June 2002 NACBHDD Newsletter
The Newsletter of the National Association of County Behavioral Health and Developmental Disability Directors
In this Issue...
The Impact of State Budget Cuts on County Behavioral Health Services
NACHBD asked members to comment on how state budget cuts may impact local behavioral health services and to describe the process involved. While the responses below do not represent formal survey results of every member state, they do give a picture of the situations county directors are experiencing. This is an ongoing concern, and more responses are welcomed.
California
Patricia Ryan, Executive Director of the California Mental Health Directors Association explained that for FY03 (July 2002-June 2003) the Governor has proposed cuts to some of the counties' most important mental health programs in his May Revise budget. Both the California Senate and Assembly have passed budget bills, which are now in legislative conference committees. Both came in hundreds of millions of dollars over budget, and $600-900 million in additional budget cuts will be needed, in addition to bills already included and tax increases.
Ryan says that most of the proposed cuts are in children's mental health, perhaps because there was more growth in this area to cut. The Governor's May Revise budget proposed totally eliminating the California System of Care Children's Program and the Adult System of Care, which give counties additional funds for interagency and wraparound services. The programs provide services for populations such as children in the juvenile justice system with mental health problems, and also pay for family and child advocates not funded by other sources. Ryan characterizes these services as the "glue" in California that holds other mental health services together.
A Summary of the Governor's May Revise
Advocacy efforts have been integral to the process, notably the United Advocates for Children of California in testifying against elimination of the Children's System of Care. If the proposed cuts come to pass, Ryan says, "A lot of kids who are really in need of care are not going to be served." More hospitalization, a higher level of services when emergencies occur, and more incarceration for children and adults are potential ramifications. Savings may be addressed with managed care tools and working with the State to mange better.
Kern County, CA
Diane Koditek, Behavioral Health Services Director for Kern County (north of Los Angeles, one of the state's largest counties), says that the proposed total elimination of the Children's System of Care, which has no other avenue of funding, would effect high risk children in the criminal justice system and early identification of mental health problems in schools. This presents a "double whammy" because it "limits an already challenged system." Schools may be challenged with the added strain from less access to services, which traditionally shows up in attendance problems and problems in the classroom.
Kern County would also be affected by a reduction in funds (15% of existing, proven services) for integrated services for the mentally ill and comprehensive services for the homeless or at-risk homeless. Services that would not be delivered under the proposed budget include special focus strategies for a pilot model for medication adherence for the hard to serve and a client support program involving peers and peer mentors. Elimination of funding for the third year of the three-year Mentally Ill Crime Reduction Grants, a joint (and proven) program with the Department of Corrections also has been proposed. This could mean difficulty in community transition or providers who are unwilling to take on the responsibility of the program for such a short time.
In addition, the local hospital has proposed changes in Medicaid eligibility that "won't effect the traditional population, but those people newly identified with mental health issues and many people with milder symptoms who accessed care intermittently" will use the hospital emergency room or crisis stabilization units. Koditek reports that the number of families in poverty in the county has increased 40% since the last census. "The numbers of vulnerable people with the particular challenges poverty brings are high." The county will look for collaborative and private support at a basic needs level, but "the challenges will be very real."
Illinois
Peter Tracy, Executive Director, Champaign County Mental Health Board (CCMHB), submitted a report from a public hearing on the impact of state budget cuts on the community (Report of Public Hearing on State of Illinois Behavioral Health Budget for FY03, April 22, 2002). The hearing was led by the CCMHB and attended by about 450 people, including two state representatives. Testimony was given by the primary and core service providers for public sector mental health, substance abuse and developmental disability services in Champaign County, and by consumers, families, provider staff, advocates and concerned citizens. The report was sent to the Governor and general assembly leadership. A summary of the key components of the report follows:
CCMHB and The Association of Community Mental Health Authorities of Illinois have been closely monitoring the proposed Illinois, Department of Human Services (DHS) budget for FY03 (July 1, 2002 through June 30, 2003). The proposed behavioral health services budget will be about 5% lower than the original FY02 budget. The hearing's goals were:
Background
Recommendations
The report noted that: "The words on paper do not convey the level of emotion, concern and support the families feel for their loved ones and the fear the loss of funding will have not only for them and their families, but for those who come after them seeking help."
