Behavioral Health

Problem gambling is one of Louisiana’s most serious health issues. It affects not only the addict; it affects that person’s family, friends, co-workers and society as a whole. A 2008 Louisiana study on problem gambling revealed as many as 100,000 Louisianians are problem and pathological/compulsive gamblers. Problem gambling is an urge to continuously gamble despite harmful negative consequences or desire to stop.

The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals - Office of Behavioral Health is holding a series of 10 forums to educate the public about addictive disorders programs offered in their communities. These informational sessions began on Wednesday, January 30 in Lafayette, and will conclude on Thursday, March 14, in Belle Chasse.

1. The purpose of this RFP is to solicit proposals from qualified proposers that provide External Quality Review (EQR) services. Proposers must demonstrate sufficient experience performing such reviews. The current RFP seeks qualified proposers to perform an annual external quality review of the recently implemented contract for the Statewide Management Organization (SMO). This external quality review is required by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) under the Medicaid waivers that authorize the SMO and as required by §1932(c)(2) of the Social Security Act and 42 CFR Part 438, Subpart E. 2. A contract is necessary to fulfill the CMS requirements for an external review of the performance of the SMO as required by the CMS approved Medicaid waivers and the contract between the SMO and OBH.

Today, Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals Secretary Bruce D. Greenstein announced mid-year reductions at the agency that will save $51.8 million in State General Fund for Fiscal Year 2012-2013. These reductions have a total impact of $82.6 million for this Fiscal Year, when federal funds that would be used to match affected programs and services are considered. DHH’s reductions are part of the State’s overall mid-year reduction plan that addresses the budget shortfall in the current fiscal year.

BATON ROUGE — The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals joined St. Tammany Parish leaders and area legislators today to announce a final agreement allowing the parish to use the property at Southeast Louisiana Hospital in Mandeville, with Meridian Behavioral Health Services assuming control of inpatient beds at the hospital and outpatient services on the property continuing.

DHH-OBH issues this Request for Information (RFI) with the intent to determine the interest and capabilities of provider organizations or groups to provide the following: 1. Statewide coordination of direct peer-to-peer support to children/youth with significant emotional and behavioral health challenges enrolled in CSoC and their family members and caregivers; 2. Individual and group educational sessions for these families and youth; 3. Professional development and coaching of family and youth support staff; 4. Billing for family and youth support services; 5. Data collection and reporting; 6. Participation in the Statewide Coordinating Council; and 7. Advancement of family/youth voice throughout the system of care.

Top state legislators, health officials and law enforcement personnel held a news conference today announcing steps they’ve taken to ban a dangerous new drug, 25-I, making it illegal in the State of Louisiana.

The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals' (DHH) Office of Behavioral Health is in the process of transitioning patient care and phasing down operations on the campus of Southeast Louisiana Hospital, while building partnerships with private sector providers and targeting improved models of care that focus on smaller settings rather than large, state-run institutions.

The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) Office of Behavioral Health (OBH) has determined a need exists to expand opioid treatment services in DHH Administrative Regions VIII and IX and is seeking applications from any entity interested and capable of providing opioid treatment services within those designated regions. The following parishes are included in Region VIII: Caldwell, East Carroll, Franklin, Jackson, Lincoln, Madison, Morehouse, Ouachita, Richland, and Tensas, Union and West Carroll. The following parishes are included in Region IX: Livingston, St. Helena, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa and Washington.