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In This Issue...
- Letter from the Executive Director
- News and Resources
- Legislative Update
- Member Spotlight
Job Listings
Are you hiring? Make sure to include you job listing on the NH Providers job board by completing THIS FORM.
Listings are free for NHPA members!
Become a Member Today
The NHPA has a beneficial membership for everyone, whether you work directly in the field of substance misuse, work with populations in need of substance use services, or are studying to work in the field, the NHPA has a benefits package specific to your unique needs as an individual or agency! Learn more about the benefits of membership by visiting OUR WEBSITE or by completeing an APPLICATION today.
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Letter from the Executive Director
Dear Friends, Colleagues, and Partners,
I want to start by thanking you for the incredible and often unrecognized work that each of you do on a daily basis. To provide prevention, treatment, and recovery services in the midst of an addiction crisis is challenging to say the least. At a recent Governor's Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, it was acknowledged that providers feel like the "front lines are folding." It is critical for me to let you know that you, your colleagues, and your organizations are not alone in this. If your practice, organization, or agency is facing challenges in its ability to serve your clients and communities, please let me know. The NH Providers Association is committed to advancing the needs of the profession. We may not be able to fix every issue, but we can fight for you, so you can fight for the community.
Let this spring signal a renewal for the SUD prevention, treatment, and recovery continuum as we come together for strength, stability, and expansion of services for NH residents.
Yours respectfully and sincerely,
Sarah Freeman
Executive Director
News and Resources
SAMHSA Finalizes Changes to PART 2 Regulations Governing Confidentiality of Substance Use Disorder Treatment Records
By: Jason D. Gregoire, Esq.,
Sheehan Phinney Bass & Green, PA
In January 2017, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) made the first major, substantive amendments to 42 C.F.R. part 2 (part 2), the federal regulations governing confidentiality of substance use disorder treatment records, since 1987. The amendments were largely aimed at allowing the exchange of patient identifying information (PII) within clinically integrated networks, accountable care organizations, and health information exchanges. The amendments also clarified the permissible purposes for which a part 2 program may disclose PII to contractors and vendors known as Qualified Service Organizations. Read the full article here...
Confidentiality of Alcohol & Drug Treatment Information
Legal Action Center’s confidentiality hotline provides information about the federal law protecting the confidentiality of drug and alcohol treatment and prevention records (42 C.F.R. Part 2). The hotline is free to New York treatment providers and government agencies. Outside New York, the hotline is accessible if the State alcohol/drug oversight agency subscribes to LAC’s Actionline service (NHPA members have access). To speak with a hotline attorney, please call LAC Monday through Friday between 1:00 and 5:00 p.m. at (212) 243-1313, or toll-free at (800) 223-4044.
Members can call NHPA for the passkey.
OpenBeds Focus Group Webinar
March 7th, 2018
12:30 - 1:30pm
This is a members only opportunity to be part of a focus group to provide feedback on the OpenBeds platform via live webinar. Open to the first 20 organizations. We ask that one computer/phone per organization to give as many people as possible.
OpenBeds is a a SUD referral tracking system whereby referring agencies see real time treatment availability, create and send digital referrals, and treatment facilities are alerted to referral request. This platform could be used by Inpatient, MAT, Residential, IOP, Outpatient Counseling, Recovery Housing, Recovery Support Services, justice system, medical facilities, child placements services, etc. More information can be found at www.openbeds.net.
Following the webinar, we would ask participants to provide feedback to Sarah Freeman, Executive Director of the NH Providers Association. The feedback will be provided in the aggregate to the OpenBed developers and to DHHS.
RSVP to [email protected] to receive webinar call in information.
Prevention, Treatment & Recovery:
Rethinking our Response to the Opioid Crisis
Friday, April 13th, 2018
Presented by the Center for Behavioral Health Professions and Workforce Development at Rivier University
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE
Methamphetamines Resource Document
The threat of methamphetamines misuse in NH is a very, real and increasing concern in NH. As well all know, the focus during the last several years has been around opioid misuse. Please read, review, and share the information compiled by the Bureau of Drug & Alcohol Services concerning methamphetamines. https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/dcbcs/bdas/documents/topic-brief-methamphetamine.pdf
Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Access Waiver
DHHS is seeking 1115(a) Demonstration Waiver authority to support Medicaid payments for individuals receiving substance use disorder (SUD) services in an Institution for Mental Disease (IMD).
The Department of Health and Human Services is convening two public hearings to seek public input on a Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Access Section 1115(a) Research and Demonstration Waiver that will enable New Hampshire to provide Medicaid payments for individuals receiving substance use disorder (SUD) services in an Institution for Mental Disease (IMD). The hearings will be held March 6th and 13th, 2018. Read the full public notice here...
Legislative Update
Medicaid Expansion
On February 20, 2017, the NH Senate held a joint hearing of its Finance and Health & Human Services Committee on SB 313-FN, which would reauthorize Medicaid Expansion. The NH Providers Association testified at the hearing in support of the bill--noting Medicaid Expansion's critical role in maintaining the SUD treatment infrastructure--but raising concerns with the use of money from the Alcohol Fund to fund the state share of the costs. It is critical that the integrity of the Alcohol Fund be maintained to support prevention, treatment, and recovery services that are no reimbursed by health insurance carriers. If you have questions or concerns about this or any other piece of legislation, please contact Sarah Freeman at [email protected].
Member Spotlight
The Partnership for a Drug-Free New Hampshire is a nonprofit that creates and promotes consistent statewide messages about the problems and solutions of substance misuse in New Hampshire through engagement of partners, members and champions.
They have just released two new guides. One for parents, caregivers and teachers entitled, "CyberBullying: Identification & prevention strategies", and one designed for teens entitled, "Peer Pressure: Tips for Teens".
The Cyberbullying guide offers specific tips to parents about how to talk to their children about staying safe online, how to notices the signs of cyberbullying, and provides resources on how to combat the issue at home.
The Peer Pressure guide is designed for teens and offers advice on what exactly peer pressure is, how to identify when it is negative, and what teens can do to handle peer pressure safely.
Download the new guides or visit the organization's website today to learn more. If you would like to request hard copies of these materials, or suggest other materials that you would like to see made, please reach out to Kat Howland [email protected].
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