Headlines: Confidentiality Rule Open for Public Comment

Headlines: Confidentiality Rule Open for Public Comment

Confidentiality of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Patient Records: Proposed Revisions Open for Public Comment HHS has published proposed revisions to the Confidentiality of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Patient Records regulations—42 CFR Part 2. This proposal was prompted by the need to update and modernize the regulations. The goal of the proposed changes is to ensure that patients with substance use disorders have the ability to participate in, and benefit from, new integrated health care models without fear of putting themselves at risk of adverse consequences.

SAMHSA Appoints Kimberly A. Johnson, Ph.D., as Director of SAMHSA's Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) In her new role, Dr. Johnson will be responsible for the leadership, management, and operation of CSAT's more than $2 billion budget and significant portfolio grants and contracts to states, tribes, territories, communities, and nonprofit organizations. Up to $1.2 Million Available for Strategic Prevention Framework – Partnerships for Success Grants The purpose of this grant program is to address two of the nation's top substance abuse prevention priorities: (1) underage drinking among persons aged 12 to 20; and (2) prescription drug misuse among persons aged 12 to 25. Up to Nearly $16.3 Million Available for Grants To Expand Substance Abuse Treatment Capacity in Adult Treatment Drug Courts and Adult Tribal Healing to Wellness Courts The purpose of this program is to expand and/or enhance substance use disorder treatment services in existing adult problem-solving courts and Adult Tribal Healing to Wellness Courts, which use the treatment drug court model to provide alcohol and drug treatment (including recovery support services, screening, assessment, case management, and program coordination) to defendants/offenders. Up to $1.5 Million Available in Cooperative Agreements To Benefit Homeless Individuals The purpose of this program is to enhance and/or expand the infrastructure and mental health and substance use treatment services of states and territories, local governments, and other domestic public and private nonprofit entities, federally recognized American Indian/Alaska Native tribes and tribal organizations, urban Indian organizations, public or private universities and colleges, and community and faith-based organizations. National Behavioral Health Barometer, 2015 SAMHSA's most recent National Behavioral Health Barometer report highlights many trends in Americans' behavioral health. The 2015 Barometer findings cover key behavioral health care issues affecting American communities including the prevalence rates of youth and adult substance use, serious mental illness, suicidal thoughts, and people seeking treatment for these disorders. Parity of Mental Health and Substance Use Benefits With Other Benefits: Using Your Employer-Sponsored Health Plan To Cover Services This publication examines what the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act means for people with employer-sponsored health plans who need treatment for substance abuse or mental illness; it discusses key elements of health care legislation particularly as it relates to filing a claim, denial of a claim, and the appeals process. Opioid Overdose Prevention Toolkit – Updated 2016 This publication equips health care providers, communities, and local governments with material to develop practices and policies to help prevent opioid-related overdoses and deaths. Now includes information on the first nasal spray version of naloxone hydrochloride approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. February 10–March 16, 2016 Webinar: SAMHSA's Electronic Health Records Boot Camp Series Register for this six-part series designed to help behavioral health leaders increase their understanding of electronic health records (EHRs) and prepare to implement EHR systems within their organizations. Participants will learn about the benefits of EHRs and have the opportunity to get their questions answered and concerns addressed alongside other substance use and mental health treatment leaders. February 17, 2016 Exploring the American Indian Life Skills Development Curriculum for Suicide Prevention Join SAMHSA's Tribal Training and Technical Assistance Center in this discussion on the American Indian Life Skills Development Curriculum, a course for Native high school and middle school students designed to reduce suicidal thinking and behavior. February 29, 2016 Emerging Compliance Hotspots for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHC): Care Coordination With Collaborating Organizations Register to learn about the relationships that CCBHCs will forge in their communities with Designated Collaborating Organizations (DCOs) and other providers. Presenters will discuss the types of CCBHC services that may be provided by DCOs, as well as the types of contractual arrangements that CCBHCs will need to pursue with DCOs to ensure clinical and financial responsibility. Mental Health First Aid Learn the five steps in Mental Health First Aid—a mental health literacy program in which anyone can learn the signs and symptoms of mental health crisis and how to help.