RAVI’S PROVIDER UPDATES
Dear Summit County Mental Health Providers,
You are invited to our Provider Mixer next month on Tuesday, Dec 13th, 6-8:30pm at HighSide Brewing in Frisco! Get excited to spend time conversing, catching up and mingling with your fellow mental health provider community members, and enjoy free dinner and two free drinks!
The agenda is as follows:
Ravi – Scholarship program and insurance updates
Kellyn – intern stipends and pipeline program
Kristen Greenwald – New Wild Youth Passages offerings
Jesse Laframboise – therapy office space for rent
Oba/Ashley/Danielle – Treetop presentation
Oba/Ashley/Danielle – Treetop presentation
Please register here: https://www.eventbrite.
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~
Our health insurance landscape will quickly change come 2023 with Bright Health folding and leaving Colorado. If you are a mental health clinician, please seriously consider becoming in-network with Anthem Blue Cross, Rocky Mtn Health Plans, and Friday Health Plans, who are going to be the major insurance carriers in Summit for 2023.
Friday is a smaller company and has been overwhelmed by requests for credentialing. However, they are trying to prioritize providers getting credentialed in our area. If you are having trouble hearing back from Friday, please contact Carrie Howard, Director of Contracting and Provider Relations, at 970-287-6437. For email, there is a general contact, but please mention you are in Summit County and that you are working with Carrie to potentially get a faster response: co-providers@fridayhealthplans.com.
As a reminder, the insurance billing services we are providing are meant for clients that live or work in Summit County ONLY. If you are using our billing services to file claims for clients that do not live/work in Summit, please create a separate contract with the biller to pay for the percentage of the claim on your own.
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~
Important scholarship program updates:
As grant dollars become a major funding source for us, we are required to report under extremely stringent, exact criteria and timely manner:
- It will be of utmost importance that our scholarship providers submit their invoices on a timely basis, no later than the 5th of the month.
- Invoices cannot include backbilling or sessions combined over multiple months.
Our other major change will be the benefits verification process:
- If a client has health insurance, we will offer them a no-questions-asked 3 session scholarship and refer them to a provider that accepts their insurance.
- It will be the provider’s responsibility to verify their benefits within 3 sessions and inform us whether the client’s insurance is viable or not.
- If the insurance is viable, we request you to switch over to their insurance within the 3 sessions.
- If their insurance is not going to cover services, we will unlock the rest of the 12 sessions when you notify us.
- If you’re able to bill insurance immediately then please do so as to preserve scholarship funds. The 3 sessions are meant to be a “bridge” in case there are issues with insurance.
- Any issues that arise around timely reimbursement by insurance, or inability for the client to afford their copay, potentially applying scholarship funds to the client’s deductible — all these will be handled on a case by case basis.
Also, scholarship rate increases are still in the works, coming soon… Stay tuned.
We’ll also be switching to an automated platform called Mountain Strong to issue scholarships, track client sessions, and submit invoices… Stay tuned.
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~
Scholarship providers, please review your profile page on our website’s provider listing and let me know if any updates need to be made, specifically to your location, insurances, specialties and years in practice. Please also let me know if your practice has a specific name, and also the days and hours your practice is open per week, and I will add those details to your profile.
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~
We have received two grants to cover scholarships:
One for pregnant women and mothers of children ages 0-12 months through cpcqc.org, and another one for anyone trying to quit smoking/vaping through Nicotine cessation funding.
If you have clients that fall under these categories. please let me know so that we can bill scholarship sessions to these grants. We can also issue scholarships immediately to anyone seeking therapy who fit this criteria.
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~
Support Groups:
Grit Therapy is hosting a new Teens that Hurt support group. More details can be found here: https://www.grittherapy.com/
JFCounseling is continuing to host Parents of High Need Tweens/Teens on Wed evenings, please see attached flyer for details.
Mile High Behavioral Health Care in the MOB in Frisco is providing group therapy for the LGBTQ+ community and those in substance use recovery. Those interested in joining need to be enrolled in MHBHC programming and be active clients in order to participate. Flyers are attached. Please email Catie Tobin for more information.
