Provider Communication Bulletin #135

In This Bulletin:

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Partners Changing How Providers Submit Prior Authorization Requests

What is happening?
Beginning Jan. 1, 2023, Partners’ providers will use TruCare’s ProAuth platform for prior authorizations.

Training details will be provided in future Provider Alerts.

When is this happening? Jan. 1, 2023

What is the impact to providers?

As Partners moves toward operating a Tailored Plan, it is necessary to have a platform that incorporates behavioral and physical health authorization requests. ProAuth will allow Partners to support members’ integrated health needs.

Beginning Jan. 1, providers will no longer use Alpha+ to submit prior authorization requests. (Providers will continue to submit all behavioral health claims and State-funded claims through Alpha+).

Providers will access the ProAuth system through ProviderCONNECT, Partners’ secure provider portal.

What must providers do?

Providers will need to participate in training for ProAuth.

Watch for future Provider Alerts with training dates and complete training through Partners’ Training Academy at partnerstraining.org/. (Scroll to ProAuth Training under Provider Tailored Plan On-Demand Webinars. Please allow four hours for the training.)

What if providers have open authorizations prior to Jan. 1, 2023?

If providers have open authorizations that were submitted to Alpha+ prior to 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 31, 2022, they will be completed in the Alpha+ system.

Providers with active authorizations that cross over this timeframe, no action is needed.

What if providers have questions?

Providers may submit questions via email at: ProAuth@PartnersBHM.org.

Providers may also call the Provider Support Line at 1-877-398-4145, Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m.-6 p.m.

 

Manual Prior Authorization Requests

Partners has implemented a new Manual Prior Authorization Request Form and a new Manual Prior Authorization email address (BHIDDManualAuthorizations@partnersbhm.org). The new Manual Prior Authorization Request Form can be located on the Partners Provider Knowledge Base website.

As a reminder, complete Manual requests may be submitted in the following situations:

  • The Alpha + or ProAuth/TruCare (upon implementation) system is not available and is not expected to be available for an extended period. For example, it is not available for eight hours or more; this information will be communicated via the Partners website.
  • The Provider is an out-of-network and/or out-of-area provider who is serving a Partners member who either requires specialty treatment not available in the network, is out of the catchment area when a crisis occurs or lives in another catchment area, but Medicaid is not expected to change. For example, this would include members living in residential situations outside of the Partners catchment area, but who continue to have Medicaid from one of Partners counties.
  • A service is requested that is not in the Partners Benefit Plan and is not an available drop-down option for services in the Alpha + or ProAuth/TruCare (upon implementation) system. An example would be an Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPSDT) Medicaid request for a service not included in the Partners Medicaid Benefit Plan.

Completed Manual Prior Authorization Requests shall be submitted using one of the following methods:

Email (only if encrypted):

Fax:

  • I/DD and TBI Requests: 704-884-2690
  • Inpatient Requests: 704-884-2703
  • MH and SU Requests: 704-884-2701
  • Physical Health Requests: TBD

Mail / Hand Delivery:

Partners Health Management

Attn: UM Department

901 South New Hope Road

Gastonia, NC 28054

NC-SNAP Training

Completion of the NC-SNAP training is the responsibility of provider agencies delivering services to members  with intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD). Partners does not complete NC-SNAPs on behalf of provider agencies.

Provider agencies should have a certified NC-SNAP Examiner on staff. If your agency does not have a certified NC-SNAP Examiner on staff, Partners encourages you to work with other agencies to get NC-SNAPs completed annually as required.

Please refer to the Partners Provider Training Catalog for instructions on how to obtain NC-SNAP Certification training.

Reminders

  • Unless the member has completed a Supports Intensity Scale® (SIS) assessment – An NC-SNAP is required for individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD) receiving state-funded services, (b)(3) or residing in an Intermediate Care Facility for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF-IID).
  • An NC-SNAP is valid for one year. Authorization periods must be covered by a valid NC-SNAP. A gap in NC-SNAP coverage dates could result in recoupment of paid claims.
  • A NC-SNAP Update must be completed if the member is transferred to another I/DD service provider, is discharged, or will no longer receive any I/DD services (including transitioning to non-I/DD services). An update is done by completing the “NC-SNAP Summary Report and Supplemental Information” form (cover page), marking the change in DD Support Status, and indicating the type of change.
  • Providers must submit complete NC-SNAPs for entry into the State NC-SNAP database AND upload to Alpha+ to be in compliance.
    • Complete NC-SNAPs and updates must be emailed to Laura Reisinger at lreisinger@partnersbhm.org and Taressa Davis at TWDavis@partnersbhm.org or faxed to 704-884-2690 and marked Attention: Laura Reisinger and Taressa Davis.
    • Complete NC-SNAPs (all pages) and NC-SNAP updates must be uploaded into the Alpha+ Patient Maintenance Documents section.

