vol. 18 issue 1 january 2016 valueadded · 2017. 4. 12. · trauma, clarence jordan, respecting the...

ValueAdded

This is the 199th issue of our VBH-PA information update. These updates will be

emailed to network providers monthly. Please feel free to share our newsletter

with others, and be sure your appropriate clinical and financial staffs receive

copies.

Inside this issue

Successful Transitions from Inpatient Care to Ambulatory Care ......................................... 2 Webinars for Substance Abuse Services Providers ......... 3

NW3 HealthChoices Behavioral Health Forum .......................... 4

Anti-LGBT Stigma ..................... 5

Nominations and Exhibitor Registrations for the 16th Annual Adult Recovery Forum ............ 6 1-800-QUIT-NOW .................... 7

Cambria County Santa Shop .... 9

2016 Quarterly BHRS Provider Summits ................... 9

Vol. 18 Issue 1 January 2016

Value Behavioral Health of Pennsylvania, Inc. (VBH-PA) and our county partners believe

that the treatment of trauma is fundamentally different from traditional psychotherapy in a

number of ways. Many members who seek traditional psychotherapy are not having their

needs met due to a significant history of trauma. Therefore, trauma providers must have the

specialized experience, training, and supervision beyond that of the traditional

psychotherapist. They must be able to demonstrate significant knowledge about:

Human behavior and development

Comprehensive mental health evaluations/clinical interview

Psychosocial assessment

Specific treatment techniques for specific age groups

Treatment protocols that include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), skill building

for emotional regulation, and a trauma narrative component

In an effort to develop a preferred provider network, VBH-PA began a workgroup of

interested county representatives and cross-departmental representatives from VBH-PA

in 2013. This workgroup adopted criteria for acceptance as a preferred provider for the

treatment of trauma. The minimum standards for preferred providers treating trauma:

Credentialed with VBH-PA

Licensed and/or licensed eligible professional (LPC, LCSW, LSW, LMFT,

Psychologist, Psychiatrist)

Evidence Based Practices—utilizes Trauma Focused CBT—certification and/or

documentation supporting the completion of a SAMHSA approved training program

or course.

- For practitioners based in the NW3 and SW6 counties, it is preferred that

this certification be accomplished via the Trauma Focused Cognitive

Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) National Certification Program.

Article continued on page 2.

Individual Preferred Provider Criteria

for the Treatment of Trauma

2

ValueAdded—January 2016

Screening Tool—utilizes Trauma Symptom Checklist, Adult and Child

- VBH-PA welcomes the use of additional screening tools but is

requesting that the practitioner submit the tool to VBH-PA for prior

approval. The screening tools used should be culturally sensitive and

appropriate.

Clinical Supervision—minimum one (1) time per month, for a minimum of one hour, by

a trauma trained supervisor. VBH-PA prefers that the supervision is provided by a

trauma trained/certified supervisor but it is not required.

Practitioner must provide documentation of twelve (12) hours of trauma focused training

every two (2) years.

To become an individual preferred provider for the treatment of trauma, submit all of the

above to Andrea Poole, Provider Field Coordinator, at [email protected] or

you can call her at (724) 430-1377.

For additional resources please visit the following websites:

Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) National Certification Program:

https://tfcbt.org/

National Traumatic Stress Network: www.nctsn.org

SAMHSA: http://www.samhsa.gov/nctic

Child Welfare Information Gateway: www.childwelfare.gov

Chadwick Center on Children and Families: http://www.chadwickcenter.org

Individual Preferred Provider Criteria for the

Treatment of Trauma (continued)

Welcome!

Carole Gigliotti

started on October

19, 2015 as a Care

Manager in the

Clinical Department.

Laura Disantis started

on November 30,

2015 as a Care

Manager in the

Clinical Department.

Regina Stroud started

on December 7, 2015

as Manager of Data

Analytics in the

Reporting

Department.

Kevin McKinzie

started on December

21, 2015 as a Lan

Support Technician in

the IT Site Support

Department.

