Happy Holidays

The staff of the NIATx National Program Office wishes you a happy and safe holiday season. We'll resume blogging after the first of the year.

New NIATx 200 Success Stories

We recently published three new NIATx 200 success stories.

• BestCare Treatment Services -- Deschutes
• Personalized Nursing LIGHT House, Inc.
• Black Family Development, Inc.

You can also read the rest of the NIATx 2002 success stories.

NIATx System-Level Toolkit

The NIATx System-Level toolkit is now available. Using the system-level roadmap as its organizing principle, this toolkit presents the key components for making changes and improvements at the system level.

• Leadership Team
• Payer-Provider Partnerships
• System-Level Change Projects
• Provider-Level Change Projects
• Performance Management
• Spreading Change

The System-Level toolkit is also closely integrated with the Provider toolkit. Take a look at this toolkit today, and let us know what you think.

NIATx Accelerating Reform Initiative

The response to the NIATx Accelerating Reform Initiative Request for Proposals exceeded our expectations, attracting many high quality submissions from across the country. Read the full article.

Medication-Assisted Treatment in West Virginia

Advancing Recovery grantee Prestera Center is removing barriers to the implementation of medication-assisted treatment. Read the full article.

Managing your way to better addiction treatment outcomes

In his seminal book, Out of the Crisis, W. Edwards Deming famously posited that 85 percent of customer problems can be attributed to poor processes. In a field plagued by long waiting times, high-no show rates, and early dropouts, what are the implications of this statement for leaders in addiction treatment? NIATx researcher Andy Quanbeck shares his insights. Read the full article.

ACTION II Webinar (Advanced): Building Services for Families

NIATx is pleased to offer the following free ACTION Campaign II training webinar:

Building Services for Families: A Process Improvement Story of Coming to Understand the Customer from Gosnold, Inc.

Presented by Tommie Ann Bower, Gosnold, Inc., Falmouth, MA

Date: Thursday, December 17, 2009
Time: 12pm Eastern, 11am Central, 10am Mountain, 9am Pacific

If you have Internet connectivity:
To join the webinar video presentation, go to: http://niatx.na6.acrobat.com/adv/
Audio for the webinar will be broadcast through your computer speakers.

If you do not have Internet connectivity:
You may still participate in the audio portion of the call.
To join the webinar audio, call the toll-free number:
Call-in number: 1-866-642-1665
Participant pass code: 821938

Note: Due to increased demand, we have secured additional participants seats for our webinars. The webinar room now has a capacity of 200 participants and access will be given on a first come, first served basis.

ASAP Texas Launches ACTION II Learning Collaborative

In an effort to promote the use of process improvement practices by its members, ASAP Texas has launched a learning collaborative to share ideas and success stories through monthly conference calls and membership meetings. Read the full article.

NIATx Year in Review

2009 has been an exciting year for NIATx, marking the conclusion of several innovative programs and the beginning of new ones. Read the full article.

December 2009 eNews Now Available

The December 2009 edition of the NIATx eNews is now available.

This month's eNews includes

• NIATx Year in Review
• ASAP Texas Launches ACTION II Learning Collaborative
• Managing Your Way to Better Addiction Treatment Outcomes
• Medication-Assisted Treatment in West Virginia
• NIATx Accelerating Reform Initiative

RCSP Grantees Learn Process Improvement Basics

As part of their ongoing work with Recovery Community Services Program (RCSP) grantees, NIATx coaches Patty McCarthy and Elizabeth Strauss recently presented an introduction to process improvement at the RCSP grantee meeting devoted to "Nurturing Recovery in Supportive Communities" in Gaithersburg, MD on November 20, 2009. Participants learned about PDSA cycles and heard grantees present their aims, changes, and results.

Participants aimed to:

• Increase the number of appointments scheduled with recovery coaches
• Increase the percentage of peers who meet with an recovery ally within 48 hours
• Decrease the number of admissions to the crisis unit by chronic utilizers
• Increase their GPRA scores
• Increase the number of active volunteers

What other improvements might recovery support services make using the NIATx process improvement model? Leave a comment and let us know what you think!

Adopting Changes in Addiction Treatment: California Regional NIATx/ACTION Campaign Learning Collaboratives

The Pacific Southwest Addiction Technology Center, NIATx, and the County Alcohol and Drug Program Administrators' Association of California formed five regional ACTION Campaign Learning Collaboratives. This project, titled Adopting Changes in Addiction Treatment, ran from November 1, 2008 through October 31, 2009, and included 173 agencies/programs providing substance abuse and behavioral health treatment services in 49 of the state's 58 counties.

