The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (DMH) released a Request for Proposal (RFP) seeking a commercially available off-the-shelf integrated software application to support its business operations in its dual role as provider of mental health services and administrator for a network of contracted mental health service providers on September 17, 2008. Once installed and fully implemented, this software will be known as the Integrated Behavioral Health Information System (IBHIS). The ultimate goal of DMH is to migrate to a paperless environment by obtaining a product that will enable the Department to meet the Federal and State guidelines for an Electronic Health Record (EHR). The proposed system will replace DMH’s existing legacy mainframe-based Mental Health Management Information System (MHMIS) and the web-based "wrapper" of the MHMIS known as the Integrated System (IS). This new system is necessary for, and will allow the Department to meet, the increased requirements for data capture and service automation demanded by implementation of the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA). Anticipated functionality of such a system is expected to include the following:

Anticipated IBHIS Functionality
DMH as Provider	DMH as Administrator
Contact Tracking Information & Referral Reference Client Registration Assessment Management Financial/Benefits Determination Appointment Management Resource Schedule Maintenance Treatment/Care Plan Management Clinical Workflow Reminders Progress Notes Management Service Capture Caseload Management Medication Management Order Communication Pharmacy Inventory Management Billing & Accounts Receivable Management	Call Center Tracking Information & Referral Maintenance Eligibility Management Credentialing Provider Network Management Program Management Protocol/Rules Administration Claims Authorization Authorization Management Financial Management

Release of the IBHIS RFP caps over two years of effort to accurately identify and appropriately document the functional and technical requirements, and to develop a comprehensive RFP document, for an Integrated Behavioral Health Information System that will meet the needs of Los Angeles County. In addition to the IBHIS project team, over 100 Departmental clinicians, managers and administrative personnel contributed their efforts to these tasks. Responses to the RFP are due in February 2009. At that point a core IBHIS Selection Committee, with the support of numerous Subject Matter Experts from across the Department, will begin the task of evaluating and selecting the system that best meets DMH’s needs. Some of you may be called upon to participate in this extremely important selection process. As the Department marches toward becoming a fully “electronic” entity, everyone can take steps now to make sure that our entire workforce is ready for this change by obtaining basic competencies and comfort in the use of computers to facilitate your work. If you are interested in viewing the IBHIS RFP in detail, it can be found on the DMH website: http://dmh.lacounty.info/IBHIS.

Dr. Paul Arns works for the Office of the Medical Director and is the Clinical Lead on the IBHIS project.

 

After years of waiting, the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (DMH) Revenue Management Division (RMD) is extremely happy to announce that we have finally moved to a new home.

RMD's new office location is at 695 South Vermont Avenue, Suite 900, Los Angeles, 90005. All of the telephone numbers for RMD staff have been updated in Outlook so there should be no problem in finding us.

The new "Hotline" telephone number is (213) 480 3444 and fax numbers are (213) 252-8880 and (213) 252-8879. The old “Hotline” and fax numbers will continue to work during a six-month transition period. Watch for a RMD Bulletin announcing the new numbers with the transition timeline in the immediate future.

Those of us that have had to move locations in the past tend to anticipate problems happening that dash all hopes for being able to pack, move, unpack, and resume work within an actual schedule. I am delighted to say that this move was an exception. The coordination between all affected areas within and outside of the Department was such a pleasant surprise. Each person that touched RMD during this transition demonstrated a commitment to address the many challenges that come with moving an entire division quickly and with a primary focus of resolution.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation for everyone that worked so hard to make this long overdue move a reality. Although there were many hands involved in our move, I would like to bring special attention to the following employees that made the entire process a success: (1) Patricia Carbajal from the Office of the Administrative Deputy and her staff who supported RMD since we first requested space so long ago. She always responded to questions quickly and confirmed information every step of the way. We were very lucky to have her coordinating our move. We want to recognize the Chief Information Office Bureau (CIOB), especially (2) Joe Shepherd and his staff, who worked like a well-oiled machine. On the Monday morning after our weekend move, all of our computers were up and running within a couple of hours. In addition, CIOB processed the necessary paperwork quickly to allow us access to all of our RMD files. (3) Robert Woods and his Administrative Support Bureau (ASB) staff who arranged for our entire division to be moved over the weekend. Our huge number of boxes, equipment, and furniture were all available to us on Monday morning. In addition, Woods also checked in with us to arrange pickup of our empty boxes so they could be recycled to other areas that are moving.

Those of us that have been in DMH for many years have experienced difficult moves in the past. I am not saying that there were not problems; however, each issue was met with a responsive attitude. The entire process was well organized and executed according to schedule which allowed RMD to unpack and continue our work on behalf of the Department with minimum interruption. RMD is extremely grateful for the courtesy and professionalism that was demonstrated and is pleased to announce that our move was a success. To each of you that did your part, please accept our THANK YOU.

 

Tyler Perry has taken a new twist on an old subject. This cautionary fable about interracial attraction and the consequence of indiscretion is well acted and gives a lesson about loyalty, friendship, and the true meaning of family. This is not the story of young innocent love such as that portrayed in "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" or the sensual seduction in "Jungle Fever." This is a modern treatment about power, class, race, entitlement and what happens to those who cross the moral and power lines.

Outstanding in this film are Alfre Woodard and Kathy Bates whose adult children act in ways that would have been considered shameful 30 years ago. What transcend are the important relationships that mean more than trysts and infidelities. Friendships if they are true will endure and survive the tests of time. True friends will be there for you and with you no matter what. Lovers come and go and there is no guarantee that children will be there in the end, but women who know the meaning of a true friend reach out to each other and know how to appreciate a lifetime of memories.

Today, we are not necessarily more tolerant, just more open about our actions as a society. The result is the same as it has always been. Simply stated, when you play with fire, prepare to get burned. When you look for shortcuts to get what is not yours at the expense of another, the result is simply tragic and sad.

I give "Tyler Perry's The Family That Preys" 4 couches:

 

Thousands of people from across Southern California will join the United Way at the Second Annual HomeWalk 2008 to be held at Exposition Park (700 Exposition Park Drive, Los Angeles, 90037) on November 15, 2008.

HomeWalk 2008 is part of the United Way of Greater Los Angeles' year-round campaign to end homelessness called Pathway Home. The event organizer's goal is to recruit an estimated 7,000 people, and over 250 volunteers to help raise approximately $750,000 through a 5K sponsored walk geared to prevent and end homelessness in Los Angeles County. The event also serves as an educational journey helping participants learn more about the crisis of homelessness, and what we can do to solve it.

All funds raised from HomeWalk 2008 will be distributed back into the community to help quickly re-housed homeless families with providing permanent housing and supportive services (e.g. job training, substance abuse treatment) to the chronically homeless.

In 2007, County of Los Angeles Chief Executive Officer (CEO) William T Fujioka, City of Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and State of California Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas joined and encouraged the HomeWalk participants.

This year, County of Los Angeles Supervisor Don Knabe (Fourth District) will serve as Honorary Chair of the event, and CEO Fujioka will once again be walking as part of the County's team.

If you are interested in joining the DMH team, please register by accessing HomeWalk 2008 website at www.homewalkla.org. Also, one of many options available to participants on the website includes setting up your own donation page "Fundraising 101."

HomeWalk 2008 is free but event organizers encourage all participants to fund raise. The event is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. with a rally to be held prior to the walk at Exposition Park.

For more information, please call (213) 480-3623 or e-mail scallender@dmh.lacounty.gov.