Building Hope is sponsoring free acudetox (ear acupuncture that helps improve sleep, regulate emotions, destress, manage cravings and enhance overall wellness) on Wed evenings at 6pm in the MOB. Flyer attached!
A list of Bldg Hope sponsored support groups can be found here: https://
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~
Upcoming Provider Trainings:
Building Hope is partnering with the following providers to offer trainings:
- Dr. Jonathan B. Singer, PhD, LCSW: Culturally Relevant Youth Suicide Prevention, Assessment & Postvention: Tuesday, 12/13/22, 11:00 AM 1:00 PM
- This training will be held on Zoom
- The cost of this training is Free
- Find out more information and register here: https://www.
speakupreachout.org/training- sessions/ce-dr-jonathan-singer
- Dr. Amiee Sullivan, PhD: Working with Clients with Bipolar Disorder, 1/18/23, 11am-1pm.
- Potentially held at SOS bldg in Frisco
- The cost of this training is FREE
- Emphasis on pragmatic knowledge, differential diagnosis, and treatment tools; can include time for case discussions
- Dr. Jeff Mahler, PhD, Dr. Brett Kennedy, PsyD, and Tracey Markle, MA, LPC: Digital Media Addiction Treatment, 4/7/23
- Location and time TBD.
- There will be a cost to this 3-4 hour workshop
- This workshop will provide an overview of behavioral addictions, treatment approaches reviewed (harm reduction vs abstinence approaches), and the 5 types of digital media overuse (what they are, intervention/treatment tips & strategies)
- This workshop will include 2 sections that focus on experiential activities which will include participant engagement and discussion
- Lastly, there will be time for brief case consultations where clinicians can pose a question or dilemma about a client who struggles with digital media overuse.
- Rebecca Kase, LCSW: EMDR Basic Training
- Location, date and time TBD
- There will be a cost associated with this workshop
- Learn EMDR therapy with our nationally recognized, accredited EMDR training team! EMDR changes people’s lives!
- Learn this powerful, evidence based treatment for PTSD, which is also shown to be effective with a range of common clinical issues such as anxiety, depression, addictions, panic, grief and more.
- Training with Kase & CO covers all requirements for EMDR Basic Training. We incorporate education on Polyvagal Theory and integrate diversity and multicultural considerations as applicable to the clinical work.
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~
Foundry Steamboat is an organization we discovered that is offering a wide variety of trainings with CEUs to mental health professionals. We are considering working with them and offering some of their trainings here in Summit. Please peruse through the attachment of their training list and let us know if anything strikes your fancy.
They also organize a free monthly one-hour Zoom meeting to help rural therapists, healthcare providers, and other community stakeholders connect and share information. They wish to help identify new treatment resources, learn how other communities are addressing behavioral health problems, share ideas, and ask questions. Please visit: www.forgingnewlives.com/
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~
Open Job Positions:
- Building Hope is hiring a new Grants and Evaluations Coordinator.
- Front Range clinic is still looking to hire a front desk admin position at the hub, please email Dayna if you have someone in mind that may be a fit.
- Mile High is hiring a Behavioral Health Supervisor and Wraparound Peer.
- High Fidelity Wraparound is hiring a Youth Behavioral Health Facilitator, a telecommute position in Summit County with a $1500 sign-on bonus.
- FIRC is hiring for several positions: Executive Assistant, Grant Coordinator, Bilingual Mental Health Navigator, Accounting Associate, Bilingual Family Navigator, and Part Time Sales & Receiving Associate.
- Summit Foundation is hiring for a Community Programs Mgr and Youth Programs Mgr.
- Summit Women’s Recovery is hiring for a therapist, please contact Jeanette Kintz for more details.
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~
Intern Stipends through Building Hope Mini Grant Program:
We have been in talks with several agency leaders and group practices about the challenges faced in attaining and retaining skillful interns due to the inability to compete with other paid opportunities in the state. As you know, Building Hope is committed to and focused on enhancing the Behavioral Health workforce in Summit County. We have now created a new category to our Mini Grant application — Intern Stipends.
