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Authors Posts by Carol Ferenz

Carol Ferenz

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The Office of Developmental Programs and Keystone Peer Review Organization, Inc. (“Kepro”) will host a Supports Intensity Scale – Adult (SIS-ATM) Basics training webinar, which will provide an overview of the SIS- ATM and PA Supplement assessments, as well as tips on how to prepare for the assessment interview to ensure quality outcomes. Both sessions will cover the same material. You only need to register for one session.

Click on the preferred session date above to register.

Photo by Mika Baumeister on Unsplash

ODP Announcement 22-047 offers information and resources to the field in support of developing masking policies. Currently, there are no masking requirements from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the Department of Human Services, or the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP). Depending on setting and location, individuals may need to comply with applicable federal or local masking requirements.

ODP expects providers to develop a layered protection strategy for COVID-19. Masking is an integral and important layer of this protection strategy. In establishing a masking policy for your agency or settings within your agency, ODP advises that you consider available guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and from the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Please review the announcement for additional information.

This webinar is for residential and day service providers, families, and Supports Coordination Organizations (SCOs) to cover best practices for reopening day service provider facilities. Topics to be covered include best practices in screening participants, sanitation protocols, mitigation strategies, masking, distancing, and more.

Presenters

Antonie J. Auguste, MD, MPH
Dr. Antonie J. Auguste has been recognized as an IDSA Fellow (FIDSA). Dr. Auguste serves the ID division at UPMC/ID Connect. Her primary role focuses on providing inpatient Infectious Diseases consultation services via the Infectious Diseases Telemedicine service to multiple additional sites across telemedicine sites and rounding on the in-person services at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital. Additionally, she provides telemedicine Infection Prevention and Control consultation to various telemedicine sites.

Dr. Nupur Gupta, DO, MPH
Dr. Gupta is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases. She completed her undergraduate and MPH studies at UCLA and received her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from Midwestern University in Phoenix, AZ. She completed her internal medicine residency at Allegheny Health Network in Pittsburgh, PA. Following her residency training, Dr. Gupta completed an Infectious Diseases fellowship with a special focus on HIV/AIDS at UPMC in Pittsburgh, PA. She has been a faculty member with UPMC since 2019. Her areas of interest include HIV treatment and prevention, medical education, infection control and prevention, and using telemedicine as a tool to reduce barriers to general ID care

Kate Gass, RN, BSN, CIC
With a varied background in clinical nursing and nursing management, Kate has spent time working in intensive care, the emergency department, and the cardiac cath lab. Earning her ASN from Butler County College and BSN from Clarion University of Pennsylvania, she is certified as a cardiac invasive specialist and is also certified by the Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology.

Register
Registration is required to participate. Sessions are assigned by region. Visit the appropriate session below to register.

Western Region
Tuesday, May 3, 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Southeast Region
Wednesday, May 4, 3:00 pm – 4:15 pm

Northeast Region
Monday, May 23, 1:30 pm – 2:45 pm

Central Region
Friday, May 27, 3:00 pm – 4:15 pm

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

The Statewide Provider Partnership (SPP) shared feedback gathered from providers regarding the Pre-ETS provision throughout the Commonwealth. We would like to thank Joe Michener, Director of Employment Services at the Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living (LVCIL), for coordinating this response advocating for improved OVR services.

We would also like to congratulate Joe as the recipient of this year’s Pennsylvania Rehabilitation Association’s Philadelphia Founders Award for demonstrating an outstanding community leadership role by supporting activities that have a far-reaching impact and that have made a contribution toward the rehabilitation of a considerable number of citizens of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

You are an inspiration to all. Thank you, Joe!