Idaho Department of Health and Welfare

This strategic action plan update outlines the progress of the Idaho Behavioral Health Council's 2021-2023 plan, aimed at ensuring individuals with mental illness and addiction receive necessary behavioral healthcare. The plan is guided by principles of consumer voice, collaboration, evidence-based practices, recovery orientation, equitable access, financial sustainability, and accountability. Key priority recommendations address strengthening the behavioral health system through initiatives such as developing a comprehensive workforce plan, exploring Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHC) models, enhancing collaboration between behavioral health and criminal justice systems via Sequential Intercept Model (SIM) workshops, promoting early engagement for justice-involved individuals with behavioral health needs, increasing youth residential treatment options, improving civil commitment processes, developing a crisis response system for youth and adults, identifying services for long-term recovery support, and enhancing protective factors for youth resiliency.

This Strategic Action Plan by the Idaho Behavioral Health Council outlines a roadmap to materially improve the state's behavioral health system over four years. Focusing on key areas including Infrastructure, Promotion, Prevention, Engagement, Treatment, and Recovery, the plan prioritizes 11 recommendations developed through extensive collaboration. The overarching vision is to ensure that adults, children, and families with mental illness and addiction receive necessary care, leading to a better quality of life, reduced criminal justice involvement, and healthier, safer communities in Idaho.

The public hearing was held to discuss the repeal of IDAPA 16.03.13, "Consumer-Directed Services," with the chapter being incorporated into IDAPA 16.03.26, the Medicaid plan benefits. The hearing was an opportunity for the public to voice questions or concerns about the proposed rulemaking. Written comments were accepted until October 3rd. The hearing was closed without any public comment.

The meeting included updates on the Alzheimer's disease and related dementias program, the introduction of a new team member, and discussions on state approval for spending federal funding. Updates were provided on Senate Bill 1247 regarding protective placement, the brain health campaign, and the Dementia Friends program. The Navigating Dementia workbook for family caregivers was released. A presentation was given on ensuring dignified care to Idahoans, particularly the LGBT community, by Cheryl whan from SAGE. The meeting also included a presentation by Heidi Smith from 211 Idaho and goal team updates.

The Statewide Healthcare Innovation Plan (SHIP) is part of the State Innovation Models initiative under the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). SHIP's goals are to improve health outcomes, improve quality and patient experience of care, and lower the cost of care for all Idahoans. SHIP is involved in seven goals, including transforming primary care practices into patient-centered medical homes, improving care coordination through electronic health records, establishing regional collaboratives, developing virtual PCMH, building a statewide data analytics system, aligning payment mechanisms, and reducing overall healthcare costs.