Foundations February newsletter

Washington State Health Care Authority sent this bulletin at 02/14/2020 12:18 PM PST

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In this issue

Want to know if your organization follows evidence-based practices for helping people find and keep housing and employment?
Foundational Community Supports (FCS) highlighted in notable publication
SAMHSA training for peers

Trainings and announcements

2019 Homeless Assessment Report

Over half a million individuals experienced homeless at least one night in the last year. Read the full report.

2020 Washington Behavioral Health Conference

Registration starts April 1. An application for presenting at the conference is now available. The conference will be held from June 17 to 19 in Kennewick.

FREE, 2020 Workforce System posters!

Order your copy of the poster that gives an overview of the programs that make up Washington's workforce training system.

University of Washington is offering training for high-yield, cognitive behavioral techniques for psychiatric care providers

9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. February 13-14 in Seattle. $300 includes lunch, training materials, and Continuing Medical Education (CME). Register or learn more.

January FCS enrollment

Housing
2,718
Employment
2,646
Housing and employment
831

Want to know if your organization follows evidence-based practices for helping people find and keep housing and employment?

Research links evidence-based practices to predictable, positive outcomes for people in the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) and Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) models. Evidence-based practices mean that rigorous studies have been conducted that demonstrate stronger outcomes when following a ‘fidelity’ scale.

But, how do you know if your program follows evidence-based practices?

Fidelity scales are considered the ‘recipes’ that contain ingredients to make the best outcomes possible. Health Care Authority sees fidelity reviews as a continuous, quality improvement process to see how closely an organization is following the recipe. We also know that some agencies don't have all of the ingredients for this recipe as every organization will have different staffing, budget, and system abilities.

Participating in a fidelity review or sending staff on a fidelity review are opportunities to increase the quality of your IPS and PSH services.

Four fidelity reviewer trainings are coming to Yakima and Port Townsend at the end of this month.

FCS Permanent Supportive Housing Fidelity Reviewer training
Date: Tuesday, February 25
Location: Port Townsend
Register
FCS Individual Placement and Support, Supported Employment Fidelity Reviewer training
Date: Wednesday, February 26
Location: Port Townsend
Register
FCS Permanent Supportive Housing Fidelity Reviewer training
Date: Thursday, February 27
Location: Yakima
Register
FCS Individual Placement and Support, Supported Employment Fidelity Reviewer training
Date: Friday, February 28
Location: Yakima
Register

All trainings will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Foundational Community Supports (FCS) highlighted in notable publication

The January issue of State Health and Value Strategies, highlighted states investing in long term housing assistance. The issue also highlights states that offer housing-related services to high-need individuals.

Research shows that access to affordable, safe, and stable housing improves health outcomes and reduces health care costs.

SAMHSA training for peers

Peer counselors work with adults, youth, and families receiving behavioral health services. The life experience of a peer counselor uniquely equips them to provide support, encouragement, and resources to people with behavioral health challenges. Peer counselors model the impact that employment has in a person's recovery journey.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHSA) funded a continuing education curriculum focused on the role employment has in recovery for people with behavioral health issues.

This curriculum, which has four modules, was created for certified peer counselors and focuses on advancing employment outcomes from a peer support perspective. However, modules are also helpful to anyone interested in increasing their understanding of employment programs, services, and resources.

Review the modules below to start your training.

About the Health Care Authority (HCA)

The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) is committed to whole-person care, integrating physical health and behavioral health services for better results and healthier residents.

HCA purchases health care for more than 2.5 million Washington residents through Apple Health (Medicaid), the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) Program, the School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) Program, and the COFA Islander Health Care Program. As the largest health care purchaser in the state, we lead the effort to transform health care, helping ensure Washington residents have access to better health and better care at a lower cost.

Please do not reply directly to this message. For more information, visit the HCA website, where you'll also find contact information.

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Nondiscrimination

The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) complies with all applicable federal and Washington state civil rights laws and is committed to providing equal access to our services. Visit HCA’s website to view complete nondiscrimination statements.