1. to help associations thrive
Resources
to help associations thrive
Research Opportunities
Housing Paper
What’s Next?

2. Vanguard Research Group (VRG)
VRG is an academic organization specializing in behavioral health research and clinical trials
VRG works to improve the circumstances of people with mental illness by partnering with community mental health centers across the U.S.
VRG conducts many different types of research including:
new therapies
new service programs
different types of technology
medication treatments or regimens
The research programs initiated are a mix of federal and industry sponsors and also include investigator sponsored trials

3. Vanguard Research Group (VRG)
Participating organizations will receive information about future research projects and opportunities
Benefits may include:
Training on a variety of clinical processes, assessments, outcome measures, and clinical standards which can be used in routine clinical practice
Access to new medicines and/or new treatment initiatives
Access to experts in the field
Financial support for trial participation
Hosting an annual conference? VRG is interested in sponsorship/exhibitor opportunities!
Encourage members to join at no cost by:
Contacting Vivianne Dillon at

4. Housing
Paper: Using Medicaid to Finance and Deliver Services in Supportive Housing: Challenges and Opportunities for Community Behavioral Health Organizations and Behavioral Health Authorities
Webinar Series: Promoting Long-term Recovery for Individuals with Substance Use Disorders through Integrated Housing and Service Solutions
Convening and Report: Substance Use and Housing Leadership Forum
Medicaid Finance Paper: This paper discusses the policy context driving the inclusion of more integrated Permanent Supportive Housing options within state and local behavioral health authorities, and builds on recent federal guidance regarding Medicaid reimbursement for housing-related services. State behavioral health authorities, Medicaid agencies and organizations serving people with MI and/or SUD each play a critical role working together to identify, pay for, and implement these types of services. This paper also describes the issues behavioral health organizations must consider using Medicaid as a source to finance and deliver services in integrated PSH settings, and highlights the opportunities that exist for state and local policymakers to align and achieve the goals of various federal policy initiatives. The paper also describes the types of services and interventions that people with behavioral health disorders need in order to access and maintain housing and offers a review and comparative analysis of specific Medicaid authorities and demonstrations that can be used to finance these services, along with strategies for covering the supports that Medicaid cannot pay for.
Webinar Series:
SUHLF Convening and Report: in partnership with CSH, Melville Charitable Trust and the Hilton Foundation. The meeting was organized to represent a broad and balanced range of perspectives, while keeping the participant list small enough (40 attendees) to allow for a roundtable style discussion. Participants were experts from across the country, from urban and rural areas, representing different roles and responsibilities (federal policy, research, state systems, national associations, consultants, advocates and providers) and working in different systems (SUD treatment, mental health, recovery communities, Medicaid, homeless services, affordable housing and supportive housing). Participants intently focused on learning and sharing information, finding common ground, identifying and resolving challenges and developing innovative policy and practice solutions. While the agenda covered a wide spectrum of topics, the conversations generally revolved around three primary themes: Opportunities and Challenges for Cross-Systems Integration; Promoting Housing as a Platform for Recovery; Understanding and Establishing the Evidence

5. Association Execs Retreat
Sept 12-13th in Austin, TX
Plan to arrive on the 11th for a casual meet-up that evening
RSVP to

6. Coming Up this Summer…