Provider Communication Bulletin #137 - Partners Health Management

In This Bulletin:

Partners Offers NC Medicaid Managed Care Virtual Education Series
RFI #0123-001: Individual Placement and Supported Employment (IPS/SE)
UM: Prior Authorization for Medicaid and State-funded Rapid Response Bed TFC
Cultural Competency Plan Annual Reviews
Expedited Requests for Unlicensed AFL Home Reviews
Claims Information
State News and Updates
Training Resource and Collaborative (TRAC)
Community Training
Additional Events and Training

Partners Offers NC Medicaid Managed Care Virtual Education Series

Join Partners Health Management on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, to kick off our virtual series of informational sessions on the changes in NC Medicaid Managed Care.

Each series will include an overview of your health plan, your rights and responsibilities, your benefits and services, and information on who to contact for help. You may attend any session you like; however, participants may find it most helpful to attend the sessions specific to their health plan.

The education series is divided by plan and will be offered from Jan. 24 through April 4, 2023. All sessions will be offered in both English and Spanish.

Click here for details and registration.

RFI #0123-001: Individual Placement and Supported Employment (IPS/SE)

RFI #0123-001 will be used to specifically identify any Providers interested in and qualified to provide Individual Placement and Support-Supported Employment (IPS/SE) for people with serious mental illness (e.g., schizophrenia spectrum disorder, bipolar, depression). It is a person-centered, behavioral health service with a focus on employment, which helps in choosing, acquiring, and maintaining competitive paid employment in the community for individuals 16 years and older for whom employment has not been achieved or employment has been interrupted or intermittent. Partners will continue the transition and implementation of the North Carolina Collaborative for Ongoing Recovery through Employment (NC CORE) Value Based Contracting Milestone payment methodology. There will be a focus on ensuring that individuals that are part of the Department of Justice Priority Population have access to IPS/SE. The Provider must adhere to all relevant NC Division of Medical Assistance Clinical Coverage Policies, NC Department of Health and Human Services Service Definitions and any other related laws and regulations. The Provider will be a behavioral health provider willing to co-locate the IPS/SE team with the behavioral health services, and to apply for a Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) contract. The award recipient must be willing to ensure that all individuals receiving IPS/SE have referral paperwork submitted to DVR, except in cases where the individual does not give consent to do so. The Provider will be required to work closely with NC DMH/DD/SAS, the LME-MCO, the local DVR unit office, and other community stakeholders.

Depending on the volume of responses Partners may select a provider to add this service or will issue a full Request for Proposals.

This Request for Interest offers an overview of Partners, requirements to submit an RFI response and links for additional resources. Please review the RFI and if you are interested in being considered for provision of these services with Partners, you must submit the RFI response form.

Click here to submit for the RFI for Partners RFI #0123-001 to be posted on January 12, 2023. Submit by 5 p.m. Friday, February 10, 2023.

Issuance of an RFI or RFP does not guarantee a financial award, nor does it indicate a commitment on the part of the issuer to pursue further contractual relationship.

Utilization Management: Prior Authorization for Medicaid and State-funded Rapid Response Bed Therapeutic Foster Care

Effective February 1, 2023, the following changes will be made to the benefit limit for Rapid Response Bed Therapeutic Foster Care (TFC). This applies to new or initial requests for Rapid Response Bed TFC.

Partners Medicaid MH, SU, and I/DD Specialty Services Benefit Plan:

Service Description

Benefit Limit

Source

Documentation Required for Authorization

Rapid Response Therapeutic Foster Care

S5145 (U5)

Referral through Care Management is required.

Initial: pass-through 30 days.

1^st Concurrent: 30-day authorization. Needs to meet EPSDT criteria if utilization is over 30 days.

2^nd Concurrent and Beyond: Concurrent authorizations are submitted every 15 days.

*In Lieu of Service

Definition

Initial: UM creates Notification SAR based on Care Management referral.

1^st Concurrent: Documentation of efforts to find alternative placement (i.e., residential or home setting). Treatment Plan signed by guardian and licensed clinician. Discharge/transition plan.

2^nd Concurrent and Beyond: Updated Discharge/transition plan.

Partners State MH, SU, and I/DD Specialty Services Benefit Plan:

Service Description

Benefit Limit

Source

Documentation Required for Authorization

Rapid Response Therapeutic Foster Care

S5145 (U5)

Referral through Care Management is required.

Initial: Pass-through 30 days.

Concurrent: Up to 30 days total per episode of care.

*In Lieu of Service

Definition

Initial: UM creates Notification SAR based on Care Management referral.

Concurrent: Notation of seeking alternative placement.

Changes to the Rapid Response TFC benefit limit include:

Pass-through of 30 days for both Medicaid and State-funded Rapid Response Bed TFC submissions.
1^st concurrent authorization request for both Medicaid and State submitted for 30 days.
2^nd concurrent authorization request (and beyond) for Medicaid is submitted every 15 days.
Treatment Plan signed by guardian and licensed clinician submitted by 1^st concurrent authorization for Medicaid requests.
Discharge/transition plan submitted by 1^st concurrent authorization for Medicaid requests. Updated Discharge/transition plan by 2^nd concurrent authorization and every subsequent request.

