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Substance Use Disorder

Statewide Family Network

Application Due Date: Monday, January 4, 2021

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is accepting applications for the Statewide Family Network (SFN) grant program. The purpose of this program is to more effectively respond to the needs of children, youth, and young adults with serious emotional disturbances (SED) and their families by providing information, referrals, and support. The program will also create a mechanism for families to participate in state and local mental health services planning and policy development. This population of focus will hereafter be referred to as children and youth. SAMHSA expects that this program will be a catalyst for transforming mental health and related systems in the state by strengthening coalitions among family organizations and between family members, policy makers, and service providers.

SAMHSA plans to issue approximately 10 grants of up to $95,000 per year for up to three years.

Statewide Consumer Network Program

Application Due Date: Monday, January 4, 2021

SAMHSA is accepting applications for the Statewide Consumer Network (SCN) grant program. The purpose of this program is to improve efforts to address the needs of adults with serious mental illness (SMI) by developing and/or expanding peer support services, peer leadership, and peer engagement strategies statewide. The population of focus is adults with SMI, including those who are underserved and underrepresented (e.g. consumers from ethnic, racial, and cultural minority groups); veterans; individuals who are chronically homeless; individuals with co-occurring disorders (COD); sexual orientation and gender identity minorities; and individuals who have been involved in the criminal justice system. It is expected that this program will increase access to mental health services for adults with SMI. It will also increase the quality of these services, increase the sustainability of consumer-operated organizations, and enhance state capacity and infrastructure to support the recovery of adults with SMI and their families.

SAMHSA plans to issue up to 12 grants of up to $95,000 per year for up to three years.

The Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) has announced that new resources are available for the 2.0 Intensive Outpatient and Partial Hospital Programs American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) Criteria Service Alignment on the DDAP website.

Record High Testing of Over 49,500 PCR Tests

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 6, 2020

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., November 6, that there were 3,384 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 223,950. This is the highest daily increase of cases.

The most accurate daily data is available on the website with archived data also available.

The number of tests administered within the last seven days between October 30 and November 5 is 301,056 with 17,690 positive cases. There were 49,528 test results reported to the department through 10 p.m. on November 5. This is a record high number of PCR test results reported to the department.

There are 8,975 deaths attributed to COVID-19 with an increase of 38 new deaths reported. County-specific information and a statewide map are available on the COVID-19 Data Dashboard.

Mask-wearing is required in all businesses and whenever leaving home. Consistent mask-wearing is critical to preventing the spread of COVID-19.

There are 4,743 individuals who have a positive viral antigen test and are considered probable cases and 646 individuals who have a positive serology test and either COVID-19 symptoms or a high-risk exposure.

There are 2,408,366 individuals who have tested negative to date. Of those who have tested positive to date, the age breakdown is as follows:

  • Approximately 1% are ages 0-4;
  • Approximately 2% are ages 5-12;
  • Approximately 5% are ages 13-18;
  • Nearly 14% are ages 19-24;
  • Approximately 36% are ages 25-49;
  • Approximately 21% are ages 50-64; and
  • Nearly 21% are ages 65 or older.

There are 1,599 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. Of that number, 351 patients are in the intensive care unit. Most of the patients hospitalized are age 65 or older, and most of the deaths have occurred in patients aged 65 or older. More data is available here.

The department has seen significant increases in the number of COVID-19 cases among younger age groups, particularly 19 to 24-year-olds. An alert was sent to healthcare providers about the changing COVID-19 case demographics. Increases among 19 to 24-year-olds from April through November are available below:

  • NC – Approximately 7 percent of cases in April to approximately 20 percent of cases so far in November;
  • NE – 6 percent of cases in April to approximately 13 percent of cases so far in November;
  • SE – Nearly 5 percent of cases in April to nearly 11 percent of cases so far in November;
  • SW – Approximately 5 percent of cases in April to 10 percent of cases so far in November;
  • NW – Nearly 7 percent of cases in April to approximately 10 percent of cases so far in November; and
  • SC – Approximately 7 percent of cases in April to nearly 9 percent of cases so far in November.

In nursing and personal care homes, there are 27,104 resident cases of COVID-19 and 5,810 cases among employees for a total of 32,914 cases at 1,106 distinct facilities in 63 counties. Out of our total deaths, 5,903 have occurred in residents from nursing or personal care facilities. A county breakdown can be found here.

Approximately 12,811 of our total cases are among health care workers.

Statewide – The Wolf Administration has since noon on November 5:

The Wolf Administration stresses the role Pennsylvanians play in helping to reduce the spread of COVID-19:

  • Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
  • Cover any coughs or sneezes with your elbow, not your hands.
  • Clean surfaces frequently.
  • Stay home to avoid spreading COVID-19, especially if you are unwell.
  • If you must go out, you are required to wear a mask when in a business or where it is difficult to maintain proper social distancing.
  • Download the COVID Alert PA app and make your phone part of the fight. The free app can be found in the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store by searching for “covid alert pa”.

Updated Coronavirus Links: Press Releases, State Lab Photos, and Graphics

All Pennsylvania residents are encouraged to sign up for AlertPA, a text notification system for health, weather, and other important alerts like COVID-19 updates from commonwealth agencies. Residents can sign up online.

MEDIA CONTACT: Nate Wardle

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently released updated Provider Relief Fund Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for phase 3 of the general distribution of provider funds. The document includes updated questions and answers. It also includes information on corrections of data entered by recipients after application submission, use of funds for salaries and employment compensation, reporting the calculation of lost revenues attributable to COVID-19, and defining the term “health care related expenses.”

November is Assistive Technology Awareness Month in Pennsylvania.  To celebrate, the Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation is hosting its sixth annual photo contest. They want you to Show Us Your Tech for a chance to win $500! Assistive technology doesn’t have to be complex or expensive to make a difference in your life.

Do you have a disability or health condition?

Then you’re most likely using assistive technology! It could be:

  • An Amazon Echo to control the lights, fan, and TV independently;
  • A piece of farm equipment to continue to do the work you love;
  • A hearing aid to spend quality time with your grandchildren; or
  • A grab bar next to the pantry to steady yourself while picking out ingredients for dinner.

This contest is open to US residents of all ages.

What kind of assistive technology are you using to do the things you want to do?

Upload a photo of YOU using your assistive technology and write about it in the caption. Get your friends to vote for your photo for a chance to win up to $500!

Entries and voting are open from November 1 through November 30. Winners will be announced on December 4 by 12 pm.

Learn more about the contest here. To spread word about the contest to other communities, use the media toolkit.

Phase 3 of the Department of Health and Human Services Provider Relief Fund closes NEXT Friday, November 6.  The HHS Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) has created a sheet describing the program and will host a webinar on Monday, November 2 at 3:00 pm Eastern.  Disability service providers are eligible for lost revenue and expenses due to COVID-19 even if they have received a previous payment from the fund.