If you have questions you may contact Laura Reisinger by email at lreisinger@partnersbhm.org, by phone at 704-884-2645, or by fax at 704-884-2690.

Back-up Staffing Information for I/DD Innovations Services

Local Management Entities/Managed Care Organization (LME/MCO) Joint Communication Bulletin J#427 reinstituted the requirement for providers of I/DD Innovations services to submit failure to provide back-up staffing reports effective Aug. 16, 2022.

Partners is setting a deadline of five days after a reporting period ends to submit the reporting of back-up staffing incidents. This will be effective with the reporting period ending on Nov. 30, 2022. Reporting periods are from the first through the 15th of the month and from the 16th to the last day of the month.

This deadline will help Partners address any issues and questions so that we can process the data more quickly and efficiently to create helpful feedback and reports for providers and staff. As of Sept. 1, 2022, providers should submit their back-up staffing incidents or Attestation of No Back-up Staffing Incidents through an electronic online form-links below:

Back-up Staffing Guidelines

Failure to Provide Back-up Staffing reporting form

Attestation of No Back-up Staffing Incidents form

Reminders:

  1. “Other” as a reason back-up staffing was not provided should rarely be chosen. Based on reading through comments on past reports, most of the incidents with “Other” selected should be classified as “Trained Staff Unavailable.” Please select the option that most closely reflects the reason no back-up staff was provided. If “Other” is chosen, a description of what that means is required in the comments section on that line.
  2. The Member ID field in the online electronic form should be completed with the member’s Alpha+ ID number, not their Medicaid ID number.
  3. If back-up staffing was offered but declined, “Back-up Staffing Declined” should be chosen as the reason back-up staffing was not provided.
  4. Service breaks are not back-up staffing incidents and should be documented in the member’s record with no back-up staffing report submitted.

Back-up Staffing Data for September 2022
There were 80 Failure to Provide Backup Staffing Reports submitted from Sept. 1 to Sept. 30, 2022. These 80 reports contained 1,803 backup staffing incidents for 189 members. Total hours of services missed by members totaled 8,322.45

SERVICE HOURS MISSED PERCENTAGE
Community Living and Supports 4,981.35 60%
Community Networking 1,482.90 18%
Day Supports 981.50 12%
Supported Employment 776.70 9%
Supported Living 100.00 1%
Grand Total 8,322.45 100%

 

REASONS #BUS
Other* 1,476
Trained staff unavailable 133
Staff out sick 83
Staff on vacation 25
Staff had appointment 23
Staff out due to extended leave 19
Staff resigned 17
Individual/Legally Responsible Person (LRP) declined back-up staff 14
Staff did not show to work 13
Grand Total 1803

BACK-UP STAFFING DATA FOR OCTOBER 2022

There were 64 Failure to Provide Back-up Staffing Reports submitted from Oct. 1 to Oct. 31, 2022. These 64 reports contained 1,806 backup staffing incidents for 185 members. Total hours of services missed by members totaled 8,756.76.

SERVICE HOURS MISSED PERCENTAGE
Community Living and Supports 5,181.01 59.17%
Community Networking 1,671.30 19.09%
Supported Employment 917.90 10.48%
Day Supports 796.55 9.10%
Supported Living 190.00 2.17%
Grand Total 8,756.76 100.00%

 

REASON #BUS
Trained staff unavailable 1,183
*Other, list in comment section. 466
Staff out sick 38
Individual/LRP declined back-up staff 33
Staff resigned 30
Staff had appointment 18
Staff out due to extended leave 18
Staff on vacation 13
Staff did not show to work 6
Staff terminated 1
Grand Total 1806

*Other was selected as the reason back-up staffing was not provided on 1,423 reports. The numbers above reflect an adjustment of moving 957 from “Other” to “Trained Staff Unavailable.”

Providers should submit questions regarding back-up staffing to: backupstaffing@partnersbhm.org

Quality Management Provider Monitoring Overview

Post Payment Monitoring of Medicaid-Funded providers will no longer occur every two years but will occur on an as needed basis when a request for a targeted review is made (Complaint/Grievance/Quality of Care Concern/Request from internal departments or external entities).

Post Payment Monitoring occurs every two years for State-Funded providers or may occur as the result of a request for a Targeted Review.

Providers who deliver Transition to Community Living (TCL) services are currently being monitored on a quarterly basis as a Targeted Review. These reviews are predicated on how often the state requests the reviews, no matter the funding source. This is ongoing, and Partners’ next round of reviews will begin in March 2023.

