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Authors Posts by Carol Ferenz

Carol Ferenz

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A message from ODP to Residential Providers:

ODP has recently learned that residential providers need additional support and access when recruiting Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs). Recruitment of CNAs for residential facilities which have a medical focus could be a valuable staffing resource. ODP can assist providers to overcome obstacles in order to achieve appropriate staffing.

The PA Department of Health’s (DOH) Long-Term Care Facility division oversees the CNA registry program. ODP outreached to DOH to get clarification on the requirements, and the DOH explained that PA does not certify nurses’ aides, but the CNA Registry is utilized to meet the CMS mandate for the long-term care facilities. A common challenge, “community homes,” are not listed as qualified facilities, which is required for a CNA to maintain inclusion on the CNA Registry. Despite this challenge, providers may request to be added to the registry, especially in cases where the homes have a medical focus.

How to get enrolled?

To be added to the CNA Registry, providers can send requests directly to DOH, Stephanie Kirkpatrick. The following information must be included with requests to be considered:

  • Name of the provider
  • Contact information
  • Copy of the CNA Job Description
  • Description of the nursing oversight as required by DOH

If approved, the provider will be notified and will be added to the CNA Registry. Providers who have a medical focus and nursing oversight are encouraged to apply for inclusion in this registry.

Thank you for your continued efforts.

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From Deputy Secretary Kristin Ahrens:

Thank you again for all your support throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. As PA DOH and DHS prepare for the potential for updated vaccine guidance from the CDC, we request that all Long-Term Care Facilities (LTCFs), Congregate Care Facilities, and Residential Providers fill out the below one-time survey discussing each facility or community home’s vaccine access plan. The survey consists of only a few questions and should take no more than 3 minutes of your time.

Survey: https://form.jotform.com/212066323150139

Long-Term Care and Congregate Care Facilities are asked to share the following information about vaccine access in their facilities:

  • Plan for accessing COVID-19 vaccine doses for residents
  • Who will administer the COVID-19 vaccine at the facility

Please respond to this survey no later than Tuesday, August 17.

Please notify PA DOH if you have any questions about the survey or how to access the COVID-19 vaccines with the subject of the email “Long Term Care Facility Survey Questions.”

Survey: https://form.jotform.com/212066323150139

Thank you for all of the work you’ve done to vaccinate residents and community members during this pandemic.

Kristin Ahrens | Deputy Secretary
PA Department of Human Services | Office of Developmental Programs

 

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Healing from the Heart
How We Can Connect to Help Ourselves and One Another in Times of Trauma and Loss

The National Association for the Dually Diagnosed (NADD) and the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) have partnered to offer a premium webinar series focused on trauma and loss. The series, entitled, “Healing from the Heart: How We Can Connect to Help Ourselves and One Another in Times of Trauma and Loss” will occur every Wednesday until mid-September. Full descriptions of the webinars can be found on the NADD website here. Please note this webinar series is priced per session, and registration will be hosted on the NADD website. For all questions related to webinars, email NADD.

August 18, 2021 (2:00 pm–3:00 pm EST) — Session 1: Beyond Trauma-Informed: Trauma Responsive Care, Part One

August 25, 2021 (2:00 pm–3:00 pm EST) — Session 2: Safe, Connected, and In Control: Trauma Responsive Care, Part Two

September 1, 2021 (2:00 pm–3:00 pm EST) — Session 3: Dangerous Empathy: Burnout, Compassion Fatigue & Empathetic Distress

September 8, 2021 (2:00 pm–3:00 pm EST) — Session 4: Wings of the Bird: Everyday Brain-Body Practices for Healing, Resilience and Self-Care

September 15, 2021 (2:00 pm–3:00 pm EST) — Session 5: One Step Ahead: Being a Trauma Responsive Supervisor in Crazy Times

Register Now

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Image by Markus Winkler from Pixabay

ODP shared the following message with the ODP ICF/ID Task Force members:

We would like to thank the provider community for your feedback in response to the draft forms which were shared on 6-14-21 and discussed during the 7-6-21 Task Force meeting. ODP & Mercer gave your concerns considerable attention. Attached is a copy of the updated feedback with responses added.

In addition to writing responses, we discussed your concerns and made changes to the approach which was initially shared to better address all parties’ interests. Please join us on Thursday, August 19, 2021 from 1:30 pm–2:30 pm for a webinar to review the new process.

Significant changes have been made to the reporting process for FY 2021–2022 in consideration of provider feedback from the July 6 Task Force meeting.

Note that this meeting will be a demonstration of the final changes and key concepts — along with a visual/graphic of the overall change in the process/templates. We are operating under a revised timeline to deliver the finished product by September 1 for use for FY 21–22 waiver submissions; therefore, this presentation will not include a questions and answers segment.

