News Archives


Information Sessions on Health Program of Alameda County More Information Alcohol and Drug Nicotine Replacement Therapy & Mental Health Tobacco Project Funding BHCS is pleased to announce that awards in the amount of two thousand dollars ($2,000) will be available to fund tobacco interventions with clients in your programs. Please see the attached documents for more information and application requirements. You can also visit the BHCS website to read more information about tobacco treatment under the Tobacco Treatment Resource tab at www.acbhcs.org. Applications must be submitted by Wednesday, October 5, 2011. We encourage you to pursue this funding opportunity in support of your clients/consumers. Marye T. Pre-Qualification Questionnaire Funding Available to Substance Use Disorders (SUD) Treatment Programs for Nicotine Replacement Therapy Funding Available to Mental Health Clinics for Tobacco Treatment Interventions. Provider Tobacco Policies and Consumer Treatment Protocols Alameda County Behavioral Health Care Services Support Group for Families of Murder Victims Alameda County Crisis Response Support Network announces the establishment of a support group Adults impacted by murder in our community. Please click here to view the information SAVE THE DATE: DMH Community Mental Health Stakeholder Regional Meeting in Berkeley, California, on September 6, 2011 More Information More Information - Pre-Meeting Innovations Funding, Round 2 - The African American Utilization Report More Information 19 BHCS Providers Receive State Mental Health Loan Assumption Awards More Information The State Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs released a report detailing the number of Administrative Discharges by county. Alameda’s percentage was a little higher than the National average. Though all Episode Closing fields were completed the State still only accepts Discharge Codes 1,2,3,5 as Standard Discharge Codes and codes 4,6,7,8 as Administrative Discharge Codes. Please read and review the CalOMS Discharge Codes document. Please contact Barry Hall at BHall@acbhcs.org if you have any questions or concerns. The Transformation of Creative Living Centers View Memo QA Announces: Revised Policy- CLINICAL RECORD DOCUMENTATION STANDARDS View Memo Initial Client/Treatment Plan – Change in Deadline from 30 to 60 Days View Memo New Hours at Sausal Creek More Information CHOICES For Community Living The doors are opening in August! More Information Medi-Cal / EPSDT Documentation Training More Information Mental Health Matters – TV Show Mental Health Matters reveals the personal experiences of people impacted by mental health issues. It received the Mental Health Board’s 2008 Media Award for increasing community awareness, reducing stigma, and giving hope. The show can be watched both on Comcast cable TV on Thursday nights at 9:30 p.m. and Online. Please click here to view the information Medi/Medi Documentation Standards Training May 25, 2011- The Quality Assurance office has updated their Medi/Medi Documentation Standards Training Tool. To access it for training within your agency click here: Medi/Medi Training NAMIWALKS Join the Alameda County Wellness Walkers at this year’s NAMIWALKS, Saturday, May 21st in Golden Gate Park – or donate to us. Last year we raised the third highest amount of all ten teams in Alameda County! And it was fun! See picture of last year’s team and get more info Free NAMI Family to Family Training Offered in January 2011 More Information The Family Education and Resource Center - Family Education Workshops Family Perspectives - Supporting a triad approach to wellness/recovery treatment planning; Consumers, Providers, and Family as Partners Announcing a special training on Wednesday, February 2, 2011 from 9:00 AM – 12:00 noon entitled 5150’s and EMTALA (Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act): Common Dilemmas for County Mental Health Crisis Providers; The training is with Linda J. Garrett, JD who will provide an overview of the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act and California Involuntary Psychiatric Treatment Laws and an Overview of the Federal EMTALA, as well as, how to identify gaps in the law, criteria issues and a discussion of potential legal conflicts and foreseeable problems related to “medical clearance.” Please see attached flyer for more information and how to register; 3 hours of Continuing Education Units for LCSWs, MFTs, CAADAC and RNs provided. View Flyer Overcoming Barriers to Employment with a Criminal Record Alameda County Behavioral Health Care Services Presents: "Uh oh... they're doing a background check!" How to Overcome Barriers to Employment with a Criminal Record, 5150's and