The VACBP provides its members with important news and information about important issues that impact their organizations through conferences, its members-only “In the Loop” electronic newsletter, member conference calls and other methods.
News & Notes
Dated: 6.16.2020 | VACBP Board Approves OneVACBP Resolution
At its annual board meeting, the Board of Directors of the Virginia Association of Community-Based Providers (VACBP) approved a resolution creating OneVACBP, an initiative to:
Immediate Past Chair, Sylisa Lambert-Woodard (Pathway Homes) said, “With OneVACBP, we pursue a joint social and equity commitment to utilize an equity lens in all aspects of participation in the VACBP, including our internal policies and the development of position statements on public policies.” She continued, “this Board action further demonstrates our belief that all members deserve an equitable opportunity to contribute and enjoy the benefits of the VACBP and that all Virginians should have equal access to behavioral healthcare.”
Next steps will include the formation of a work group of our members who will develop policies and actions consistent with the commitments made with the creation of OneVACBP.
Dated: 4.7.2020 | Implementation of Family First Delayed to January 30, 2021
The Virginia Division of Family Services at DSS announced that implementation of Family First will be extended to January 30, 2021. VDSS had several major implementation activities scheduled for this spring that, unfortunately, have been cancelled and/or postponed due to COVID-19.
VDSS also shared that they have only received one application for a Qualified Residential Treatment Facilities (QRTPs), presenting a significant barrier to implementing Family First in Virginia. Family First specifies the requirements for non-family based placement providers to ensure the highest quality of care for youth in foster care. It is critical that non-family based placement providers meet the standards of a QRTP. If Virginia does not have QRTPs, youth risk having appropriate placements to meet their needs. This also causes an unnecessary financial burden on localities and the state. Localities will be encouraged to utilize QRTP placements that meet the youth’s need. The Family First team will continue to accept and approve applications for QRTFs, family-based residential treatment facilities for substance abuse, and prenatal, post-partum and parenting programs. The application can be found on the Family First Website. They are available to provide one-on-one technical assisting in completing applications. Those interested are encouraged to submit applications as soon as possible to ensure designation by January to continue to be a placement option for youth in foster care.
The Family First team will also continue to work with the current prevention providers enrolled in training for MST, FFT, and PCIT to deliver the training as soon as possible. They will continue to offer additional training opportunities for providers as funding is available. They also continue to work toward identifying providers to deliver evidence-based services that are listed in the Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse and, in the coming weeks, information on the process to become designated as a provider in Virginia will be available.
For more information, please visit the Family First Virginia website for updates and feel free to contact the Family First team at familyfirst@dss.virginia.gov with questions or concerns.
Dated: 12.2.2019 | Incoming DBHDS Commissioner, Alison Land, addresses the Joint Committee for Health and Human Resources Oversight
On December 2, 2019, Incoming Commissioner of DBHDS, Alison Land, joined the members of the Joint Committee for Health and Human Resources Oversight, where she had a chance to introduce herself. Land brings with her diverse experience, including most recently overseeing behavioral health services for Sentara Health System. To learn more about incoming Commissioner Land and where she plans to focus as Commissioner, click here.
Dated: 8.21.2020 | DBHDS announces new licensure system
On August 21, 2019, DBHDS announced that by mid-year 2020, the Office of Licensing will implement a new, statewide Licensure Information System called CONNECT. A new, exciting feature of this upgraded technology will be the Provider Web Portal. The Provider Web Portal will allow providers to electronically submit all required paperwork such as an initial application for a new provider, license renewal applications, service modifications and variances. The system is automated with specific workflow processes which will expedite and streamline the licensing processes. The portal promises to be simple to use, easy to access, and will allow providers instant access to data stored by the Office of Licensing. For more information, click here.
Dated: 7.22.2020 | Office of Licensing restructures to create Incident Management Unit
On July 10, 2019, DBHDS announced an exciting change happening within the Office of Licensing. Beginning July 22, 2019, the Office of Licensing will have a specialized unit for the triage of serious incidents known as the Incident Management Unit or “IMU.” The IMU will be comprised of four staff members who will oversee a centralized triage process to review all serious incidents at the time they are reported to the Office of Licensing. The IMU will allow the Office of Licensing to better support recommendations contained within the Office of the State Inspector General’s Review of Serious Injuries Reported by Licensed Providers of Developmental Services and better monitor providers’ compliance with and implementation of the changes to the serious incident reporting requirements contained within the Office of Licensing Emergency Regulations for Compliance with Virginia’s Settlement Agreement with US DOJ. For more information, click here.
