In this issue

• FCS fidelity reviewer training builds professional excellence
• Creative use of federal funds boosting supported employment success
• Treating chronic homeless as a medical condition
• Enrollment numbers for February

Connections

Trainings and certification Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Supported Employment Fidelity Reviewer Training:

• IPS Supported Employment Fidelity Reviewer Training
  Mar 13, 9 am - 4 pm
  5709 W Sunset Hwy Spokane, WA 99224 RSVP 
• Permanent Supportive Housing Fidelity Reviewer Training
  Mar. 14, 9 am - 4 pm 5709 W Sunset Hwy Spokane, WA 99224 RSVP

Webinars and events

• Permanent Supportive Housing Supervisory Learning meeting
  March 11, 2 to 3 pm
  Register for this online meeting

• Healthier Washington Quarterly Webinar series:
  Tribal health systems and Medicaid Transformation
  May 9, noon to 1 pm
  Register for this webinar

• Healthier Washington Quarterly Webinar series:
  An overview of the clinical data repository
  Aug. 13, noon to 1 pm
  Register for this webinar.

Resources

• Follow the FCS calendar for all upcoming trainings and events.
• View more Healthier Washington events

• Webinar: The future of Healthier Washington 
  Slides | Recording

•  HCA Connect 
  Stories of health care transformation in Washington State

Sign up for the monthly Healthier Washington newsletter and other HW announcements.

FCS fidelity reviewer training builds professional excellence

Pat Tucker, a fidelity expert from Advocates for Human Potential, giving a training in Longview last month.

On February 5-6, at Lower Columbia Community Action Program, in Longview, 46 people turned out for a fidelity reviewer training event in supportive housing and/or supported employment.

The trainers were:

• Pat Tucker, a master fidelity trainer from Advocates for Human Potential
• Kimberly Castle, Supportive housing program manager, Health Care Authority (HCA)
• Lisa Bennett-Perry, Supported employment program manager, HCA

Attendees were primarily Foundational Community Supports (FCS) providers. A few were low income project developers with interests the permanent supportive housing model.

This was the first in a series of fidelity reviewer training events, designed as a learning collaborative to support the FCS initiative. 

The fidelity review process is an evidence-based way of ensuring continuous quality improvement. It specifies essential program elements, identifies strengths and weaknesses, and prescribes measures against which to track outcomes. It is based on extensive research and experience provided by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSA).

Creative use of federal funds boosting supported employment success

Looking for work requires some essentials: a professional-looking outfit, a nice pair of shoes or sturdy work boots, transportation - gas for the car or bus passes - certifications or proof of identity. People who are qualified to work may not be considered if they lack the basics.

Now through next September 30, Washington State is using block grant funds provided by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSA) to help qualifying job-seekers* overcome these barriers.

Washington's FCS contractor, Amerigroup, will distribute the funds, a maximum of one $5,000 award per provider, to contracted supported employment providers. 

These funds are already helping people find good jobs, and build better lives.

*People with serious mental health conditions or co-occurring mental health and substance use disorder.

Treating chronic homeless as a medical condition

Enrollment numbers for February

Enrollment in Supportive Housing and Supported Employment continue to climb. Here are numbers as of February 29:

• FCS housing & employment -- 260
• FCS employment -- 1,683
• FCS housing -- 1,057
• Total enrollment -- 3,000