More. Friday, January 28 9:30 - 1:30. Presenters from Patients Rights Advocates, Alameda County Re-entry Program, and Clean Slate Project. All mental health consumers, providers and family members are welcome. No Fee & Pre-Registration highly recommended. View Flier Announcing BHCS’s new MISSION, VISION, & VALUES BHCS Director, Mary L. Thomas, MD, will conduct five presentations throughout the County between October 27 and November 16, 2010. Everyone is welcome. See Invitation Learning History: A Path to Wellness The Native American Health Center and Intertribal Friendship House are co-sponsoring a Six Week Community-Based History Class “Learning History: A Path to Wellness”. View Flyer State Mental Health Loan Assumption Program (MHLP) Now Accepting Applications – Deadline December 10,2010 State Mental Health Loan Assumption Program Eligibility Information MHLAP Flyer MHLAP Application View Flyer BHCS is pleased to invite BHCS contracted providers to apply for funding to purchase Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) for clients enrolled in selected Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug treatment programs. Application deadline is December 3, 2010. Award amounts will be up to $2,000 for approximately 6 months. Please see attached documents for more detailed information. Funding Available for Nicotine Replacement Therapy for Clients in AOD Programs BHCS Applicant Pre-Questionnaire ACBHCS Tobacco Control, Education and Prevention Guidelines BHCS is pleased to invite BHCS County-operated clinics and contracted providers to apply for funding to deliver tobacco treatment interventions for clients in Mental Health Programs. Application deadline is December 3, 2010. Award amounts will be up to $2,000 for approximately 6 months. Funding Available for Nicotine Replacement Therapy for Clients in Mental Health Programs ACBHCS Tobacco Control, Education and Prevention Guidelines Overview Session On Other Health Care Claiming Responsibilities For Our Medi-Cal Providers ACBHCS will be holding an overview session on other health care claiming responsibilities for our Medi-Cal Providers. All Medi-Cal agency Directors and Program Directors are required to attend the overview session on Friday July 30, 2010. More Information Culturally Competent Family Engagement Please join the family Education and Resource Center for an interactive Provider Education Series – Monday April 26th - Culturally Competent Family Engagement This series will enhance the provider’s capacity to support family members and caregivers throughout the treatment and support of mental health consumers within Alameda County Behavioral Health Care View Flyer The Alameda County Mental Health Board (ACMHB) is seeking nominees for its Community Service Awards. Community Service Awards are made to individuals, professionals, businesses, and media for those who have made an extraordinary difference in the lives of those people with “mental illness”. Recognition is given for mental health education of the general public, elimination of stigma, preventing or fighting housing discrimination, creation of new and innovative programs, recognition of fundraising for mental health activities, recognition of long-term financial support to mental health programs, provisions of community support activities emphasizing mental health, facilitating others through advocacy or intervention, or working for new mental health legislation. Our intent is to award members of our community who are serving people with “mental illness” and improving the quality of their lives. More Information Application Deadline Extended to March 16 for State Mental Health Loan Assumption Program More Information State Mental Health Loan Assumption Program - Frequently Asked Questions Now Available. More Information Consumer and Family Member Employment Work Group Applications Now Available More Information State Mental Health Loan Assumption Program Now Accepting Applications More Information 2000 Embarcadero Cove Phone Are Up Both T-1 circuits from AT&T to 2000 Embarcadero are up and running clean. The tech from our maintenance vendor disconnected the wireless application so the wireless/microwave equipment can be disconnected however the plan is to leave the cabling in place. In the event of another outage, the wireless/microwave T-1 equipment can be reinstalled within a few hours so the customer would have minimum down time (compared to what you experienced this time and the previous time). Tim Herzog in our department will verify with the property management that the cabling has been installed to their specifications and, if not, he will contact E-3 for a cable quote. The phone systems’ three remote cabinets at 1900 (2) and 2000 Embarcadero (1) each have two T1s connecting them back to the County’s voice network. As long as all other equipment is working and the system(s) have power, one T1 will support working telephone service given the usual traffic loads. We will continue to pursue putting one of each pair of dual T1s on fiber because during this major outage and the last one, your data service which was carried by fiber stayed up despite the damage to the copper based T1s. Medi-Cal/EPSDT Documentation Training More Information Regional Center Presentation View Information Vocational Program Stakeholder Meeting More Information Project Eden - "A Walk In Wonderland" Project Eden, a program of Horizon Services, Inc., is proud to announce the 15th Annual Gay Prom "A Walk In Wonderland" will be held on Saturday, June 13, 2009, at Centennial Hall in Hayward. View event flyer NAMIWalks 2009 It’s time again for that fun 3 mile walk in Golden Gate Park! This year NAMIWalks is on Saturday, May 30 in the morning. Please consider joining or donating to our team, the ACBHCS Wellness, Recovery, & Resiliency Advocates. More info Community Mental Health Awards There are ONLY 4 Days to left to nominate an individual or organization that has provided an outstanding contribution to the Alameda County mental health community. Recognition is given for mental health education of the general public, elimination of stigma, preventing or fighting housing discrimination, creation of new and innovative programs, recognition of fundraising for mental health activities, recognition of long-term financial support to mental health programs, provisions of community support activities emphasizing mental health, facilitating others through advocacy or intervention, or working for new mental health legislation. Our intent is to award members of our community who are serving people with “mental illness” and improving the quality of their lives. More info State Mental Health Loan Assumption Program Available Applications Due on March 24, 2009 The State Department of Mental Health has released guidelines for a statewide Mental Health Loan Assumption Program. DMH selected the Health Professions Education Foundation to administer this program because of their experience and expertise administering statewide financial incentive programs. Please click here to view the information MHSOAC Calls for Art and Writing The Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission is currently accepting artwork and writing produced by consumers in recovery, family members, and the mental health stakeholders community at large, to be featured in future issues of the MHSOAC newsletter, MHSOAC’s Updates, and for public view on the MHSOAC Website. Please click here to view the information Request for Proposals (RFP) Alameda County Social Services Agency and Behavioral Health Care Services have released an RFP for CalWORKs Psycho-Social Assessments. The Bidders’ Conferences are February 6 and 11, 2009. Please click here to view the document. Children’s System Development: 1996 – 2008 This presentation covers our Children’s System development with key events and milestones. It does not reflect our Children’s System of Care in its entirety but a snapshot and a roadmap of our work with Every Child Counts/First 5, School Behavioral Health, Health Care Services Agency, and our activities about planning for child and youth with MHSA. Thanks to the leadership to BHCS and HCSA, Children’s Services has been able to collaborate with other partner agencies to develop a much larger and effective Children’s System of Care (SOC) based on a blended funding model that allows the resources of each agency to be used for the betterment of children and families. Please click here to view the presentation ALERT The AUTO Medi-Cal Eligibility match for October has been delayed. Medi-Cal Eligibility information in InSyst may be ready AFTER Oct 13. Remember ONLY CINs are to be used in the eligibility record. The State will DENY all claims containing an SSN Please let me know if you have questions. Request For Interest - Adolescent Residential Placement Program Alameda County is seeking qualified providers to design and develop an innovative residential placement for our county’s most difficult to place youth. A collaborative of public sector partners including the Social Services Agency (SSA), Probation Department (Probation), and Health Care Services Agency (HCSA) invites non-profit organizations with tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code and Section 23701d. of the California Revenue and Taxation Code to submit their experience and qualifications to provide comprehensive high-end continuum of services to children currently served within the public service