Iowa
From Lynn Ferrell, Director, Polk County Human Services:
In Iowa, county property taxes for services for persons with mental illness, mental retardation, or developmental disabilities are frozen at the 1996 level. Any increases in county funding must come from the state. Because of the state budget crisis, state funding going to counties in FY03 will be about 8% less than in FY01. The FY02 funding level was about 21% less than FY01, so we made up a little ground. However, because the state formula for distributing the cuts among counties relied on each county's fund balance in their MH/MR/DD services fund, counties with higher fund balances have spent down those balances and the appropriation is being spread over more and more counties. As a result, some counties that were initially insulated from the cuts but are now feeling them.
The county financial situation is exacerbated by the fact that counties pay the state when a person is in a state institution, and the state is passing along rate increases to the counties, and by the fact that about half of a typical county's expenditures are for Medicaid match. For the Medicaid funded services when a county pays the non-federal share, the state does very little to control rates, so we are seeing some service costs escalating at 2 or 3 times the rate of inflation at the same time that our funding to pay for those services is being reduced. Because of the double whammy of reduced funding and increasing costs (not to mention an increase in the number of consumers of about 5% per year), many counties now have waiting lists for new consumers applying for services. Many are asking case managers to reduce the cost of all consumers' service plans by 5%. Many are doing a combination of both, including my county--Polk County, which is the largest county in the state with about 12.5% of the population.
Minnesota
From Paul Fleissner, Director, Adult & Family Services, Olmsted County Community Services:
The 2002 session included two waves of cuts. In Phase I, the legislature cut about $1.9 billion, mostly through large cuts at the state level (about 10% of the work force). The cuts that impact counties the most included:
Fleissner noted: "The state then received word they had to cut an additional $430 million. Phase 2 cuts were mostly accounting shifts and emptying out reserve accounts. As part of this phase, the legislature restored $1.8 million of the wraparound funds. Both Phase 1 and Phase 2 bills were structured to prevent a Governor's veto. Both were vetoed and then overridden. Our three party system in MN is alive and well."
New York
Gary Weiskopf, Executive Director, New York State Conference of Mental Hygiene Directors, reported that a 3% cost of living increase and a 10% Medicaid trend increase almost across the board for mental health and chemical dependency targeted workforce recruitment and retention were recently passed for 2002-2003. He noted: "I think that impacts on the budget will not be felt until next year because of the cost of living increase," which goes into effect December 1, 2002.
"The jury is still out on what's going to happen. We're hundreds of millions of dollars below anticipated tax revenues, and the budget will have to be balanced. Whether this will affect mental health services is anybody's guess." A major lobbying campaign in New York has brought mental health issues to the forefront. Highly visible mental health-related incidents, such as the September 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, the reform of the Rockefeller drug laws, and the adult home issue, among others, also have increased the visibility of mental health services in New York.
Washington
From Marcia Gunning and Wendy Klamp, North Sound Regional Support Network (NSRSN)
Washington's 2001-2002 Legislature passed Substitute Senate Bill 6387 (SSB) (supplemental budget), dramatically reducing state funding to "balance the budget," due to sharp tax revenue declines. The budget provision makes a reduction of $21,220, 000 in state funds in FY03 to the community appropriation within mental health.
NSRSN will receive a state funding reduction of $486,331 in their reserve fund. An additional $500,142 in Federal Title XIX (Medicaid) revenue is also at risk. This million-dollar shortfall will result in reduced direct services, and eliminate the NSRSN's consumer-oriented projects funding. Money for these projects was set aside by our Board of Directors to support the "Vision of Hope, Path to Recovery" system of care throughout the service area. Consumer projects affected included Cookie Creations, a 2001 Eli Lilly Award recipient, and other innovative efforts.
An inpatient rate reduction has been put into effect that will decrease funding to community hospitals. This approximately $1,000,328 reduction comes at a time when community hospitals have been concerned that prior Medicaid reimbursement was not adequate.
