Medicaid Telehealth Changes Implemented
On Wednesday, March 25, the Department of Health Services issued ForwardHealth 2020-12, which implements some temporary and some permanent changes to Wisconsin Medicaid’s telehealth policies.
Under the policy, behavioral health services providers are no longer required to be telehealth certified to deliver Medicaid funded telehealth services. In addition, the new ForwardHealth removes prior restrictions which prohibited the client from receiving services in their home. Under the new policy, telehealth services may be rendered from any location and a client may receive those services in any location. Providers should still take care to provide services in a confidential manner and use HIPAA compliant platforms for delivery as they are available. HOWEVER, during the public health emergency, telehealth services may be delivered via telephone and/or other video conferencing platforms that are not HIPAA compliant. For more information contact Kathy Markeland at kmarkeland@wafca.org.
School Mental Health Spotlights Feature Successes and Challenges
The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction and the Coalition for Expanding School Based Mental Health in Wisconsin have invited initiatives from around the state to share successes and challenges in developing and growing comprehensive school mental health programs. The latest “Spotlight” submissions feature the Arrowhead School District and the Lakeland Area School Consortium. With a total of 106 awardees this year in the School Mental Health Services Grant Program and the continuation of the Project AWARE grant sites, these two new “Spotlights” are great examples of programs offering creative solutions to address community needs.
Telehealth for Beginners - MHTTC Tuesday Consultation Series Begins March 31
 The MHTTC invites practitioners to join in Telehealth Learning and Consultation (TLC) Tuesdays, an online series for providers who are new to or unfamiliar with telehealth. These will occur from 10-11 a.m. Central Time every Tuesday through April. During each hour-long session, TTC Network specialists will spend 20 minutes addressing a specific topic, then answer questions submitted by TLC Tuesday registrants. Recordings of the 20-minute presentations as well as additional resources will be posted on the web page as they become available.
You must register separately for each TLC Tuesdays session. While filling out the registration form, you will prompted to submit any questions you might have.
Supportive Practices for MH Professionals During Pandemic-Related Social Distancing
Social distancing is the deliberate increasing of physical space between people to stop or slow down the spread of a highly contagious illness. For mental health professionals, the challenges that accompany social distancing can place significant roadblocks to daily work. This resource produced by the Mental Health Technology Transfer Center provides tips for the mental health workforce on supporting behavioral health during social distancing.
Greater Good Guide to Well Being During Coronavirus
 The Greater Good Science Center's mission is to share scientific research that can help promote a happier, more compassionate society. With the recent COVID-19 outbreak, they are committed to bringing you stories, tips, and tools for these uncertain times in the global community.
https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/greater_good_guide_to_well_being_during_coronavirus
MHTTC COVID-19 Resources for Behavioral Health Providers
Public health emergencies such as COVID-19 have a significant impact on people with mental illness, their families, and caregivers; the mental health workforce; and the mental health treatment system. They also cause stress and anxiety across the population. This MHTTC COVID-19 Resource page highlights products and resources that can be useful when coping with the effects of widespread public health crises.
Office of Children's Mental Health Focuses on Bullying Prevention with Release of Second Fact Sheet
 Office of Children’s Mental Health Director Linda Hall today announces the publication of a new fact sheet detailing the issue of bullying in Wisconsin and what our communities can do to address it.
Highlights include:
- Children in Wisconsin are bullied at a consistently higher rate than the national average which can lead to mental health issues.
- 4 out of 10 students felt bullying was a problem at their school, with victims more likely to report poor mental health and suicidality.
- Parental involvement, school climate efforts, and effective legislation are critical to prevent and reduce the harmful effects of bullying.
See the complete fact sheet.
See previous fact sheets.
31st Annual Children Come First Conference - Call for Presenters
November 9-10, 2020
Kalahari Conference Center, Wisconsin Dells
www.ccfconference.org
Theme: "What the World Needs Now"
Keynote Speaker: Hector R. Matascastillo
Deadline to Submit Proposal: April 30th
Link to submit Proposal via Survey Monkey Forms:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SXTTD2W
Email Amy if you would like to receive a copy of the proposal form via email.
Sponsorship Opportunities and Exhibitor Tables available.
Contact Amy Arndt at amya@wifamilyties.org or 608-446-3290
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