In a recent online survey, 67 percent of the respondents reported improved services and increased agency revenue by making the changes the ACTION Campaign recommends.

Says Beth Rutkowski, project director, "The participating agencies were able to save money and continue to improve customer services, even in the midst of California's budget crisis."

This project was made possible with funding from the California Endowment.
For more information visit: http://www.attcnetwork.org/regcenters/generalContent.asp?rcid=11&content=STC

Enrollment Now Open for the NIATx Change Leader Academy

The next NIATx Change Leader Academy is now open for enrollment.

NIATx Change Leader Academy (CLA)
April 28-29, 2010
Pyle Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, WI

An effective way to lead change in your organization. Transforming committed learners into committed leaders. Enroll NOW for the Spring session!

For more information and to register, go to the Change Leader Academy page on the NIATx website.

We would be happy to talk with you about this open enrollment session or about bringing the CLA workshop to your state or region. Please contact either Amy or Scott with your questions:

Amy McIlvaine, Membership Director, NIATx; 608-262-5999 or amy.mcilvaine@chess.wisc.edu
Scott Gatzke, Director of Products and Services, NIATx; 608-890-1444 or scott.gatzke@chess.wisc.edu

Promising Practices for Reducing No-shows

Are you planning on participating in this week's ACTION II beginner webinar that focuses on reducing no-shows to the first appointment?

The NIATx provider toolkit includes a number of promising practices for reducing no-shows to the first appointment, complete with tracking tools and examples from the field.

ACTION II Webinar (Beginner): Reducing No-shows to the First Appointment

NIATx is pleased to offer the following free ACTION Campaign II training webinar:

Reducing No-shows to the First Appointment

Presented by John Coffin, Shoreline Behavioral Health Services, Conway, SC

Date: Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Time: 12pm Eastern, 11am Central, 10am Mountain, 9am Pacific

If you have Internet connectivity:
To join the webinar video presentation, go to: http://niatx.na6.acrobat.com/beg/
Audio for the webinar will be broadcast through your computer speakers.

If you do not have Internet connectivity:
You may still participate in the audio portion of the call.
To join the webinar audio, call the toll-free number:
Call-in number: 1-866-642-1665
Participant pass code: 821938

Note: Due to increased demand, we have secured additional participants seats for our webinars. The webinar room now has a capacity of 200 participants and access will be given on a first come, first served basis.

Medication-assisted Treatment at Prestera Center

Prestera Center, a NIATx agency participating in the Advancing Recovery initiative, was recently featured in Huntington (WV) Herald-Dispatch in a story about their successful implementation of medication-assisted treatment.

Know Your Madisonian: Tom Mosgaller

Tom Mosgaller, NIATx Director of Change Management, was recently featured in the Know Your Madisonian column of the Wisconsin State Journal.

Presentation Proposals for the 2010 SAAS National Conference and NIATx Summit Due December 1, 2009

It's not to late to submit a proposal for a workshop or presentation at the 2010 SAAS National Conference and NIATx Summit.

The deadline for proposals is December 1, 2009 at 5pm.

For more information, including the proposal submission form and guidelines, visit the conference website: saasniatx.net.

Deadline for Accelerating Reform Proposals

Proposals for participation in the Accelerating Reform initiative are due on November 24, 2009.

NIATx seeks applications for the Accelerating Reform Initiative from progressive organizations that have started transformational efforts to prepare for the sweeping changes that parity, health care reform, and decreased grant funding may bring.

Up to 12 organizations will work together to accelerate their reform efforts, sharing creative thinking on how to thrive in a dramatically different funding environment.

For more information, see the Accelerating Reform page.

Managing Your Way to Better Addiction Treatment Outcomes

NIATx researcher Andrew Quanbeck recently published an article in Behavioral Healthcare that applies W. Edwards Deming's 14 of transformational leadership to addiction treatment organizations: Managing your way to better addiction treatment outcomes.

Read the article and let us know what you think by adding a comment below...

Building a Sustainable National Infrastructure for Dissemination of Improved Behavioral Health Treatment Practices

NIATx is working on an NIH grant application to create an infrastructure and a network of providers to engage in research on dissemination and adoption of evidence-based practices. The current grant is limited to developing the infrastructure and network that will allow us to access future funds to conduct research. We are interested in having as many of you as we can participate in the network. Being part of the network will provide the opportunity, but not a guarantee, of participating in future projects.

If you are interested, we would like a letter of support by November 30. We have drafted a sample letter of support that you can cut and paste onto your letterhead.

We have also posted a draft of the grant application. Please feel free to comment or add your thoughts by writing to us at info@niatx.net.

