.  

 

The National Council will host several webinars in the upcoming weeks, including: “Mental Health First Aid for Eating Disorders” (Feb. 24); “Federal Parity: What it Means For You” (Mar. 1); and the Product Showcase “Together RxAccess Update: Prescription Savings Program for the Uninsured” (Mar. 8). Read More and Register.

 

 

 

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has released a call for public comments on its plan to make alcohol screening and brief intervention a Medicare prevention covered benefit. CMS has made a similar recommendation for depression screening and treatment in primary care. The comments CMS receives will help inform its final decision on whether these interventions will be covered as a benefit. Read More and Comment.  

 

Suicide is the leading cause of death among people who abuse alcohol and drugs. In collaboration with SAMHSA, the Department of Veterans Affairs has developed a training video to discuss ways to manage and address suicidal thoughts and behaviors among individuals with substance abuse issues. Read More. 

 

The Collaborative Family Healthcare Association has announced it is now accepting proposals for its 2011 conference, to be held Oct. 27-29 in Philadelphia. The theme of CFHA’s 2011 Conference is Accelerating Adoption of Collaborative Care: Reaching the Tipping Point. Read More.  

 

 

 

The National Alliance on Mental Illness website, StrengthofUs.org, is an online resource center designed to empower young adults to live out their dreams and goals through peer support and resource sharing. The site has begun posting new daily activities, interactive resources and videos from celebrities who share their personal stories combating mental health issues. Read More.  

 

The slides and recording are now available from a recent webinar describing the results and impact of the Keeping Families Together pilot project, designed to reduce the cycle of homelessness and families’ involvement with child welfare agencies. The webinar offered information on the importance of supportive housing for families who are chronically homeless and child welfare involved. Read More. 

 

A new powerpoint presentation and speaker notes from the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General provide information for physicians on avoiding Medicare and Medicaid fraud and abuse. An accompanying booklet provides additional information. Read More. 

 

The Medicare Learning Network within the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has released several resources to help Medicare fee-for-service providers understand how to accurately file claims the first time. Dozens of publications and resources provide information for a range of staff and providers; some products include continuing education credits. Read More. 

 

In January 2011, CMS issued a revised version of “The Medicare Appeals Process: Five Levels to Protect Providers, Physicians, and Other Suppliers” This brochure provides an overview of the Medicare administrative appeals process available to providers, physicians, and other suppliers, as well as details on where to obtain more information. Read More. 

 

The SAMHSA Resource Center to Promote Acceptance, Dignity and Social Inclusion has announced it will hold a teleconference on Feb. 23 from 3-4:30 eastern to discuss current trends and practices in preventing homelessness, including the important role of social inclusion. Read More.  

 

New Medication for Schizophrenia, Latuda, Now Available Nationwide
Latuda (lurasidone HCl) tablets, a once-daily atypical antipsychotic agent indicated for the treatment of adult patients with schizophrenia, is now available by prescription in pharmacies across the United States and Puerto Rico. Latuda was approved by the FDA in October 2010. Read More.