DMHSAS INFO MEMO 2008-03

STATE OF WISCONSIN
Department of Health and Family Services
Division of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
DMHSAS Info Memo Series 2008-03
Date: March 24, 2008

To: Listserv

For: Directors, Departments of Human Services
Directors, Departments of Community Programs
Mental Health Coordinators
Area Administrators/Assistant Area Administrators
Coordinators, Integrated Service Programs
Tribal Chairpersons
Administrator, Division of Quality Assurance

From: John Easterday, Ph.D, Administrator

Subject: Center for Best Practices Training Opportunity: Case-Based Continuing Education

Document Summary:

The Division of Mental Health and Substance Abuse services is pleased to announce an innovative training opportunity jointly administered by us and the Mental Health and Education Resource Center (MHERC) of the University of Wisconsin- Madison. The aim of this initiative is to increase access to evidence-based resources and expertise tailored to a range of disciplines working within children's mental health. Wisconsin Health, Education and Juvenile Justice Professionals working with children or adolescents with a mental health diagnosis will be able to earn free Continuing Medical Education / Continuing Education Units credit through this pilot program.

This case-focused education targets teams of professionals working with complex child or adolescent cases, such as co-occurring medical and mental health diagnoses, rare/novel conditions, recurring need areas, or cases evidencing the need for applying recent advances in the field. The primary goal of this initiative is to enhance skills and collaboration in agency staff and their community treatment partners. This particular training initiative is not intended to be used for case consultation, clinical treatment, or in situations where timing is critical for a safe placement for a child. What we intend is to work closely with the University to provide education regarding particular cases that would then generalize into enhanced professional and team expertise and also provide training documents that would be available on line and through other formats for varied professionals in the field. Please see the attached document for additional information.

Providers who have identified a case they feel meets these criteria -- including having a team of professionals willing to participate -- can submit the application for review for selection into the program. You can access the application through this link: http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/forms1/DDES/dde1168.doc. Please return completed applications electronically to Kay Cram at cramke@dhfs.state.wi.us. For applications not selected for this program, the Bureau of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services is working with the University to develop a resource list and linkages to experts outside of the domain of this initiative as part of the development of the Center for Best Practices. For questions or additional information contact Kay Cram.

Attachments

Attachment 1: Continuing Education Brochure
Attachment 2: DDE-1168 Application for Case Focused Management Education

REGONAL OFFICE CONTACT:
Area Administrators

Kay Cram
MS, LPC
Bureau of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
1 W. Wilson Street, Room 437
Madison, WI 53702
Phone: 608-261-6743
Email: cramke@dhfs.state.wi.us

MEMO WEB SITE:

http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/dsl_info/

Last Revised: October 24, 2008