Save the Date: 2010 SAAS Conference and NIATx Summit

The 2010 SAAS Conference and NIATx Summit will be held in Cincinnati, Ohio on July 11-14.

Save the date and join us for this great event. More information coming soon!

Deadline Extended: CFP for 2010 SAAS National Conference and NIATx Summit

The deadline for workshop proposals for the 2010 SAAS National Conference and NIATx Summit has been extended to November 30, 2009.

2010 SAAS National Conference and NIATx Summit
July 11-14, Cincinnati, Ohio
Shining a Light on Innovation

Call for Presentations
We are now accepting proposals for workshop presentations directed toward CEOs, Senior Managers, and Change Leaders working in behavioral health care. Conference attendees come from: Substance Abuse, Mental Health, Criminal Justice, Veterans Services, and related fields.

To access the proposal submission form and guidelines , go to: http://www.saasniatx.net

Taking ACTION in Michigan: Above the Water House

Above the Water House (ATWH) in Flint, Michigan recently celebrated five years of providing a sober living environment to more than 100 women. Virlyn Allen-Poe directs the ATWH. New to the ACTION Campaign II, Virlyn is interested in connecting with others who work to help women start the path to long-term recovery.

Read the full article.

NIATx 200: Massachusetts Team Celebrates Success and Plans to Sustain Gains

The Massachusetts NIATx 200 participants gathered on October 16, 2009 to both celebrate their success in the project and to continue learning about process improvement. More than 50 people from some 20 treatment provider sites attended the daylong event held at the Beechwood Inn in Worcester.

Read more about the NIATx 200 Celebration Session.

ACTION Items with Kim Johnson

ACTION Campaign II seems to have hit a nerve. The number of providers participating in our calls has more than doubled to over 100 on every call. Because of the growth we have made some changes in the format.

Read Kim's message.

November 2009 eNews Now Available

The November 2009 edition of the NIATx eNews is now available.

This month's eNews includes:

• ACTION Items with Kim Johnson
• The call for presentations for the 2010 SAAS Conference and NIATx Summit
• A report from the NIATx 200 Celebration Session in Massachusetts
  
• An announcement for the new Accelerating Reform initiative
• An ACTION success story from Above the Water House in Michigan
• Upcoming events and webinars
  

NIATx Leadership Webinar: How to Manage the Change Process Constructively

There's still time to register for session four of the NIATx Leadership Webinar Series.

How to Manage the Change Process Constructively
Presented by Chris Hinrichs
November 13, 2009
11:00 am Eastern | 10:00 am Central | 9:00 am Mountain | 8:00 Pacific
Price: $25

The constant change of today's world can be overwhelming. In this session, learn how to set your team up for success in the face of changes. Find out the four reasons why people are willing to make change. Take-way tools include a powerful formula for change and ways to deal with the strong emotions surrounding change.

To register for this webinar, click here.
For audio, VOIP will be used; be sure to have speakers or a headset for your computer.

The November 13 webinar costs $25 and is available to the first 60 registered participants. When you register, you will receive the URL to log in to the webinar. You will be sent a single URL, but you can have as many participants in the room as you want.

Register for the NIATx Leadership Webinar series today!

Making Health Care Better: Intermountain Healthcare

Interested in more ways to create staff buy-in and create a culture of process improvement?

Read about Intermountain Healthcare, one of the speakers at the 2009 NIATx Summit, featured in Making Health Care Better, a recent article in the NY Times Magazine.

NIATx Exhibits at the 2009 AHSR Conference

NIATx exhibited four posters at this year's Addictions Health Services Research (AHSR) conference, held October 28-30 in San Francisco, California. The theme of this year's conference was Health Care Reform, Parity, and Continuing Care Models: A Forum for a New Era in Addiction Services Research.

These posters presented variety of NIATx themes, including the costs and benefits of addiction treatment from the employer’s perspective; the sustainability of process improvements; implementation of evidence-based practices; and, the importance of coordinated hand-off processes.

• A Cost-Benefit Analysis of Wisconsin's Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment Program: the Employer's Perspective
• Predicting Organizational Likelihood to Sustain Change Over Time
• Using a Learning Collaborative to Implement Evidence-based Practices in Chemical Dependency Services: One County's Journey
• Improving the Addiction Treatment Continuum through Improved Transitions
  

The conference also provided researcher Andrew Quanbeck, who attended the conference on behalf of NIATx, with an opportunity to interact with some of the preeminent researchers in the field:

"This year's conference drove home the fact that there's a lot changing in addiction treatment these days," noted Quanbeck. "And, it's encouraging to see that many presenters from across the country talked about NIATx change initiatives--it seems that process improvement is really starting to take hold in the field."

