Congress Is Back and Now Is the Time to Take Action!
After a two-week recess, members of the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate returned to Washington, DC this week. Both chambers must find a path forward for a variety of legislative priorities, including COVID-19 relief funding, appropriations bills, and additional aid for Ukraine…
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
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) shared a recent communication regarding the transition of the HCSIS Help Desk to a new vendor. As of May 2, 2022, the HCSIS Help Desk responsibilities will transition from the Public Consulting Group (PCG) to the new vendor, InspiriTec.
ODP Announcement 22-046 reminds providers of information issued Wednesday, March 30, 2022, by the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) as an update to their COVID-19 vaccine and booster eligibility guidelines. Questions about the reminder may be directed here.
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!
Today we were joined by Joseph MacBeth and Dan Hermreck from the National Alliance of Direct Support Professionals to learn about the E-Badge credentialing program for Direct Support Professionals. As many providers of IDD services are developing plans to use ARPA funds to assist DSPs in becoming credentialed, NADSP wanted to share the information about their established program. The slideshow from the presentation is available here.
You can also learn more about the E-Badge Academy at their website. During the webinar Joe referenced the document “Moving From Crisis to Stabilization,” also found on their website.
If you were unable to attend the webinar and are interested in viewing the recording, contact Carol Ferenz.
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