New National Study Shows that More than 1 in 5 Young Adults Need Treatment for Alcohol or Illicit Drug Use
Nearly 7 million Americans aged 18 to 25 were classified as needing treatment in the past year for alcohol or illicit drug use according to a new national study. The study by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) also shows that that 93 percent of these young adults did not receive the help they needed at a specialty treatment facility. These levels have remained relatively stable since 2002.
Please visit http://www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/advisories/0906261345.aspx for additional details.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
News From The Hill
House Appropriations Approves $200 M for EFSP
Last Friday, June 12, the full House Appropriations Committee approved fiscal year (FY) 2010 Homeland Security legislation. The legislation included $200 million for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP), which represents level funding from FY 2009 levels, but $100 million more than the President requested. Last Thursday, June 18, the full Senate Appropriations Committee marked up its version of the FY 2010 Homeland Security bill, which included $175 million for EFSP. Both the House and Senate may consider their respective versions of the legislation as early as this week.
House Passes CJS Spending Bill
Last Thursday, June 18, the full House Committee approved the FY 2010 Commerce, Justice, and Science (CJS) Appropriations Bill, which includes $114 million for Second Chance Act programs. This represents $100 million for Department of Justice grant programs, a $75 million increase over the FY 2009 level, as well as $14 million for the Bureau of Prisons for staff to implement the programs. The legislation also included $12 million for Mentally Ill Offender Treatment Program and $18 million for transitional housing grants for victims of domestic violence. The Senate Appropriations CJS Subcommittee is scheduled to mark up its version of the legislation tomorrow, June 24, with the full Appropriations Committee to consider it on Thursday, June 25.
House Subcommittee Approves Funding for Homeless Veterans
Last Tuesday, June 16, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans' Affairs marked up its FY 2010 spending bill. The legislation included $26 million for a pilot prevention program for homeless veterans, as requested by President Obama. It also included $150 million for the Homeless Veterans Grant and Per Diem program, $6 million above both President Obama's request and the FY 2009 level. The full House Appropriations Committee is scheduled to consider the legislation today.
JCHS Releases State of the Nation's Housing 2009
Yesterday, June 22, the Harvard University's Joint Center for Housing Studies (JCHS) released "State of the Nation's Housing 2009." The report includes chapters on housing markets, demographic drivers, homeownership, rental housing, and housing challenges. Between 2001 and 2007, there was an increase in the number of households with severe cost burdens. As a result, an unprecedented 16 percent of households spent more than half of their incomes on housing in 2007, with more than 19 percent paying 30 to 50 percent of their income toward housing. The report also cites data from January 2007 point-in-time homelessness counts, noting the 10 percent decrease in overall homelessness between 2005 and 2007; it also notes, however, that many cities are starting to note increases in homelessness as a result of the recession. JCHS concludes that full-time employment is not sufficient for many low-income families to afford decent housing while only paying 30 percent of their incomes toward housing.
State of the Nation's Housing 2009
Donovan Testifies at House Appropriations T-HUD Subcommittee Hearing
Last Friday June 19, Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan testified at a hearing of the House Transportation and HUD (T-HUD) Appropriations Subcommittee. Secretary Donovan discussed the Choice Neighborhoods Program, the future of Hope VI, and the status of Section 8 funding, among other issues. Secretary Donovan also mentioned that he recently discussed with Secretary Kathleen Sebelius of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) the possibility of developing a partnership between HUD and HHS to aid the development of better linkages between permanent housing and homeless services.
USICH Holds First Meeting, Announces HUD-VASH Allocations
Last Thursday, June 18, the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) met for the first time under the Obama Administration. USICH works to coordinate the federal response to homelessness. HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan was elected Chair of the Council for the upcoming year, while Department of Labor Secretary Hilda Solis was elected Vice Chair.
During the meeting, Secretary Donovan and Secretary Eric K. Shinseki of the Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA) announced the allocation of $75 million to local public housing authorities for the HUD-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program. The allocations have not yet been posted online.
NLIHC Hosts Audio Conference on Funding for Trust Fund
On Friday, June 26 at 1 pm ET, the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) will host a conference call to clarify the situation surrounding the National Housing Trust Fund (NHTF) budget. This fund, signed into law by President Bush and supported by President Obama during his election campaign, will provide permanent, ongoing support for those living in low-income housing. President Obama followed up on his support by including $1 billion in his FY 2010 budget to capitalize the NHTF. The NHTF is part of the "mandatory" spending in the budget, meaning that it will not have to compete with appropriations issues, such as HUD programs, or other "discretionary" spending. Since there has yet to be a clear statement regarding from the funding source for the $1 billion, NLIHC will host this call to address any confusion about NHTF and its funding. Sheila Crowley, President of NLIHC, will lead the call. Participants should dial 1.877.486.3171 and enter pass code 967187.
HUD Posts Update to HPRP FAQ
HUD recently updated the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section of its HPRP resources on the Homelessness Resource Exchange (HRE). The updates include a clarification of when HPRP resources can be used to assist people with a housing subsidy: "...rental arrears can be paid on behalf of a person receiving a subsidy from another public program (e.g., Section 8) because it represents a different time period and cost type than the rental subsidy..." HUD has also posted documents detailing the data elements of the HPRP Initial and Quarterly Reports, as well as the revised HMIS standards.
HPRP FAQ
U.S. Conference of Mayors Releases Reentry Report
Last Tuesday, June 16, the U.S. Conference of Mayors released a report on prisoner reentry efforts in 79 cities. The report is based on survey results from 79 cities across the country. It found that 36 percent of the surveyed cities have made changes in ordinances or policies that had previously hindered reentry for ex-offenders. Among these cities, 58 percent changed ordinances related to housing. The report also included information on the successes, challenges, and goals that communities have had. Miami, St. Louis, and Spokane all identified homelessness prevention as a key goal of their efforts in the area of reentry.
SHNNY Releases Video on Impact of Supportive Housing in Neighborhoods
The Supportive Housing Network of New York (SHNNY) recently released a new video entitled "Good Housing. Good Neighbors," which highlights community members' reactions to three buildings providing supportive housing to people living with mental illness. The video, which lasts approximately five minutes, includes interviews with representatives from the supportive housing programs (both residents and staff), the New York State Assembly, the police force, block associations and community councils, and the New York University Furman Center for Real Estate and Urban Policy, among other groups.
Last Friday, June 12, the full House Appropriations Committee approved fiscal year (FY) 2010 Homeland Security legislation. The legislation included $200 million for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP), which represents level funding from FY 2009 levels, but $100 million more than the President requested. Last Thursday, June 18, the full Senate Appropriations Committee marked up its version of the FY 2010 Homeland Security bill, which included $175 million for EFSP. Both the House and Senate may consider their respective versions of the legislation as early as this week.
House Passes CJS Spending Bill
Last Thursday, June 18, the full House Committee approved the FY 2010 Commerce, Justice, and Science (CJS) Appropriations Bill, which includes $114 million for Second Chance Act programs. This represents $100 million for Department of Justice grant programs, a $75 million increase over the FY 2009 level, as well as $14 million for the Bureau of Prisons for staff to implement the programs. The legislation also included $12 million for Mentally Ill Offender Treatment Program and $18 million for transitional housing grants for victims of domestic violence. The Senate Appropriations CJS Subcommittee is scheduled to mark up its version of the legislation tomorrow, June 24, with the full Appropriations Committee to consider it on Thursday, June 25.
House Subcommittee Approves Funding for Homeless Veterans
Last Tuesday, June 16, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans' Affairs marked up its FY 2010 spending bill. The legislation included $26 million for a pilot prevention program for homeless veterans, as requested by President Obama. It also included $150 million for the Homeless Veterans Grant and Per Diem program, $6 million above both President Obama's request and the FY 2009 level. The full House Appropriations Committee is scheduled to consider the legislation today.
JCHS Releases State of the Nation's Housing 2009
Yesterday, June 22, the Harvard University's Joint Center for Housing Studies (JCHS) released "State of the Nation's Housing 2009." The report includes chapters on housing markets, demographic drivers, homeownership, rental housing, and housing challenges. Between 2001 and 2007, there was an increase in the number of households with severe cost burdens. As a result, an unprecedented 16 percent of households spent more than half of their incomes on housing in 2007, with more than 19 percent paying 30 to 50 percent of their income toward housing. The report also cites data from January 2007 point-in-time homelessness counts, noting the 10 percent decrease in overall homelessness between 2005 and 2007; it also notes, however, that many cities are starting to note increases in homelessness as a result of the recession. JCHS concludes that full-time employment is not sufficient for many low-income families to afford decent housing while only paying 30 percent of their incomes toward housing.
State of the Nation's Housing 2009
Donovan Testifies at House Appropriations T-HUD Subcommittee Hearing
Last Friday June 19, Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan testified at a hearing of the House Transportation and HUD (T-HUD) Appropriations Subcommittee. Secretary Donovan discussed the Choice Neighborhoods Program, the future of Hope VI, and the status of Section 8 funding, among other issues. Secretary Donovan also mentioned that he recently discussed with Secretary Kathleen Sebelius of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) the possibility of developing a partnership between HUD and HHS to aid the development of better linkages between permanent housing and homeless services.
USICH Holds First Meeting, Announces HUD-VASH Allocations
Last Thursday, June 18, the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) met for the first time under the Obama Administration. USICH works to coordinate the federal response to homelessness. HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan was elected Chair of the Council for the upcoming year, while Department of Labor Secretary Hilda Solis was elected Vice Chair.
During the meeting, Secretary Donovan and Secretary Eric K. Shinseki of the Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA) announced the allocation of $75 million to local public housing authorities for the HUD-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program. The allocations have not yet been posted online.
NLIHC Hosts Audio Conference on Funding for Trust Fund
On Friday, June 26 at 1 pm ET, the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) will host a conference call to clarify the situation surrounding the National Housing Trust Fund (NHTF) budget. This fund, signed into law by President Bush and supported by President Obama during his election campaign, will provide permanent, ongoing support for those living in low-income housing. President Obama followed up on his support by including $1 billion in his FY 2010 budget to capitalize the NHTF. The NHTF is part of the "mandatory" spending in the budget, meaning that it will not have to compete with appropriations issues, such as HUD programs, or other "discretionary" spending. Since there has yet to be a clear statement regarding from the funding source for the $1 billion, NLIHC will host this call to address any confusion about NHTF and its funding. Sheila Crowley, President of NLIHC, will lead the call. Participants should dial 1.877.486.3171 and enter pass code 967187.
HUD Posts Update to HPRP FAQ
HUD recently updated the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section of its HPRP resources on the Homelessness Resource Exchange (HRE). The updates include a clarification of when HPRP resources can be used to assist people with a housing subsidy: "...rental arrears can be paid on behalf of a person receiving a subsidy from another public program (e.g., Section 8) because it represents a different time period and cost type than the rental subsidy..." HUD has also posted documents detailing the data elements of the HPRP Initial and Quarterly Reports, as well as the revised HMIS standards.
HPRP FAQ
U.S. Conference of Mayors Releases Reentry Report
Last Tuesday, June 16, the U.S. Conference of Mayors released a report on prisoner reentry efforts in 79 cities. The report is based on survey results from 79 cities across the country. It found that 36 percent of the surveyed cities have made changes in ordinances or policies that had previously hindered reentry for ex-offenders. Among these cities, 58 percent changed ordinances related to housing. The report also included information on the successes, challenges, and goals that communities have had. Miami, St. Louis, and Spokane all identified homelessness prevention as a key goal of their efforts in the area of reentry.