State RSNs will realize a reduction in available resources due to the "cost shifting" that is occurring as a result of Mental Health Division (MHD) and other state department budget reductions, such as plans to downsize Western State Hospital. Western, the state Psychiatric Hospital that serves the NSRSN's mentally ill, is closing a 120-bed wing. The NSRSN bed capacity will be reduced annually through July 2004. There is no corresponding increase in funding to serve these patients in appropriate community-based settings. This reduction could amount to $3 million+ yearly in lost resources for the most seriously mentally ill consumers in our region.
MHD eliminated Medicare crossover funding. These dollars have been historically retained at the MHD to reimburse MAA for psychiatric inpatient hospitalization expenses when a Medicare client's benefit is spent. Effective July 1, 2001 these expenses have become the responsibility of the RSNs with no additional dollars allocated. Estimated annual impact to our system: $92,000 - $140,000 annually.
The Department of Aging and Adult Services (AASA) and MHD entered into an understanding separate from and in conflict with contract terms that expanded the parameters around which the RSNs are responsible for paying Medicaid Personal Care expenses. Estimated annual impact to our system: $250,000. AASA has restructured and reduced their residential payment structure so that often, adult family homes and nursing homes will not accept a mentally ill individual without additional funds. NSRSN has an increased financial burden of purchasing "residential" services historically paid for by AASA. Estimated annual impact to our system: $100,000.
Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) will reduce their Emergency Response Unit staff within the NSRSN service area from 17 to 1 FTE. We are unsure what the full impact of this will mean, but are very concerned as these staff provided invaluable services to children without placement, who require immediate Child Protective Service intervention, etc. The NSRSN has seen a 600% increase in psychiatric hospitalizations from 1998 through 2001 for children within the foster care system; the trend of increasing hospitalization usage may spike upwards as a result of this dramatic staff reduction.
"Whether there's a budget for it or not, mental illness remains. Many of our consumers are already wondering if their treatment and medication will be maintained, if they will have somewhere to live…. the need for care will continue. We believe the NSRSN is uniquely situated to take a leadership role in reducing the impact of the "lean times ahead" within our five-county area. Our task will be not merely to work harder, but to work smarter and to that end the NSRSN has formed a Regional Summit Task Force. This task force will collaborate on strategies for solving regional problems and will include not only Mental Health system leaders, but also Developmental Disabilities, Alcohol and Substance Abuse, Children and Family Services, Corrections, Courts, and Tribal leaders. If we are to meet our consumers' needs and keep improving our mental health system we must create new solutions together, quickly!"
Make a Note:
~ NACBHD has a New 800 Number ~
1-800-228-6905
Monica Oss to Discuss Leadership in a Time of Change in Annual Conference Keynote Address
Monica E. Oss, founder and president of the behavioral health and social services research and consulting firm OPEN MINDS, will deliver the keynote address at the July 25-27 NACBHD Annual Conference in San Diego.
From her 15 years of work with over 50 county executives in the areas of executive development, strategic planning, human resources, finance, and information technology, Ms. Oss has a broad perspective on the challenges currently facing behavioral health managers. She will discuss the current complexities of behavioral health management, particularly in regard to changing public policies and changing technology, as well as address the additional challenges faced by county behavioral health departments this year - balancing budgets at a time in which budgets everywhere are tight. In her address, she will focus on how leadership by county behavioral health executives has grown to have two distinct dimensions:
In a telephone interview, Ms. Oss noted that her work with counties in 12 states has given her an overview of what she characterizes as "the similarities and differences that county executives must deal with." Despite this range of similarities and differences, she notes that "Better management tools are particularly critical now because we're seeing more people in need of critical services" at a time when there is "less to work with."
Ms. Oss enumerated some specific issues that mental health directors must cope with as they face today's challenges and look toward the future, including:
Founded by Ms. Oss in 1987 and located in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, OPEN MINDS' 25-member research and consulting team provides strategic advice and technical information to social service executives, legislators, and policy makers in many states. The organization also specializes in the delivery and financing of behavioral health, children's services, and social service systems, with a mission of providing "payers, consumers, and service providers with the information needed to improve the delivery of behavioral health and social services."