For additional clinical information, please refer to the Partners Rapid Response In Lieu of Service Definition.

Referrals for Rapid Response placements can be directed to the Rapid Response Referral Line at 336-527-3254 or by sending an email to rreferrals@partnersbhm.org.

If a member has already been placed in a Rapid Response Bed and there is no Care Manager assigned, please submit Care Management Referrals for Rapid Response Bed TFC to MHSU Targeted Case Management (TCM) Screening and Referrals at MHSUTCMScreeningandReferrals@partnersbhm.org or call the Care Connection Line at 704-842-6311.

If you have additional questions regarding prior authorization submissions, please contact the MH/SU Utilization Management Workgroup by calling 704-842-6436 or email UMquestions@partnersbhm.org.

Cultural Competency Plan Annual Reviews

All providers contracted with Partners Health Management must develop and maintain an ongoing Cultural Competency Plan. Cultural Competency Plans are to be reviewed by the Partners Quality Management Monitoring Department on an annual basis to ensure plans are in effect and are being reviewed/updated on an annual basis. These virtual reviews will begin to take place annually in January.

Partners QM Monitoring requests that all providers submit their annual Cultural Competency Plan to the Quality Management email QMMS@partnersbhm.org for review by QM Monitoring staff.

If you have not developed a plan yet and need assistance, you may learn more about plan development through the following resources:

Provider Knowledge Base: Cultural Competency – https://providers.partnersbhm.org/cultural-competency/
Provider Communication Bulletin #62 – https://providers.partnersbhm.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Provider-Comm-Bulletin-62.pdf
Training – https://www.partnerstraining.org/additional-training-resources/, scroll down to the Cultural Competency section.

Providers may request the Cultural Competency Review Tool used by all monitoring specialists by emailing QMMS@partnersbhm.org. If you still have questions after reviewing these documents, reach out to QM Monitoring for technical assistance at QMMS@partnersbhm.org.

Expedited Requests for Unlicensed AFL Home Reviews

If providers need an expedited review of an Unlicensed Alternative Family Living (AFL) home by the Quality Management Monitoring Department, note that a Home and Community Based Self-Assessment (HCBS) must first be completed and fully integrated. In addition, providers are requested to complete a walk-through of the AFL home and provide documentation of the home being fully compliant prior to scheduling a virtual walk through with the QM Monitoring Department.

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.

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.

December 2022: Medicaid—Number of Days to Process and Pay All Claims
Received Date to Paid Date:	11

Top Five Medicaid Claim Denials for December 2022
Claim Denial	Provider Recommended Action Steps
Claim received after billing period.	Write off charges as non-billable. Do not rebill.
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.
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 the date of service submitted on the claim. If this appears to be correct, contact the Managed Care Organization (MCO) for further assistance.
Billing taxonomy submitted is not associated with the billing NPI.	Rebill claims with the correct taxonomy/NPI information.

State News and Updates

NCDHHS Resources:

Joint Communication Bulletins, which are issued by the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, can be found here.
Medicaid Bulletins: All bulletin articles are available here. Providers are encouraged to frequently review this information.
Medicaid Pharmacy Newsletters are available here.
NCTracks: Providers are encouraged to review NCTracks communications. To subscribe to NCTracks communications, click here.

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.

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

NAMI Provider Seminar

Jan. 26, 2023, noon-4 p.m. (Register)

This is a four-hour seminar staff development program for health care organizations that provide services to people affected by mental illness. The program is led by people living well in recovery, family members and health care providers. Presenters share their personal, intimate perspective on their treatment experience.

Partners Provider Council

Jan. 27, 2023, 9:30 a.m. (Register)

Feb. 24, 2023, 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.

NC-TOPPS Monthly Webinar

Feb. 1, 2023, 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 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.

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

Provider Open House

Feb. 2, 2023, 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.

Motivational Interviewing Training

Feb. 9 and 10, 2023, 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.

This is a virtual live event, which will be held on Thursday and Friday, Feb. 9 and 10, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. You must attend both full sessions to receive credit. No partial credit will be given. CEs not given without visibility on camera. Driving is not permitted during Partners trainings.

This event is approved for 13 NBCC Hours. Partners has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6932. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Partners is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

If you need accommodations to attend this training email training@partnersbhm.org.

State-funded Provider Information Session

Feb. 10, 2023, 2 p.m.-3 p.m. (Register)

Partners will have an information session on the state funded waitlist/services process for providers. This will be a pre-recorded broadcast providing an overview that covers the process for making a request and what happens after a request is made. A short question and answer period will be scheduled at a later date for follow up questions.