About AHSR
The AHSR conference welcomes researchers, practitioners, trainees, policymakers, and other stakeholders interested in health services research as it relates to drug and alcohol dependence, as well as the intersection with mental health and other behavioral health care issues.

CFP: 2010 SAAS National Conference and NIATx Summit

2010 SAAS National Conference and NIATx Summit
July 11-14, Cincinnati, Ohio
Shining a Light on Innovation

Call for Presentations
We are now accepting proposals for workshop presentations directed toward CEOs, Senior Managers, and Change Leaders working in behavioral health care. Conference attendees come from: Substance Abuse, Mental Health, Criminal Justice, Veterans Services, and related fields.

To access the proposal submission form and guidelines , go to: http://www.saasniatx.net
Proposal submissions are due by: November 16, 2009

Accelerated Reform Featured in Addiction Professional

The NIATx Accelerated Reform initiative was recently featured in Addiction Professional.

For more information about Accelerated Reform, check out the initiative's web page or download the initiative announcement.

Success Stories from NIATx 200

Now that participants in NIATx 200 have moved into the sustainability phase of the project, we've started publishing success stories from NIATx 200 provider agencies.

Here are a just a few of the more than sixty stories currently available:

• Emergence - Eugene (Oregon)
• Pathways (Michigan)
• Okanogan Behavioral Healthcare (Washington)
• Seven Hills Behavioral Health (Massachusetts)
• Farnham Family Services (New York)

There are many more success stories from the NIATx 200 project. Take a look at these, and keep an eye out as we publish new stories each month.

ACTION II Webinar (Advanced): Workforce Engagement

NIATx is pleased to offer the following free ACTION Campaign II training webinar:

Getting Staff Buy-in for Sustaining Improvements in Difficult Times.

Presented by Rick Redmond, Acadia Hospital, Bangor, Maine and Lori Dubenske, CHESS/NIATx, University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Date: Thursday, November 19, 2009
Time: 12pm Eastern, 11am Central, 10am Mountain, 9am Pacific

If you have Internet connectivity:
To join the webinar video presentation, go to: http://niatx.na6.acrobat.com/adv/
Audio for the webinar will be broadcast through your computer speakers.

If you do not have Internet connectivity:
You may still participate in the audio portion of the call.
To join the webinar audio, call the toll-free number:
Call-in number: 1-866-642-1665
Participant pass code: 821938

Note: Due to increased demand, we have secured additional participants seats for our webinars. The webinar room now has a capacity of 200 participants and access will be given on a first come, first served basis.

Informational Call: Accelerating Reform

Please join us for an informational call about the new Accelerating Reform initiative on Tuesday, November 10 at 1pm Eastern.

To join this call:

1. Dial 1-866-642-1665.
2. Enter this passcode: 468162 followed by the pound (#) sign.

For more information, see the Accelerating Reform page.

ACTION II Webinar (Beginner): Workforce Engagement

NIATx is pleased to offer the following free ACTION Campaign II training webinar:

Getting Staff Buy-in for Change

Presented by Elizabeth Strauss and Betta Owens, NIATx Coaches and Bobbi Douglass, STEPS at Liberty Center, Wooster, OH.

Date: Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Time: 12pm Eastern, 11am Central, 10am Mountain, 9am Pacific

If you have Internet connectivity:
To join the webinar video presentation, go to: http://niatx.na6.acrobat.com/beg/
Audio for the webinar will be broadcast through your computer speakers.

If you do not have Internet connectivity:
You may still participate in the audio portion of the call.
To join the webinar audio, call the toll-free number:
Call-in number: 1-866-642-1665
Participant pass code: 821938

Note: Due to increased demand, we have secured additional participants seats for our webinars. The webinar room now has a capacity of 200 participants and access will be given on a first come, first served basis.

How do you gain staff buy-in? Your feedback wanted

Gaining staff buy-in is a crucial aspect of any successful Change Project. We'd like to hear about what's worked for you.

What strategies have you used to:

• Get your staff excited about making changes?
• Work together to produce a positive outcome?
• Create a committed team?
• Maintain positive energy for change?

Post a comment in this blog post and tell us your story!

Note: We're asking for ideas to include in ACTION Campaign II conference calls, blog posts, and announcements in November.

