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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. |
People served through our BHH services programs
The number of individuals served by our BHH services providers since 2016 has reached 11,035 individuals as of July 2023.
BHH services rate review
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has contracted with an outside vendor to do a rate review on multiple services and has recently added behavioral health home (BHH) services as part of that rate study. Five BHH services providers were chosen to participate in a workgroup to gain valuable information about the service.
The first workgroup meeting was held on May 8, 2023. The workgroup will meet 4 to 5 times for about 1-1.5 hours each over the course of April through June. For more information on this rate study, see MHCP Outpatient Services Rates Study.
State Plan Amendment updates approved
As a reminder, CMS approved the proposed changes to BHH services State Plan Amendment (SPA). Key changes include:
- Clarified and additional language resulting from the 2019 legislative changes (see BHH updates memo for reference to the 2019 changes); and
- The variance authority that exists in state law to the State Plan. Specifically, the changes will allow flexibility to the BHH services provider requirements, provider training, practice transformation requirements, staff qualifications (including the qualifications required for the integration specialist based on the setting requirement), and service delivery standards.
There is a memo about these changes posted on the BHH services website under Forms and resources for certified BHH services providers). If you wish to request a variance, submit the BHH services variance request form. Thank you for your continued commitment to the people we serve. If you have any questions, reach out to us at Behavioral.Health.Home.Services@state.mn.us
Rights, responsibilities and consent form
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) ended the federal public health emergency (PHE) for COVID-19, declared under Section 319 of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act2023. Therefore, BHH services providers had until to continue receiving verbal consent for the rights, responsibilities and consent form. You must now obtain written consent for the BHH services rights, responsibilities, and consent form. However, there is also the option to submit a variance request for this requirement. If you wish to submit a variance request, please submit the BHH services variance request form.
Two memos have been sent out to BHH services authorized representatives regarding this matter. You can find them under “Communication archives” on the BHH services website. Direct links to the memos are found below. Additionally, DHS has added an electronic signature block to the rights, responsibilities and consent form.
Addendum to Memo on BHH providers must get participants’ written consent for eligibility review for BHH services - April 2023 (PDF)
Memo on BHH providers must get participants’ written consent for eligibility review for BHH services – March 2023 (PDF)
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 also 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.
Tobacco Treatment Bill Passed
Minnesota lawmakers passed the Health and Human Services budget bill which included the Tobacco Treatment Bill (SF1320 / HF1574). The treatment bill expands access to tobacco dependency treatment to Minnesotans on Medicaid and MinnesotaCare, a policy authored by Representative Robert Bierman and Senator Kelly Morrison. Read the full release on the Minnesotans for a Smoke-Free Generation website. Stay tuned for more information on how this will be rolling out. On behalf of the Lung Mind Alliance, we thank those who worked on this policy change. We greatly appreciate the support and work that you do!
Tobacco Treatment Specialist (TTS) training
The Lung Mind Alliance is happy to offer another Tobacco Treatment Specialist (TTS) training this fall. The course is presented by UMass Chan Medical School, an accredited provider of TTS education. Go to UMass TTS training to learn more. The training consists of two parts. Part 1- a self-paced online portion, and Part 2- offered via Zoom on the following dates: Date: September 18 – 20 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (CT) Click TTS September Training - space is limited!
Contact Chelsey.BadMoccasin@Lung.org with questions
Don't have the time or capacity to commit to a full TTS training? This class is a shorter version of the Tobacco Treatment Specialist Training that delivers a brief overview of tobacco dependence interventions and how to treat tobacco use disorder.
- Self-paced online course
- 9 modules
- Up to 12 continuing education units (certified health education specialist, social worker, licensed alcohol and drug counselor)
- $175 value but we are offering it FREE of charge
Register by clicking Basic skills online tobacco treatment training
Contact Chelsey.BadMoccasin@Lung.org with questions
Client Voices Video Project
The Lung Mind Alliance is excited to share their Client Voices video project with tobacco treatment videos from the perspective of treatment providers and clients! Special thanks to Mental Health Resources- Minneapolis and Zumbro Valley Health Center- Rochester for being part of this powerful message. Feel free to watch and share these videos with your networks! Watch for more videos to come on their YouTube channel @ LungMindAlliance
** only for Behavioral Health Home Services Providers
Instructions for gaining access to the MN BHH Services Partner Portal:
Have your organization’s MN-ITS administrator create a profile for you.
Send the following information to megan.seifert@state.mn.us:
- Username
- Email Address
- Work Phone
- MN-ITS Username
DHS will send you an email letting you know when you have access. The email will include resources, such as the BHH Service Partner Portal Reference Guide, to support you in using the partner portal.
Information on upcoming learning opportunities and available resources that may be helpful for BHH services providers
Community Health Worker Scholarships Now Available!
The Minnesota Community Health Worker Alliance (MNCHWA), in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), is offering 90 scholarships to individuals from diverse communities across Minnesota to complete the Community Health Worker (CHW) Certificate program. The scholarship program aims to strengthen and diversify the public health workforce to better meet the needs of under-resourced communities in Minnesota. The scholarships may be used to pay for CHW Certificate programs and education-related costs that start on or after August 2023. Students must be accepted to a college offering the CHW Certificate program to receive a scholarship. Scholarships are funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).
MNCHWA and MDH are also looking for employers interested in the Registered Apprenticeship Program for CHWs. A Registered Apprenticeship Program is a career pathway through which employers can develop and prepare their future workforce and CHWs can obtain paid work experience combined with on-the-job learning and related classroom instruction. CHWs participating in a Registered Apprenticeship Program may also be eligible for a HRSA grant-funded stipend. Contact Kristen Walters at kristen.walters@state.mn.us with any questions. Visit Community Health Worker Training Program to learn more.
Contact us:
Behavioral.Health.Home.Services@state.mn.us
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