By: Jamelia Hand MHS CADC CODP I “I felt the weight of responsibility, but never the freedom to decide how to respond.” That’s how Lisa*, a middle manager in a community-based substance use treatment program, described her daily reality. She oversaw operational departments including client engagement and staff scheduling, with ever-evolving policies. Yet, despite the heavy burden, every decision, from hiring relief staff to adjusting therapy group formats, required approval f

What are the potential implications for SUD and MH providers? So, Let’s Start with What Happend? Congress approved a short-term funding package to reopen the federal government after a record 43-day shutdown. The Senate moved first, followed by a narrow House vote. The President signed the bill, restoring agency operations and pay for federal employees. Reporting indicates House passage was 222–209 and that agencies are now directing staff to report and resume normal function

Safety Net at Risk: SNAP Uncertainty Deepens Behavioral Health Strain As the federal government shutdown continues, its ripple effects are reaching deeply into nutrition supports and the behavioral-health and substance-use treatment ecosystem. At the same time that frontline providers and clients are managing everyday challenges, executive-level decisions about funding and mandates are creating disruptions in programs that underpin stability and recovery. It is crucial to vie