Moving forward as a Tailored Plan, Partners will continue to use the current N.C. Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) Tools Post Payment Tools and plans to adopt these same tools going forward.

No changes have been made to the schedule or process of Unlicensed Alternative Family Living (AFL) Monitoring or Employer of Record Reviews. These continue to be monitored initially and annually thereafter.

State-Funded Services Referral Process Update

As a reminder, earlier this fiscal year, Partners Health Management updated its State-Funded Service Referral Process, resulting in process and reporting changes for providers.

Two changes that providers should pay special attention to include:

  • Required weekly reports on State-Funded Service (SFS) provider waiting lists
  • Updates to the substance use disorder (SUD) residential services process

Partners alerted providers to the new state-funded service referral process changes in Provider Communication Bulletin #129, which was published on May 19, 2022. Several provider and Consumer and Family Advisory Committee (CFAC) forums were held to develop this process that became effective on July 1, 2022.

Changes were made to help Partners prioritize the best way to use limited state funds while facing a growing need for state-funded services.

Required Weekly State-Funded Service (SFS) Provider Waiting List Reports

In line with NC Medicaid Tailored Plan requirements, part of the SFS waiting list process involves providers reporting on their waiting lists.

When members request services and providers cannot serve members at the time the request is made, the member or recipient is added to a waiting list. Providers are required to fill out the Partners State-Funded Service Request Waiting List Form that can be found on the Provider Knowledge Base or contact Partners’ SFS List Coordinator, Lisa Snow, at statefundswaitlist@partnersbhm.org or 980-745-5900.

Providers are expected to notify Partners at least weekly about members that have been added to their provider SFS provider waiting list.

Substance Use Disorder Residential Process Update

Providers offering substance use disorder (SUD) residential services (with state funds available in their existing State-Funded Contract) to members/recipients with a primary diagnosis of SUD are now required to follow a new process.

The changes affect these codes/services:

  • YP760 – Group Living Low
  • YP770 – Group Living Moderate
  • YP780 – Group Living High

Here is What Changed:

If the SUD provider has existing funds in their state-funded contract to cover the services requested, they will not be required to go through the waitlist process of pre-approval.

SUD providers will continue submitting a request for prior authorization from Partners Utilization Management showing Medical Necessity based on Service Definition/Benefit plan requirements.

If the provider agency does not have existing funds in their State-Funded Contract to cover the services, they must follow the waiting list submission and pre-approval process.

For the following categories of services, the state-funded providers will manage serving those referred to them if funds are available in their state-funded contract:

Category Services
Crisis Services ·       Mobile Crisis Services

·       Facility Based Crisis Services
Basic Outpatient Services ·       Outpatient Services such as group/individual services available on the State Funded benefit grid

·       Medication Management for those coming out of an inpatient/facility-based crisis service
Substance Use Services ·       Outpatient Substance Use Services Medication Assisted Treatment

o   Group Living Low

o   Group Living Moderate

o   Group Living High

·       Services to the Opioid Use Disorder

·       Members

·       Substance Abuse Intensive Outpatient Program (SAIOP)

·       Substance Abuse Comprehensive Outpatient Treatment (SACOT)
Mental Health Substance Use (MHSU) Services ·       Psychosocial Rehabilitation (PSR)

·       Assertive Community Treatment Team (ACTT) – this should be limited

·       Community Support Team – Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) – this should be limited

·       Tenancy Management Services
I/DD Day Services for 18- to 21-year-olds ·       Day Activity, Day Supports, Supported Employment Services for 18 to 21-year- old recipients with I/DD or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) that have graduated from school

o   Exceptional children can go to

o   school until age 22

o   Only available if the member has finished school

o   Requires documentation that school system services are no longer available
I/DD Respite ·       For recipients with I/DD who are not otherwise eligible for or receiving any services and who meet one of these three criteria

1.       At imminent risk of institutionalization

2.       Has behavioral complexity resulting in recurrent crisis service usage

3.       At imminent risk of out of home placement from parents/guardians

·       For any new service requests, provider must document how one of these criteria exists

SFS/Referrals for State-Funded Services Requiring Partners’ Approval

Due to continued restraints on the availability of state funds, Partners will require providers to seek approval for services using a screening process.

Recipients who cannot be managed by available funding will be added to Partners’ State-Funded Waiting List. Providers should maintain their own waiting lists to share with Partners to add to the network’s waiting list. The state will maintain a statewide waiting list to monitor the need for funding for services.