NIATx Accelerating Reform Initiative

An invitation to forward-thinking leaders in behavioral health care

NIATx Accelerating Reform Initiative
December 2009-July 2010
Request for Proposal deadline: November 24, 2009

NIATx seeks applications for the Accelerating Reform Initiative from progressive organizations that have started transformational efforts to prepare for the sweeping changes that parity, health care reform, and decreased grant funding may bring.

Up to 12 organizations will work together to accelerate their reform efforts, sharing creative thinking on how to thrive in a dramatically different funding environment.

For more information on the initiative visit the NIATx website or download a pdf version of the announcement.

MAT Interest Circle Call with Dr. David Prescott

Please join us for the next Medication-assisted Treatment (MAT) interest circle call, presented by Dr. David Prescott.

Improving Access to MAT by Decreasing Time from Admission to Treatment and Expanding the use of MAT with Alcohol Dependency.
Tuesday, November 3, 12 pm Eastern (11am Central, 10am Mountain, 9am Pacific)

To join this interest circle call:

1. Dial 1-866-642-1665.
2. Enter this passcode: 759636#.

Dr. David Prescott is the Director for Clinical Research at Acadia Hospital. His research interests include the integration of primary medical care and behavioral health care, reducing the use of restraints in behavioral health treatment, and applications of rapid-cycle performance improvement in addiction treatment.

October ACTION II Webinar Materials Now Available

The October webinars have are now available in the ACTION Campaign II webinar library.

Reducing Wait Times by Reducing Paperwork between Agencies and Levels of Care
Debbie Pantin, Palladia, New York City & Carl Kraeff, DAODAS, South Carolina.
October 15, 2009.

• View the Webinar

Reducing Wait Times by Reducing Intake Paperwork
Michaelle Strathem, Oklahoma -- ODMHSAS & Dr. Brad Williams and team, Solutions Behavioral Health, Inc., Medina, OH.
October 13, 2009

• View the Webinar
• Download the PowerPoint
• Form for Paperwork Reduction Measurement
• Intake Paperwork Time Measure

Visit the ACTION Campaign II page for upcoming events, resources, and the Webinar library.

ARWV: Removing Barriers to the Use of MAT

Advancing Recovery West Virginia (ARWV): removing barriers to the use of medication-assisted treatment for opioid dependence.

Through their Advancing Recovery partnership, Prestera Center for Mental Health Services, Seneca Health Services, Westbrook Health Services and Valley HealthCare System, are working with the West Virginia Division on Alcohol and Drug Abuse to improve addiction treatment services in the state.

Collectively, the four partnering agencies provide substance abuse services to over 40 percent of the counties in West Virginia and to 49 percent of the population of the state. In the first 12 months of their collaboration, ARWV increased the use of buprenorphine for opioid dependence by 102 percent.

NIATx Leadership Webinar: Establishing and Managing Healthy, Productive Teams

There's still time to register for session three of the NIATx Leadership Webinar Series.

Establishing and Managing Healthy, Productive Teams
Presented by Chris Hinrichs
October 29, 2009
11:00 am Eastern | 10:00 am Central | 9:00 am Mountain | 8:00 Pacific
Price: $25

Every leader wants to build a great team, but team dynamics sometimes get in the way. Learn how to build team commitment, energy, and buy-in. Take away tools to establish boundaries, roles, and expectations from the start.

To register for this webinar, click here.
For audio, VOIP will be used; be sure to have speakers or a headset for your computer.

The October 29 webinar costs $25 and is available to the first 60 registered participants. When you register, you will receive the URL to log in to the webinar. You will be sent a single URL, but you can have as many participants in the room as you want.

Register for the NIATx Leadership Webinar series today!

Ideas from Outside the Field: Surviving Market Changes

As we face continued market disruption with reduced grant funding and increased fee for service and other reimbursement structures through parity and health care reform, here are some ideas from outside the field on how companies in other industries are surviving similar market changes.

• Dell's Extreme Makeover (BusinessWeek)
• The Hard Sell (BusinessWeek)
• How GE is Disrupting Itself (Harvard Business Review)
• Major League Innovation (Harvard Business Review)

First Cohort of NIATx-SI States

The six states that will comprise cohort one of NIATx-SI are: Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kentucky, Massachusetts, and New York.

We look forward to working with these states on spread and sustainability. Look for information about cohort two at the end of 2009.

Philadelphia Mental Health Clinic Reduces No-shows, Increases Revenue

Assessment & Treatment Alternatives (ATA) is a non-profit forensic mental health clinic based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Implementing NIATx recommended changes not only resulted in improved show rates but has led to an estimated increase in annual revenue in excess of $100,000.

Read ATA's story.

