May 1, 2024
HEADS UP! New Opportunity
Iovino Family Foundation offers $1 million ‘Impact prize’ to three nonprofits for workforce development
A new $1 million grant program called the Impact Prize is now accepting applications from nonprofits working to advance economic equality. The prize will be distributed among three nonprofits that have a proven track record of growing economic mobility through workforce development and technical training programs. To be considered for this prize, organizations must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits with an annual operating budget of less than $5 million for at least two of the last four fiscal years. Interested organizations have until May 24, 2024 to apply. Founded by entrepreneur and philanthropist Tom lovino, the Impact Prize is a part of the Iovino Family Foundation, which has a mission to create more pathways for career progression and wage growth.
Read more here.
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The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is set to reclassify marijuana as a less harmful substance, marking a significant shift in American drug policy. The proposed change, pending review by the White House Office of Management and Budget, acknowledges marijuana’s medical benefits and lower potential for abuse compared to other dangerous drugs. However, it does not legalize recreational marijuana use. The DEA’s move, confirmed by anonymous sources, represents a major regulatory step towards the most significant policy alteration by the agency in over half a century. (Articles here, here, and here)
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| May 1, 2024COMMONWEALTH FUND |
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Medicaid has a critical role in addressing the nation’s behavioral health crisis. In 2020, nearly 40 percent of nonelderly U.S. adults covered by the program had a mental health or substance use disorder.
Last month, Congress approved a legislative package that includes behavioral health reforms aimed at making services more accessible to Medicaid beneficiaries. On To the Point, Dawn Joyce and Lena Marceno of Impact Health Policy Partners detail key provisions of the package that:bolster the behavioral health workforce, and alleviate shortages, by allowing all states to establish community behavioral health clinic servicesallow states to provide Medicaid-covered services to beneficiaries living in psychiatric hospitals or residential treatment facilitiesstabilize Medicaid coverage for people entering and leaving incarcerationincrease funding for community health centers.Collectively, these provisions will enable millions of Americans to get the help they need, the authors say. |
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Here’s notice of an upcoming Webinar you may find useful:
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| Prescription Drugs in Medicaid – Navigating the Medicaid Pharmacy Benefit Wednesday, May 22, 202410:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. ET Legal Action Center, Empire Justice Center, and the AIDS Institute are pleased to present this free training. Effective April 1, 2023, the pharmacy benefit for all NYS Medicaid members enrolled in mainstream Medicaid Managed Care (MMC) Plans, Health and Recovery Plans (HARPs), and Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Special Needs Plans (HIV-SNPs) transitioned to NYRx, the Medicaid Pharmacy Program. This ninety-minute presentation will increase health and human services providers’ awareness of the issues clients face when accessing HIV-related medications in the Medicaid program. Participants will learn all about the recent transition to NYRx and what this means for accessing prescription drugs. By attending this training, participants will be able to:Describe the NYS Medicaid Pharmacy Program (NYRx);Navigate the NYRx Member Dashboard;Understand the process for seeking prior authorization;Identify potential issues at the point of access;Take steps to resolve issues and obtain access to prescription drugs Discuss the steps involved in helping clients appeal denials of medically necessary prescription drugs DUAL REGISTRATION Please register with Zoom and NYS AIDS Institute. Register with NYS AIDS Institute Training Centers Presenters: Fiona Wolfe, Sr. Health Law Attorney, Empire Justice Center, Alexia Mickles, Health Law Staff Attorney. Important Registration Information! Please note: This webinar requires a dual registration process. Therefore, you will also need to register with Zoom. The meeting link to attend will be sent upon Zoom registration. Have Questions? The Legal Action Center (LAC) uses legal and policy strategies to fight discrimination, build health equity, and restore opportunity for people with arrest and conviction records, substance use disorders, and HIV or AIDS. |