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This newsletter has been sent to all authorized representatives on each BHH services team. Please forward to other BHH services staff at your organization.
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News, programmatic updates, and useful information. |
DHS needs your help to update provider contact information
We would like to ensure that there is a staff person assigned to each of the three areas below so we can effectively direct our communication efforts to the appropriate contact. Please review the information below, and if you have questions or updates, contact Megan Seifert megan.seifert@state.mn.us. Thank you!
BHH services Team Member Roles
Authorized Representative:
This person must be authorized to accept communication on behalf of the BHH services provider. It is the responsibility of the authorized representative to ensure that any mail and all communication received from DHS is distributed as needed and a response provided within stated timelines, when required.
Partner Portal Lead:
This person is responsible for making sure BHH services provider staff have logins to the partner portal by emailing Megan Seifert (megan.seifert@state.mn.us) and requesting logins for those individuals. This person will also be responsible for letting DHS staff know when a Partner Portal login needs to be deactivated when staff leave.
Training Lead:
Communication will go out to BHH services certified providers regarding upcoming BHH learning events and other educational opportunities that may be of interest to your organization. The person / people serving as the main contact(s) for BHH services learning activities will be responsible for 1) distributing information about learning opportunities to all BHH services team members at your organization, 2) ensuring at least one BHH services team member attends BHH services learning events and 3) following up with DHS learning staff as requested.
Highlights from the front lines
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Welcome Back Human Development Center!
Human Development Center (HDC) was one of the initial implementers of BHH services. HDC was initially certified on April 28, 2016 and discontinued their certification on December 31, 2017. HDC was recently recertified on April 17, 2020. The following spotlight is a write-up from the HDC BHH services team. They share what their new BHH services program looks like in the time of COVID-19.
The Human Development Center (HDC) received its Behavioral Health Home (BHH) Services certification in April 2020. The agency’s certification and service implementation occurred under Covid-19 restrictions. Successful realization of BHH services during this uncertain time is a prime example of the dedication and excitement of HDC’s BHH services team who saw how important this service would be to HDC’s clients. With telephone-only contact initially, staff had to engage, support, and guide clients without physical presence. HDC BHH services staff creatively demonstrated client-centered and -driven services and processes as HDC began enrolling clients.
HDC has seen many positive impacts on implementing BHH. The agency served two people who survived the 2019-2020 winter while homeless. With BHH Services Team and HDC’s Homeless Program Team, medical and behavioral health benefits became available to them, along with other resources. Now, each person has a home and continues to work on developing a healthy lifestyle.
HDC’s BHH services staff work within a Team model to include the client, a Registered Nurse–Integration Specialist (RN-IS), a Case Manager–Systems Navigator (CM-SN), and a Qualified Health Home Specialist (QHHS). HDC’s QHHS is a Certified Peer Specialist with personal experience and has been employed with HDC for over 15 years in various roles. In addition, HDC is fortunate to have Care Coordinators and Clinical Supervisors on the CSP Referral Team, allowing HDC’s BHH team to review each referral in a multidisciplinary approach. Though each role is distinguishable, the team always works together to meet the needs of each person served.
HDC’s Community Support Program referral process involves a team that reviews referrals to the agency’s various community-based services, including BHH services. During this process, if the person was not referred to BHH services but the Referral Team feels the person could benefit from a BHH services approach, a Care Coordinator reaches out to the referral source and referred person to begin the enrollment consent process. This consistent team approach has resulted in a 97% sustained engagement level in BHH Services.
With the flexibility within roles and schedules to meet client needs, one person served told HDC’s BHH services QHHS, “You saved my life today!” Being notified of a very real dangerous situation, the QHHS quickly adjusted her schedule to meet with the client and subsequently consulted the RN-IS who consulted the Primary Care Physicianand coordinated an immediate needs assessment and plan. HDC’s BHH services CM-SN was consulted to coordinate a long-term plan.
HDC BHH Services brings hope to people. Barriers are viewed as challenges to overcome, and HDC’s BHH services team strives to break them down and empower people served.
Information related to the use of commercial tobacco products, and how to help people address their use of them.
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Did you know that, according to the American Lung Association, tobacco use is the number one cause of death in people with mental illness? Not only that, but it affects people with mental illness at alarmingly disparate rates compared to the general population. This section will provide ongoing information related to commercial tobacco products and how to help people address their use of them.
Commercial Tobacco Use and Covid-19
We're learning more every day about COVID-19 and why it affects some people more than others. The Association for Nonsmokers-Minnesota, created this infographic to provide information on the increased risk of contracting COVID-19 for those who use commercial tobacco products.
Free one-hour tobacco brief intervention training for healthcare professionals
The Ask, Advise, Refer to Quit Don’t Switch training is based on the CDC’s Ask-Advise-Refer model, and utilizes updated tools and strategies for conducting an effective brief tobacco intervention with patients identified as tobacco users, including e-cigarettes. Its development was in response to the 2020 Surgeon General’s Report highlighting that four out of every nine adult smokers who saw a health professional in the last year did not receive advice to quit. It is our hope that this course will further support the United States Public Health Service clinical guidelines recommending all healthcare providers offer smoking-cessation interventions. The training reviews evidence-based, proven-effective cessation strategies to support an individual’s quit and reviews the seven FDA-approved quit medications currently available. The Ask, Advise, Refer to Quit Don’t Switch training is accredited for continuing education and contact hours from select organizations through December 31, 2020. A complete agenda and FAQ are available on the American Lung Association training site.