OMHSAS has selected this topic for a three-year statewide performance improvement project. The

core objectives of this project include:

Reducing behavioral health and substance abuse inpatient readmission rates

Increasing kept ambulatory follow-up appointments after an inpatient discharge

Improving medication adherence rates of individuals with schizophrenia post inpatient discharge

Improving discharge management planning

One key aspect of this performance project includes evaluating the documentation of discharge

planning via chart reviews that occurs at inpatient facilities and then measuring members’ attendance

of their scheduled follow-up appointments. The elements to be reviewed were established at the start

of this project by OMHSAS and are being measured consistently by all five BHMCOs. In April 2015,

VBH-PA conducted baseline chart reviews at our four selected inpatient providers (Sharon Regional,

Washington Health Systems Greene, Heritage Valley Beaver, and Excela Westmoreland). Table 1

shows the average of the chart reviews conducted at the four inpatient facilities (30 charts per

facility).

Partners for Performance Improvement

Update on Statewide Project —

“Successful Transitions from Inpatient Care to

Ambulatory Care”

Article continued on page 8.

3


January 2016 Webinar Schedule for

Substance Abuse Services Providers Authorization Requests through ProviderConnect

Throughout 2016, VBH-PA will continue to expand our e-Commerce initiatives to include requests for authorizations

through ProviderConnect. The feedback that VBH-PA has received from providers thus far is that the electronic process

overall is user friendly, authorizations are more efficient, and it assists with the overall streamlining of the authorization

process.

VBH-PA has modified the forms utilized to request authorizations for substance abuse services to reflect the most recent

PCPC 3. The form that VBH-PA is proposing is based off of the PCPC form so that providers will not need to do

duplicative work. This form will provide VBH-PA with all of the information that would be needed for authorization

purposes.

As ProviderConnect submissions will be new to many of the substance use treatment facilities, VBH-PA is requesting that

each substance abuse services provider register for one of the Webinar times listed below. By attending these

trainings, we can assist the providers in learning ProviderConnect and the updated authorization process.

Webinar Date Time Description

January 6, 2016 11:00 a.m. Medically Managed Inpatient Detoxification (4A)

January 7, 2016 11:00 a.m. Medically Managed Inpatient Residential (4B)

January 8, 2016 11:00 a.m. Medically Monitored Long Term Residential (3C)

January 12, 2016 1:00 p.m. Medically Monitored Inpatient Detoxification (3A)

January 14, 2016 2:00 p.m. Medically Monitored Short Term Residential (3B)

January 14, 2016 3:00 p.m. Medically Monitored Short Term Residential Dual (3B Dual)

January 20, 2016 11:00 a.m. Halfway House (2B)

January 20, 2016 1:00 p.m. Drug and Alcohol Partial Hospitalization Program (2A)

January 20, 2016 2:00 p.m. Drug and Alcohol Intensive Outpatient (1B)

January 22, 2016 11:00 a.m. Drug and Alcohol Outpatient (1A)

Please call Kimberly Keller at (724) 744-6570 to register for the Webinar(s) that pertain to

the authorization needs of your facility.

The proposed order of the roll-out for substance use levels of care would be:

IOP and PHP

Hospital Based Services

Non-Hospital Detox, Short and Long Term Residential Rehabilitation

Halfway House

4


The 8th Annual VBH-PA

“Acknowledging the Journey” NW3

Member Forum was held on November

12, 2015 at the Park Inn West Middlesex.

The event was attended by 203 individuals

including 72 adult members and 32 family

members. Nineteen exhibitors provided

promotional and educational information

related to behavioral health and substance

abuse recovery tools. A special thank you

to Rich Latsko, OMHSAS Western

Region, for attending this year for his first

NW3 forum experience giving the

OMHSAS updates. HealthChoices

members from Crawford, Mercer and

Venango counties joined together with

many county, provider, state, and VBH-

PA staff to create an awesome

representation of what it takes to support

recovery and resiliency in the great NW3!

