';
The PA Workforce Coalition is conducting a workshop next week (on two different days/times) that are repeated for you convenience. Please join us for the presentation from nationally renowned experts in the field and a discussion afterwards. Please see the flyer with the details and registration links.
On behalf of the PA Workforce Coalition, we look forward to seeing you next week and working with you in the future.
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has released an updated calendar of trainings scheduled for October and November 2021, including public comment webinars.
The National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) has been selected as one of nine national organizations to receive funding by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), through a cooperative agreement with the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD). The comprehensive nationwide campaign will help improve the vaccination rates of the direct support workforce and people with disabilities.
According to a recent survey conducted by the University of Minnesota’s Institute on Community Integration and the NADSP, 26% of DSPs who support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities remain unvaccinated.
As the premiere trusted source of direct support professionals (DSPs), the NADSP will conduct targeted vaccine outreach activities in the disability community to increase vaccination rates among people with disabilities across the lifespan, their family caregivers, and DSPs.
Vaccine Hesitancy Campaign: Partner Organizations
As stated above, the NADSP is among the nine national leaders in the disability and human services field selected to be a part of the coordinated initiative to address vaccine hesitancy. This campaign has been established through a cooperative agreement with the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD). The partner organizations include:
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is re-releasing Announcement 20-072 with “HCBS At-A-Glance By Level of Community Spread” to better assist stakeholders in tracking and referencing specific guidance related to ODP functions in the context of the Level of Community Spread within a County. Updates appear in red.
The At-A-Glance Guide provides a quick reference on related operational guidance and will inform providers, Supports Coordination Organizations (SCOs), and Administrative Entities (AEs) planning across multiple counties. The At-A-Glance Guide has been updated to align with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID Data Tracker as a primary source for monitoring the level of community transmission of COVID-19. The CDC COVID Data Tracker uses four (4) levels of community transmission: Low, Moderate, Substantial, and High.
The At-A-Glance Guide addresses the following functions:
CONTACT: Please contact your ODP Regional Office for any questions about this announcement.
Safety During In-Person Visits: Infection Mitigation Strategies for Supports Coordinators and In-Home and Community Support Providers
Thursday, October 28, 2021
2:00 pm–3:00 pm
This webinar is being offered by the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) in conjunction with the Jewish Healthcare Foundation, who will share their expertise in infection mitigation strategies important for SCs and in-home and community support providers to promote safety for yourselves and those you support.
Topics covered will include:
How Infections Occur
Breaking the Chain of Infection
Standard Precautions
Everyday Precautions and Mitigation Strategies for COVID-19
References and Resources
As vaccinations and/or testing of employees becomes more of a requirement for many of our members, there will also be a need to develop policies for the implementation of these requirements. Philadelphia providers have already been forced to deal with this situation, and others are preparing, or have already decided to implement, mandatory vaccine protocols for their employees.
We are trying to gather as much information as possible to help all of our members handle this new demand, including determining what testing will be acceptable to meet the mandate in lieu of vaccinations, who the mandates will apply to, and what are acceptable reasons for exemption from a vaccination mandate.
RCPA is requesting that those who have developed polices and who are willing to share those policies send them to RCPA HR Committee staff so that others may learn from your experiences. We will make these available to other members only and will share them in whatever format you choose to send them (with or without your agency name).
Thank you in advance to any members who are willing to share your policies.