system. Please click here to view the document First Alameda County Vocational Program Stakeholder Meeting Alameda County is seeking qualified providers to design and develop an innovative residential placement for our county’s most difficult to place youth. A collaborative of public sector partners including the Social Services Agency (SSA), Probation Department (Probation), and Health Care Services Agency (HCSA) invites non-profit organizations with tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code and Section 23701d. of the California Revenue and Taxation Code to submit their experience and qualifications to provide comprehensive high-end continuum of services to children currently served within the public service system. Please click here to view the document Special Community Education Event for Family Members focusing on Workforce Education & Training - 6/5/08 Come and learn about: Updates on MHSA Workforce Education & Training (WE&T) Plan and Opportunities to provide important ongoing input for Family Employment and Career Pathways. More information. "The Adult Child of Alcoholics Syndrome and its Relationship to Stress and Addictions in African American Communities" Symposium - 6/4/08 Hosted by the Community Advisory Board for Alameda County's Black Women’s Media Project. More information Mental Health and Law Symposium - 5/27/08 Protecting and Treating those Destabilized by Mental Illness: Beyond the Asylum and the Jail. More information The Bay Area Services Network (BASN) Request for Proposals (RFP) Notice of Award Tentatively scheduled on April 23rd 2008, has been postponed. The new date for Notice of Award is now May 7th (date approximate). BID protest/appeals timeline remains the same as described in pages 18-19 of the RFP. If you have any questions, please call Mario Alvarez, 510-567-8127. More information Request for Proposal (RFP) RFP Responses are due Friday, May 23, 2008. The Family Education and Resource Center will play a critical role in helping families support individuals with mental illness who are children, adolescents, transition age youth, adults or older adults RFP/Addendum "Pathways to Housing" Community Presentation Wednesday, May 7, 2008, 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM at Alameda County Conference Center, Oakland.More information. Co-Occurring Disorders Initiative Kick-Off Meeting You're invitated to the Co-Occurring Disorders Initiative Kick-Off Meeting on April 17-18 2008, hosted by BHCS and led by Ken Minkoff, M.D. and Chris Cline, M.D., MBA of ZiaPartners. Request for Proposal (RFP) - Parolee Services under the Bay Area Svcs Network (BASN) RFP (Released on 2/8/08) Announcement Measure A Capital RFP for CBOs under the BHCS Provider Network Cover Letter from Dave Kears, Director of Health Care Services For RFP Application, visit Alameda County Health Care Services Website (http://www.acgov.org/health/index.htm). Request for Letters of Interest - Safe & Drug Free Schools and Communities (posted: 9/28/07) We are seeking Letters of Interest from qualified evaluators or evaluation agencies to effectively evaluate a State Safe and Drug Free School and Communities five year grant. More Information September is the National Alcohol & Drug Addiction Recovery Month Alameda County Board of Supervisors issued a Proclamation on September 11, 2007. More Information Save the Date! Highland Substance Abuse Program Open House - 9/20/07. See Flyer INSYST System Changes (last updated on 4/25/07) Click here to open the Insyst Update Notice ADP DATAR user request form is now available online. Click here to open the ADPDATAR form. New Crisis Response Program in the Tri-Valley Area (Livermore) Click here to learn about this new program. AOD Provider Meeting Schedule for 2007 Click here for more information. Congratulations! The first year of "CBOs Have Purchasing Power" cost-saving program was truly a success! Read More... Congratulations to Dr. Marye L. Thomas, Director of Behavioral Health Care Services Agency. Dr. Thomas will be inducted into Alameda County Women’s Hall of Fame on April 28th, 2007. Click here for the complete announcement. ADPDATAR user request form is now available online Click here to open the ADPDATAR form Transforming the System: A Practical Approach to Implementing Wellness & Recovery Practices - Training by Mark Ragins, M.D. Date/Time: Friday, October 27, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Place: Summit Health Education Center, Oakland Pre-registration is required. Space is limited, sign-up by Oct. 13, 2006. CEU & CME credits will be offered. Click here for more information. ADP Conference 2006 - Reengineering Our Systems of Services Click here to view keynote and workshop presentations.