The presenters, Brenda Bacich, Helping

Your Child to Like Themselves Starts at Home,

Audrey Smith, Helping Children Recover from

Trauma, Clarence Jordan, Respecting the

Journey of a Person in Recovery From Substance

Abuse, and Kevin Berceli, Tension/Trauma

Releasing Exercise, received fabulous reviews

from the audience. People learned new

ideas and were inspired by the “heartfelt,”

“personable” and “hopeful” sessions (as

stated in the evaluations).

The following award winners’

stories were told and their successes

were shared. Congratulations to the 2015

forum award winners for excelling on their

journeys.

C R A W F O R D C O U N T Y

Lenny Beers, Exceptional Individual,

nominated by Amy Lauria, CHAPS.

Another Successful Year for the NW3 HealthChoices

Behavioral Health Forum by Shelley Thomas, PE&O Coordinator

Left to right: VBH-PA staff Shelley Thomas & Dr. Fuller;

nominees Melissa (Sis) Penfield, Maryann Baker, Betty

Jo Chapman, Chris Lumley, Clara Mook, Candy Wagner,

Harold Beazell III, Kim Hopkins (kneeling); and Rich

Latsko, OMHSAS.

A big THANK YOU to all providers

who nominated: Associates in Counseling

& Child Guidance, Bethesda Children’s

Home, Behavioral Health Commission,

Crawford County Human Services,

CHAPS, Challenge Center, Venango

County Human Services, Crawford County

Drug & Alcohol Executive Commission,

Regional Counseling Center Transitions

Team, Community Voices, Family Services

and Children’s Aid Society and Paoletta

Counseling.

The very dedicated NW3 workgroup

once again did an outstanding job of

compassionately “ACKNOWLEDGING

THE JOURNEY” of so many!

Christine Butler, Exceptional Parent,

nominated by Melissa Lewis, Associates in

Counseling & Child Guidance.

M E R C E R C O U N T Y

Bernadette Kozen, Exceptional Individual,

nominated by Anna Shears, Behavioral

Health Commission.

Jill & Andrew Bradley, Exceptional Parent,

nominated by Colleen Ghirardi, Paoletta

Counseling.

V E N A N G O C O U N T Y

Donna L. Shaw, Exceptional Individual,

nominated by Tina Borger, Challenge

Center.

And lastly a very special thank you to

Dr. Mark Fuller, VBH-PA CEO, for all of

his support and time commitment to

continue to be present at our member

forums.

Workgroup Members: Shelley Thomas, Lenore Collupy, David Gaines, Paulette Testani, David Giles, Andrea Wright and Eric Schweter.

And congratulations to all the nominees!

What an honor.

Debra Means, Exceptional Parent, nominated

by Billie Jo Hawkins, Regional Counseling

Center Transitions Program.

5

Many LGBT people experience anti-LGBT stigma in the form of discrimination, harassment and violence. Many

LGBT people internalize stigma, which can harm self-esteem and is linked to mental health problems and

substance abuse.

It seems that Americans are more accepting of LGBT people now than ever before. Yet stigma lasts, threatening the well-being of LGBT people in a number of ways. A 2013 national survey of LGBT adults found that because of their sexual orientation or gender identity:

4 in 10 have been rejected by family or a close friend

3 in 10 have been bodily attacked or threatened

3 in 10 have been made to feel not wanted in a place of worship

2 in 10 have been treated unfairly by a boss

6 in 10 have been the topic of slurs or jokes

“Stigma can be either subtle or not so subtle. But stigma in any form is very toxic and can really impact one’s health and sense of well-being,” says Dr. Kristin Hancock, Professor of Clinical Psychology at John F. Kennedy University. She notes that how LGBT people make sense of and react to stigma can help to buffer its results.

What is anti-LGBT stigma? It occurs when society does not approve of people whose sexual orientation or gender identity differs from cultural norms. These norms take a long time to change, even when they are based on misinformation. That is why stigma can last.