The following services require Partners’ approval before a recipient can be accepted into services:

Category Services
MHSU Residential ·       Group Living Low

·       Group Living Moderate

·       Group Living High

·       Supervised Living Low

·       Supervised Living Moderate

·       Supervised Living High

·       Family Living Low

·       Family Living Moderate
I/DD and TBI Residential ·       Residential Supports

·       Supported Living

State-Funded Referrals for recipients with an intellectual/developmental disability (I/DD), mental health or substance use (MHSU) or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) diagnosis who are requesting one of the aforementioned residential services will be required to meet at least one of the following criteria to be assessed for State-Funded Services:

Mark the criteria that apply Criteria – Effective July 1, 2022
At imminent risk of entry into institutional settings (e.g., state developmental facilities,

Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities [ICF-IIDs], state psychiatric facilities or adult care homes)

Describe:
Has behavioral complexity resulting in recurrent crisis service usage (e.g., emergency

department, behavioral health urgent care and facility crisis)

Describe:
At imminent risk for out of home placement from parents or legal guardians
Additional Information:

Providers who deliver a residential service that requires approval and that have a vacancy should:

  • Fill out Partners’ State-Funded Service Request & Waiting List Form for Partners’ review. The form can also be found on the Provider Knowledge Base.
  • Report members that have been added to their agency waiting lists by contacting Partners’ Waiting List Coordinator at 980-745-5900 or via email at statefundswaitlist@partnersbhm.org.
  • Clinical teams meet weekly to review requests for residential service Providers are notified via email that the member has been added to the waiting list or when the provider may submit a service authorization request.
  • When services end, funding will not remain for a new recipient to fill the opening. If providers have a member requesting service, they need to submit the referral to the above Partners’ contact information and Partners will offer the provider three members who have been waiting the longest.
  • However, the services and funding will follow that person if they move to another service provid For example, if a provider is serving a state funded recipient who ends a service requiring Utilization Management approval, and is seeking services with another state-funded provider, the money designated in the initial provider’s contract for that recipient will be reduced and added to the new providers’ state-funded contract to continue to support the recipient in a state-funded service. In these situations, providers should work with the care management and assigned provider network specialists to ensure the dollars follow the recipient for service continuity.
  • As part of this transparent process, many stakeholders have asked Partners how to advocate for additional funding so that these cuts can be stopped. It is always helpful to let your member of the House and Senate know you advocate for increased funding for mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance use services. You can find out who serves you in the General Assembly here:
    • Click here to Find Your Legislator or call 919-733-4111 and request to speak to a member of the General Assembly.

If you have questions or comments about how the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) distributes funding among the Local Management Entities/Managed Care Organizations (LME/MCOs), email contactdmh@dhhs.nc.gov.

Claims Information

Providers are reminded to contact the Claims Department at claimsdepartment@partnersbhm.org for all claims-related questions. To avoid delays in receiving a response, please do not contact individual Claims’ staff directly.

Alpha+ Portal University is an available resource and guide for navigating Alpha+. If you need additional claims training, email claimsdepartment@partnersbhm.org to schedule a time for training.

Explanation of Benefits Requests for Coordination of Benefits Claims

As a reminder, Partners requests copies of the Explanation of Benefits (EOB) for members’ claims submitted indicating Coordination of Benefits. The request will originate via email from Partners’ Claims staff. Please submit the information, via secured email, prior to the date indicated in the emailed request. If a response is not received, the original claim payment will be recouped.

Reminder: Taxonomy Code 193200000X and 193400000X

Taxonomy Code 193200000X and 193400000X should not be submitted on claims as the rendering taxonomy code. All claims submitted with this taxonomy code as the rendering code will be reverted.

Reminder: Telehealth Modifiers and Place of Service – Telehealth, virtual communication, and remote patient monitoring claims should be filed with the provider’s usual place of service code(s) and not place of service 02.

  • Providers should use the GT modifier when the policy says that telehealth is allowed

Providers should use the CR modifier for telehealth that only available to use during the State of Emergency or Public Health Emergency.

Provider Payments

Partners is committed to paying claims in a timely manner and adheres to Prompt Pay Guideline Compliance as set forth by the state of North Carolina. In order to ensure that all providers receive EFT payments as outlined in signed contracts, providers are required to submit the proper financial documentation, which includes banking information. If you need to add new banking information or are requesting a change to current banking information, you may email acash@partnersbhm.org or call 704-884-2523.

October 2022: Medicaid—Number of Days to Process and Pay All Claims
Received Date to Paid Date: 8.6

 

Top Five Medicaid Claim Denials for October 2022

Claim Denial

Provider Recommended Action Steps
Service is not authorized Verify Service Authorization for member. Contact Utilization Management.
Duplicate claim The claim has previously been submitted and adjudicated. Do not refile.
Client has other covered insurance (COB)

 

 Payment adjusted because this care may be covered by another payer per coordination of benefits.
Claim received after billing period Write off charges as non-billable. Do not rebill.
No coverage available for Patient/Service/Provider combo. Go to Patient -> Patient Search and search for the patient in question. Check the insurance to ensure the patient has effective insurance covering to date of service submitted on the claim. If this appears to be correct, contact the Managed Care Organization (MCO) for further assistance.