SHNNY Releases Video on Impact of Supportive Housing in Neighborhoods
The Supportive Housing Network of New York (SHNNY) recently released a new video entitled "Good Housing. Good Neighbors," which highlights community members' reactions to three buildings providing supportive housing to people living with mental illness. The video, which lasts approximately five minutes, includes interviews with representatives from the supportive housing programs (both residents and staff), the New York State Assembly, the police force, block associations and community councils, and the New York University Furman Center for Real Estate and Urban Policy, among other groups.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
New National Report Shows Substantial Disparities in the Levels of Substance Abuse and Mental Illness Problems Experienced among the States
Some States Have Levels Twice as High as Other States in Certain Categories of Problems, but All States Face Daunting Substance Abuse and Mental Illness Challenges
A new report providing state-by-state analyses of substance abuse and mental illness patterns reveals that there are wide variations in the levels of problems like illicit drug use found among the states, but that every state suffers from these problems. For example, among those aged 12 and older, Iowa had less than half the current illicit drug use rate of Rhode Island (5.2 percent vs. 12.5 percent) – yet Iowa’s population aged 12 and older also had one of the nation’s highest levels of people experiencing alcohol dependence or abuse in the past year (9.2 percent).
Among the report’s other notable findings:
• Vermont had the nation’s highest incidence rate of marijuana use among people aged 12 and older (2.5 percent) while Utah had the lowest (1.6) percent.
• The District of Columbia had the nation’s highest rate of past year cocaine use among those aged 12 and older (5.1 percent) while Mississippi had the lowest (1.6 percent).
• Utah had the nation’s lowest rate of current underage drinking (17.3 percent) while North Dakota had the highest (40 percent).
• Tennessee had the nation’s highest rate of people aged 18 and older experiencing a major depressive episode in the past year (9.8 percent) while Hawaii had the lowest (5.0 percent).
The report was developed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) based on the 2006 and 2007 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). Using data drawn from interviews with 135,672 persons from throughout the country the report provides a state-by-state breakdown along 23 different measures of substance abuse and mental health problems including illicit drug use, binge drinking, alcohol and illicit drug dependence, tobacco use, serious psychological distress and major depressive episodes.
“This report shows that while every state faces its own unique pattern of public health problems – these problems confront every state,” said SAMHSA Acting Administrator, Eric Broderick, D.D.S., M.P.H. “By highlighting the exact nature and scope of the problems in each state we can help state public health authorities better determine the most effective ways of addressing them.”
The report also provides valuable data on the changes occurring within each of the states during the time since the last report (drawn from the 2005 and 2006 NSDUH surveys). For example, the report shows the rate of current tobacco use in Colorado rose from 26.5 percent to 29.8 percent during this period.
The full report is available online at http://oas.samhsa.gov/2k7state/TOC.cfm. Copies may also be obtained free of charge by calling SAMHSA’s Health Information Network at 1-877-SAMHSA-7 (1-877-726-4727) or http://ncadistore.samhsa.gov/catalog/productDetails.aspx?ProductID=18128.. For related publications and information, visit http://www.samhsa.gov/ .
###
SAMHSA is a public health agency within the Department of Health and Human Services. The agency is responsible for improving the accountability, capacity and effectiveness of the nation’s substance abuse prevention, addictions treatment, and mental health services delivery system.
A new report providing state-by-state analyses of substance abuse and mental illness patterns reveals that there are wide variations in the levels of problems like illicit drug use found among the states, but that every state suffers from these problems. For example, among those aged 12 and older, Iowa had less than half the current illicit drug use rate of Rhode Island (5.2 percent vs. 12.5 percent) – yet Iowa’s population aged 12 and older also had one of the nation’s highest levels of people experiencing alcohol dependence or abuse in the past year (9.2 percent).
Among the report’s other notable findings:
• Vermont had the nation’s highest incidence rate of marijuana use among people aged 12 and older (2.5 percent) while Utah had the lowest (1.6) percent.
• The District of Columbia had the nation’s highest rate of past year cocaine use among those aged 12 and older (5.1 percent) while Mississippi had the lowest (1.6 percent).