Community Support Team (CST) Service Definition Training

Feb. 14, 2023, 8:30 a.m.-11:45 a.m.(Register)

March 14, 2023, 8:30 a.m.-11:45 a.m. (Register)

On Demand (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.

Twelve Step Facilitation Training

Feb. 14 and 16, 2023, 9 a.m.-12:15 p.m. (Register)

Join Partners for a live, virtual Twelve Step Facilitation Training. Learn more about what it really means to use this evidence-based practice to maximize opportunities for long-term recovery, connection, and deeper life satisfaction. Trainer: Eric Ottinger

Training will take place over two days on Tuesday and Thursday, Feb. 14 and 16, from 9 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Participants must have audio and visual capabilities and be visible on camera for both sessions to receive credit. No Partial credit will be given.

NBCC and NCSAPPB approved for up to 6 hours. Partners has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6932. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Partners is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

If you need accommodations please email training@partnersbhm.org.

CBT Learning Community

Feb. 15, 2023, 2 p.m.-3:30 p.m. (Register)

March 15, 2023, 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.

Partners Licensed Independent Practitioner (LIP) Collaborative

Feb. 15, 2023, noon-1 p.m. (Register)

Partners quarterly updates and vital information is shared with LIP providers. Click on the register button to register for this virtual live event.

Partners LGBTQ Collaborative

Feb. 16, 2023, 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 February, Dr. Clayton Parks will join us to introduce the topic of sexual education for those with intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD). We will explore how people with I/DD define sexual self-advocacy and discuss the messages they receive from others regarding their sexuality. Messages around the topic of sexuality and how those messages impact how we talk about sexuality with those who have I/DD. We will delve into sexual development for those with I/DD as well as look as sex and gender and what is the same or different for people with I/DD. Finally, we will determine what are barriers, values, and attitudes around sexuality and how we navigate those different barriers.

Dr. Parks is an Area Guardianship Specialist with the Asheville unit at The Arc of North Carolina. A certified trainer with Elevatus Training, Clayton is a Certified Alcohol Drug Counselor (CADC), a board-certified Human Service Practitioner (HS-BCP) and a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP). He has a PhD in religious studies and is adjunct faculty at two graduate institutions. He is also a certified trainer for the www.thecompanionshipmovement.org and has published on the intersection of faith and behavioral health.

Partners Provider Forum – Quarterly

March 8, 2023, 1 p.m.-3 p.m. (Register)

Partners quarterly updates and vital information is shared with providers. Please click on the register button to register for this virtual live event.

Partners Diversity and Inclusion Collaborative – Quarterly

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.

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.

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.

Human Trafficking: Keeping Our Children Safe

Feb. 2, 2023, 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 U.S., and some ideas about how to keep our children safe.

Domestic Violence: How to Help

Feb. 3, 2023, 10 a.m.-noon (Register)

Many of us are still home more than usual and the risk for domestic violence is high. Learn how to spot the warning signs of domestic violence and how to help someone in a violent situation.

Darkness to Light

Feb. 7, 2023, 10 a.m.-noon (Register)

This training provides education about child sexual abuse and the steps you can take to prevent and report child sexual abuse. Seats are limited. Please register early.

Introduction to Trauma and Resilience

Feb. 8, 2023, 10 a.m.-noon (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.

Mental Health 101

Feb. 14, 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.

QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer)

Feb. 15, 2023, 2 p.m.-4 p.m. (Register)

Many have experienced recent losses. The risk of suicide is still high. This evidence-based training teaches the skills to intervene in a suicide crisis. **The maximum number of people allowed to participate in a virtual QPR training at one time is 30; registration is on a first come first serve basis.

Community Resilience Model® (CRM)

Feb. 17, 2023, 10 a.m.-noon (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.

Risk & Resilience Buffering Toxic Stress Modules 1-3

Feb. 21, 2023, 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.

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

Feb. 22, 2023, 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.

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

Feb. 23, 2023, 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.

Trauma Informed Care

Feb. 27, 2023, 2 p.m.-4 p.m. (Register)

Let’s look at how our behavior affects others with trauma history. What are some simple changes we can make using what we know about trauma?

Partners Community Café
Fourth Wednesday of each month, (Jan. 25, 2023), 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. The January Community Café will highlight the importance of self-love, connecting physical and mental wellness and building self-worth. We invite all attendees to ask questions and join us for open conversation.

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

April 25-26, 2023, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (Register)

Partners System of Care/Community Training Coordinators

Jeanne Patterson 980-989-0345 jpatterson@partnersbhm.org

Amber Matthews 828-433-6693 Amatthews@partnersbhm.org

Starla Jordan 704-813-3402 sjordan@partnersbhm.org

Stefanie Robbins 704-918-3094 skrobbins@partnersbhm.org

Stephanie Funderburk 980-363-5952 sfunderburk@partnersbhm.org

Meghann Lail 704-616-3159 mlail@partnersbhm.org

Additional Events and Training

Hickory Brain Injury Support Group

Jan. 24, 2023, 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: