Update From The CEO
Greetings, providers!
I hope you’re enjoying this spring, as we finally welcome sunny days and warm weather! For those who celebrate / honor Spring holidays, I send you happy wishes for these celebrations and observations. Among the many April health-related observations, we acknowledge Autism Awareness/Acceptance Month, Child Abuse Prevention Month, Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and Alcohol Awareness Month.
State updates: GOBHI has completed fact sheets regarding Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCS) and the Aid and Assist process. Please consult these and share with colleagues who may find the information helpful.
BH Campaign: The Behavioral Health (BH) campaign has reached an exciting milestone – we are preparing to release launch materials next month.
As you may know, the campaign will address the workforce crisis. GOBHI is keenly aware of the workforce shortage in Eastern Oregon and the impact that has on our members and communities. Our Board of Directors approved funds for a BH campaign to help recruit, and fill, open positions and to generate interest in BH as a career. In addition, we intend to promote Eastern Oregon as the place to live and work. We have contracted with a marketing company, CFM Advocates, in order to carry out the campaign.
GOBHI staff are facilitating that work with the assistance of a project stakeholder steering committee. CFM has created our logo, flyers, and they recently finished amazing videos that depict living and working in our region. The speakers are people who have lived experiences and staff working in Eastern Oregon. These videos also show the positive impacts of BH services. We will be distributing these materials this spring; read the article below for more information.
In closing, thank you for your steadfast efforts and commitment to serving the behavioral health and social service needs of community members in Eastern Oregon.
Sincerely,
Karen Wheeler, MA CEO, GOBHI / Tribal Liaison, EOCCO
BH Campaign
Above – pending draft version of the website is subject to final changes.
We are excited to share that the Behavioral Health Workforce Campaign in Eastern Oregon (formerly “Education Campaign”) is preparing to launch! The campaign’s purpose is to address the BH workforce crisis in Eastern Oregon by utilizing compelling multimedia messaging, encouraging applicants to join the field, and raising awareness of the efficacy of the profession.
The GOBHI Network refers to the network of behavioral health providers throughout Eastern Oregon. This campaign’s multimedia products include these major areas:
Website
Video testimonials from local professionals
Social Media
Marketing, traditional media / radio advertising
Stay tuned for messaging from staff about how you can help us share these exciting resources!
CBHP-related funding opportunities
By: Karen Wheeler, CEO
GOBHI developed a Comprehensive Behavioral Health Plan (CBHP) on behalf of Eastern Oregon Coordinated Care Organization (EOCCO) in 2021.
The CBHP is a CCO deliverable. For the past 18 months, GOBHI has been activating the three priority areas from the CBHP: Workforce Development, Behavioral Health Network Development, and Housing Stability. Two of the initiatives, Behavioral Health Network Development and Housing Stability, incorporate grant programs to build capacity for programs serving EOCCO Members in Eastern Oregon.
For more information about these funding opportunities and to view the RFPs, please visit the GOBHI Funding Opportunities website.
Recent awardees under these priority areas include:
Network Development –
Eastern Oregon Trauma Center in Pendleton: $30,000 for building capacity for new practice focusing on trauma-specific interventions - Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Trauma Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
Oregon Washington Health Network (OWhN) in Hermiston: $24,196 to reopen drop-in peer centers providing culturally specific behavioral health services.
Housing Stability –
Wallowa Valley Center for Wellness: $25,000 for Single Family Transitional Housing-Renovating a building into 3 separate housing units.
Housing Authority of Malheur & Harney Counties: $25,000 toward paying for expenses associated with moving to suitable housing while the renovations of 18 units occur.
Eastern Oregon Center for Independent Living (EOCIL): $25,000 for restoration and finishing of renovated housing.
New Directions Northwest: $25,000 for building permits for remodeling to create two bedroom apartment
Wallowa Valley Center for Wellness (Round Two Funding): $10,975.00 for appliance replacement in the Single Family Transitional Housing project
Awareness Months
April 2023
Autism Awareness & Acceptance Month: According to the organization Autism Speaks, “Throughout the month, we focus on coming together in unity and collaboration by fostering worldwide support, sharing stories and connecting to create a more inclusive world. This year, we are committed to standing together to make a world of difference where all people with autism can reach their full potential.”
Looking where to start in recognizing Autism Awareness? The Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee has compiled several written pieces and articles in recognition of this month.
Child Abuse Prevention Month: This annual observance in the United States is dedicated to raising awareness and preventing child abuse. It is a time when child wellness and child welfare organizations across the U.S. elevate the importance of creating systems and programs that put children and families first.
Learn more at https://preventchildabuse.org/buildingtogether2023/.
May 2023
Asian American and Pacific Islander Month:
This month is observed in the United States during the month of May, and recognizes the contributions and influence of Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans to the history, culture, and achievements throughout the nation. Learn more at this PBS webpage.
Mental Health Awareness Month/Children’s Mental Health Month:
Each year, millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental illness and behavioral health concerns. During May, family-serving agencies join the national movement to raise awareness about mental health. The goal is to fight stigma, provide support, educate the public and advocate for policies that support people with mental illness and their families.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has launched a 2023 Partner Social Media guide with the theme “More Than Enough.” Consider sharing these resources with your community.
Mental Health America page: https://www.mhanational.org/mental-health-month
Substance Use and Mental Health Services Administration page for May: https://www.samhsa.gov/programs/mental-health-awareness-month
National Foster Care Month:
Each May, family-serving agencies take time to acknowledge foster parents, family members, volunteers, mentors, policymakers, child welfare professionals, and other members of the community who help children and youth in foster care find permanent homes and connections. Visit the Child Welfare webpage for helpful facts and resources.
