July 24, 2023
It appears the initial dates that I gave for the series of workgroup meetings on the topic of Regulatory Relief are Saturdays! As such, please see the following amended dates for meetings of the NYS Council Regulatory Relief workgroup. So sorry for the inconvenience!
REVISED: Will meet in August on Thursdays from 12-1: August 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th (Note: I also corrected the content in the email at bottom)
———- Forwarded message ———
From: Lauri Cole <lauri@nyscouncil.org>
Date: Mon, Jul 24, 2023 at 9:44 AM
Subject: TIME SENSITIVE: NYS Council Workgroups
To:
Good morning!Last week I sent the email announcement (below) to all NYS Council member agencies, requesting that you begin to consider who (from your agency) would be best suited to participate in the workgroups (listed in the email). This week, I am collecting names of agency representatives who want to join one or more of the groups.
Please send me a note with the name/s of the individual/s who will be representing your agency, and which workgroup/s they want to join. Finally, I will need their email address.
I’m at: lauri@nyscouncil.org and I’ll be collecting this information all week, although the sooner the better since some of these groups begin meeting during the first week of August.
THANK YOU in advance for contributing to this important exercise.
Any questions? Please feel free to reach out to me at 518 461-8200.
Lauri
———- Forwarded message ———
From: Lauri Cole <lauri@nyscouncil.org>
Date: Tue, Jul 18, 2023 at 3:38 PM
Subject: Heads Up: Announcement
To:
Good Afternoon,
Last week during our weekly Thursday morning Member Support call, NYS Council member agency representatives reviewed and approved a list of issues that are top priorities for their agencies. We agreed these are the areas we want to focus on as we assemble our next Budget and Legislative agenda. These issues will likely form the basis for standing committees, with the option to add (or subtract) a topic as circumstances warrant.
We are delighted to announce that the NYS Council will be implementing a number of new workgroups that are designed to:
1) Identify and address the top needs and concerns of our member agencies
2) Translate member agency priorities into budget and legislative advocacy requests, as well as training
and technical assistance opportunities
3) Increase statewide communication and information sharing between NYS Council members
Our immediate next step is to flesh out each of the areas discussed during the meeting. We will use an online Zoom workgroup format with 4 time-limited meetings that are focused on each of the topics (listed below). Lauri will host and facilitate the first of each of the 4 meetings and then we can identify chairs and co-chairs. Your expertise is the essential ingredient to the success of the work ahead.
Here are the topics for the 4 new workgroups, and a schedule of upcoming meetings:
· Workforce: Will meet on Wednesdays from 12-1 on August 2nd, 9th, 16th, and 23rd
· Reimbursement Rates for Programs & Services across OMH & OASAS systems. Will meet on Wednesdays from 10:30-11:30 on August 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd and 30th (the last date is optional in case we need a 5th meeting)
· Reform of BH Medicaid managed care: Will meet on Mondays from 4-5 on August 7, 14, 21, 28
. REVISED: REGULATORY REFORM will meet on Thursdays from 12-1 on August 3, 10, 17 24
In addition to the above listed workgroups, the NYS Council will also implement two CCBHC learning groups for our members beginning in early September (specific dates TBD). Our goal is to create several supportive learning environments in which providers can share information, educate themselves and one another, problem-solve, and advance policy initiatives to enhance the CCBHC Program in New York State.
We know August is a rough month to carve out time for workgroups. All meetings will be actively facilitated to elicit concrete information and (where applicable) data from participants. We will never waste your time.
Please think about who on your staff is best suited to share their expertise on the topics (listed above). I will be back to you shortly, seeking names and contact information for the individuals that are best suited to represent your agency and participate in our new workgroups.
Many thanks in advance!