OMHSAS Announcements

January 04, 2010

This Emotional Life; New Series on PBS beginning January 4

The Emmy Award-winning team of Vulcan Productions and the producers of NOVA have created a three-part series that explores improving our social relationships, learning to cope with depression and anxiety, and becoming more positive, resilient individuals.The series was produced by Kunhardt McGee Productions.

Harvard psychologist and best-selling author of Stumbling on Happiness, Professor Daniel Gilbert, talks with experts about the latest science on what makes us “tick” and how we can find support for the emotional issues we all face.

Each episode weaves together the compelling personal stories of ordinary people and the latest scientific research along with revealing comments from celebrities like Chevy Chase, Larry David, Alanis Morissette, Robert Kennedy, Jr., and Richard Gere.

January 4th: Family, Friends & Lovers - Why are relationships so central to our well-being and how can we improve them?

January 5th: Facing Our Fears -How do we cope with emotions that are commonly regarded as obstacles to happiness – such as anger, fear, anxiety, and despair?

January 6th: Rethinking Happiness - Why is something so critical to our well-being – happiness –often such an elusive goal? How can we become more positive and resilient individuals able to lead happier and more fulfilling lives?

H1N1 Press Release-Mass Vaccination Clinics

We are providing you with a copy of the press release (below) from the PA Department of Health announcing that they will offer H1N1 flu vaccination clinics at 33 locations across Pennsylvania on Jan. 8 and 9 for all Pennsylvanians. The clinics will run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Individuals must schedule an appointment to receive the vaccine. Appointments can be made 24 hours a day at www.H1N1inPA.com under "What's Hot."

Appointments also may be made by calling 1-877-PA HEALTH (1-877-724-3258), Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.; and on Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Department of Public Health will continue to provide H1N1 vaccine to certified providers who have ordered it though the Statewide Immunization Information System (SIIS).

Download:

• H1N1 Press Release

Telephone Contact Added as a reimbursable service to the Medical Assistance Peer Support Services (PSS) Program

OMHSAS is pleased to announce the issuance of Bulletin Number
OMHSAS-09-07 which adds telephone contact as a reimbursable service to the Medical Assistance Peer Support Services (PSS) Program. Telephone delivered PSS will be limited to 25% or less of total service time provided per recipient/per calendar year in both Fee- For-Services and HealthChoices Programs. The revised PSS bulletin also clarifies collateral contact billing, billing by supervisors who are also certified peer specialists and provides ADA guidelines for persons who may need accommodations. The effective date for
telephone delivered PSS is January 1, 2010.  Please forward this message to all Medicaid Funded Peer support Providers in your county

Available Trainings Downloads:

• CPS Training: January 4-8 and January 11-15; Bradford, PA
• CPS Supervisors: February 11-12; State College
• USPRA Webinars - Group Training: 3 Part Series; Powered by Principles - The Core to Building Psychiatric Rehabilitation
• USPRA Individual Online Training
• ADA 2010 Legal Issues Webinar Series: Employment and the ADA
  

OMHSAS News