Creating Connections NH requests your expertise for the development of an Alternative Peer Group model for youth and young adults in New Hampshire as part of a federally-funded project to develop and implement a system of care for youth (ages 12-25) with substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders. They would appreciate you taking a brief survey, as well as sharing and distributing the survey with other organizations or stakeholders in NH with an interest in Youth Peer Support, and substance use treatment for adolescents and young adults. We appreciate you completing the survey by Sunday, May 24, 2020.

If you have any questions please email Heidi Cloutier at Heidi.Cloutier@unh.edu.   Thank you! 

STARTS MONDAY...
ATTENDEES DO NOT HAVE TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH ECHO

Best Practices in Adoption of TeleHealth: COVID and Beyond mini-series

This series is open to all primary and ambulatory healthcare workers across the globe using or planning on using electronic information and telecommunication technologies to support and promote long-distance clinical health care and patient education.  

Telehealth can address COVID-19 and other epidemic situations by limiting exposure to infection for vulnerable populations and health care workers while expanding the reach of resources to communities that have limited access to needed services. This allows patients to receive health services away from settings where the potential for contracting COVID-19 is high, such as hospitals, health clinic waiting rooms, private practices, etc.

Each session will include facilitation by Dr. Sanjeev Arora, Director of Project ECHO and Dr. Matt Bouchonville, Associate Medical Director, ECHO Institute, a didactic presentation, and the following panel of experts for Q&A:

• Joseph C. Kvedar, MD; Vice President, Partners in Health
• Christian B. Ramers, MD, MPH, AAHIVS; Medical Director, Laura Rodriguez Research Institute
• John D. Scott, MD, MSc, FIDSA; Medical Director, University of Washington Digital Health
• Kristin Sohl, MD, FAAP; Executive Director, ECHO Autism

Session 1:     Monday, May 18, 2020    8:00 AM – 09:30 AM MDT
                       Ideal Integration of Telehealth into the New Normal

Session 2:     Wednesday, May 27, 2020   8:00 AM – 09:30 AM MDT
                       Virtual Visits – Maximizing the Experience
                    
 Session 3:     Monday, June 1, 2020    8:00 AM – 09:30 AM MDT
                       Telehealth Technology, Privacy and Payment Policy
                      


Series Flyer

For additional information, please email telehealthECHO@salud.unm.edu
 
                             

This series has been created with the generous support of the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation.

Thank you to those who joined us this afternoon for the informational call on the COVID-19 Substance Use Disorder Provider Survey. If you were unable to join us, you can access a recording of the call here: Zoom Meeting (5/11) with Substance Use Disorder (SUD) service Providers in New Hampshire on a critical survey of the financial impact of COVID-19 on SUD providers. Password: 4i.#74%Z

As we discussed on the call, substance use treatment providers, recovery centers and others make up a critical part of the health care field. Information on the financial impacts of COVID-19 on SUD providers must be collected and presented to the Governor’s Office for Economic Relief and Recovery (GOFERR) and its Advisory Committees to ensure appropriate allocation of federal resources. 

Help us in our advocacy efforts by participating in the survey attached below. Robust participation in the survey will be necessary to make a compelling case for financial relief.

Participate in the Survey Here.

We thank you in advance for your participation in this critical effort.

All the best,

Michele Merritt

brought to you by your NHADACA Ethics Committee

Hurry! Registration is FREE for this virtual symposium on May 21 –join for the whole day or for any session you find interesting  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nam-opioid-collaborative-spring-2020-virtual-symposium-tickets-103474408742

Join members of the National Academy of Medicine's Action Collaborative on Countering the U.S. Opioid Epidemic on May 21 at 8:30 a.m. ET for a day-long virtual symposium that will address some of the highest-priority elements of the nation’s response to the opioid epidemic, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

During this virtual symposium, experts will discuss combatting stigma against those with opioid use disorder, strengthening provider education, advancing evidence-based pain management, and promising prevention practices, among other topics.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nam-opioid-collaborative-spring-2020-virtual-symposium-tickets-103474408742

Action Collaborative on Countering the U.S. Opioid Epidemic Free Virtual Symposium May 21, 2020 | 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET

Register to Attend Join members of the National Academy of Medicine's Action Collaborative on Countering the U.S. Opioid Epidemic on May 21 at 8:30 a.m. ET for a day-long virtual symposium that will address some of the highest-priority elements of the nation’s response to the opioid epidemic, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. During this virtual symposium, experts will discuss combatting stigma against those with opioid use disorder, strengthening provider education, advancing evidence-based pain management, and promising prevention practices, among other topics. Register to attend this free, virtual symposium – you are welcome to join us for the whole day or for any session that you find interesting. Register to Attend Symposium Agenda Keynote The stigma of addiction keeps many people from seeking out treatment, talking about their experiences, and costs lives. During the keynote address of the virtual symposium, two ambassadors from Shatterproof will share their stories and discuss how stigma has impacted them and their families. Session 1 - 9:20 to 10:30 a.m. ET Stigma remains a pervasive barrier to accessing and receiving quality addiction care. During session 1, an expert panel will discuss evidence-based strategies, initiatives, and other critical opportunities to reduce stigma toward opioid use disorder across the health care system and beyond. Session 2 - 10:50 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET It is essential that the health care workforce have the knowledge, skills, and training required to care for individuals with substance use disorder or pain, as well as to prevent and recognize the symptoms of these conditions. Session 2 will feature an expert panel who will discuss strategies to close gaps in health professional education and training to improve care for people with pain and substance use disorders. Session 3 - 12:40 to 1:50 p.m. ET Effective pain management is critical to curbing the opioid epidemic and preventing future prescription drug crises. During session 3, an expert panel will discuss promising practices and critical opportunities to strengthen person-centered pain management. They will also touch on innovations in care delivery and the state of the evidence around opioid prescribing guidelines for acute and chronic pain, tapering guidance, and more. Session 4 - 2:10 to 3:20 p.m. ET Treatment has been a major focus in addressing the opioid crisis, but experts are turning to prevention strategies in hopes of earlier and more effective intervention. Session 4 will feature an expert panel who will discuss strategies and promising opportunities to prevent opioid and other substance use disorders that span clinical care, social and community-based services, policy, and practice. Session 5 - 3:40 to 4:50 p.m. ET The current health care system is not adequately designed to address and promote the holistic needs of individuals with opioid and other substance use disorders. During this final session, hear an expert panel discuss how to build the needed capacity, competencies, quality of care, payment structures, and incentives to ensure effective, quality, and affordable health care for individuals with opioid and other substance use disorders.

2020 CONSUMER RESOURCE GUIDE: HOW TO ACCESS MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER BENEFITS

(4/24/2020): New Futures and the UNH Law-Institute for Health Policy and Practice have released a 2020 Consumer Resource Guide on How to Access Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Benefits. The purpose of the Guide is to help individuals and families access needed treatment services. 

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE RESOURCE GUIDE FOR CONSUMERS

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE QUICK GUIDE FOR CONSUMERS

Getting help in a time of need can seem overwhelming. To help individuals and families obtain needed care, the Guide provides detailed information on how to navigate health insurance coverage for mental health and substance use disorders. Specifically, it addresses mental health parity and how to find treatment, enroll in health insurance, make sure treatment services are covered, and appeal when coverage is denied. It is updated and enhanced to reflect consumer feedback and changes in law and practice, and now includes information about New Hampshire's Medicaid Managed Care Organizations, the Doorways, and other resources, as well as a more detailed section intended to assist providers in helping their clients and patients.

 2020 Quick Guide for MH SUD Consumers.pdf

 2020 Resource Guide for MH SUD Consumers-compressed.pdf

Individuals experiencing addiction are a vulnerable population that have been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Physical distancing protocols have separated patients from their clinicians, made medications to treat addiction much more challenging to obtain, and shuttered many long-term recovery groups. 

A new webinar series from the NAM and the American Society of Addiction Medicine will provide insight and targeted guidance on how to ensure that these individuals are cared for and protected during this ongoing public health crisis. 

The first webinar in this series will focus on how to ensure that patients remain connected to and engaged in addiction treatment during the pandemic, and provide practical approaches to ensuring continuity of care. 

The webinar will feature a panel of expert speakers, including:

·  Kelly Clark, MD, MBA, DFAPA, DFASAM (Moderator) - Immediate Past President, American Society of Addiction Medicine

·  Brian Hurley, MD, MBA - Director of Addiction Medicine, Los Angeles County Department of Health Services

·  Chris Bundy, MD, MPH - Executive Medical Director, Washington Physicians Health Program

·  Cortney Lovell - Recovery Coach and Co-Founder, Our Wellness Collective

Speaker presentations will be followed by a Q&A session with the webinar audience. 

AMA Credit Designation Statement
The American Society of Addiction Medicine designates this internet live course for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
 
ACCME Accreditation Statement
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the essential areas and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint providership of the American Society of Addiction Medicine and National Academy of Medicine. The American Society of Addiction Medicine is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

To register:  https://nasem.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_6wTYB-JbROus2sx9j4OWyA

Please see below for a IC&RC testing update from Prometric:

Prometric is scheduled to resume IC&RC testing for essential services programs in U.S. and Canada test centers effective May 1st, where we are able to do so.

With modified test center resumption starting this week, we want to provide you with updates on where we are likely to open for programs able to test, as well as how we will work to communicate out to all candidates who are impacted. Below is a high-level overview of these initiatives:

• On May 1st, Prometric plans to resume testing in several markets worldwide for essential services. Please click here for the most up-to-date list of markets where we are looking to resume testing, based on governmental clearance and other market factors. This is subject to change daily. Some global markets listed here are already open. We will give a more detailed update into which centers are scheduled to open in these markets later this week.
  
  
• All candidates who will not be able to test as a result of social distancing policies through May and June are being notified this week via email. Where applicable, candidates will be able to self serve online, or will have their appointments rescheduled or canceled, based on program requirements.
  