State News and Updates

NCDHHS Resources:

Training Resource and Collaborative (TRAC)

The TRAC offers a centralized cross-functional selection of required trainings, collaboratives and events. Click here to view what is coming up in the next few months.

Tailored Plan On-Demand Provider Trainings

The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) requires the listed trainings be available for providers. This applies to Tailored Plan, Medicaid Direct and State-funded providers. Registering is easy. You will be prompted to enter simple registration information. The on-demand training will then be available immediately or when your schedule allows. Note: Training Reciprocity Among Tailored Plans. NCDHHS is allowing the six LME/MCOs reciprocity for some Tailored Plan-required trainings. Click here for Alert issued Oct. 26, 2022.

Due Process

On-Demand (Register)

This on-demand webinar covers the following (but not limited to) four dispute types: Medicaid appeals, non-Medicaid appeals, Provider disputes, and Grievances.

EPSDT

On-Demand (Register)

In the EPSDT training, you will learn: What is EPSDT; Partners EPSDT requirements; Periodicity Schedule; Diagnostic and Treatment Components; Medical Necessity Review; Service Coordination (Vaccines for Children, Into the Mouths of Babes, and Developmental Delay and Referral to NC Infant-Toddler Program); and EPSDT components, diagnosis codes, modifiers, referrals, tracking, follow-up and outreach.

Fraud, Waste and Abuse

On-Demand (Register)

This webinar covers (but is not limited to) the following: Regulatory Compliance Program, Types of Health Care Industry Oversight, Partners Program Integrity Department, Program Integrity Department Function Highlights, What are Fraud, Waste and Abuse (FWA), Potential Areas or examples of FWA and the Impact of FWA on health care.

Into the Mouths of Babes (IMB)

On-Demand (Register)

The IMB program trains medical providers on how to provide preventative oral health services to Medicaid-insured children from tooth eruption to age 3 ½ (42 months). Goals of the program include preventing and reducing early childhood tooth decay and increasing referral of high-risk children to a dental home. This training is required before being permitted to receive reimbursement for IMB services.

Partners Hand Washing and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

On-Demand (Register)

This new provider required training is now available on-demand. Participants will gain an understanding of infection control using PPE and frequent handwashing.

Partners Infection Control: Home Care Settings

On-Demand (Register)

This new provider required training is now available on-demand. Participants will gain an understanding of infection control in the home care setting, which includes learning ways infections are transmitted, standard precautions and how to teach members about infection control procedures.

Partners Infection Control: Community Care Settings

On-Demand (Register)

This new provider required training is now available on-demand. Participants will gain an understanding of infection control in the community care setting, which includes learning ways infections are transmitted, standard precautions and how to teach members about infection control procedures.

Prevention and Population Health Management

On-Demand (Register)

Partners takes a population-based approach to improve the overall health of Medicaid members and State-funded recipients and collaborates with community partners on targeted initiatives. In this training, you will learn about: Partners Prevention and Population Health Core Philosophies, Program Goals, Partners Prevention and Population Health Approach, Provider Level Interventions and Partners Prevention and Population Health Programs Overview of Provider Expectations.

Provider Training-Live Virtual and/or Prerecorded

Provider Council

Nov. 18, 2022, 9:30 a.m. (Register)

The Partners’ Provider Council is a professional representative of and advocate for all service providers in the Partners’ service area. The Council facilitates an open exchange of ideas and brings forward concerns and solutions while promoting collaboration and mutual accountability among providers. Meetings are held on the fourth Friday of the month. An intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD)/Innovations Provider Breakout Session will immediately follow this meeting.

Provider Council I/DD/Innovations Provider Breakout Session

Nov. 18, 2022, noon (Register)

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Introduction to Motivational Interviewing

Nov. 28 and 29, 2022, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (Register)

Join Partners Training Academy for this two-day, interactive training that will cover the fundamentals of Motivational Interviewing (MI). This training will be facilitated by MINT trainer, Tami Grossens and meets NC service definition training requirements.

Provider Open House

Dec. 1, 2022, 9 a.m.-10 a.m. (Register)

The Provider Open House is a virtual event that occurs the first Thursday of each month from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. and is open to new and existing providers in the Partners Health Management network. You can enter questions in the question/comment box during registration.

