Christin BADER, LMFT

Kindra DIGIACOMO, LMFT

DSM 5 is Here!

Since April 1, 2017, County Mental Health Plans and providers are required to use the DSM-5 to diagnose mental disorders for the purpose of determining medical necessity for Specialty Mental Health Services and all related clinical documentation must  support  the diagnostic criteria for the selected DSM 5 diagnosis.  Corresponding ICD 10 codes must also be included in clinical documentation for billing purposes. 

CALENDAR

April 14:    Quarterly Provider Meeting

May 29:     County offices closed

Sept. 14/15: Advanced Motivational Interviewing (MI) Training - 14 credits.  Placer County e-learning

SIGN UP HERE

Other Info

Couldn't make the winter Provider Meeting held on January 13th, but want to keep informed?

Meeting minutes can be found on our website.

CHECK OUT THE MINUTES HERE

What is CCR?

Continuum of Care Reform

LEARN MORE

By Twylla Abrahamson, PhD

Placer County HHS CSOC

County child welfare agencies along with the California Department of Social Services are undertaking an immense, multi-year initiative called the Continuum of Care Reform (CCR) that recognizes that children who suffer from abuse and neglect do best when they can live in a supportive, home-based, family environment - whether it be for a short-term period while their biological parents rebuild their lives or permanently if they cannot return to their biological parents.

Many elements of this reform went into effect January 1, 2017, though county child welfare agencies have been implementing some policies and practices for more than a year.

Changes of this magnitude will take time, however, and counties will continue to adapt practices to best serve children, youth and families. All counties support minimizing reliance on congregate care, commonly known as group homes and shelters, and only turn to these options when children's needs require quality, short-term, therapeutic care. Even as we fully implement CCR and recruit many more families to take in children, we will continue to need congregate care options for some youth.

For CCR to succeed, we need the help of the community, particularly relatives and family friends of these children coming under the care of child welfare agencies. This support network can help us ensure that children and youth are placed in supportive, home-based, family settings.

CCR's success is also dependent upon all partners - county child welfare agencies, the California Department of Social Services, California Department of Health Care Services and county behavioral health - fulfilling the many responsibilities and elements outlined under this effort and sustaining it for years to come.

Melissa FREITAS, LMFT

Keith MCCOURTNEY, LMFT

Newly Appointed  Placer County Director HHS CSOC

In February, Dr. Twylla Abrahamson was promoted as the Director of Placer County’s Children’s System of Care, a position which she had been filling in an interim capacity since August of 2015, while Richard Knecht was working on a project to improve joint management between two large State Departments. Twylla began her career with Placer County in 2007 as the Quality Improvement and Managed Care Unit Program Manager across both the Children’s and Adult Systems of Care. She became the Assistant Director for CSOC in 2010. She has past experience working in Adult Behavioral Health in Sacramento County, and worked with a large non-profit for 16 years in developing and leading a host of programs for children and families.

She says, "I believe in using my managerial skills and experience as a licensed Psychologist to always focus on improving quality and efficiency of services, in order to support CSOC employees in their work as they positively impact the lives of Placer County’s children and families."

Ending the Silence

By Debbie DiIanni, MSW

Placer County HHS ASOC

Mental illness affects us all in one way of another whether directly via a family member or indirectly in our community.  In 2011, a staggering 1:5 Americans suffered from some form of mental illness.*  Half of all mental illnesses start by age 14 and three-quarters by the age of 24.*

There are often long delays between the onset of symptoms and treatment. A study of 11 states suggests that fewer than 10% of children who need mental health services receive them in a timely manner and less than half of those diagnosed with a serious mental disorder ever receive treatment. Every year about 1,100 college students commit suicide.*

Prevention is one important key to reducing such tragedies. NAMI's Ending the Silence (ETS) Program is a free mental health awareness program for high school age youth. Teens learn how to recognize the early warning signs of mental illness and what to do if they or someone they know is exhibiting these signs. ETS's goal is to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness.

Key messages: Mental Illness is a medical illness like any other physical illness.  It is not anyone's fault or something of which to be ashamed.

Mental illness can be identified by specific, observable early warning signs:

Sudden or subtle changes in mood, in activity level, in interest in things, in behavior or appearance, in outlook on life. Such changes should raise red flags. It doesn’t mean that there’s a problem but it might be a warning sign to further investigate with a loved one.

Seek treatment early if you or anyone you know shows early warning signs. You are never alone and there are many resources you can turn to for support and information.

Recovery is possible.

There is hope.

Together, we must end the silence surrounding the shame and stigma of mental illness, one voice at a time.

NAMI Contact Info:

Name Placer County

PO Box 7706

Auburn, CA 95604-7706

Tel: (916) 554 -0554

email: namiplacercounty@gmail.com

website: http://www.namipc.org/

Serving: Roseville, Auburn, Tahoe City