Taking ACTION: CPC Behavioral Healthcare

CPC Behavioral Healthcare is one of the largest mental health agencies in Monmouth County, New Jersey, serving over 6,000 children, families and adults. Joining the ACTION Campaign has led CPC to adopt changes which increased admissions and decreased no-shows.

Read CPC Behavioral Healthcare's story.

NIATx Leadership Webinar: Inspiring the Best in Others

There's still time to register for session two of the NIATx Leadership Webinar Series.

Leadership: Inspiring the Best in Others
Presented by Chris Hinrichs
October 15, 2009
11:00 am Eastern | 10:00 am Central | 9:00 am Mountain | 8:00 Pacific
Price: $25

What's the difference between managing and really leading? In this webinar, learn the basics of Situational Leadership and explore the fundamental principles of all good leadership. Take away tools to inspire your team members while establishing and managing expectations.

To register for this webinar, click here.
For audio, VOIP will be used; be sure to have speakers or a headset for your computer.

The October 15th webinar costs $25 and is available to the first 60 registered participants. When you register, you will receive the URL to log in to the webinar. You will be sent a single URL, but you can have as many participants in the room as you want.

Register for the NIATx Leadership Webinar series today!

Registration ending for the NIATx Business Case Community

Registration for the NIATx Business Case Community of Commitment ends October 13, 2009. You can register and pay now, or pay at the workshop.

This workshop will be held from October 20-21, 2009 in Madison, WI.

Our expert faculty will help you design a business case guaranteed to net the registration fee--OR we'll send you a refund!

New NIATx Learning Collaborative Opportunity

Are you interested in making sure you can meet the needs of clients in a changing funding environment? Health Care Reform will change the way we do business. Reimbursement structures, relationships with other health care systems, who provides what care, what levels of care will be offered, how we process clients, what information we collect and where we store it, how we make treatment plans and what goes into them will all be affected.

NIATx will be putting together a learning collaborative to help agencies identify needs, develop skills and make changes in their programs that enable them to better serve clients/patients in a transformed funding and service delivery environment.

Look for the application announcement coming soon.

ACTION Items with Kim Johnson

Our second national campaign is off to an amazing start! Participation in our twice-monthly webinars increases with each presentation, and we're glad that the Campaign is reaching so many more organizations. We’d like to welcome the more than 200 new users who have joined the ACTION Campaign II since our launch.

Read Kim's message.

October 2009 eNews Now Available

The October 2009 edition of the NIATx eNews is now available. This month's eNews includes:

• ACTION Items with Kim Johnson
• An invitation to join NIATx on Facebook
• A success story from CPC Behaviorial Healthcare in Monmouth, NJ
  
• A success story from ATA in Philadelphia, PA
  

If you don't already receive the NIATx eNews via email, you can sign-up and stay connected.

ACTION II Webinar: Reducing Wait Times by Reducing Paperwork between Agencies and Levels of Care

NIATx is pleased to offer the following free ACTION Campaign II training webinar:

Reducing Wait Times by Reducing Paperwork between Agencies and Levels of Care

Presented by: Debbie Pantin, Vice President of Outpatient and Centralized Services, Palladia, New York, New York & Carl Kraeff, Program Coordinator, DAODAS, South Carolina

Date: Thursday, October 15, 2009
Time: 12:00pm Eastern, 11:00am Central, 10:00am Mountain, 9:00am Pacific

If you have Internet connectivity:
To join the webinar video presentation, go to: http://niatx.na6.acrobat.com/adv/
Audio for the webinar will be broadcast through your computer speakers

If you do not have Internet connectivity:
You may still participate in the audio portion of the call.
To join the webinar audio, call the toll-free number:

Call-in number: 1-866-642-1665
Participant pass code: 821938

Note: Due to increased demand, we have secured additional participants seats for our webinars. The webinar room now has a capacity of 200 participants and access will be given on a first come, first served basis.

ACTION II Webinar: Reducing Wait Times by Reducing Intake Paperwork

NIATx is pleased to offer the following free ACTION Campaign II training webinar:

Reducing Wait Times by Reducing Intake Paperwork

Presented by: Michaelle Statham, Systems Process Coordinator, Oklahoma – ODMHSAS & Dr. Brad Williams, CEO of Solutions Behavioral Healthcare, Inc., Medina, Ohio.

Date: Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Time: 12:00pm Eastern, 11:00am Central, 10:00am Mountain, 9:00am Pacific

If you have Internet connectivity:
To join the webinar video presentation, go to: http://niatx.na6.acrobat.com/beg/
Audio for the webinar will be broadcast through your computer speakers

If you do not have Internet connectivity:
You may still participate in the audio portion of the call.
To join the webinar audio, call the toll-free number:

Call-in number: 1-866-642-1665
Participant pass code: 821938

Note: Due to increased demand, we have secured additional participants seats for our webinars. The webinar room now has a capacity of 200 participants and access will be given on a first come, first served basis.