At its annual board meeting, the Board of Directors of the Virginia Association of Community-Based Providers (VACBP) approved a resolution creating OneVACBP, an initiative to:
- Advocate for and endorse policies and actions to address racial and social inequities to improve the provision and outcomes of behavioral health services in Virginia; and
- Authorize and encourage the development of specific policies and actions to be determined by the membership and approved by the Board for implementation by the VACBP.
Immediate Past Chair, Sylisa Lambert-Woodard (Pathway Homes) said, “With OneVACBP, we pursue a joint social and equity commitment to utilize an equity lens in all aspects of participation in the VACBP, including our internal policies and the development of position statements on public policies.” She continued, “this Board action further demonstrates our belief that all members deserve an equitable opportunity to contribute and enjoy the benefits of the VACBP and that all Virginians should have equal access to behavioral healthcare.”
Next steps will include the formation of a work group of our members who will develop policies and actions consistent with the commitments made with the creation of OneVACBP.
Dated: 4.7.2020 | Implementation of Family First Delayed to January 30, 2021
The Virginia Division of Family Services at DSS announced that implementation of Family First will be extended to January 30, 2021. VDSS had several major implementation activities scheduled for this spring that, unfortunately, have been cancelled and/or postponed due to COVID-19.
VDSS also shared that they have only received one application for a Qualified Residential Treatment Facilities (QRTPs), presenting a significant barrier to implementing Family First in Virginia. Family First specifies the requirements for non-family based placement providers to ensure the highest quality of care for youth in foster care. It is critical that non-family based placement providers meet the standards of a QRTP. If Virginia does not have QRTPs, youth risk having appropriate placements to meet their needs. This also causes an unnecessary financial burden on localities and the state. Localities will be encouraged to utilize QRTP placements that meet the youth’s need. The Family First team will continue to accept and approve applications for QRTFs, family-based residential treatment facilities for substance abuse, and prenatal, post-partum and parenting programs. The application can be found on the Family First Website. They are available to provide one-on-one technical assisting in completing applications. Those interested are encouraged to submit applications as soon as possible to ensure designation by January to continue to be a placement option for youth in foster care.
The Family First team will also continue to work with the current prevention providers enrolled in training for MST, FFT, and PCIT to deliver the training as soon as possible. They will continue to offer additional training opportunities for providers as funding is available. They also continue to work toward identifying providers to deliver evidence-based services that are listed in the Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse and, in the coming weeks, information on the process to become designated as a provider in Virginia will be available.
For more information, please visit the Family First Virginia website for updates and feel free to contact the Family First team at familyfirst@dss.virginia.gov with questions or concerns.
Dated: 12.2.2019 | Incoming DBHDS Commissioner, Alison Land, addresses the Joint Committee for Health and Human Resources Oversight
On December 2, 2019, Incoming Commissioner of DBHDS, Alison Land, joined the members of the Joint Committee for Health and Human Resources Oversight, where she had a chance to introduce herself. Land brings with her diverse experience, including most recently overseeing behavioral health services for Sentara Health System. To learn more about incoming Commissioner Land and where she plans to focus as Commissioner, click here.
Dated: 8.21.2020 | DBHDS announces new licensure system
On August 21, 2019, DBHDS announced that by mid-year 2020, the Office of Licensing will implement a new, statewide Licensure Information System called CONNECT. A new, exciting feature of this upgraded technology will be the Provider Web Portal. The Provider Web Portal will allow providers to electronically submit all required paperwork such as an initial application for a new provider, license renewal applications, service modifications and variances. The system is automated with specific workflow processes which will expedite and streamline the licensing processes. The portal promises to be simple to use, easy to access, and will allow providers instant access to data stored by the Office of Licensing. For more information, click here.
Dated: 7.22.2020 | Office of Licensing restructures to create Incident Management Unit
On July 10, 2019, DBHDS announced an exciting change happening within the Office of Licensing. Beginning July 22, 2019, the Office of Licensing will have a specialized unit for the triage of serious incidents known as the Incident Management Unit or “IMU.” The IMU will be comprised of four staff members who will oversee a centralized triage process to review all serious incidents at the time they are reported to the Office of Licensing. The IMU will allow the Office of Licensing to better support recommendations contained within the Office of the State Inspector General’s Review of Serious Injuries Reported by Licensed Providers of Developmental Services and better monitor providers’ compliance with and implementation of the changes to the serious incident reporting requirements contained within the Office of Licensing Emergency Regulations for Compliance with Virginia’s Settlement Agreement with US DOJ. For more information, click here.
Resources
State Agencies
Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS)
Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities
Virginia Department of Health Professions
- Regulations and provider manuals
- Virginia Community Mental Health Rehabilitation Services Provider Manual
- Report Medicaid fraud and abuse
Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities
Virginia Department of Health Professions
Policymakers
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Legal and Regulatory Resources
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Managed Care
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Behavioral Health-Related Associations