News & Announcements

The Biden-Harris Administration Awards More Than $88 Million in Grants that Safeguard Youth Mental Health and Expand Access to Treatment for Substance Use Disorders

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), has recently awarded more than $88 million in its continuing effort to safeguard the nation’s behavioral health. The grant programs serve a wide array of needs – ranging from efforts to develop and support school-based mental health programs and services, to multiple grant programs that expand access to substance use disorder (SUD) treatments.

Mon, 08/14/2023 - 10:18
Thu, 08/31/2023 - 12:18
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HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra Declares Public Health Emergency for Hawaii in Response to Wildfires

On August 11, 2023, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra declared a Public Health Emergency (PHE) for the state of Hawaii to address the health impacts of the wildfires. The declaration follows President Biden’s major disaster declaration and gives the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) health care providers and suppliers greater flexibility in meeting emergency health needs of Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries.

Mon, 08/14/2023 - 10:18
Thu, 08/31/2023 - 12:18
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Farhaan Vahidy, PhD, MBBS, MPH, FAHA, NEW Associate Vice President for Research at TIRR Memorial Hermann

Farhaan Vahidy, PhD, MBBS, MPH FAHA will be responsible for establishing the strategic plan for clinical research at TIRR Memorial Hermann to achieve objectives of national prominence and improved outcomes for people with disabilities. He will have a keen focus on employee engagement as well as growth and diversification of research funding sources. In addition, Farhaan will advise on matters related to research and assist with investigator development and recruitment.

Mon, 08/14/2023 - 10:18
Tue, 08/29/2023 - 12:18

ACL Awards $2.9 Million for New Lifespan Respite Care Grants

ACL is pleased to announce eight new grantees in the 

Fri, 08/11/2023 - 12:21
Thu, 08/24/2023 - 12:19
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Feds Extend Lifeline To Disability Service Providers

Federal Medicaid officials say they will extend some flexibilities for home and community-based services that emerged during the pandemic in a bid to help the beleaguered disability services sector stay afloat.

In guidance issued this week, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said that states can continue relying on changes that were adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic while they work to officially incorporate them into their waiver programs.

Fri, 08/11/2023 - 12:20
Thu, 08/31/2023 - 11:18
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What Vocational Rehabilitation Services Do Young Adults on the Autism Spectrum Engage with, and What Are Their Outcomes

Young adults on the autism spectrum can face unique challenges when transitioning from school to employment. As the largest publicly funded program dedicated to supporting people with disabilities to prepare for and engage in competitive integrated employment, the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) system has the potential to play an important role in facilitating successful transitions for autistic young adults.

Fri, 08/11/2023 - 12:20
Thu, 08/31/2023 - 11:18
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Over 4 Million have Lost Medicaid Coverage

Thu, 08/10/2023 - 10:00
Mon, 08/21/2023 - 12:18
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New Resource Available: Social Determinants of Health Items Explainer Video

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is offering a 4-minute, animated explainer video, Social Determinants of Health Items: Determining When a Proxy Response is Allowed for HH, IRF, and LTCH Providers. This video was developed to assist providers in accurately determining when the use of a proxy response is allowed for Social Determinants of Health items: A1005. Ethnicity, A1010. Race, A1110. Language, A1250. Transportation, B1300. Health Literacy, and D0700. Social Isolation.

Thu, 08/10/2023 - 10:00
Sun, 08/27/2023 - 12:18
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