COVID-19 Isn’t Going Away, But Health Officials Say Pa. is Ready to Transition to the Next Phase
Carol Ferenz
Kids With Special Needs Play Ball in Lower Merion Challenger Programs
VF/EA Wage Ranges and Benefit Allowance for Specific PDS Effective March 1, 2022
ODP Announcement 22-025 serves to provide the hourly wage and benefits ranges for specific Participant Directed Services (PDS) for participants utilizing the Vendor Fiscal/Employer Agent (VF/EA) FMS model, effective March 1, 2022. The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) updated the data used in establishing rates, which impacted the hourly wage and benefits ranges. The high end of the hourly wage and benefits ranges either increased or remained the same. There were no decreases to the high end of the hourly wage and benefits ranges. These wage and benefit ranges will be used to pay SSPs and to support claims processing in the Provider Reimbursement and Operations Management Information System in electronic format (PROMISe™) by the VF/EA FMS organization. This communication will only be updated when changes occur to the information contained within.
Self-Advocates United as 1 March Activities Now Available
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is now sharing information via a March Events Flyer from Self-Advocates United as 1 (SAU1) regarding upcoming webinars, including discussions on jobs and relationships. View the flyer to learn more.
Final Department-Established Fees and Fee Schedule Rates for Services Funded Through ODP’s Waivers and Base-Funding
ODP Announcement 22-026 is to announce that the proposed Fee Schedule Rates and Department-Established Fees for Consolidated, Community Living and P/FDS Waiver services, as well as the Community Intellectual Disability Base-funded program were published at 52 Pa.B. 102 (January 1, 2022).
The Department received comments from 134 stakeholders regarding the proposed changes to the Fee Schedule Rates and Department-Established Fees. After reviewing the comments on the proposed rates, the Department determined that an increase to the Fee Schedule Rates for the Agency With Choice Financial Management Services monthly administrative fee from $285.28 to $311.68 was necessary to cover staff wages and the costs of implementing participant directed services in accordance with requirements in the approved Waivers.
No other changes were made to the rates as a result of public comment.
AWC Wage Ranges and Benefit Allowance for Specific PDS Effective March 1, 2022
ODP Announcement 22-024 is intended to provide the hourly wage and benefits ranges for specific Participant Directed Services (PDS) provided to participants utilizing the AWC FMS model, effective March 1, 2022.
ODP updated the data used in establishing rates, which impacted the hourly wage and benefits ranges effective March 1, 2022. The high end of the hourly wage and benefits ranges either increased or remained the same.
These wage and benefit ranges will be used to pay SSPs and to support claims processing in the Provider Reimbursement and Operations Management Information System (PROMISe™) in electronic format by the AWC FMS organization. This communication will only be updated when changes occur to the information contained within.
Sheltered Workshop or Community Jobs? Inside Missouri’s Debate Over Disabled Adults in the Workforce
PA Family Network March Workshops
The following is a list of March event dates for PA Family Network Workshops, monthly updates, and group meetings. Flyers containing event descriptions, details, and Zoom links are included. All the events are virtual and being held through Zoom.
Safety in the Community Workshop:
March 1, 2022 10:00 am–12:00 pm
Waiver Basics (101) Part 1 Workshop:
March 15, 2022 10:00 am–12:00 pm
Waiver Basics (101) Part 2 Workshop:
March 15, 2022 1:00 pm–3:00 pm
Advanced Waiver Part 1 Worskhops:
March 2, 2022 6:00 pm–8:00 pm
March 17, 2022 10:00 am–12:00 pm
March 21, 2022 6:00 pm–8:00 pm
March 29, 2022 6:00 pm–8:00 pm
Advanced Waiver Part 2 Worskhops:
March 3, 2022 6:00 pm–8:00 pm
March 17, 2022 1:00 pm–3:00 pm
March 23, 2022 6:00 pm–8:00 pm
March 31, 2022 6:00 pm–8:00 pm
Transition Workshop:
March 8, 2022 10:00 am–12:00 pm
Long-Term Planning Workshop:
March 22, 2022 10:00 am–12:00 pm
Sibling Good Life Group Meeting:
March 7, 2022 6:30 pm–8:30 pm
Family Forum: Updates:
March 16, 2022 6:30 pm–7:30 pm
ODP Releases 2020–2021 Annual Data Report
The ODP Annual Data Report provides statistical information to educate our stakeholders about the individuals ODP serves and the services they receive. This data provides an important overview of the service system ODP oversees that supports individuals with disabilities. The accompanying resource, Everyday Lives: Values in Action Information, Sharing and Advisory Committee (ISAC) Recommendations, Strategies, and Performance Measures, provides information on indicators of success used to gauge the effectiveness of the work of ODP.
The 2020–2021 Annual Data Report is available by using either of the following links:
Everyday Lives: Values in Action Information, Sharing and Advisory Committee (ISAC) Recommendations, Strategies, and Performance Measures publication is available here.
Modified Medication Administration Training Course Renewal Requirements
ODP Announcement 22-023 is to remind providers that are required to take the Modified Medication Administration Training Course of upcoming renewal requirements. On February 13, 2020, the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) released ODP Announcement 20-014 titled “New ODP Regulation Update: Clarification Regarding Medication Administration Requirements.”
Among other things, Announcement 20-014 specified that “in accordance with § 6100.468(d), life sharers and service locations that are not licensed by the Department (DHS) will be required to successfully complete a modified medication administration course…staff required to take the course must do so by July 1, 2020, to be compliant with the regulatory requirements,” and that “staff, contractors, and consultants who are required to take the Modified Medication Administration Training Course must also take a renewal course every 2 years that must occur no later than the last day of the 24th month following the previous completion date.”
Based on the above, the Modified Medication Administration Training Course period is now active. To satisfy the renewal requirement, the current Modified Medication Administration Training course must be retaken in its entirety. To allow for ample time to complete the course for renewal, ODP is allowing for those who first took the course in February 2020 to complete the renewal requirement by March 31, 2022.
The Modified Medication Administration Course may be accessed on MyODP. Questions, comments, or requests for technical assistance relating to this announcement may be submitted via email.
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