SAMHSA’s GAINS Center will host a series of three webinars and discussion groups on how to use data to improve outcomes for people involved in the justice system who have mental and substance use disorders. Hear experts speak about a variety of topics, including essential measures for jurisdictions to prioritize when starting to collect and share information and data; how to overcome common barriers to data and information sharing; important issues to consider when creating data sharing agreements; and various platforms local jurisdictions can use to securely house, share, and present data and information. Several open-format discussion groups will allow webinar participants to take a deeper dive into the material and pose questions to the speakers. Information on dates and registration will be posted below as it becomes available; you can also stay up to date by signing up for the GAINS Center mailing list.

Webinar 1: Getting Started: Essential Measures for Data & Information Sharing Across the SIM

Webinar 1 occurred on May 5, 2020. See below for information on Discussion Group 4, or view the recording of Webinar 1.

In 2019, SAMHSA released the publication Data across the Sequential Intercept Model: Essential Measures to help support jurisdictions interested in using data to better understand and improve the outcomes of people with mental and/or substance use disorders who come into contact with the criminal justice system. This webinar provided a deep dive into this publication with further guidance on how to apply the information in practice. Topics discussed included the recommended measures at each intercept, ways to use the data, challenges in obtaining the data, and more. Presenters  shared about the work they are doing locally to facilitate effective data and information sharing. 

Objectives: 

  • Learn essential measures that are helpful for jurisdictions to prioritize when starting data and information sharing efforts. 
  • Understand common barriers to data and information sharing and ways to overcome those barriers. 
  • Apply information provided in the publication, Data across the Sequential Intercept Model: Essential Measures, to efforts being done at the city or county level. 

Webinar 1 Discussion Group

After the presentation, webinar participants were invited to participate in a small discussion group. The discussion group was held on May 5, with the following subject-matter experts:

 

    • Jesse Benet, M.A., LMHC, Deputy Director, Public Defender Association, King County, Washington
    • Tyler Corwin, M.A., Behavioral Health Evaluation Lead, Department of Community and Human Services, King County, Washington
    • Maureen McLeod, Ph.D., Senior Research Associate, Policy Research Associates, Inc.
    • Melissa Neal, Dr.P.H., Senior Research Associate, Policy Research Associates, Inc.
    • Stephanie Robertson, M.B.A., M.S.W., Contract Compliance Coordinator, Division of Community Corrections, City and County of Denver, Denver, Colorado

Webinar 1 has passed. View the recording here, and see below for information on Discussion Group 4.

Webinar 2: Data Sharing among Criminal Justice and Behavioral Health Partners: Addressing Data Sharing Agreements & Confidentiality Concerns

Webinar 2 occurred on June 24, 2020. See below for information on Discussion Group 4.

One challenge to data sharing among criminal justice or behavioral health agencies can be agreeing upon the data that will be shared and how it will be shared. Lack of clarity around HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2 regulations can complicate the process as well. This webinar presented information about the steps necessary to effectively establish data sharing agreements between partners. Presenters shared how they established data-sharing agreements to facilitate robust data sharing in their communities. Information was also presented to provide further clarity around the flexibility and safeguards of HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2 regulations.

Presenters:   

  • Dayna Fondell, M.S.N., Senior Clinical Manager for Clinical Redesign Initiatives, Camden Coalition of Healthcare Providers, New Jersey
  • Keith Brennan, J.D., Assistant Counsel, New York State Office of Mental Health
  • Andrew Brown, M.P.A., LLMSW, Program Coordinator, Ottawa County Recovery Court, Michigan
  • Richard Van Dorn, Ph.D., Senior Research Associate, SAMHSA’s GAINS Center/Policy Research Associates

Objectives: 

  • Learn ways to create workable data sharing agreements that provide critical information to all parties involved. 
  • Understand the details behind the creation of agreements, including data inventories, data analysis needs, and other issues to consider. 
  • Incorporate the flexibility and safeguards of HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2 regulations as part of any data sharing agreement.

Webinar 2 Discussion Group

After the presentation, webinar participants were invited to participate in a small discussion group. The discussion group was held on June 24, 2020, with the following subject-matter experts:
  • Aaron Truchil, M.S., Director of Analytics and Informatics, Camden Coalition of Healthcare Providers, New Jersey
  • Dayna Fondell, M.S.N., Senior Clinical Manager for Clinical Redesign Initiatives, Camden Coalition of Healthcare Providers, New Jersey
  • Keith Brennan, J.D., Assistant Counsel, New York State Office of Mental Health
  • Andrew Brown, M.P.A., LLMSW, Program Coordinator, Ottawa County Recovery Court, Michigan
  • Richard Van Dorn, Ph.D., Senior Research Associate, SAMHSA’s GAINS Center/Policy Research Associates

Webinar 2 has passed. See below for information on Discussion Group 4.

 

Webinar 3: Data Sharing among Criminal Justice and Behavioral Health Partners: Mechanisms and Platforms for Efficient Data and Information Sharing

Webinar 3 occurred on July 28, 2020. See below for information on Discussion Group 4.

One of the biggest barriers to data and information sharing across criminal justice and behavioral health partners is the lack of a secure and workable system through which to house and share the data. Across the myriad of options, communities may struggle to understand, afford, and/or implement effective mechanisms and platforms to facilitate effective data gathering and sharing. This webinar presented three jurisdictions that have worked through the challenges of data and information sharing and have working systems in place. Presenters shared about the systems they use, the ways they overcame barriers to implementing these systems, and ways those systems have impacted how local agencies work together. 

Objectives: 

  • Understand various mechanisms for sharing data and information across criminal justice and behavioral health partners. 
  • Learn about data sharing platforms used by local jurisdictions to securely house, share, and present data and information. 
  • Develop ideas for establishing or improving data and information sharing mechanisms and platforms for local-level efforts. 

Presenters

  • Steve Hollis, Human Services Manager, Division of Human Services, Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services, Missouri
  • Chris Schneweis, CMO, CPM, CHC,  Senior Management Analyst, HIPAA and Healthcare Compliance Officer, County Manager’s Office, Johnson County, Kansas
  • Kim Keaton, M.P.A., Director of Data and Analytics, the Corporation for Supportive Housing, Missouri

Webinar 3 Discussion Group

 

After the presentation, webinar participants were invited to participate in a small discussion group. The discussion group was held on July 28, 2020.

Webinar 3 has passed. See below for information on Discussion Group 4.

Discussion Group 4: Addressing Racial Equity in Data and Information Sharing Systems among Criminal Justice and Behavioral Health Partners

In the final discussion group of SAMHSA’s GAINS Center’s Virtual Learning Community focused on data and information sharing among criminal justice and behavioral health partners, participants will discuss ideas around creating data sharing systems that support racial equity. Using Actionable Intelligence for Social Policy’s Centering Racial Equity Throughout Data Integration as a resource, participants are invited to submit questions to the panel to be addressed in an open discussion format.

Panelists

  • Amy  Hawn  Nelson, Ph.D., Director of Training and Technical Assistance, Actionable Intelligence for Social Policy, School of Social Policy & Practice, University of Pennsylvania
  • Mary Ann Priester, M.S.W., Homeless Management Information System Administrator, Mecklenburg County Homeless Support Services, North Carolina
  • Bridget Blount, M.A., Senior Director of Data Initiatives, Baltimore’s Promise, Maryland

Adobe Connect link: http://prainc.adobeconnect.com/vlcdiscussiongroup/ 

Conference room phone number: 1-866-705-2554 

Participant code: 735022#