IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
HHS Secretary and Senator Stabenow Visit CCBHC
Earlier this week, Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Xavier Becerra and Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) visited Hegira Health, a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) in Livonia, Michigan. Both Secretary Becerra and Senator Stabenow praised CCBHCs for the lifesaving services the clinics provide.
Main Stories:
- Biden-Harris Release Safer America Plan Factsheet
- Webinar on Supporting Childhood Wellbeing
- Webinar on Serious Mental Illness and Homelessness
Biden-Harris Release Safer America Plan Factsheet
Last week, the Biden-Harris Administration released information about its new Safer America Plan. Included in the Plan is helping states, localities, and tribes promote strategies on crime prevention and investing in mental health and substance use disorder services. In particular, the Administration lays out goals to expand drug courts intended to divert individuals to treatment and harm reduction services, grow crisis response teams comprised of mental health professionals, and increase training programs on evidence-based treatments to address mental health challenges. In the Plan, the Administration emphasized that fully funded mental health and substance use disorder services are vital to communities across the nation.
Webinar on Serious Mental Illness and Homelessness
On August 16, from 2-3pm ET the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, along with the Homeless and Housing Resource Center (HHRC), will host a webinar on serious mental illness and homelessness. This webinar will feature three panelists in a roundtable discussion about serving individuals with serious mental illness who are experiencing homelessness. Panelists will help dispel myths about homelessness and mental illness, share innovative and culturally responsive models of care, and provide actionable takeaways that participants can use in their work. To register for the webinar, click here.
Webinar on Supporting Childhood Wellbeing
On August 23, from 2-3pm ET the National Institute for Health Care Management (NIHCM) Foundation will host a webinar on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and children’s mental health. This webinar will explore actionable strategies to prevent ACEs and programs to support children and break the cycle of adversity. Additionally, panelists will discuss community programs to build social emotions learning and evidence-based actions that can create safe engaging learning environments. To register for the webinar, click here.
ADVOCACY CORNER
Sign-up for Advocacy Alerts! Are you interested in advocating for policies that expand access to mental health and substance use services? Sign up for the National Council’s advocacy alerts and become part of an engaged network of advocates advancing policy on the federal and state levels. Learn more about our current advocacy efforts here and follow us on Twitter at @NationalCouncil.
HAPPENING ON THE HILL
HHS Issues Semiannual Regulatory Agenda. Earlier this week, HHS released its semiannual regulatory agenda, highlighting regulatory actions that the Department expects to take in the coming months. The regulatory agenda includes forecasted action surrounding increasing affordable health care access, remediating COVID-19, addressing health disparities, and promoting health equity among other items. Specifically, HHS announced its intention to make permanent rules that would allow methadone take-home doses in opioid treatment programs (OTPs).