Registration ends soon for the Business Case Community

Registration for the NIATx Business Case Community of Commitment ends October 13, 2009. You can register and pay now, or pay at the workshop.

This workshop will be held from October 20-21, 2009 in Madison, WI.

Our expert faculty will help you design a business case guaranteed to net the registration fee--OR we'll send you a refund!

Join NIATx on Facebook

NIATx now has its own Facebook page. Our Facebook page aggregates of our blog posts, tweets, Youtube videos, and photos so that you can see them all in one place. Become a fan and start a discussion with your peers or just tell us what's on your mind.

NIATx Leadership Webinar: How to Influence Others

The NIATx Leadership Webinar Series starts today!

How to Influence Others: Managing Positive First Impressions
Presented by Chris Hinrichs
October 1, 2009
11:00 am Eastern | 10:00 am Central | 9:00 am Mountain | 8:00 Pacific
Price: Free

You've heard it said: "You never get a second chance to make a first impression." This webinar covers how to create positive first impressions. Learn key strategies to influence different situations and how to develop and maintain your credibility.

To join this webinar go to http://niatx.acrobat.com/r36888276/
Select "enter as a guest" and enter your first and last name.
For audio, VOIP will be used; be sure to have speakers or a headset for your computer.

The October 1st webinar is free and available to the first 60 participants on a first-come, first-served basis. No registration is required.

Upcoming ACTION II Webinars

In October, the ACTION Campaign II webinars will focus on reducing waiting times by reducing paperwork.

• October 13: Reducing Wait Times by Reducing Paperwork (for those new to NIATx)
• October 15: Reducing Wait Times by Reducing Paperwork between Agencies and Levels of Care (for those with NIATx experience)

All ACTION Campaign II webinars are scheduled for 12pm Eastern (11am Central; 12am Mountain; 10 am Pacific) and are open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis.

NIATx-SI Applications Due October 1, 2009

Reminder: Applications for participation in NIATx-SI are due October 1, 2009. If you have questions about your application, contact Jeanne Pulvermacher (608-265-5087; jeanne.pulvermacher@chess.wisc.edu).

Videos from the 2009 NIATx Summit and SAAS National Conference

The video presentations from the 2009 NIATx Summit and SAAS National Conference are now available. While you're there, take a look at the rest of the conference archive, which includes photo galleries, workshop presentations, and much more.

NIATx and Phoenix Center on Behavioral Health Central

Behavioral Health Central recently featured a story about how the NIATx Business Case Community of Commitment helped the Phoenix Center increase utilization and revenue.

New NIATx Leadership Webinar Series - Starts October 1st!

NIATx is pleased to announce a new, cost-effective training offering! Learn leadership skills, tips and tricks from leadership expert Chris Hinrichs of the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Executive Education.

Click here for more information on the NIATx Leadership Webinar Series.

NIATx helps Montana payers and providers

The State of Montana's treatment system is preparing for the future by utilizing NIATx principles, which focus on access and efficiency.

Read the full story, published with permission from John Wiley and Sons.

Building Financial Strength through Process Improvement

Read how Adam Brickner, CEO of the Phoenix Center in Greenville, South Carolina, applied what he learned from attending the NIATx Business Case Community of Commitment.

What's New on the NIATx Web site? The Provider Toolkit

The Provider Toolkit offers new tools and more than 60 promising practices. Read more.

ACTION Campaign II: Answers To Your Questions

What is the ACTION Campaign II? Who should participate? How long will it run? Get answers to these and other questions by downloading the ACTION Campaign II FAQ.

Take the NIATx Social Networking Survey

To improve communication with and foster a dialogue between NIATx members, we’ve begun using social networking sites like Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. To help us make sure we’re delivering the right services in the right way, please take the following short survey on how you use social networking sites. Plus, customers who complete the survey will be entered into a drawing to receive the NIATx Business Case Series, Volume 2.

ACTION II in Alcohol & Drug Abuse Weekly

ACTION Campaign II director Kim Johnson was recently interviewed by Alcohol & Drug Abuse Weekly.

Read the full story, reprinted here with the permission of John Wiley and Sons.

ACTION Items with Dave Gustafson

Dave Gustafson, Director of NIATx, invites you to join ACTION Campaign II, Financial Strength in a Changing World.

