• COE-NF Grant Conclusion – September 2025
• National Recovery Month
• Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
• Nursing Facility Guidance Updates: Preadmission Screening and Resident Review 
• Better Mental Wellbeing Podcast
  • Psychosis Series – Unanswered Questions: Clarifying Complexities with Dr. Abhilash Desai
• COE-NF In Action Consultation Summary
• Office Hours
  • Managing Substance Use Disorders in Nursing Facilities
• COE-NF Resources
  • Columbia Protocol Resource
  • Hearing Matters:  Behavioral and Emotional Impact of Hearing Loss
  • Beyond the Sound: Mental Health and Hearing Loss
  • Listen Up: Impact of Hearing Loss on Mental Health
  • Establishing 12-step Meetings in Nursing Facilities
• Did You Know?
• Save the Date: Upcoming Trainings
• You Matter
  • Thank You from the Center of Excellence in Nursing Facilities (COE-NF)

• Week 1: Health - Recovery includes whole health
• Week 2: Home – Recovery is strengthened in a safe and supportive home
• Week 3: Community - Building social networks and a sense of community can support recovery
• Week 4: Purpose – A sense of meaning can bolster recovery effort

• Copy, download, and share social messages, graphics, and promotional materials in ways that fit the needs of your residents and staff.
• Use the hashtags, including #RecoveryMonth, when sharing any Recovery Month-related content.
• Use SAMHSA’s tools in tandem with the best practices in your facilities and networks.

• Key messages and weekly themes to inspire content creation
• Social media shareables to spread awareness across your platforms
• Digital stickers, profile frames, and email signatures to reinforce the message
• Virtual backgrounds to personalize your online meetings
• Hashtags to boost visibility and engagement on social media

PASRR has three key goals:

1. Identify individuals with SMI, ID, or related conditions before admission.

2. Ensure appropriate placement—whether in the community, a nursing facility (NF), or another setting.

3. Ensure access to specialized services based on the individual’s needs.

A Level I Screening is required for all applicants to a Medicaid-certified nursing facility. It determines whether the applicant might have SMI, ID, or a related condition. A positive Level I triggers a more in-depth evaluation.

A Level II Evaluation is conducted by a state-designated authority, not the nursing facility. It must occur before admission, unless an exception under §483.20(k)(2) applies. The admission cannot proceed if a Level II evaluation is required but not completed, or the individual is not approved for nursing facility placement through Level II.

When evaluating compliance with PASRR (F645), surveyors will focus on whether the facility has followed the required screening and evaluation process. They will first determine if a Level I PASRR screening was completed before the resident’s admission. If that initial screen indicates the presence or suspicion of a serious mental illness, intellectual disability, or related condition, surveyors will then check whether a Level II PASRR evaluation was completed and approved before the individual was admitted to the nursing facility.

For residents who were admitted with the expectation of a short stay (less than 30 days) but remain beyond that period, surveyors will verify whether the facility conducted a PASRR screening at or before the 30-day mark and, if necessary, refer the resident for a Level II evaluation.

If a Level II PASRR determination recommended specialized services, surveyors will assess whether those services are being provided. If they are not, the facility must demonstrate that it has notified the appropriate state-designated authority and must be able to explain what alternative services or supports are currently in place.

Any failure to complete the required screenings, evaluations, or service implementation may prompt surveyors to review for potential noncompliance with PASRR requirements.

• View PASRR 101 Learning Modules from PASRR Assist to ensure staff receive training on the PASRR requirements, including when to refer and how to document.
• Register to attend the COE-NF's training on PASRR Essentials: Federal Requirements and State-Specific Navigation for Nursing Facilities
• Understand your state’s PASRR process and requirements.
• Conduct periodic internal audits to ensure timely and complete PASRR evaluations.
• Review the facility policies and procedures to ensure compliance with PASRR.
• Ensure PASRR findings are reflected in care plans, especially the need for behavioral health or specialized services, and they are reviewed and updated if new PASRR information is received.
• Verify PASRR re-screening or re-evaluation is completed if a significant change in condition arises.
• Use the Preadmission Screening and Resident Review Critical Element Pathway located in the survey resources(download at Nursing Homes | CMS) to ensure compliance with the requirements of participation. 

• CLICK HERE to watch PART 1
• CLICK HERE to watch PART 2

• Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)
• Suicide Prevention
• Behavioral Health Action Network
• Effective Strategies for Managing Psychotropic Medications in Nursing Facilities: Navigating New CMS Requirements of Participation

Did You Know?

Did you know that early detection of risk is a key suicide prevention strategy? Clinicians are presented with an opportunity to engage in proactive suicide prevention efforts through practical and adaptable suicide risk screening, assessment, and management processes. 

CLICK HERE to learn more. 

• Training materials will remain available on the CMS website (details coming soon).
• Alliant Health Solutions will continue to host COE-NF resources at nursinghomebehavioralhealth.org through September 2026.

1. Gain an understanding of the National Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) standards and their relevance in promoting health equity within nursing facilities. 
2. Learn to identify and analyze cultural barriers faced by diverse adults and other health-impacted communities in nursing home settings, facilitating better service delivery. 
3. Develop actionable strategies for implementing CLAS standards within facilities.