How does stigma affect the well-being of LGBT people? Dealing with discrimination, harassment or violence is stressful and can be traumatic. Even the threat of being victimized in some way can impact one’s well-being. “Living in a society that is hostile toward LGBT people is chronically stressful and can take a toll on a person’s self-esteem and affect their sense of safety in the world,” explains Dr. Hancock. Many LGBT people internalize stigma. This means that harmful attitudes and beliefs become part of the way a person feels about herself. This can make coming out as LGBT even harder. Some people are never able to do so, even to their closest friends or family. “Imagine having a secret that you fear you will lose your best friend over if discovered. Even if this doesn't actually happen, the perceived risk of rejection can create a lot of stress,” says Dr. Hancock. Internalized stigma is linked to anxiety, depression and drug abuse.

What can LGBT people do to buffer the impact of stigma on their lives? Dr. Hancock suggests taking part in a group that is supportive of LGBT people and issues. This could be a support or social group that centers on a common interest. Groups can offer LGBT people the chance to:

Get support from others who have had the same experiences

Learn new or untried ways of coping with stigma

Meet people who may keep up good feelings about themselves as LGBT people

Channel stress productively, such as working on LGBT rights

“Group participation helps to normalize a person’s identity as LGBT,” says Dr. Hancock, which is one of the best ways to fight internalized stigma. Supportive relationships also go a long way toward helping LGBT people feel safe and secure. They are very helpful during times of high stress, such as when LGBT issues are being hotly debated in the media or in political campaigns.

How can expert counseling help LGBT people cope with stigma? Dr. Hancock notes that LGBT people who are troubled by stigma in their lives have been helped by learning useful ways of thinking about and coping with it. “Therapy can help people identify and tackle dysfunctional thoughts that don't work or are toxic. When you reframe your thinking and replace it with more adaptive realistic thinking, you start to feel better.” Dr. Hancock notes, “Unresolved hurts can sometimes make it more challenging to develop positive coping mechanisms later in life.” Despite the effect of stigma, the LGBT community is resilient. It has continued to pursue equal rights and societal acceptance, and to empower its members to reach personal happiness.

ANTI-LGBT Stigma By Christine Martin, © 2014 Achieve Solutions

Resources

GLBT National Help Center Human Rights Campaign The Gay and Lesbian Self-Esteem Book

www.glnh.org www.hrc.org by Kimeron Hardin, New Harbinger Publications, 1999.


http://www.glnh.org/http://www.hrc.org/

6

Medicare

Training

*HealthChoices’ VBH-PA members living in Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Cambria, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Washington and

Westmoreland Counties are invited to attend. Crawford, Mercer and Venango County HealthChoices’ members will have the

opportunity to attend other regionally held VBH-PA forums in 2016.


Seeking Nominations and Exhibitor

Registrations!

Value Behavioral Health of Pennsylvania Presents the

16th Annual Adult

Recovery Forum

Friday, April 15, 2016

Pittsburgh Marriott North

Cranberry Township

Nominate a HealthChoices Member—Hurry! Deadline is February 19th

The purpose of the Leadership in Recovery Award is to acknowledge adult HealthChoices members who are

actively engaged in their recovery and to encourage other members in their recovery process. To acknowledge

their journeys, VBH-PA will publicly recognize HealthChoices adult members who have demonstrated courage,

creativity, and leadership along their journeys. This is not a cash reward, but an acknowledgement in the form of

a beautifully designed keepsake that will be customized and presented on April 15, 2016 during the 16th Annual

Adult Recovery Forum. Please nominate at least one HealthChoices member residing in your county* whom you

feel is deserving of this type of recognition. The deadline to nominate is Friday, February 19, 2016. Please view

the 2016 Leadership in Recovery Nomination Form for more information. Nominate an outstanding

individual today!

