February 2023 NewsFlash

Community Health Conversations

Over the last few months, Healthy Capital District has been hosting Community Health Conversations (CHCs) to discuss regional health challenges unique to specific populations. CHCs support our region’s preparation for the?NYS 1115 Waiver, which is proposed to dedicate $13.52B to reduce health disparities and integrate medical care and social care. In response to the ongoing request for more collaboration and opportunities to share and partner, last month Healthy Capital District launched an online professional communications platform we call?Continuing the Conversation?(CtC).

In January, AIM Services Inc hosted our CHC focusing on obstacles to health for individuals with disabilities. More than 40 attendees participated and identified?key regional priorities of workforce development, transportation, and a?community resource database. A robust discussion occurred around differences in access to services in rural environments, challenges with housing, and funding deficits; while opportunities were highlighted such as providing mentoring/coaching models for people with disabilities and education to service providers about how to interact and support this population.?

he beginning of March, we held our CHC for individuals living with mental illness at the ALBANY COUNTY MENTAL HEALTH . Following a group activity and participant voting, staffing supply, communication between agencies, and housing?were identified as top priorities. The group expressed and vigorously debated screening challenges, communication frustrations, and staffing concerns. Additional opportunities identified included interprofessional leadership resources, the utilization of the?peer workforce, and more integrated systems of?communication.

To sign up for upcoming CHCs and receive notification when new CHCs are available, follow?Healthy Capital District on Eventbrite. We hope to see you at our upcoming CHCs focusing on?Children and Families?and?Substance Use Disorders. Thank you for continuing to contribute your expertise and experience. Your voice is valued!

Workforce Development

On March 14?at Russell Sage College , Healthy Capital District will be facilitating a regional?Healthcare Workforce Collaborative. During this event,?healthcare providers, along with educational institutions, will discuss regional workforce development challenges and focus on opportunity to increase partnerships. These partnerships, in return, can create career pathways, pipelines, and opportunities to support a well-trained and motivated healthcare workforce in our region. If you have questions about the event, please contact Amanda Duff at?[email protected]?for more details.

Healthy Capital District launches the Co-Occurring Professional Development Series?

?REGISTER?today!

Closer Look: Co-occurring Disorders (COD)

People with co-occurring disorders are unlikely to receive treatment for more than one disorder, even though research demonstrates that simultaneous, coordinated?treatment for multiple diagnoses produces better outcomes compared with separate treatment for only mental illness or substance use disorder.

• Only 10% of adults with co-occurring disorders received treatment for both of their conditions.
• 42% did not receive either substance use or mental health treatment of any kind in the prior year.
• Black and Hispanic adults with co-occurring disorders were less likely to receive mental health or substance use treatment (47% and 43%, respectively) than White adults (64%).
• About 60% of people with a mental illness who were arrested had a co-occurring substance use disorder {…} Being arrested and jailed can negatively affect wages, employment, housing stability, physical and mental health, and public safety outcomes, including increasing the likelihood of recidivism.

?An increased focus on the needs of people with co-occurring disorders, particularly on integrated treatment for both mental health and substance use, would reduce the likelihood of people entering and cycling back through the justice system.

Source: Pew.org.?https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/issue-briefs/2023/02/

Interested in applying your lived experience with either a mental health condition, substance use disorder, and/or life disruption to a career as a Certified Peer Specialist or Certified Recovery Peer Advocate? Visit our?“Become a Certified Peer”?section to learn more about these evidence-based, life-saving?roles. Has your organization considered adding?Medicaid-reimbursable?Certified Peers to your workforce to improve outcomes? Check?out?Healthy Capital District's 12-Month Peer Professional Development Program?designed to support a peer through their first year in the role.

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