This category is for agencies and practices to incentivize skilled interns to join their incredible work here in Summit County. Eligible interns must live in or near Summit and see clients in Summit County, preferably in person. We also ask that you be very thoughtful when applying for these funds and only consider applying to support interns who are committed and dedicated to living and working in Summit County following their internship.
The internship section of the grant is open and available on the Mini Grant Application form: https://forms.gle/
Another piece of very exciting “coming soon” news is that we are currently working to create a new Summit County Education Fund. This fund will offer a higher level of financial support to folks who are working for a Summit County Non-profit organization who are interested in further education in the behavioral health field. More to come on that!
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~
Colorado Community Response (CCR) referrals:
CCR offers case management, service linkages, financial planning/budgeting education, and flexible funds to children, youth, and families who are at risk of child maltreatment. Families work with a FIRC Family Support Coordinator to define their most pressing needs, develop family goals, and implement a plan to reach their goals. All program efforts are geared toward stabilizing the family so that risk factors are reduced and protective factors enhanced. CCR is voluntary and free.
CCR does not replace child welfare services and if you suspect child abuse and/or neglect we ask that you call the Colorado Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline (1-844-CO-4-KIDS or 1-844-264-5437) to make a report and do NOT complete this referral form.
Due to program rules, CCR is unable to work with families in the following circumstances: youth in conflict, sexual abuse, or families associated with a domestic violence safe house address.
The following form is for referring a family who could benefit from support with CCR services when there are no concerns about child abuse. After you fill the form, a FIRC Family Support Coordinator will call the family and offer the program.
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~
Therapy Room available for rent in Dillon:
Mountain Wellness Collective is a wellness center in Dillon comprised of therapists, teachers and members dedicated to promoting community welfare by empowering individuals to reach their full potential through movement, fitness, education and holistic therapies.
Rates @ Monthly Discount: *Rates are tiered based upon the most popular times requested*
Weekdays (Monday-Friday):
6am – 2pm = $15/hr
2pm – 8pm = $20/hr
Weekends (Saturday & Sunday):
6am – 8pm = $15/hr
Weekdays (Monday-Friday):
6am – 2pm = $15/hr
2pm – 8pm = $20/hr
Weekends (Saturday & Sunday):
6am – 8pm = $15/hr
See attached flyer for more details, or contact Jesse LaFramboise for questions <jesselaframboise@gmail.com>
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~
Intern seeking supervision and practicum opportunity:
Laura Kriss, <krissla@adams.org>, “I am a student in the MA program for Community Mental Health Counseling at Adams State. My practicum semester is Spring 2023 starting in January, with internship following in the fall of 2023. I am currently a teacher at Summit Middle School. Thank you and I look forward to hearing more information about any options that may be available for me.”
Laura has somewhat limited availability due to working full time. She is seeking evening (after 4pm) and/or weekend hours to complete her practicum and internship. Her practicum is 100 hours total over 15 weeks (roughly 8 hours a week), and her internship requirement is 600 hours total over 30 weeks (16 hours a week).
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~
Tough as a Mother Shares Domestic Violence Awareness toolkit:
In honor of October’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Tough as a Mother has created a toolkit to acknowledge survivors, share data and tools and bring awareness to the intersection of intimate partner violence and substance use disorder.
Download the Tough as a Mother Social Media Toolkit for DVAM 2022.
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~
Second Wind Fund & iMatter:
Building Hope is continuing to develop our partnership with thesecondwindfund.org in order to provide a longer term scholarship opportunity for high acuity children and adolescents. 2nd Wind Fund offers 12 sessions with a possible extension of 8 for a total of 20 sessions per child @ $90 per session. If that can be strung together with our own scholarship, and iMatter, that’s a significant opportunity for our kiddos!
Please reach out to Shelby Creech to get enrolled in 2nd Wind Fund’s scholarship network. Attached is a one-pager for more information.
iMatter also pays $130 per session, and those 6 sessions can be a great way for your client to access additional care! We are currently working with them to do a mass provider onboarding so that you don’t have to deal with the paperwork. Stay tuned for more news on that.
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~
Please let me know if you have any questions or any needs Building Hope can help take care. As always, thank you for everything you do!
Thanks,
Ravi
Ravi