Propagandist and elements in the war on healthcare reform are spreading fear and misinformation. John Fund, from Health Reform’s Hidden Victim’s, The Wall Street Journal:

While Democrats on Capitol Hill dispute claims that individuals will lose their existing coverage under their reform plans, on other issues many Democrats privately acknowledge some people will indeed get whacked to pay for the new world of government-dominated health care.

Democrats have been brilliant in keeping knowledge about the pain and sacrifice of health reform from the very people who would bear the brunt of them. They’ve done so by convincing health-care industry groups not to run the kind of “Harry and Louise”-style ads that helped sink HillaryCare in 1993.

The facts belie the article.

Charles Ingoglia,Vice President of Public Policy and Technical Assistance for the National Council dispels rumors in this short video clip.

With more than fifteen years experience in behavioral healthcare, Charles Ingoglia has worked as a provider, advocate, and educator for government and public sector organizations at the national and local levels.

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The National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare (National Council) is offering small emergency grants and free Mental Health First Aid training to support mental health efforts in the wake of the devastating Haiti earthquake.

“Our thoughts are with the people of Haiti and with their loved ones in the U.S. We commend the efforts of many agencies and individuals that are providing disaster relief. Our pockets are not deep but we are standing by to help in any way we can,” said Linda Rosenberg, President and CEO of the National Council.

Through its Project Helping Hands, the National Council offers small grants to organizations working to meet the mental health needs of Haitian survivors and loved ones in the U.S. Since 2005, Project Helping Hands has supported behavioral healthcare organizations responding to emergency mental health and addictions treatment needs in the wake of disaster — hiring treatment staff, setting up emergency outreach offices, and purchasing medications and emergency equipment.

Emergency Grants and Mental Health First Aid Training Available to Meet Mental Health Needs after Haiti Earthquake

Contact: Meena Dayak, MeenaD@thenationalcouncil.org; 202.684.3728

Washington, DC (January 15, 2010)— The National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare (National Council) is offering small emergency grants and free Mental Health First Aid training to support mental health efforts in the wake of the devastating Haiti earthquake.

“Our thoughts are with the people of Haiti and with their loved ones in the U.S. We commend the efforts of many agencies and individuals that are providing disaster relief. Our pockets are not deep but we are standing by to help in any way we can,” said Linda Rosenberg, President and CEO of the National Council.

Through its Project Helping Hands, the National Council offers small grants to organizations working to meet the mental health needs of Haitian survivors and loved ones in the U.S. Since 2005, Project Helping Hands has supported behavioral healthcare organizations responding to emergency mental health and addictions treatment needs in the wake of disaster — hiring treatment staff, setting up emergency outreach offices, and purchasing medications and emergency equipment.

It is estimated that up to 25 to 30 percent of people in the most vulnerable communities experience the onset of trauma and mental disorders in the wake of disaster. These needs usually manifest several weeks to months after a disaster, as the reality of loss and displacement sinks in. Those with pre-existing serious mental illnesses may be traumatized anew or displaced and need extra care and support.

Haitian populations in the U.S., concerned about the safety and whereabouts of any loved ones in Haiti, may also be experiencing acute anxiety and stress reactions. Further, it is likely that the U.S. will see a significant influx of surviving Haitians over the coming months and a good number will likely experience mental health issues, in addition to the challenges of settling into a new culture.

Free Mental Health First Aid USA (www.MentalHealthFirstAid.org) training is available for volunteers headed to help in Haiti in the coming months and for community groups and caring citizens working with Haitian populations in the U.S.

Mental Health First Aid USA — a collaboration of the National Council, the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the Missouri Department of Mental Health — equips members of the public with skills and resources to help someone developing a mental health problem or save someone experiencing a mental health crisis. Those trained in Mental Health First Aid can recognize the risk factors and warning signs of mental illness and connect persons in need with appropriate professional or other help, including peer and family support.

Those who wish to support the Haiti disaster mental health response may donate to the National Council’s Project Helping Hands at www.thenationalcouncil.org/cs/project_helping_hands.

Register NOW

Presenter
Chris Wilder, Executive Director, Valley Medical Center Foundation

Join the National Council and Chris Wilder, Silicon Valley’s “Outstanding Professional Fund Raiser 2008,” in a fun and useful look at how the public sees your healthcare organization today… and how they could see you tomorrow.

After 8 years of budget cuts, Silicon Valley’s public hospital, Valley Medical Center, faced mandated closure of half their beds. Join this webinar to learn how VMC used social media to prove the value of their organization to secure financial support and avoid a shutdown. Chris Wilder will demonstrate how YOU can use Facebook, video, blogs, and other Web 2.0 tools to launch a successful fundraising campaign. He will walk you through how to develop, implement, and support a strong social media strategy that delivers results. This webinar previews Chris Wilder’s live social media presentation at the National Council Conference, March 15-17, 2010 in Disney World, Orlando.