Exhibitors

If you are interested in reserving exhibit space at this year’s forum, please complete the 2016 Exhibitor

Reservation Form. Two complimentary registrations are provided for exhibitors. In addition to all-day exhibit

space, complimentary registration includes speakers, Recovery Awards Ceremony, and lunch. Reserve your space

early as space is limited.

http://www.vbh-pa.com/spotlight/2016-Adult-Recovery-Nomination-Form.pdfhttp://www.vbh-pa.com/spotlight/2016-Adult-Recovery-Forum-Exhibitor-Registration.pdfhttp://www.vbh-pa.com/spotlight/2016-Adult-Recovery-Forum-Exhibitor-Registration.pdf

7


Frequently Asked Questions About 1-800-QUIT-NOW

What is a quitline?

A quitline is a tobacco cessation service available through a toll-free

telephone number. Quitlines are staffed by counselors trained specifically to

help smokers quit. Quitlines deliver information, advice, support, and referrals

to tobacco users—regardless of their geographic location, race/ethnicity, or

economic status—in all U.S. states.

Do quitlines really help smokers quit?

Yes! Quitline callers are more likely to succeed than those who try to quit

smoking on their own.

What support can I expect when I call?

When you call 1-800-QUIT-NOW, you will have access to many different types of cessation information

and services, including free support and advice from an experienced cessation counselor, a

personalized quit plan and self-help materials, social support and coping strategies to help you deal

with cravings, and the latest information about cessation medications.

What information do I have to provide when I call 1-800-QUIT-NOW?

A quit coach will work with you to develop a personalized plan and provide you with information that

will help you quit tobacco. During the call, your quit coach may ask you specific questions about your

quitting history, tobacco use, and/or motivations to quit, which will help them create a plan that will

work for you. Any information you provide or discuss with your quit coach during the call is completely

confidential.

Who are quit coaches?

Quit coaches are professionals in your state who are trained to help people stop using tobacco. They

are supportive and understand that quitting is difficult.

How much does this service cost?

1-800-QUIT-NOW is a free service to help people stop smoking or quit other forms of tobacco use.

Who sponsors the 1-800-QUIT-NOW program?

This program was developed in collaboration with and is sponsored by the states and the U.S.

Department of Health and Human Services to provide assistance to all U.S. tobacco users.

Is there a clinic in my neighborhood that can help if I want to stop smoking?

1-800-QUIT-NOW can connect you to cessation services and other resources offered in your area.

To learn more about 1-800-QUIT-NOW and the quitline experience, call today or visit http://

smokefree.gov/smokefreetxt where you can sign up for text messages, learn how to download a free

quickstart app for your phone or develop your own Quit Plan.

Source: smokefree.gov

Providers, please post in an area accessible to your patients.

http://smokefree.gov/smokefreetxthttp://smokefree.gov/smokefreetxt

8


Chart Review Results

Overall Average

Discharge Plan/Discharge Instruction Sheet (DMP) was present in the chart 99%

119/120

Copy of the DMP was given to the member 98%

117/120

Medication reconciliation was documented 25%

30/120

Follow-Up visit scheduled within 0-7 days of discharge 8%

10/120

Follow-Up visit scheduled within 0-14 days of discharge 13%

15/120

Scheduled follow-up visit kept 67%

10/15

Medication reconciliation was documented and follow-up visit scheduled within 0-7 days 3%

3/120

Medication reconciliation was documented and follow-up visit scheduled within 0-14 days 3%

3/120

Medication reconciliation was documented and follow-up visit kept within 0-14 days 20% 3/15

Throughout November 2015, VBH-PA again visited in person with the four facilities to discuss their final results of the chart

abstraction and conduct further education on the measurements. Some of the factors that lead to low results regarding follow-up

visits were:

Full address of the provider was not documented

The documentation of the follow-up appointment did not indicate if the

appointment was for behavioral health reasons, i.e. therapy, medication

Follow-up appointments were for intake purposes only

Below is a sample of a well-documented follow-up appointment:

Provider Name/Specialty or Degree Dr. Seuss, Psychiatrist Provider Organization Maple Counseling Services Full Address 100 Main St., Town, PA 15222

Medication reconciliation needed to include the medication the member was taking prior to admission, during the inpatient stay, and upon discharge in order to be considered as compliant. VBH-PA staff and the inpatient staff then discussed potential barriers each facility faced in order to meet those required elements. Some commonly identified barriers were:

Making modifications to electronic medical records can be difficult if the system is older and not adaptable. In addition, the

behavioral health unit often utilizes the same system as the physical health side of the hospital and because their scope is

smaller adjustments are not typically made for just the behavioral health side.