In addition to her responsibilities as president of OPEN MINDS, Ms. Oss serves as executive editor of Open Minds: The Behavioral Health and Social Service Industry Analyst and executive editor of Behavioral Health Management magazine. She has written books and articles on marketing, managed care, health care management, and health care policy, as well as serving as editorial director for several independent managed care publications. Her other leadership activities involve chairing the Behavioral Health Track of the National Managed Health Care Congress (NMHCC), and chairing the judging committee of the Eli Lilly Behavioral Health Leadership Award. She worked on the Institute of Medicine's forthcoming guidelines for managed care and mental health. She has served on her county's mental health/mental retardation board, and as a Head Start board member.
From The Hill
By Robert Egnew, NACBHD Policy Consultant
This has proven to be a very busy legislative session regarding mental health, substance abuse and developmental disabilities issues. With the session drawing to a close and as this being an election year, there is a sense of urgency beginning to build within the House and the Senate. The Mental Health Parity legislation (HR-4066 & S-0118) which has introduced in the House by Congresswomen Marge Roukema (R-NJ) and Congressman Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) and a companion bill on Senate side introduced by Senator Wellestone (D-MI) and Senator Domenici (R-NM) seem to not be moving at this time. While President Bush has indicated his support for some type of parity legislation, the House Republican leadership IS opposed to parity and has not set the bill for a hearing. At this time, it does not appear that the Administration is making any attempt to push the parity legislation through the legislative process. While the Senate may end up passing some form of parity legislation as they did last year, unless there is also a House bill, nothing will be enacted into law.
The major piece of legislation that will impact mental health and substance abuse treatment, and to a less extent developmental disability services is the re-authorization of the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families Act (TANF). The Administration took a very restrictive stance and introduced legislation that would limit the amount of time a TANF recipient could spend in treatment and have it count towards work is only 3 months. After three months, the recipient would have to meet the proposed 40 hour a week work requirement while receiving any mental health or substance abuse treatment or rehabilitation services. The concern is that without an adequate period of time for treatment, most recipients, particularly those with a substance abuse disorder, will fail to participate in the new 40 hour a week work requirement and be sanctioned off TANF.
This would significantly impact both recipients and their children. NACBHD has been taking the lead in developing alternative language, which would permit TANF recipients to be involved in treatment up to one year with quarterly reviews and approval by the state agency (or in some cases, the county), which oversees the TANF program. The House version of the TANF re-authorization was passed with no amendments so it will be key to get an alternative in the Senate version of the bill. The Senate Finance Committee that has jurisdiction over the bill is expected to have its initial draft of the bill ready by the week of June 24th. The last word from committee staff was that the initial draft might only be "concept language" since there is a significant number of issues that the Committee members have not reached agreement.
Frank Kolb is New NACo Liaison
Frank Kolb, the new Associate Legislative Director for the National Association of Counties (NACo), and the organization's liaison with NACBHD, will "continue the tight coordination between NACo and NACBHD." He brings a broad health care perspective to the position he started in April, with experience in hospital, mental health, and public health issues.
Kolb holds a law degree from the University of Houston School of Law, and a M.P.H. from the University of Texas School of Public Health. He worked for Texas State Senator Judith Caffirini, and more recently for Congressman Bobby Rush (D-IL). During law school, he clerked for the Vice-Counsel of the AMA. While serving on Rush's staff, he worked on a number of issues, including health care. He was the lead staff for the Melanie Stokes Postpartum Depression Research and Care Act.
In discussing his advocacy goals, Kolb explained that he will work on several important behavioral health issues:
In addition, while he is not the NACo staff person responsible for TANF issues, he will be advocating on related mental health issues and coordinating with responsible NACo staff.
Results of Co-occurring Survey to be Presented at July Board Meeting
A rough summary of the results of the Co-occurring Survey will be presented to the NACBHD Board of Directors at their next meeting, which will take place at the July annual conference in San Diego. The survey, which was sent to the NACBHD membership, is intended to examine how counties and agencies are dealing with co-occurring disorders. Results and recommendations from the survey ultimately will be used to give the NACBHD membership, state groups, and key federal agencies insight into the treatment of co-occurring disorders in the county arena.
The survey effort, led by Jeff Davis, Substance Abuse Committee member and Administrator of the Marion County Health Department in Salem, Oregon, has taken about a year and a half to complete. Davis drafted the initial survey. It was then revised based on comments by NACBHD's Substance Abuse Committee and by the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors and the National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors. Davis explains that several years ago, NACBHD did a similar survey about the delivery of behavioral health services and the impact of counties on behavioral health services. That survey helped highlight NACBHD's significance. Davis notes that the co-occurring survey is a logical progression because of the common realization that "co-occurrence is the norm and not the exception."
In determining what the treatment of co-occurring disorders looks like in counties and agencies, the survey examined several key areas, including:
While responses were due June 21, the survey will be reviewed within NACBHD before it is released to the entire membership. In addition to the presentation of the summary at the July Board meeting, a complete report will be presented at the Substance Abuse Committee meeting in early fall, with a final report to the Board in December. Davis anticipates that NACBHD will then release a final summary to its membership, and state mental health groups and key federal agencies, such as SAMSHA.
Davis is enthusiastic about the results and reports that the survey response is "excellent." As he explains, the survey will "give the Substance Abuse Committee and ultimately the Board, more information about how to treat these conditions and make it possible to contemplate education at the national and local level." Davis can be contacted at jdavis@co.marion.or.us with questions about the survey.
A Look at Substance Abuse Parity in One State
Leslie Herdegen, Legislative Coordinator for Virginia Law and Government Affairs, P.C., lobbies for Virginians for Mental Health Equity (VMHE), a coalition of professionals and consumers for mental health equity, and for the Virginia Association of Community Services Boards (VACSB). Parity has been a priority in Virginia since VMHE was founded more than a decade ago; and during the 1999 session of the Virginia General Assembly, parity for biologically based mental illnesses was passed. Drug and alcohol addiction were included in these biologically-based mental illnesses, which have parity with other illnesses in terms of deductibles, co-payments, dollar limits, durational limits, and determination of medical necessity.
Herdegen is quick to point out the benefits of substance abuse parity. "It makes insurance coverage fair for policy holders. It eliminates insurance coverage stigma for addiction and substance abuse disorders" and "makes a statement much bigger than people not being able to get the care they need."
Yet she reports that there are some "glitches" in the Virginia law that need ongoing attention:
In discussing what she believes helped pass substance abuse parity in Virginia, Herdegen alluded to several things. (While she says Virginia was one among many states that had mental health parity, she believes it was one of the first to pass parity with substance abuse inclusion.) "In some states, including addiction has gotten to be a tug of war between mental health advocates and substance abuse advocates" in terms of inclusion "with the feeling that layering on substance abuse may make it more expensive." She added that concerns about substance abuse being "volitional" sometimes surface. Also, insurance companies may state that parity will cost more money and refer to instances of repeated treatment. Herdegen says that if advocates are not firmly united, this makes it easier for legislators to deny parity. However, in Virginia, mental health advocates were quite clear that mental disorders and substance disorders co-occur often enough so that substance abuse parity would be both a treatment benefit and a coverage benefit.
Substance abuse parity was widely and variously advocated for in Virginia, with advocates including United Methodist Women statewide, the Interfaith Center for Public Policy, individuals who were affected and not affected, professional and consumer organizations, community service boards, and medical societies. As Herdegen described it, "People came out of the woodwork. It was just fascinating."
Michigan Medicaid Update
From a press release provided by Dave Lalumia, Executive Director, Michigan Association of Community Mental Health Boards:
The Michigan Department of Community Health recently announced conditional recommendations for 16 Community Mental Health Services Programs to provide Medicaid managed care for mental health, substance abuse, and developmental disability services. Two other Community Mental Health Services Programs have applied, but must show that application requirements have been met before a contract can be approved.