  
• Essential candidates who will be testing in May will receive an email reminder with social distancing guidelines and procedures three days prior to test day; and then a follow-up phone call one day prior. Please click here for a copy of this communication.

Colleagues and Friends,

Please help us all better understand changes in substance use patterns in New Hampshire during COVID 19 by completing this brief (< 3 minute) survey. http://hitchcock.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3Erb6tjiJFoSDhX

There have been many recent reports of changes in drug availability, use patterns, treatment seeking, overdoses, and other drug related variables in NH during the COVID 19 pandemic, but reports have been somewhat inconsistent. This survey intends to gather and examine the observations of diverse stakeholders in order to better characterize these changes, integrate them with other lines of evidence, and help inform appropriate public health responses. Survey results will be disseminated to respondents who provide an email address at the end of the survey and they will be posted at the DH Substance Use and Mental Health Initiative website. 

Feel free to circulate the survey link to others who are in a position to observe drug use patterns in NH, including professionals, community members, people who use drugs, and others.  Survey input will close midnight Monday, April 27^th.  Advance apologies for any duplicated emails you may receive.  

Questions  may be directed to Seddon.savage@dartmouth.edu.

Thank you for sharing your observations!

The D-H Substance Use & Mental Health Initiative SUD-COVID-19 Survey Team Luke Archibald, Charlie Brackett, Sally Kraft, Seddon Savage, Ariel Pike, Laura Fineberg

SUMHI envisions a health care system where mental health & substance use disorders are treated with the same urgency, respect and seriousness of purpose as other illnesses and where discrimination does not occur.  

https://med.dartmouth-hitchcock.org/sumhi.html

Education & Clinical Practice Resources to Improve Care of Substance Use & Mental Health

Prometric, the IC&RC testing organization, plans to resume in-center testing operations in our US locations where we are able to do so in compliance with governmental directives or regulations, effective May 1st. In the current environment, our operational readiness steps include the introduction of several new or enhanced processes designed to safeguard the health and well-being of everyone at the center, including your test takers and the staff serving them.

One such procedural change required is the reduction of active workstations in the testing room, to conform with government-mandated social distancing standards. This will ensure proper distance is maintained between each individual during test administration. It will also effectively reduce the capacity at each location by at least 50%, and will require Prometric to displace scheduled candidates on select workstations in order to be able to preserve the remaining testing appointments. We understand the impact that this will have on those test takers and are committed to testing them as soon as possible, including looking to expand capacity through increased test center hours and days of operation. The following is additional information for you:  

·         Prometric will inform impacted candidates early next week of the need to cancel their existing appointment as the result of implementing social distancing preventative measures (attached here).

·         The date range of the appointments that will be impacted runs from May 1^st through June 30th. 

·         After the candidate notification has been sent, we will begin processing the cancellations and reschedules (program depending) in the scheduling system. Cancellations and reschedules will be prioritized by appointment date.

·         For test takers scheduling new appointments for dates from July 1 onward, the available capacity will appear to be the same 50% that's imposed during the social distancing period. Out of an abundance of caution, we will hold off on displacing these candidates for now, but we will continue to monitor the situation and keep you informed should that become necessary.

·         Every 30 days, Prometric leadership will review current conditions and will determine if an extension of the social distancing measures are necessary. If that decision is made, we will inform you of further candidate displacements and will inform candidates of their cancelled appointments.

·         For test takers who will be testing during this time, Prometric will reconfirm their appointment and send clients and candidates a list of social distancing and safety guidelines that candidates will have to follow while in the test center. More details to come as we finalize this communication and have a better understanding of where we are equipped to open on May 1st.

IC&RC and Prometric thank you for your patience, understanding and support as they strive to re-establish safe and reliable testing operations.

Next week, in the midst of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which has compromised parts of NH's substance use and mental health treatment systems, New Futures and the UNH Law-Institute for Health Policy and Practice are releasing our 2020 Consumer Resource Guide on How to Access Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Benefits.

Can you join us next Friday, April 24th at 12pm for a webinar to review the Guide and discuss how it can help individuals and families access needed treatment services? Specifically, representatives from New Futures, UNH Law/IHPP, and the NH Insurance Department will talk about mental health parity and cover how to find treatment, enroll in health insurance, make sure treatment services are covered, and appeal when coverage is denied.

Please RSVP here.

With the COVID-19 pandemic raging, it’s more important than ever that Granite Staters have immediate and direct access to the substance use and mental health treatment services they need. Getting help in a time of need can seem overwhelming, especially during a public health crisis like this. To help consumers obtain needed care, the Guide provides detailed information on how to navigate health insurance coverage for mental health and substance use disorders. It is updated and enhanced to reflect consumer feedback and changes in law and practice, and now includes information about New Hampshire's Medicaid Managed Care Organizations, the Doorways, and other resources, as well as a more detailed section intended to assist providers in helping their clients and patients.

We look forward to discussing the Guide further with you on Friday's webinar.

Take Care,

New Futures