SAMHSA Strategic Plan Draft for 2023-2026: The Policy Center’s Response

May 02, 2023 by Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health Policy Team in POLICY

In April 2023, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA) released its Draft Strategic Plan for 2023 to 2026 and requested public comments. The Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health (the “Policy Center”) submitted the following letter in response to each priority area, with a particular focus on integrating behavioral and physical healthcare and strengthening the behavioral health workforce.

Feedback Shared with SAMHSA on the National Model Standards for Peer Support Certification

April 17, 2023 by Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health Policy Team in POLICY

In April, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) invited public comment on their National Model Standards for Peer Support Certification. The Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health (the “Policy Center”) submitted the following comments, highlighting the need to address state peer training, certification, and reimbursement for peers providing mental health services, as many states have only focused on peers providing support for substance use.

Comment Letter on SAMHSA’s Peer Support Technical Assistance

February 07, 2023 by Joy Burkhard, MBA, and Sarah Johanek, MPH in POLICY

Certified Peer support is growing in interest as a means for building the mental health workforce. Peers have had similar mental health experiences and can help combat stigma, and support those who are suffering from mental health challenges in very meaningful ways.

2020 Mom Submits Mental Health Policy Recommendations to Senate Offices

November 29, 2021 by Shalini Wickramatilake, MHS in POLICY

Over the past two months, several U.S. Senate offices have released requests for information (RFIs), seeking input from stakeholder groups about how to address mental health and addiction issues in the U.S. Specifically, the following Senators requested comments from stakeholders:

2021 Proposed Federal Budget Appropriations for Maternal and Mental Health

July 08, 2020 by Joy Burkhard, MBA

This week the U.S. House Labor, Health and Human Services and Education (LHHS) appropriations subcommittee released the Full Year 2021 LHHS bill. This is the first step of many for the Federal appropriations process. These proposed funding levels are subject to change as each chamber considers its respective appropriations bills over the next couple of months. However, this bill is an important indication of the House Committee’s priorities.