Most of Michigan's Medicaid specialty mental health, developmental disability, and substance abuse services have been managed by specialty Prepaid Health Plans. With the new plan, a single Prepaid Health Plan is selected to provide these services in specific geographic areas.
Programs must have at least 20,000 Medicaid beneficiaries in their catchment area to be considered for an application. They may make a consolidated application with contiguous programs if they do not meet this criteria. Other qualification requirements include administrative and service considerations, continued consumer access to the existing array of services and alternatives, and assistance for consumers in community participation, integration, and inclusion. Programs must show a network of providers to meet consumers' needs and ensure service eligibility.
As a Prepaid Health Plan, Community Mental Health Services Programs must facilitate consumer choices and offer external planning facilitators to meet the needs of consumers under Michigan's person-centered planning for specialty services. The selection was performed by the Community Health Specialty Services Panel. The Panel, appointed by the Governor, includes state officials, consumers, and family and advocacy representatives.
Class Action Federal Lawsuit Filed on Behalf of People with Mental Retardation and Their Families
The following is a summary of information submitted by Mike Chambers, Chair of the Developmental Disabilities Committee and Executive Director, MH/MR Administrators Assn. of PA
Recently in Pennsylvania, a statewide advocacy coalition announced support for a federal class action lawsuit filed on May 30 on behalf of children and adults with mental retardation who remain on waiting lists for community services. Spokespersons for the Community Advocacy Coalition (CAC) and Pennsylvania Waiting List Campaign Organizers communicated their disappointment in what they characterized as a "broken promise to families of people with mental retardation in the Commonwealth."
In 1999, former Governor Ridge outlined a five-year $853 million plan to address the needs of 28,000+ state residents who have been waiting for community residential and vocational services (some for as long as 10 years). Services also could include community living programs, job coaches, in-home supports, and day programs. Eligibility guarantees funding for services as a federal entitlement. However, Governor Schweiker's proposed budget recently cut 30% of the original 2002-2003 funding, which is the third year of the five-year initiative.
The President of the ARC of Greater Pittsburgh, Nancy Murray, describes the situation this way: "In initially endorsing the Long Term Plan to Address the Waiting List in Pennsylvania, the Ridge administration and the legislature recognized that parents in their 80s who are still caring for 50-year-old sons and daughters at home cannot continue to wait for services. We trusted that the Schweiker administration would continue to make good on this pledge to offer hope to tens of thousand of families who awake every day not knowing where they will get the strength to continue their care taking responsibilities. We do not relish taking these issues to federal court, but we cannot allow these devastating family situations to languish any longer."
Executive Director of Pennsylvania's Protection and Advocacy and leading CAC member Kevin Casey described the filing: "This is a sad day for those of us who have worked so hard for so many years on the waiting list issue. Pennsylvania needs to keep its promises to those who wait. If it requires a federal judge to declare such, so be it."
Conference Announcements
NACBHD's First Regional Workshop Highlights the Upper Midwest
August 8 - 9th, Rochester, MN
"Prevention, Early Intervention, Treatment, Through Recovery: We Can Shorten The Distance"
This workshop is the first in a series planned throughout the country that will highlight the issues and concerns of behavioral health directors in specific areas of the country. Each regional workshop is designed to provide a forum for enhancing professional development and networking, examination of local program models and areas of expertise while defining the needs of behavioral health directors in each region. As travel and conference budgets tighten, these workshops respond to your educational needs. This workshop highlights the Upper Midwestern states of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa. All county/local behavioral health directors in these states are encouraged to take advantage of this exceptional opportunity to learn and exchange. Review the workshop and register online at the NACBHD web site: www.nacbhd.org
NACBHD's 7th Annual Conference
"Behavioral Health & Disability Systems: Leadership For a Complex Environment"
July 25 - 27th
Clarion Bay View Hotel, San Diego, CA
Keynote Speaker - Monica Oss, Open Minds
Register online at www.nacbhd.org
Job Announcements
Mental Health Chief Executive Officer
Horizons Mental Health Center located in Hutchinson Kansas is seeking a CEO with a minimum of five years experience. Relevant master's degree is required. The successful candidate will possess the following:
Hutchinson is a community of 40,000 located within a 45-minute driving distance of Wichita, KS. The community provides a variety of educational, cultural and recreational activities including a world class Space Museum and Ominimax Theater, NCAA Basketball, Kansas State Fair, Community Concert, Fine Arts Theater, Golf Courses and more.