The Zoom Meeting Link information is:
Join Zoom Meeting
Password: 275027
Meeting URL: https://mmc.zoom.us/j/91216621923?pwd=cUlrbTVuRXlqN1ByZE15MDY1aG9Xdz09 

Join by telephone:
Mobile one-tap: US: +16513728299,,91216621923# or +16465189805,,91216621923# or +16468769923,,91216621923# or +17866351003,,91216621923# or +12678310333,,91216621923# or +13017158592,,91216621923# or +13126266799,,91216621923# or +14702509358,,91216621923# or +14703812552,,91216621923# or +16699006833,,91216621923# or +17209289299,,91216621923# or +19712471195,,91216621923# or +12133388477,,91216621923# or +12532158782,,91216621923# or +13462487799,,91216621923# or +16027530140,,91216621923# or +16692192599,,91216621923# or 8887880099,,91216621923# (toll-free) or 8778535247,,91216621923# (toll-free)
Dial: US: +1 651 372 8299 or +1 646 518 9805 or +1 646 876 9923 or +1 786 635 1003 or +1 267 831 0333 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 470 250 9358 or +1 470 381 2552 or +1 669 900 6833 or +1 720 928 9299 or +1 971 247 1195 or +1 213 338 8477 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 602 753 0140 or +1 669 219 2599 or 888 788 0099 (toll-free) or 877 853 5247 (toll-free)

Internal speed-dial (most locations): *9666 or **9666
Meeting ID: 912 1662 1923
Password: 275027
Join from an H.323/SIP room system
H.323: 162.255.37.11 (US West)
162.255.36.11 (US East)
Meeting ID: 912 1662 1923
Password: 275027
SIP: 91216621923@zoomcrc.com
Password: 275027

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A message from ANCOR:

Dear ANCOR member,

In early 2020, just before the pandemic began to wreak havoc on our lives, ANCOR fielded a survey of its members to discern the ways in which the direct support workforce crisis is impacting organizations like yours.

We understood innately that high turnover was leading to high vacancy rates, added onboarding costs and more. But we wanted to know: what is the human impact of these challenges on provider organizations and the people they support? Is the direct support workforce crisis impacting your ability to accept new referrals? Is it causing you to discontinue lines of service, or delay the launch of new programs? Is it complicating your efforts to achieve quality standards?

The response we received was overwhelming: more than 810 provider organizations responded, giving us a snapshot of just how deep the impacts of this crisis are and illustrating that you’re eager to share your concerns.

That’s why we come to you again with an important ask: we are now fielding a follow-up survey and hope you will take 10 minutes to respond to the questionnaire. Whether you responded to the initial survey or not, we need to hear from you.

Why go through this exercise again, especially so soon after we last solicited such similar data? Quite frankly, we know that although the snapshot we gleaned from the 2020 survey is helpful, it quickly became outdated thanks to the ways COVID-19 has exacerbated many of the challenges described in the survey. Just as our world has changed in the past 18 months, so too has the situation facing community providers. We created this new survey to capture the seismic shifts so we can better adapt to your needs and advocate on your behalf.

The survey can be completed by any organization that provides long-term services and supports to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We simply ask that, in order to avoid duplication, only one person per organization complete the survey.

Complete the 2021 direct support workforce crisis survey today.

With gratitude,
ANCOR

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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) held a public comment webinar for professionals on July 23, 2021, to discuss the draft bulletin, Room and Board Residency Agreements for Individuals with an Intellectual Disability or Autism. The webinar was recorded and is now available here: For Professionals: Room and Board Bulletin Public Comment Webinar Recording.

The following related materials are also now available:

Information about the bulletin and how to provide additional comment is included in the following announcement: ODPANN 21-053 – Room and Board Residency Agreements for Individuals With ID-A Bulletin Public Comment.

Any questions you may have concerning the bulletin should be sent to ODP using subject header ”Room and Board Bulletin Public Comment.”

RCPA has submitted comments regarding this draft bulletin.

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Photo by visuals on Unsplash

The Art of Supervision in IDD: Live Q&A With Dennis Reid, Ph.D., BCBA-D

Supervisors play a critical role in engaging and retaining DSPs. Their ability to seamlessly shift from providing encouragement and recognition to feedback and accountability is an art form that separates great supervisors and leaders from the rest.

How can you be a better a supervisor and leader?

On Thursday, August 26, 2021 at 2:00 pm ET, Dennis Reid, Ph.D., BCBA-D will join Relias to answer your questions on being a great leader, mentor, and supporter for your DSP staff. He’ll answer questions live and provide insights on why supervision is so important in the IDD field.

Submit your question for Dennis and register for the live Q&A session here.

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