Statewide Positive Approaches and Practices Meeting: BEHAVIORAL AND MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTS FOR DUALLY DIAGNOSED INDIVIDUALS

The Department of Human Services’ (DHS) Office of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) and the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) host a quarterly Statewide Positive Approaches and Practices Meeting. This meeting aims to provide the most recent research and resources for people with mental health and behavioral challenges, intellectual disabilities, autism, and other developmental disabilities to live an everyday life.

TOPIC: BEHAVIORAL AND MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTS FOR DUALLY DIAGNOSED INDIVIDUALS

SESSION DESCRIPTIONS

• PA Preparing for the Launch of 988
  Pennsylvanians will soon have a new, easier way to connect to behavioral or mental health crisis services. Dialing 988 will connect callers directly to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. This session will provide an overview of 988 and its implementation in Pennsylvania.
• Behavioral Health Managed Care Organization (BH-MCO) Panel
  Under the behavioral health component of the HealthChoices program, counties are required to ensure high-quality are and timely access to appropriate mental health and drug and alcohol services, and to facilitate effective coordination with other needed services. Each HealthChoices consumer is assigned a Behavioral Health Managed Care Organization (BH-MCO) based on their county of residence. An individual with a dual diagnosis (mental health diagnosis with intellectual/developmental disability, and autism) often presents challenges to the service delivery. This session will have the BH-MCOs address the following areas: overview of the respective BH-MCO; service provision across the lifespan, and highlight any dual diagnosis initiatives, approaches, and practices. The session will conclude with a time for panel questions.

Download a copy of the agenda below.