For consideration, please e-mail, fax or mail resume and salary requirements in confidence to:
Betty Fesler
Horizons Mental Center
1715 East 23rd
Hutchinson, KS 67502-1188
E-mail: Feslerb@hmhc.com
Fax: 620-665-2276
EOE
Director of Behavioral Health and Social Services
Whitman-Walker Clinic (WWC), a nationally recognized and comprehensive provider of medical, behavioral health and social services to those affected by HIV/AIDS and to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered (LGBT) in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, is searching for a Director of Behavioral Health and Social Services (BHSS). This position serves as the senior administrative and clinical manager for the Clinic's Access, Case Management, Day Treatment, Foodbank, Housing, and Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Services. Supervises program managers and provides leadership to ensure that BHSS functions as a state-of-the-art and client-centered provider. Represents BHSS program areas at the executive administrative level, ensuring continuity in strategic planning, funding, implementation, and evaluation. Successful candidate will have a Master's degree in Business, Public Health Administration, or a postgraduate degree in a related clinical field. Clinical experience in behavioral health practice strongly preferred. Substantial experience in senior management positions in Behavioral Health, Human Services, and nonprofit organizations. Demonstrated knowledge of principles and methods of healthcare and social services delivery, program development, and evaluation. Ability to develop and maintain professional relationships at all levels within the organization, to create and maintain a diverse workforce, to manage complex projects over extended timelines.
Expertise in resource development and fiscal management. Knowledge of and sensitivity to issues facing LGBT people, and to people living with HIV/AIDS. Ability to develop organization-wide professional staff education. Excellent written and oral communication for a diverse range of audiences and settings. Good working knowledge of MS Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint. Salary commensurate with credentials and experience. Excellent benefits package. Minorities and women encouraged to apply.
Please submit cover letter, CV, and salary requirements to:
Director Human Resources
1407 S Street NW
Washington, DC 20009
Fax: (202) 797-4431
Email: resumes@wwc.org
www.wwc.org
EOE.
National Depression Screening Day Announces Revised Screening Form
National Depression Screening Day's revised screening form now includes questions on generalized anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. The added questions solidify the event's ability to address a range of common disorders including major depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and suicidality. "County behavioral health authorities can now organize and promote one program to address a range of disorders. The goal is ensure consistency, excellence, and efficiency in mental health screening activities," explains Douglas G. Jacobs, MD, NDSD founder and executive director. "We now have one simple screening form that effectively screens for a range of commonly underdiagnosed disorders and reflects current medical understanding that these illnesses and symptoms are more likely than not to occur concurrently." NACHBD members can download a registration form for the October 10th National Depression Screening Day by visiting www.mentalhealthscreening.org/ndsd/nachbd or request one by calling the NDSD office at 781-239-0071.
One special feature of NDSD kit materials is a steeply discounted Public Sector Kit enabling more hospitals and mental health facilities that cater to the low income and uninsured populations to offer the screenings. A large focus of the program is to educate family members and friends about the signs of depression, bipolar disorder and suicide and empower them to intervene. Screening for Mental Health (SMH) is the nonprofit organization that runs National Depression Screening Day.
The NACBHD Bulletin is published electronically six times a year by the National Association of County Behavioral Health Directors, 1555 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20036. Articles of interest to county/local behavioral health professionals are welcome by the 15th of the month prior to publication. Please submit copy to Nancy Sydnor-Greenberg at nesydnor@erols.com. Editor-in-Chief - Dr. Sandra Naylor Goodwin, sgoodwin@cimh.org.
NACBHD is an affiliate of the National Association of Counties.