The Provider Open House begins promptly at 9 a.m. and is staffed by all the usual department representatives ready to respond to your questions. We ask that you use our Zoom Registration process in advance of the open house and add your question(s) directly into the Zoom Questions and Comments box. This effort on your part, will help us better help you. Of course, your questions are welcome during the open house as well. You may place them in the chat box upon entering the Zoom meeting. Our intention is to address your questions or concerns in a private one-on-one breakout room, and we understand that your question may require further follow-up. We look forward to your participation.

If you need accommodations to participate in the Provider Open House, please email training@partnersbhm.org.

Person Centered Thinking

Dec. 6 and 7, 2022, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. (Register)

Person Centered Thinking (PCT) is a foundational and philosophical framework for those involved in supporting people with disabilities. This activity-filled, two-day training consists of applied stories, guided exercises, group work and discussion. This approved National Learning Community Curriculum meets the requirements of NC service definitions.

NC-TOPPS Monthly Webinar

Dec. 7, 2022, 2 p.m.-2:30 p.m. (Register)

Please join us the first Wednesday of every month for new NC-TOPPS updates. This is also an opportunity for everyone to share new ideas, provide mini trainings as well as ask questions. Please let us know if you have specific topics you would like us to discuss during the monthly meetings. For questions or comments for NC-TOPPS, email us at NCTOPPSQUESTIONS@partnersbhm.org.

Target Audience: Existing and new providers in the Partners Health Management network.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Foundations Training

Dec. 13 and 15, 2022, 9 a.m.-12:15 p.m. (Register)

CBT is an evidence-based practice that focuses on challenging and changing unhelpful cognitive distortions and behaviors, improving emotional regulation, and the development of personal coping strategies that target solving current problems. NCSAPPB and NBCC approval for up to 6 hours.

Community Support Team (CST) Service Definition Training

Dec. 13, 2022, 8:30 a.m.-11:45 a.m. (Register)

Community Support Team (CST) is a behavioral health support service designed to help people experiencing severe mental illness develop recovery and resiliency-oriented skills. This webinar meets the requirement for three hours of CST Service Definition Training. Registrants will view a previously recorded training that includes two 10-minute breaks. In order to receive a training certificate, registrants will need to view the full webinar and pass a 10-question quiz with a score of 80% or greater.

Provider Forum – Quarterly

Dec. 14, 2022, 1 p.m.-3 p.m., (Register)

Partners quarterly updates and vital information is shared with providers. Click on the register button to access the video.

LGBTQ Collaborative

Dec. 15, 2022, 3 p.m. (Register)

Partners sponsors a monthly provider-led LGBTQ Collaborative. Topics covered include brainstorming provider initiatives, case consultation, addressing LGBTQ topics of interest and support, celebrations of accomplishments, resource sharing and training needs. Please join us for this interactive session of learning and community.

In the month of December, guest speaker, Rev. Rayce J. Lamb (he/him/his) will present about safe places of faith. Rev. Lamb serves as the Director of Admissions and Enrollment Management at Wake Forest University School of Divinity where he graduated with his Master’s in Divinity in 2016. Previously, he has served as the Interim Pastor of Wake Forest Baptist Church, the Director of Youth Ministry at Green Street United Methodist Church, and the Director of North Star LGBTQ Community Center in Winston-Salem, N.C. where he was responsible for getting the center’s faith initiative off the ground. In his free time, you can find Rayce hiking, trying to grow something new (this year it’s pumpkins), or working on his side project called Faithonomics.

CBT Learning Community

Dec. 21, 2022, 2 p.m.-3:30 p.m. (Register)

Join like-minded providers in a learning community to explore skills, concepts, case studies, and expand your own techniques. This learning community will you learn practical ways to use evidence-based practices in your day-to-day work with members.

What do we do in this learning community: self-care, reduce burnout, professional growth, connection to a community, explore evidence-based practices, gain a sense of mastery, invest in your own emotional bank account, improve in quality of care delivered, and learn and practice skills that are reimbursable.

NBCC CEs are not available for this session. If you need accommodations to participate in the session, please email training@partnersbhm.org.

Diversity and Inclusion Collaborative – Quarterly

Jan. 12, 2023, 2 p.m.-3 p.m.

April 13, 2023, 2 p.m.-3 p.m.

This is a closed work group designed to bring awareness and increase conversations about diversity, equity and inclusion within the LME/MCO and provider agencies. It reviews and develops policies and procedures that promote best practices and works to remove systemic barriers to minority providers. To request more information about this work group or to learn how to become involved, please contact Vickie Smith, vsmith@infinitebeginningsnc.org.

 Provider Forum September 2022 Recording

On-demand, (Register)

Partners quarterly updates and vital information is shared with providers. Click on the register button to access the video.

