NAMI Minnesota Legislative Update – August 24, 2012

Changes in the Chemical and Mental Health Division

Department of Human Services Commissioner Lucinda Jesson announced this week that Maureen O’Connell had resigned as the assistant commissioner for the Chemical and Mental Health Services Administration (CMHS), effective August 24, 2012. She will be staying on to complete the work of the Olmstead Planning Committee, which is developing Minnesota’s plan to develop community-based services for people with disabilities. CMHS Deputy Assistant Commissioner Regina Wagner will transfer to a position in the Office of Inspector General at the end of the month.

Dave Hartford will serve as the interim assistant commissioner for CMHS.Most recently Dave has been the administrator of adult mental health for State Operated Services (SOS) but he has also been the head of Anoka Metro Regional Treatment Center and the director of behavioral care for HealthEast. He is currently on the NAMI Minnesota board of directors and is a past president of the board.

The state will be conducting a national search to fill the assistant commissioner position. While Dave is serving as assistant commissioner, Derrick Jones, administrator of the Community Behavioral Health Hospitals in Alexandria and Fergus Falls, will lead the adult mental health area for SOS.

In an email from the commissioner, she noted that “During her time as assistant commissioner, Maureen has shown dedication to our mission and a strong commitment to the people we serve. Please join me in thanking Maureen for her service, and supporting Dave, Derrick, and Reggie as they take on their new duties.”

NAMI Minnesota thanks Maureen and Reggie for their service and looks forward to working with Dave in his new role.

IDDT Rule

During the 2011 legislative session, NAMI Minnesota advocated for a way for the Department of Human Services to “certify” that a provider was actually following the guidelines or fidelity to the evidence-based practice of Integrated Dual Diagnosis Treatment (IDDT). The department has had a working group and has just released a draft of the new rule. Some important sections of the proposed rule are:

Providers: They can be a hospital, a community health center or clinic, CD licensed treatment provider, provider licensed by tribal government, IRTS, ACT teams, children’s residential mental health treatment facility, community behavioral health hospital and regional treatment centers.

Clients: The providers have to be able to meet the needs of children and adults who have both a mental illness and substance use disorder and who have a high utilization of acute care services, uncertain living conditions, or a persistent non-engagement of mental health services.

Practice Principles: There are a number of principles including using stage wise treatment, having a single treatment plan for both disorders, providing psycho-education, endorsing a recovery philosophy, providing treatment for both within the same episode of care.

Screening: Staff who perform CD assessments or mental health diagnostic assessments must screen people for co-occurring disorders.

Core treatment services: There is a long list including individual and group counseling, motivation-based treatment, assertive engagement and outreach activities, cognitive behavioral counseling, family-based interventions, education, peer support, etc.

To read a copy of the proposed rules, click here. You can send feedback to the department at or let NAMI know of any concerns you might have by emailing us at

Bundled Rates

An administrative appeal of The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services disapproval of Minnesota’s state Medicaid plan amendment regarding using bundled rates for Assertive Community Treatment (ACT), Intensive Residential Treatment Services (IRTS) and Rule 5 (children’s residential programs) was lost. The decision was issued on June 21, 2012. NAMI has been told “not to worry” that the state has made changes such as moving to a statewide fee structure. NAMI and others have asked for clarification and for what actions the department is proposing to take next. We will keep you updated.

Collaborative Psych Services Up and Running

Minnesota’s Collaborative Psychiatric Consultation Service is up and operating! The service is open for calls from pediatricians, family practice physicians and other primary care practitioners Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. The statewide toll-free number is: 1-855-431-6468 (MINT)

Although children on Medical Assistance fee-for-service are the first priority for this service, the service is taking calls from primary care practitioners relating to any type of children’s mental health issue that arises with any child in Minnesota. As a service to the community, consultants are also initiating calls to prescribers who may be affected by new Medical Assistance requirements regarding psychotropic medications. The service has already completed over 20 consultations and has been very well received.

The department is also seeking volunteers to participate in a new subgroup to develop a protocol relating to psychotic symptoms in youth. This will be similar to the subgroups that developed protocols for many other diagnostic areas last year. If you are interested in participating, please email NAMI at

Additional information about this project, including an updated Q&A document, is on the DHS website at www.dhs.state.mn.us/psychconsult.

Health Care Exchanges

Governor Mark Dayton sent a letter to legislative leaders on August 23rd updating them on the progress of creating aMinnesota Health Care Exchange. Federal law requires states to have initial plans showing how the exchange will work to the federal government by November 16, 2012 or risk being assigned to the federal exchange. NAMI does not want that to happen because we are working hard to ensure that plans under the Minnesota Exchange include a wide variety of mental health services – such as the ones under Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare.

The Governor stated that Minnesota had submitted an application for additional federal dollars to continue working on the Minnesota Exchange. He also wrote that, “However, I will inform the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services that no final decisions regarding Minnesota’s Health Insurance Exchange can be made by my administration prior to the upcoming election. Legislators will have the opportunity thereafter to review options and participate in the final decisions.” NAMI members may remember that the legislature took no action on the development of an exchange in Minnesota.

What’s the Fuss About Health Care Reform?

Join NAMI Minnesotaand the Twin Cities Media Alliance for an afternoon of getting engaged and taking action on the rights of people living with mental illnesses. Find out about how health care reform and changes in Medical Assistance may impact people with mental illnesses. Learn how to use new media tools, especially Twitter, to connect, engage and advocate for those with mental illnesses. Light appetizers will be served. This event is free and open to the public, but space is limited and reservations are encouraged. NAMI members are strongly encouraged to attend! Click here to register.

Are You Registered to Vote?

To save time and stress on Election Day, register to vote by October 16, 2012. To access a voter registration application, learn more about Minnesota’s voting and election process and understand your rights as a Minnesota voter visit the Minnesota Office of the Secretary of State website: www.mnvotes.org

NAMIWALKS

NAMIWalks will be held on Saturday, September 22nd at Minnehaha Park in Minneapolis and a second location in St. Cloud. It's a great day to raise awareness and to support NAMI Minnesota. One of the speakers will be Dave Wellstone, son of the late U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone. To learn more click here.

NAMI State Conference

The NAMI State Conference will be held on November 3rd at RiverCentre in St. Paul. There will be 15 breakout sessions on a variety of topics, including three related to public policy issues. Register now or read more about the breakout sessions and keynotes here!

Awards

We’re not grading people on their brownies, corns or sheep – but we are in terms of their contributions to NAMI and the mental health system. Do you know someone who should be recognized? Click here for a list of categories and a short form to nominate people. The deadline is right after Labor Day.