• Utah had the nation’s lowest rate of current underage drinking (17.3 percent) while North Dakota had the highest (40 percent).
• Tennessee had the nation’s highest rate of people aged 18 and older experiencing a major depressive episode in the past year (9.8 percent) while Hawaii had the lowest (5.0 percent).
The report was developed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) based on the 2006 and 2007 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). Using data drawn from interviews with 135,672 persons from throughout the country the report provides a state-by-state breakdown along 23 different measures of substance abuse and mental health problems including illicit drug use, binge drinking, alcohol and illicit drug dependence, tobacco use, serious psychological distress and major depressive episodes.
“This report shows that while every state faces its own unique pattern of public health problems – these problems confront every state,” said SAMHSA Acting Administrator, Eric Broderick, D.D.S., M.P.H. “By highlighting the exact nature and scope of the problems in each state we can help state public health authorities better determine the most effective ways of addressing them.”
The report also provides valuable data on the changes occurring within each of the states during the time since the last report (drawn from the 2005 and 2006 NSDUH surveys). For example, the report shows the rate of current tobacco use in Colorado rose from 26.5 percent to 29.8 percent during this period.
The full report is available online at http://oas.samhsa.gov/2k7state/TOC.cfm. Copies may also be obtained free of charge by calling SAMHSA’s Health Information Network at 1-877-SAMHSA-7 (1-877-726-4727) or http://ncadistore.samhsa.gov/catalog/productDetails.aspx?ProductID=18128.. For related publications and information, visit http://www.samhsa.gov/ .
###
SAMHSA is a public health agency within the Department of Health and Human Services. The agency is responsible for improving the accountability, capacity and effectiveness of the nation’s substance abuse prevention, addictions treatment, and mental health services delivery system.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Inspirations Intensive Outpatient Counseling Center
Inspirations Intensive Outpatient Counseling Center is designed to provide mental health treatment to adults 55 and over. Inspirations is located at East Georgia Regional Medical Center but managed by Allegiance Health Management http://ahmgt.com/ or http://www.eastgeorgiaregional.net/Services/Inspirations-Outpatient-Geriatric-Psych/Default.aspxwww.eastgeorgiaregional.net/Services/Inspirations-Outpatient-Geriatric-Psych/Default.aspx. We specialize in helping older adults maximize their mental and emotional state by providing a therapeutic setting that assists them in dealing with loneliness, sadness, loss of independence, low self-esteem, anger/irritation, dementia, excessive worry, and difficulty coping with life changes. Our goal is to teach patients life skills that help them achieve and maintain functional independence within the community. Inspirations is staffed with qualified mental health professionals who enjoy working with our senior population. We serve five counties (Bulloch, Evans, Candler, Screven, and Jenkins), provide transportation, and serve a nutritious meal based on their diet. Inspirations will accept patients outside of the catchment area but will not be able to provide transportation at this time. Seniors enjoy our program because we offer activities and provide them with therapy, education, socialization, and skills that keep their minds sharp. We accept referrals from private homes, nursing homes, assisted living homes, and physicians. Our staff will provide treatment that will promote emotional, physical, spiritual, intellectual, social, and environmental wellness.
As healthcare providers and community service agents, its imperative that we are aware of the services available to the community. If you know someone that could benefit from our services, please give us a call. If you desire more information about the program please feel free to contact us.
Regina Renfroe, MPH, CHES
Community Educator
Inspirations of Statesboro
rrenfroe@ahmgt.com
912-486-1756 (office)
912-678-3732 (cell)
912-486-1758 (fax)
As healthcare providers and community service agents, its imperative that we are aware of the services available to the community. If you know someone that could benefit from our services, please give us a call. If you desire more information about the program please feel free to contact us.
Regina Renfroe, MPH, CHES
Community Educator
Inspirations of Statesboro
rrenfroe@ahmgt.com
912-486-1756 (office)
912-678-3732 (cell)
912-486-1758 (fax)
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