Behavioral Health

/Behavioral Health

Behavioral Health covers topics dealing with mental health in our state. This ranges from information about programs to help individuals have good mental health to Governmental topics like Regional Behavioral Health Authorities.

Citizenship, Benefits & Services

By | August 3rd, 2010|Behavioral Health, General|

 Many of our Stakeholders and the folks that we serve have asked about how Arizona and Federal laws affect the kinds of services that the ADHS provides.  The answer is (of course) “it depends.”  It depends on what kind of benefit or service you’re talking about.  Tom Salow, Lynn Golder and others have put together [...]

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Citizenship, Benefits & Services

By | August 3rd, 2010|Behavioral Health, General|

 Many of our Stakeholders and the folks that we serve have asked about how Arizona and Federal laws affect the kinds of services that the ADHS provides.  The answer is (of course) “it depends.”  It depends on what kind of benefit or service you’re talking about.  Tom Salow, Lynn Golder and others have put together [...]

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Title This, Title That

By | July 28th, 2010|Behavioral Health, Uncategorized|

You’ve most likely heard the words Title XIX, Title XXI, and Title V (aka Title 19, Title 21, Title 5) bandied about in the halls and elevators throughout your careers- but some of you might not know what those words mean.  Here’s a thumbnail sketch: Title V When you hear someone say “Title V”, they’re [...]

Integrating Physical & Mental Health

By | July 20th, 2010|Behavioral Health|

One of our top priorities in behavioral health over the coming years will be to better integrate physical health and mental health services in Arizona.  Why is this a priority you ask?  It’s because folks with the most serious mental illnesses die at least 25 years earlier than the average Arizonan (this is consistent across [...]

Integrating Physical & Mental Health

By | July 20th, 2010|Behavioral Health|

One of our top priorities in behavioral health over the coming years will be to better integrate physical health and mental health services in Arizona.  Why is this a priority you ask?  It’s because folks with the most serious mental illnesses die at least 25 years earlier than the average Arizonan (this is consistent across [...]

Substance Abuse in AZ

By | July 19th, 2010|Behavioral Health, Uncategorized|

Our Division of Behavioral Health Services is the point guard for substance abuse prevention & treatment in Arizona (also referred to as the Single State Authority for Substance Abuse Services at the federal level).  One of those concerns is the abuse of marijuana- which continues to be in high demand and abused in our state.  [...]

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New ADHS Chief Medical Officer

By | July 14th, 2010|Behavioral Health|

I’m happy to announce that Laura Nelson, M.D. will be taking on some additional responsibilities in her expanded role as the ADHS’ Chief Medical Officer.  She will continue in her role as the Deputy Director for Behavioral Health Services as well (notice the “Acting” label is gone now).  As is the case with many of [...]

New Urgent Psychiatric Center on the Way

By | July 8th, 2010|Behavioral Health|

One of the behavioral health challenges that we’ve been facing in the valley over the last several years has been the lack of places that are available for urgent psychiatric care.  Oftentimes persons in an acute psychiatric crisis end up being treated in an emergency department where they might not have the expertise to provide [...]

Behavioral Health Services Package Preparations

By | July 1st, 2010|Behavioral Health|

Our behavioral health team has been working for months to ensure a smooth transition to the new behavioral health service package for our folks that are receiving services but don’t qualify for AHCCCS benefits. We’re continuing to update our  Guidelines Fact Sheet and our guidance to contractors regarding services to Non-Title XIX members with serious [...]

Behavioral Health Service “Conversions”

By | June 3rd, 2010|Behavioral Health|

As I’ve mentioned in previous updates, the service package for folks with serious mental illnesses that don’t qualify for our state Medicaid program (AHCCCS) is being reduced beginning July 1 because of budget reductions.  As a result, it’s more important than ever to make sure that everybody that may qualify has the opportunity top get [...]

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