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Important dates specific to BHH services |
Upcoming Virtual Presentation: Minnesota’s Encounter Alert System (EAS)
The Minnesota Department of Human Services invites you to join a virtual presentation about Minnesota’s Encounter Alert System (EAS) on November 13, 2020. The MN EAS enables providers to receive alerts for individuals who have been admitted, discharged or transferred from an EAS-participating hospital, emergency department, long-term and post-acute care facility, or other provider organization in real time. Any Medicaid-enrolled provider can participate. You can learn more about the service at the EAS webpage.
During the upcoming presentation you will receive an overview of EAS and hear from fellow BHH services providers about how they use and benefit from EAS. There will also be some time for questions and discussion. DHS staff recently sent a ‘save the date’ calendar invitation for this presentation. Please contact Michaelyn Bruer at michaelyn.bruer@state.mn.us if you did not receive the invitation and are interested in participating.
Information on upcoming learning opportunities and available resources that may be helpful for BHH services providers.
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2020 Kente Circle Training Institute (KTCI) Conference
Register for KTCI’s upcoming conference “Reclaiming Our Humanity and Voices through PROTEST: Responding to Racial Trauma and Violence.” It is a one and a half-day virtual conference for people of color and white allies in mental and behavioral healthcare, education, youth services, faith, government, activism, and the broader community. This year’s conference will be led by Dr. Kenneth Hardy, Elder Atum Azzahir, Resmaa Menakem SEP, Dr. Manijeh Daneshpour and Susan Raffo. Please visit the KTCI fall conference website to read more and register.
Self-care for Healthcare Professionals and Responders to COVID-19
Healthcare and mental health professionals, first responders, and others on the frontlines of COVID-19 response do intense, sometimes stressful work, even outside of emergencies. In an unprecedented crisis, responders may be at particular risk, and it is even more important they take steps to ensure their physical and mental health. The latest release of The Dialogue, a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) quarterly e-newsletter, provides detailed information and resources related to self-care for healthcare professionals and responders to COVID-19.
2020 Many Faces of Community Health Conference
The 2020 Many Faces of Community Health Conference will be a one-day live virtual event, occurring on Thursday, October 22nd from 8am-5pm. The live event will be followed by a series of 6 additional virtual session. This year's conference theme is "Cultivating Innovation & Resiliency". Join as they examine new community care innovations and health care delivery models that promote health equity, prevent and manage chronic diseases, and ensure access for all. The 2020 Agenda-At-A-Glance and Program Brochure are now available on their Many Faces of Community Health web page. Attendee registration is now open and will remain open through October 22nd. Please reach out to manyfaces@mnachc.org with any questions about attendee or sponsor registration.
Housing Benefits 101
Housing Benefits 101 (HB101) created new charts, in plain language, to help people understand different housing programs and/or resources and how to access them. You can find the charts at the following links:
New E-Learning: Integrating Primary Care and Behavioral Health: Approaches and Strategies
Putting the patient at the center of care means providing whole person care. Learn about the best practices in integrated care and see how Minnesota-based primary care and behavioral health providers are building them into their practices. Register now on the MDH Learning Center.
Building collaborative relationships with other providers to address whole-person care & promote service sustainability
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Housing Stabilization Services: Trainings for Targeted Case Managers
There are new resources available for targeted case managers that will help them learn about their role in relation to Housing Stabilization Services. These resources include:
- A Guide for Targeted Case Managers that provides a general overview of Housing Stabilization Services in relation to eligibility requirements and person-centered planning.
- An optional training called "Introduction to the Housing Focused Person-Centered Plan" found on TrainLink. This training works through all components of the Housing Focused Person-Centered plan. This training will require a unique key through TrainLink. It is free and easy to get.
Review the Housing Stabilization Services Policy Page for additional information regarding the service. If you have additional questions, please contact us directly at dhshousingstabilization@state.mn.us.
Early Intensive Developmental and Behavioral Intervention (EIDBI) services
Early Intensive Developmental and Behavioral Intervention (EIDBI) services offer medically necessary treatment to people under the age of 21 on medical assistance (MA) with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or related conditions.
The purpose of the EIDBI benefit is to:
- Educate, train and support parents and families of people with ASD and related conditions
- Promote people’s independence and participation in family, school and community life
- Improve long-term outcomes and quality of life for people and their families
If a person receives other Medicaid-funded services (e.g., behavioral health home (BHH) services, personal care assistance [PCA], home and community-based waivers, etc.), he or she also may be eligible to receive EIDBI services.
Review the overview of the EIDBI benefit on the EIDBI Policy Manual Page for more information on this service. You may view a list of EIDBI providers on the Minnesota Health Care Programs (MHCP) provider directory page. Also, please visit the Minnesota Autism Resource Portal Page for the latest information, news and resources related to autism spectrum disorder.
Minnesota needs more qualified healthcare providers!
Minnesota needs more qualified healthcare providers to diagnose and treat children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). A study from the Minnesota Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network (MN-ADDM), funded through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), found approximately 1 in 44 or 2.3% of 8-year-old children were identified with ASD in Minnesota in 2016. The study also found that the average age of first ASD diagnosis was 4 years 8 months. We know that ASD can be reliably diagnosed as early as 18 to 24 months. The earlier a diagnosis, the sooner the child can access necessary early intervention services and supports. There are critical developmental years before a child reaches kindergarten. The Overview of Medical Identification and Educational Determination of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) resource helps to clarify the difference between a medical diagnosis and an educational determination and why it is important for a family to access both.
You can make a difference. To become a Comprehensive Multi-Disciplinary Evaluation (CMDE) provider and complete the evaluation necessary for a child to receive access to early intervention services, contact ASD.DHS@state.mn.us. By enrolling as a CMDE provider, conducting developmental, social-emotional and ASD specific screenings and making the proper referrals, you can change the trajectory of a child’s life and help ensure the best possible outcomes.
Behavioral.Health.Home.Services@state.mn.us
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