Community Care Behavioral Health Organization

9/8 marks the inaugural 988 Day! This annual event is dedicated to spreading awareness of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and emphasizing the importance of mental health support. Use #988Day to share how the #988Lifeline is about “No Judgment. Just Help.” See how you can participate: Samhsa.gov/988Day.

Listen up! Community Care Behavioral Health Organization's President and CEO Dr. Matthew Hurford, M.D. joined Dr. Michael Lynch, Senior Medical Director, Quality and Substance Use Disorder Services at UPMC Health Plan, to discuss telemedicine and its impact on those with substance use disorders. In this Becker's Healthcare podcast, they discussed clinical outcomes, patient engagement, and the impact on overall health and wellness. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gPFDjB_s

SAMHSA Webinar: Answering the Call: Empowering Communities to Prevent Suicide Among Black Wednesday, September 25, 2 – 3:30 p.m. ET In honor of National Suicide Prevention Month, SAMHSA’s Suicide Prevention Branch is hosting a fireside chat on Black youth suicide prevention, featuring speakers from SAMHSA, young adults with lived experience, and experts in suicide prevention among Black youth. https://lnkd.in/gmtBYxnk

Upcoming Training! Title: Caring for the Older Adult: A Bird’s Eye View Presenter: Nina Flanagan, PhD, GNP-BC, PMHCS-BC NDF Consulting Services, Independent Contractor Date: Wednesday, September 25th, 2024 Time: 12:00pm-1:30pm https://lnkd.in/gjHNYKqS

Tune in on Sept. 11 from 2 to 3 p.m. for Wellbeing Wednesdays: From the Edge to Empowerment: A Conversation with Kevin Hines. Two years after he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, he attempted to take his own life by jumping from the Golden Gate Bridge. Since then, Hines has dedicated his life to saving lives, becoming a global suicide prevention and mental health advocate and one of the most respected voices of lived experience. https://lnkd.in/e3sA7pka

Beware of Fraud The Department of Human Services (DHS) has detected a recent growth in reports of stolen SNAP and TANF benefits in the Erie and Western PA regions due to suspected EBT card skimming. Although these types of fraudulent activities are on the rise nationwide, the recent wave of scams in PA are depleting critical SNAP and TANF benefits from constituents in your area. DHS is working quickly to investigate and restore benefits to eligible individuals, and we are requesting your help to encourage and assist your constituents in the following:  Report Skimming Incidents Victims of EBT skimming should call the DHS Fraud Tip Line at 1-844-DHS-TIPS (1-844-347-8477) or report through the Office of State Inspector General (OSIG) website. Report suspected SNAP and TANF theft to local law enforcement.  Request Replacement SNAP Benefits Visit DHS’ Scam Page and fill out a Benefit Theft Claim Form via a PDF form or web form within 60 calendar days of the incident. o DHS will validate the claim within 30 calendar days of the request submission, and if a reimbursement is to be issued, it can be done within 10 calendar days of the evaluation.  o If a replacement EBT card is issued, recipients must also change their PIN number to protect the new card. Connect to Resources Help resolve immediate food needs while DHS works to determine a SNAP benefit theft claim.  i.     Call 211 or visit www.pa211.org to connect with various local food resources.  ii.     Visit www.feedingpa.org to find local food banks and other food assistance programs.  iii.     Go to https://lnkd.in/ex-5ktHE and https://lnkd.in/eKUynKp8 for information on assistance programs and other resources. Educate Keep an eye out for current scams and phishing attempts on DHS’ Scam Page. Advise SNAP and TANF recipients to take an extra look before scanning EBT cards at Point of Sale (POS) machine to ensure there is no skimming attachment. Retailers should also remain vigilant and be responsible for the removal of skimming devices to protect their customers.  Display and share the attached SNAP skimming poster. Advise SNAP and TANF recipients to monitor their EBT accounts. EBT balance and transaction inquiries, as well as card replacements, can be requested from DHS’s EBT contractor, Conduent, at 888-328-7366. Do not use third party apps to check EBT balances. Encourage all Pennsylvanians to apply for public assistance programs online at www.dhs.pa.gov/compass. On-site CAO services are available if clients cannot access online services or need assistance that cannot be accessed through the COMPASS website, the MyCOMPASS PA mobile app, or by calling the Customer Service Centers at 215-560-7226 for Philadelphia clients or 1-877-395-8930 for clients in all other counties.  

The Pittsburgh Recovery Walk is just a little more than 3 weeks away! On September 7 at 9 am, join your friends and neighbors from around Allegheny County as we celebrate all the roads to recovery. You can learn more about the Recovery Walk here or register here! More information: https://lnkd.in/gH8tKKv

Read all about it! Community Care Behavioral Health Organization's Duncan Bruce recently penned an article for Behavioral Health News on "Meeting the Behavioral Health Needs of Today's Older Adults." Read it here: https://lnkd.in/eEC5NK4Y

Groceries, Gas, or Cash! Raffle Raises Awareness and Funds The Groceries, Gas, or Cash! raffle continues to benefit from the backing of enthusiastic sponsors and ticket purchasers, and we’re kicking off the 2024 campaign right now! The 2023 raffle winner, Stephen Winowich president, UPMC Procirca, has supported Making Minds Matter initiatives from day one.  “I have witnessed throughout my clinical experience, and in society as a whole, that behavioral health does not receive the attention it truly warrants,” says Stephen. “This fund provides for the needs of patients who have mental health challenges and clinical staff who care for this population. It is a privilege for me to help sustain these programs.” Raffle participants will be entered in a drawing to win $17,000 in Giant Eagle groceries or $14,000 cash (before taxes). Only 700 tickets will be sold at $100 each, and the winner will be chosen on Monday, January 20, 2025.   To participate in the 2024 campaign, email [email protected], Visit UPMC.com/MakingMindsMatter, or call the Making Minds Matter Ticket Line at 412-246-6614. Thank you to our 2024 sponsors: Giant Eagle, Inc., Giant Eagle Pharmacy, UPMC Health Plan, WPXI-TV, Community Care Behavioral Health Organization, Aramark, Forbes Pharmacy, Part of UPMC Community Pharmacies, Gordon Food Service, AIS American Infrastructure Solutions, Inc.

Apply to join the next BH Fellows cohort! Join a movement and make a difference in Allegheny County. Get a local job working in behavioral health w/ 2-year cohort experience, loan repayment (up to $45K), competitive salary & professional development. Visit https://hubs.li/Q02J4XWs0 for more info & to apply by August 1. Allegheny County Department of Human Services Community Care Behavioral Health Organization