Collaboratives, Councils, and Forums

Partners Provider Council – Monthly

Nov. 18, 2022, 9:30 a.m. (Register)

The Partners’ Provider Council is a professional representative of and advocate for all service providers in the Partners’ service area. The Council facilitates an open exchange of ideas and brings forward concerns and solutions while promoting collaboration and mutual accountability among providers. Meetings are held on the fourth Friday of the month, except for July and December which have no meeting. The date also changes in November due to the Thanksgiving holiday. An intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD)/Innovations Provider Breakout Session will immediately follow this meeting quarterly.

Partners Provider Council – I/DD/Innovations Breakout Session – Quarterly

Nov. 18, 2022, noon (Register)

This breakout session occurs the second month of each quarter immediately following the Provider Council meeting. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting

Partners Provider Open House – Occurs the first Thursday of each month

Dec. 1, 2022, 9 a.m.-10 a.m. (Register)

The Provider Open House is a virtual live event open to new and existing providers in the Partners Health Management Network. This event is staffed by all the usual department representatives ready to respond to your questions. Please use our Zoom Registration process in advance of the open house to add your question(s) in the Zoom Questions and Comments box. This effort will help us better serve you. Of course, your questions are welcome during the open house as well. We look forward to your participation.

NC-TOPPS Webinar – Monthly

Dec. 7, 2022, 2 p.m.-2:30 p.m. (Register)

Join us on the first Wednesday of every month for new NC-TOPPS updates. This is also an opportunity for us all to share new ideas, provide mini trainings as well as ask questions. Please let us know if you have any specific topics you would like us to discuss during the monthly meetings. For questions or comments for NC-TOPPS, email us at NCTOPPSQUESTIONS@partnersbhm.org.

Partners LGBTQ Collaborative

Dec. 15, 2022, 3 p.m. (Register)

Partners sponsors a monthly provider-led LGBTQ Collaborative. Topics covered include brainstorming provider initiatives, case consultation, addressing LGBTQ topics of interest and support, celebrations of accomplishments, resource sharing and training needs. Please join us for this interactive session of learning and community.

Partners Provider Forum – Quarterly

Dec. 14, 2022, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. (Register)

Sept. 14, 2022, Video Recording On-demand, (Register)

Partners quarterly updates and vital information is shared with providers. Please register and attend to receive up-to-date information related to Tailored Plan, specific departmental information, and resources available to providers.

Partners Diversity and Inclusion Collaborative – Quarterly

Jan. 12, 2023, 2 p.m.-3 p.m.

This is a closed work group designed to bring awareness and increase conversations about diversity, equity and inclusion within the LME/MCO and provider agencies. It reviews and develops policies and procedures that promote best practices and works to remove systemic barriers to minority providers. To request more information about this work group or to learn how to become involved, please contact Vickie Smith, vsmith@infinitebeginningsnc.org.

Community Training

All Trainings are virtual via Zoom and last two hours unless otherwise specified. For more information contact Jeanne Patterson, jpatterson@partnersbhm.org or Amber Matthews, amatthews@partnersbhm.org.

Partners Community Café
Fourth Wednesday of each month, (Nov. 23, 2022), 10 a.m.-11 a.m. (Register)

Join Partners for our monthly Community Café, where we focus on relevant issues, concerns and ideas to improve the lives of those we serve. Community Café is held on the fourth Wednesday of each month. Last November, we helped make local connections to create another Veteran’s Court in our service area. Join us this November as our panelists give an update on the creation and implementation of a new Veteran’s Court and how multiple counties worked together to bring it to fruition. We invite all attendees to ask questions and join us for open conversation.

QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer)

Nov. 18, 2022, 10 a.m.-noon (Register)

Dec. 7, 2022, 10 a.m.-noon (Register)

Dec. 20, 2022, 2 p.m.-4 p.m. (Register)

Many of us are still home more than usual, and the risk for domestic violence is high. Learn how to spot the signs of domestic violence and how to help. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Mental Health 101

Nov. 22, 2022, 2 p.m.-4 p.m. (Register)

Dec. 16, 2022, 10 a.m.-noon (Register)

In this two-hour training, learn about some of the more common behavioral health disorders. The class includes information about treatment and what to do in a crisis.

Trauma Informed Care

Nov. 28, 2022, 2 p.m.-4 p.m. (Register)

Dec. 8, 2022, 10 a.m.-noon. (Register)

Let’s look at how our behavior affects others with a history of trauma. What are some simple changes we can make using what we know about trauma? After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Community Resilience Model® (CRM)

Nov. 29, 2022, 10 a.m.-noon (Register)

Dec. 19, 2022, 2 p.m.-4 p.m. (Register)

The Community Resilience Model® instructs participants about the impact of trauma and chronic stress on the nervous system, behavior, and long-term health. Participants learn how to reset the nervous system with easy to learn, concrete, coping skills. One of the goals of CRM is to create trauma-informed and resilient communities.