Inability to obtain outpatient appointments other than an intake for members who are not already in outpatient services.

Lack of psychiatric time to have members seen within 7-14 days.

Rural areas and lack of transportation for members.

Some providers had identified their own areas for improvement and had collaborated with their staff to implement a plan to modify

their documentation. VBH-PA will be conducting the next round of chart reviews with these same four providers in February/March

of 2016. VBH-PA would like to thank our partner providers for their work and collaboration on this project.

“Successful Transitions from Inpatient Care to Ambulatory Care” (continued)

Table 1

9


Suggestions or ideas for

articles that you would

like to see published in

ValueAdded can be

faxed to Kim Tzoulis, Val-

ueAdded Editor, at (724)

744-6363 or emailed to

kimberly.tzoulis@

valueoptions.com

Articles of general im-

portance to the provid-

er network will be con-

sidered for publication.

Value Behavioral Health

of PA, Inc.

520 Pleasant Valley Rd

Trafford, PA 15085

Phone: (877) 615-8503

Fax: (724) 744-6363

www.vbh-pa.com

Cambria County Santa Shop

What is the Santa Shop? Santa Shop is an annual

event held at the Johnstown Peer Empowerment Drop-In

Center. It is a safe and budget-friendly way for individuals in

recovery to shop for holiday gifts. This year’s Santa Shop was

held on December 11, 2015 and supported this year by over 20

volunteer “elves” and 160 shoppers.

Throughout the year, new and gently used items are donated

and collected by the drop-in center. In the days prior to the

Santa Shop, the center is transformed into a holiday shopping

extravaganza, which includes men’s and women’s items,

housewares, toys, gift baskets, jewelry, and much more!

Individuals register to shop for a small fee. With the

assistance of a volunteer “elf,” they browse and shop for an

Tanya Kvarta, BHoCC Executive Director; Jen Benford, VBH-PA PE&O Coordinator; and Rebecca Wiseman, BHoCC Director of Clinical Services and Quality Management.

allotted number of presents for their family and friends. They also receive raffle tickets for

“big ticket” item. This year a raffle item was a brand new, large indoor grill! Value

Behavioral Health of Pennsylvania sponsors lunch for the volunteer elves. Lunch this year

was an amazing Italian feast from the Nutrition Group in Johnstown, which was greatly

appreciated by the hard working Santa’s helpers.

2016 Quarterly BHRS Provider Summits Save the Date!

Your choice of two locations:

March 11, 2016

8:30 am – 12:00 pm

Hampton Inn & Suites Grove City

4 Holiday Boulevard

Mercer, PA 16137

March 18, 2016

8:30 am – 12:00 pm

Courtyard by Marriott Greensburg

700 Power Line Drive

Greensburg, PA 15601

June 3, 2016

8:30 am – 12:00 pm




June 10, 2016

8:30 am – 12:00 pm


4 Holiday Boulevard

Mercer, PA 16137

September 9, 2016

8:30 am – 12:00 pm


4 Holiday Boulevard

Mercer, PA 16137

September 16, 2016

8:30 am – 12:00 pm




December 2, 2016

8:30 am – 12:00 pm




December 9, 2016

8:30 am – 12:00 pm


4 Holiday Boulevard

Mercer, PA 16137

vol. 18 issue 1 january 2016 valueadded · 2017. 4. 12. · trauma, clarence jordan, respecting the...

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