Follow the “GOBHI Foster Care” Facebook page for more updates throughout the month. Spread the word about the need for foster homes, and help us make a difference in your community!
Older Americans Month
Established in 1963, Older Americans Month (OAM) is celebrated every May. Led by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), OAM is a time for us to acknowledge the contributions and achievements of older Americans, highlight important trends, and strengthen our commitment to honoring our older citizens.
This year’s theme, Aging Unbound, offers an opportunity to explore a wide range of aging experiences and to promote the importance of enjoying independence and fulfillment by paving our own paths as we age.
For more information, visit the official OAM website, follow ACL on Twitter and Facebook, and join the conversation using #OlderAmericansMonth.
LGBTQS+ Affirming Training
You are invited to a training on Moving your agency to LGBTQ2S+ Affirming; please note the date was recently changed.
Registration link: Moving Your Agency to LGBTQS+ Affirming
Date: Wednesday June 21, 2023 8am- 12pm, NASW CEU’s available
Presenters: Jacque Serrano, LCSW CADC I
Location: Virtual Platform- Zoom
Training Overview:
Part 1 8am-10:00am
Review of sex and gender
Treatment for Transgender folks and Therapeutic Process
Discrimination: Mental Health Symptoms & Diagnosis
Resources
Part 2 10am-12pm
Culturally competent skills for working with Transgender, Non-Binary, and Gender Creative clients in your workplace
Creating a Safe Space in the workplace
Moving your agency from a Welcoming to Affirming space for the LGBTQ2S+ community through policy and community investment.
Cultural adaptation training - Latinx/o/a
Save the date for the “Cultural Adaptations of EBPs in Treating Hispanic and Latinx with Mental Health Disorders.” This is a Live Learning Community for providers in Alaska, Oregon, Idaho, and Washington.
The training will take place on four Thursdays, May 18 - June 8 | 12:30 - 2:00 PM Pacific. Participants can earn 6 hours of Continuing Education (CE) contact hours* (see below). Please submit Your Application by May 5.
Training Details
In partnership with the National Hispanic & Latino MHTTC, this training explore how to utilize and implement cultural adaptations of Evidence Based Practices in treating Hispanic and Latinx populations with mental health conditions at recipients’ organizations and agencies. Participants will participate in an interactive discussion and sharing of expertise and will identify and discuss their own experiences in working with this population. Participants will receive feedback and a toolkit of resources.
Learning Objectives:
Explain cultural adaptations and cultural adaptation models for Latinx populations.
Describe motivational interview, cognitive behavioral therapy, and family therapy techniques and strategies culturally adapted for Hispanic and Latinx clients and how to implement them at the clinical and organizational levels.
Review a case vignette of a Latino male client, conceptualized using several culturally adapted EBP strategies.
Practice and implement one culturally adapted EBP like the motivational interview, cognitive behavioral therapy, or family therapy with a Latinx client.
Eligibility:
Members of the behavioral health/mental health workforce who are based in the states of Alaska, Oregon, Idaho & Washington (HHS Region 10) are eligible to participate.
Each person should have reliable internet, camera and microphone to participate on video as this will be interactive.
Expectations & Commitment:
Plan to attend all sessions as learning builds and spots are limited.
Discussions will be in whole group and breakout sessions, please be on camera and able to talk during sessions.
Complete recommended viewing/reading before and/or between sessions.
Benefits of Attendance:
Live presentation by experienced presenters and in-depth, interactive discussions.
Connection with other learners across other agencies & states
Resources provided before, during and after the learning community
Red Flag law training
A two-hour training for Oregon's Red Flag Law is opening this spring and summer.
The live online training is accredited through NASW-Oregon, MHACBO, and DPSST, and qualifies for the new Oregon 2-hour suicide training requirement. It's designed for Oregon addiction and mental health workers - but of interest to many other community stakeholders.
For more information, see - www.erpos.us
According to the training website, “Oregon’s Red Flag Law intends to reduce gun violence and prevent suicide. The law permits a state court to order the temporary removal of firearms and other deadly weapons from a person who the court believes may present a danger to others or to themselves. This court order is called an Extreme Risk Protection Order.”
SUD Waiver reminder
Background: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) approved Oregon’s Substance Use Disorder 1115 Demonstration waiver, effective April 8, 2021, through March 31, 2026. This SUD specific waiver helps build a full continuum of care for Medicaid members with substance use disorders. The following is part of a series of updates from GOBHI helping to keep you informed about the waiver and its related requirements.
As Of Jan. 1, 2022 OHA has opened up several new SUD reimbursement codes. Providers can bill for these new rates and services for dates on or after Jan. 1, 2022.
Please refer to the CMS approval letter.
For more information, visit our SUD 1115 Waiver Website, which is updated on an ongoing basis. For questions, contact Michelle Brandsma at GOBHI, mbrandsma@gobhi.org.
Program reminder - Foster Care
Foster homes for youth are greatly needed in Eastern Oregon!
The GOBHI Therapeutic Foster Care program provides full-time/part-time services and care to youth in foster homes with foster parents certified and trained by GOBHI. Youth are involved with the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS), Child Welfare Division.
Please visit our website to learn more about the program and how you can help by sharing information, promoting the importance of foster care, and referring individuals who are able to support this critical effort.
Help us build a network of caring homes to support youth across our state. For more information about referral incentives and how you can support foster home recruitment efforts, see this flier or contact a member of our Foster Care Team.
Questions? Topics?
Email pmulvihill@gobhi.org
Invitation: County Highlights
This newsletter is published during the last week of each month.
Have information to share? Submission due dates for comments and submitted write-ups: the second Friday of each month, at 4 p.m. Next due date is May 12.
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