Domestic Violence: How to Help

Dec. 1, 2022, 2 p.m.-4 p.m. (Register)

Many of us are still home more than usual, and the risk for domestic violence is high. Learn how to spot the signs of domestic violence and how to help. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Human Trafficking: Keeping Our Children Safe

Dec. 2, 2022, 2 p.m.-4 p.m. (Register)

Human Trafficking is a global problem, even in the United States. Children may be susceptible to online to online predators. Learn about trafficking around the world, in the US, and some ideas about how to keep our children safe.

 Introduction to Trauma and Resilience

Dec. 5, 2022, 2 p.m.-4 p.m. (Register)

Most of us have experienced trauma at some time. This can have a lasting effect on our learning, behavior, and health. Learn about trauma and how to address the effects as well as how to develop resilience.

Risk & Resilience Buffering Toxic Stress Modules 1-3

Dec. 13, 2022, 2 p.m.-4 p.m. (Register)

This training provides information about how early childhood stress and trauma can result in negative outcomes in areas of learning, behavior and health throughout the lifespan. The definition of early childhood mental health as promoting healthy social emotional development through nurturing young minds from birth throughout early childhood is the core principle of this training. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Risk & Resilience Buffering Toxic Stress Module 4 Limbic Calming and Module 5 Cortical Coping

Dec. 14, 2022, 2 p.m.-4 p.m. (Register)

This is a follow-up to Modules 1-3. Module 4 teaches how to help very children calm their limbic systems. In Module 5 we will learn about healing the cortical brain to develop active coping skills such as impulse control and problem solving. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Risk & Resilience Buffering Toxic Stress Module 6: Building Adult Resilience

Dec. 15, 2022, 2 p.m.-4 p.m. (Register)

We have focused on young children and how we can support their development. This final one-hour module shifts to the importance of well-being in adults and how we can continue to build our resilience. Modules stand alone and there are no prerequisites to attend any of the modules. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

*An Introduction to Child and Family Teams: A Cross System Training from the Family’s Perspective (CFT Part 1) 

Jan. 24-25, 2023, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (Register)

CFT 1 is a two-day experiential training (when you register, you agree to attend both days) with a goal of providing an overview of Child and Family Team (CFT) meetings from the family’s perspective. The training seeks to reinforce the idea of “one family, one plan” by addressing Child and Family Teams through the lens of multiple systems as they affect families in their everyday lives. Agency representatives and parents/family members over 18 years of age are encouraged to attend this training. Sessions must have a minimum of 10 participants. Please do not schedule other appointments during this training. Register soon. This class will fill quickly.

Additional Events and Training

Hickory Brain Injury Support Group

Nov. 22, 2022, 6 p.m.-7:15 p.m.

Connect with survivors, families, and professionals. Meetings offer help, hope, and education, so you can live a happy and successful life after brain injury. This group meets on the fourth Tuesday of most months from 6 to 7:15 p.m. in the Community Room at First United Methodist Church, 311 3rd Ave NE, Hickory NC 28601. Times and locations sometimes vary. Meetings may occur online if there is a COVID-19 surge.

For more information, contact Travis Glass at 828-781-0778 or travis@crossroadscounseling.org. Also check facebook.com/HickoryBISG. Each meeting will be followed by 15 to 30 minutes of mindfulness awareness education and practice.

Disability Support Professional Training: Mount Eagle College and University is now offering Disability Support Professionals (DSPs) the opportunity to earn national certification in their field through an accredited curriculum instructed by individuals with lived experience. To learn more about the program, please email mjames@mounteag.com or visit https://mounteag.com/contact/ to submit a contact form.

Partners Community Collaboratives: Partners sponsors a monthly community collaborative in each of the counties in the service region. Community Collaborative groups consist of representatives from local government agencies, community organizations, and service providers, as well as individuals, families and advocates who work together in a specific community to identify and solve problems for children, adolescents, adults and families struggling with mental health and substance use.

Together, group members:

  • Identify gaps in services
  • Partner with agencies and families
  • Develop helpful resources
  • Assist providers and families with issues related to services
  • Ensure access to quality services

Currently, all collaboratives are meeting virtually. If you are interested in learning more about a

group or attending, please email Partners Community Engagement.

Select a county below to go to the associated collaborative information:

–      Burke

–      Cabarrus

–      Catawba

–      Cleveland

–      Davie

 

 –      Forsyth

–      Gaston

–      Iredell

–      Lincoln

–      Rutherford

 

 –      Stanly

–      Surry

–      Union

–      Yadkin