Abt Associates to Provide Comprehensive Leadership Development Program for Behavioral Health Providers
Bethesda, MD (PRWEB) October 30, 2013 -- Abt Associates will provide behavioral health leaders with the tools they need to navigate the changing health care landscape under a new contract with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
New demands, as well as opportunities, confront behavioral health leadership, with approximately 27 million individuals with mental and substance use conditions gaining benefits under the Affordable Care Act. SAMHSA’s Project Leadership Initiatives for Tomorrow (Project LIFT) is designed to address the policy and leadership needs of behavioral health service providers in this changing health care environment.
Under the contract, Abt will design and implement a comprehensive Behavioral Health Leadership Development Program (BHLDP) for Project LIFT participants and stakeholders. Through the BHLDP, project participants will enhance their leadership competencies and will be kept informed of developments in behavioral health care, general health care, and health information technology.
In addition, Project LIFT will support a real-world pilot test of the Data Segmentation for Privacy (DS4P) tool, which allows patients to select components related to drug and alcohol use and treatment in their medical records they wish to share and with whom. The award has an estimated total value of approximately $5 million over five years.
“Project LIFT comes at an opportune and exciting time. As the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is implemented, behavioral health providers will need to master a variety of new skills,” said Dr. Gail Robinson, who directs Abt’s Behavioral Health Practice. “This project –while highlighting Abt’s values of collaboration, commitment to excellence, and passion to improve people’s lives – will help SAMHSA prepare and strengthen the behavioral health workforce.”
Melanie Whitter of Abt Associates will serve as project director. Subcontractors include FEi Systems, Graduate School USA, and the Legal Action Center.
About Abt Associates
Abt Associates is a mission-driven, global leader in research and program implementation in the fields of health, social and environmental policy, and international development. Known for its rigorous approach to solving complex challenges, Abt Associates is regularly ranked as one of the top 20 global research firms and one of the top 40 international development innovators. The company has multiple offices in the U.S. and program offices in more than 40 countries. http://www.abtassociates.com
Caroline Broder, Abt Associates, +1 301-347-5792, [email protected]
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