September 2009 eNews Now Available

The September 2009 edition of the NIATx eNews is now available. This month's eNews includes:

• A message from Dave Gustafson about the ACTION Campaign II
• A short survey to help NIATx understand how you use social networking sites
• An ACTION Campaign II FAQ
• A success story from the NIATx Business Case Community of Commitment
• More information about the new Provider Toolkit
• A story about the State of Montana's use of NIATx principles, originally published in Alcohol & Drug Abuse Weekly.
• Information about the new NIATx Leadership webinar series

If you don't already receive the NIATx eNews via email, you can sign-up and stay connected.

Upcoming ACTION II Webinar: September 17, 2009

Please join us for the next ACTION II webinar, which includes two presentations:

Reducing the time it takes from when a client in the emergency shelter first requests detoxification to when they are brought onto the detox unit for face-to-face screening

Presented by Tom Allan, LCSW, LADC, CCS, Executive Director, Milestone Foundation, Inc.

Improving Performance in a Dual Diagnosis Program through the NIATx model of Rapid Cycle Process Improvement

Presented by Patricia Emsellem, MS, LADC, Chief Operating Officer, SSTAR & SSTAR of Rhode Island

Date: September 17, 2009
Time: 12:00pm Eastern/11:00am Central/10:00am Mountain/9:00am Pacific
URL: http://niatx.acrobat.com/r88495521/
Call-in number: 1-866-642-1665
Passcode: 821938

New: The NIATx Press Room

Looking for quick facts about NIATx, media contact information, and other resources? Check out the NIATx Press Room.

Q&A from the Most Recent ACTION II Webinar

During the ACTION Campaign II webinar held on August 20, 2009, we received more questions than could be answered during the webinar itself.

These questions, answered by Andrew Quanbeck (NIATx), are now available for download.

Benchmarking for Organizational Excellence in Addiction Treatment

NIATx has combined forces with the State Associations of Addiction Services (SAAS) and Behavioral Pathway Systems (BPS) to make comprehensive benchmarking data readily and affordably available to community-based substance abuse providers throughout the United States.

Read more about this nationwide benchmarking initiative or download the brochure.

ACTION II Press Release Now Available

The ACTION Campaign II press release is now available for distribution.

Upcoming Webinar: ACTION II Just a Click Away

Please join us for the next ACTION II webinar: ACTION II Just a Click Away.

Don Holloway will walk us through the new toolkit and share some of the promising practices that we have identified to have the greatest impact on an agency's customer service and financial health.

Date: September 8, 2009
Time: 12:00pm Eastern/11:00am Central/10:00am Mountain/9:00am Pacific
URL: http://niatx.acrobat.com/holloway/
Call-in number: 1-866-642-1665
Passcode: 821938

New: NIATx Provider Toolkit

The new NIATx Provider Toolkit is now available and ready to help you start making improvements at your agency. This new toolkit includes more than 60 updated promising practices to help you improve access and retention while also increasing the financial strength of your organization.

Take a look at the NIATx Way and get started making improvements today.

ACTION Campaign II Kickoff Call

Thanks to everyone that joined the ACTION Campaign II kick off call with Lynn Madden!

As those of you on the call know, there were a number of technical issues and we want to apologize for the difficulties. We had over 130 people people on the call and we could hear that some of you were listening in groups, so we are glad that the topic generated so much interest. For those of you that couldn't get on the webinar since it was restricted to 99 people, we will be re-recording (without back ground noise) and posting it to the campaign page of the web site in a couple weeks. The slides are already posted to the webinar library of the ACTION II page.

We sure learned a lot about our own processes during the call. On the next call, the advanced call (Thursday, August 20 @ noon EDT, 11:00 CDT, 10:00 MDT, 9:00 PDT), Andy Quanbeck will be discussing the theory behind the practice and why getting people in more quickly will result in better attendance and greater revenue generation. We will have more lines available for viewing the webinar and will be capable of muting all participants for a quieter background of the presentation portion of the call.

So, if you couldn't get in last time, don't despair, we are addressing the glitches and will have our processes improved for the next call.

Welcome to the NIATx Blog

As we promised in our old media environments, we are beginning to pilot test new media.

We have been on twitter for a month and have nearly 100 followers and are investigating the best uses of Facebook. (Kim signed up for it and discovered that the best use is to reconnect with high school and college friends, but is not sure that is useful for NIATx).

Today we are launching our blog. We will talk about the new ideas we are investigating, grants we have received and opportunities for you to work with us on projects. We are also hoping that we can get a national dialogue on treatment quality going, so please do participate in the conversation.

Check back daily for new info and discussion or subscribe to the RSS feed.