Sign up to receive the weekly Public Policy Update e-newsletter, with the latest Congressional healthcare legislation and National Council news on mental health and addictions treatment.

HHS Awards “Performance Bonuses” to States for Improving Children’s Access to Medicaid and CHIP

Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius last week announced $72 million in “performance bonuses” for nine states that made significant progress in improving children’s access to coverage through Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).  The nine states receiving the awards are:

• Alabama: $39.1 million
• Alaska: $789,000
• Illinois: $9.1 million
• Louisiana: $1.5 million
• Michigan: $3.7 million
• New Jersey: $4.2 million
• New Mexico: $5.1 million
• Oregon: $1.6 million
• Washington: $7.5 million

A chart showing the enrollment practices adopted by each of the nine states is available from InsureKidsNow.gov .  Additional information on states’ enrollment and outreach efforts is available is this Kaiser Family Foundation report on the results of its 50-state survey on Medicaid/CHIP enrollment and eligibility in 2009.

• Mike Strautmanis, a parent of a child with a disability, has a video
  responding to some of the misinformation about the President’s health insurance reform plan
• Nancy Ann DeParle has a video addressing some of the misinformation about healthcare reform

The financial crisis, combined with the complex healthcare reform debate, has left many unsure of how to proceed. What will the mental health and substance abuse benefit look like? How many of the uninsured will be covered? How will that impact the demand for our services? Will we have the funds to meet this new challenge? How do we plan when so many questions are unanswered?

Tuesday, December 29, 2 pm eastern
Presenters
Chuck Ingoglia, Vice President, Public Policy and Mohini Venkatesh, Director of Federal and State Policy — National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare

Register NOWJoin us for the next in the National Council’s Healthcare Reform Update webinar series to learn the details about key provisions that will impact your practice and how you can stay on top of the latest action and get involved. The webinar allows time for our policy experts to answer your questions.

Healthcare Reform Update
Chuck Ingoglia, Mohini Venkatesh, December 16, 2009

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• Mental Health Online Resources
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Download the Super Saver brochure for a sneak preview of the curriculum.

For four decades, the National Council Conference has gathered the leaders of the profession to share strategies and solutions, and to explore the issues of the times. This year, we may have the best opportunity yet to strengthen community behavioral healthcare across the country. Join us to make the 40th conference our best ever.
Join your colleagues as we celebrate our community and 40 years of National Council leadership.

Make YOUR voice heard on Capitol Hill — join us in Washington DC for the National Council’s 6th Annual Hill Day on June 30, 2010. A Public Policy Committee Meeting will be held in conjunction with Hill Day, on June 29.  Join us for both events!

Book your hotel room today at the Hyatt Regency, Capitol Hill at the specially discounted rate of $239 a night! Call 202.737.1234 and ask for the National Council room block.

Tue, November 17, 2-3:30 pm eastern

Attend our webinar!

Presenter
Dr. John Kern, MD, Chief Medical Officer, The Regional Mental Health Center

Collaborative Documentation (often referred to as Concurrent Documentation) is a process in which behavioral health clinicians and clients collaborate in the documentation of the assessment, service planning, and ongoing client practitioner interactions. Fundamental to the collaborative documentation process is an understanding that assessment and service planning are clinical processes, not forms, and that the documentation of these activities as well as of client therapist interactions (progress notes) should add value to the clinical process and generate positive outcomes. Join us for this webinar to learn how you can truly foster and implement a culture of concurrent documentation that supports effective, person centered services and interventions; compliance; and efficiency.

Dr. John Kern is Chief Medical Officer at The Regional Mental Health Center, until recently Southlake Center for Mental Health in Merrillville, IN. Dr. Kern has more than 20 years in community mental health, 15 years as medical director at Southlake Mental Health, where he oversaw the implementation of a number of SAMHSA evidence-based programs and participated in the implementation of a concurrent documentation protocol.

A Guide to Workforce Innovation

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Ruling gives the mentally ill a chance to live with dignity
featuring a guest editorial by Linda Rosenberg in New York Daily News, October 6, 2009.
National Council President and CEO, Linda Rosenberg guest writes an oped about recent court ruling in New York about adult homes for mentally ill.

Ruling on Housing for Mentally Ill Is a Step Forward
featuring letters to the editor from Ira Burnim and Peter C. Campanelli in New York Times, September 17, 2009.
Ira Burnim, Legal Director of the Bazelon Center and CEO of Institute for Community Living, Peter C. Campanelli, comment on recent court ruling in New York that calls for an end to the warehousing of the mentally ill.