Let’s Talk: Person-Centered End-of-Life Planning for DSPs — Upcoming NADSP Webinar on Feb. 22
Carol Ferenz
Today is National Caregivers Day
Sponsor, Exhibit, and Advertise at the 2024 RCPA Conference!
Join RCPA as we host the 2024 Annual Conference Embracing Challenges, Empowering Success from September 24 – 27 at the Hershey Lodge. The event is a highlight for the Pennsylvania behavioral health, brain injury, children’s, intellectual and developmental disabilities, medical rehabilitation, and physical disabilities and aging provider communities. RCPA staff and the Conference Committee are excited to release this year’s Sponsor, Exhibitor, and Advertiser Brochure, which features new opportunities to get in on the action and network with providers. Booth self-selection will also be available for exhibitors and exhibiting sponsors. In order to be considered for self-selection, a completed contract with payment must be submitted.
Network and Compete in Connections Hall!
Connections Hall activities take place during the two busiest days of the conference, and many networking opportunities are available throughout the event. You’ll also be able to compete and have a chance to win “Best of Show!”
Exciting New Sponsorship Opportunities!
RCPA is privileged to have the backing of the finest organizations in the field for our conference. Through the use of sponsorship circles, RCPA is able to honor all supporting organizations.
Sign Up Now!
Sponsors, exhibitors, and advertisers who wish to be listed on the website, the mobile app, and in the conference program must submit all materials by August 23. The association looks forward to welcoming you at the conference! Space and opportunities are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis, and no reservation is considered complete without payment. If questions remain, please contact Carol Ferenz, Conference Coordinator.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Editorial: Legislators Must Keep Shapiro’s Disability Care Funding Intact
DHS 2024/25 Budget Presentation & Recording Now Available
Last week, Governor Shapiro presented his proposed budget for 2024/2025. The PowerPoint with the Human Services Spending Overview outlines the priorities, and the recording is available on the DHS YouTube channel.
RCPA staff will continue to advocate for appropriate levels of funding for our members’ services in the community. We will keep you updated with information as the process continues. If you have any questions, please contact your RCPA Policy Director.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Truman Posey Brown Was Pittsburgh Baseball Royalty — and MVP in His Caregivers’ Hearts, RCPA Member Mainstay Life Services Highlighted
DHS 2024/25 Budget Presentation Gives Good News for IDD Providers
Today, Secretary Arkoosh presented an overview of the proposed Department of Human Services (DHS) budget in the Governor’s proposed budget he unveiled earlier this week. Governor Shapiro is prioritizing investments in IDD home and community-based service providers so that they can pay competitive rates to attract and retain staff who provide these life-changing services to Pennsylvanians.
Secretary Arkoosh stated, “It’s time to make a change,” and people need “the right service at the right time.” PA is about to embark on a multi-year wait list plan.
In September, Governor Shapiro directed DHS’s Office of Developmental Programs to begin an immediate evaluation and assessment of the rates paid to intellectual disability and autism programs that employ direct support professionals. Building on that, the governor is proposing an increase in reimbursement rates by 12%, which will invest a total of over $480 million, divided by state ($217 million) and federal ($266 million) funding for programs that support ID/A. It is proposed that the rate increase will become effective July 2024. Additionally, one-time supplemental payments to support staffing recruitment and retention were announced. These funds are anticipated to be distributed to providers in May or June 2024 and will total $109 million.
ODP will be working closely with counties to shift to management by budget rather than slots, and effective immediately, the department is adding 1,250 in Community Living and 250 in Consolidated people to the waiver capacity ($78 million in funding).
This budget also invests $934,000 to add American Sign Language and English interpreter services to program serving this population as a distinct service.
While this is very positive news for the ID/A community, this is the proposed budget. We all need to continue to advocate with legislators to support this proposal and give the ID/A services the support they need. Please share your stories with your local legislator and participate in our upcoming capitol day on March 19, 2024. You can register to participate in the event here. Also, we ask that you take the time to thank Governor Shapiro for hearing our voices and addressing our critical needs.
ANCOR Asks for Your Action: Support the Disability Community Act
ICF Updates: Infection Control, Vaccination Survey, and Upcoming Task Force Meeting
Message from Kevin Dressler, Bureau Director, DHS, Office of Developmental Programs:
Infection Control and Vaccination Status Survey
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has put together a short survey (23 questions) to gain an idea of the vaccination status of the people living in ICFs for COVID, Flu, and RSV, as well as to identify difficulties you may have or are currently experiencing with obtaining the vaccines. There is also a section within the survey discussing infection control and prevention. Please take the time to fill out the survey, as ODP will use the information to continue to look for ways to improve access and availability of vaccines and other health-related resources.
Several responded that the survey was not accessible. Participant restrictions have been removed this morning, so you should now be able to complete the survey here.
ICF Task Force Meeting
The next ICF Task Force meeting will be conducted in-person on April 18, from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm. We are planning to hold the meeting at the PaTTAN (Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network) building in Harrisburg. We plan to share ICF citation data from January 1, 2017 – December 31, 2023, as well as two trainings. The trainings will be “Plan of Correction Writing and Follow-up,” and training on “Active Treatment.” We will also have the DOH Long Term Care – RISE group provide a presentation on the services and supports they have to offer to ICFs. Lastly, we will have our typical updates from our finance staff, DOH, and ODP Medical Director. Please plan on attending. Updates will be provided as we get closer to the date of the meeting.
ICF Taskforce Meeting: Location
The ICF Taskforce Meeting on Thursday, April 18, 2024, will be held at the following address:
PaTTAN – Central
6340 Flank Drive
Harrisburg, PA 17112
Directions and nearby hotel accommodations can be found here.
US WHD to Host 2024 Prevailing Wage Seminars
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division will offer compliance seminars for contracting agencies, contractors, unions, workers, and other stakeholders on the requirements for paying prevailing wages on federally funded construction and service contracts. Part of the division’s effort to increase awareness and improve compliance, each day-long seminar will include sessions on the Davis-Bacon Act, Service Contract Act, and other related topics. Participants can choose among the sessions offered throughout the day.
The seminars are scheduled on Feb. 27, May 15, and Aug. 29.
Register today. While seminar attendance is free, registration is required. Additional details, including links to the sessions for each date, will be provided to participants after registration.
For additional information on prevailing wage compliance, the division also has an updated video library on the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts, the Service Contract Act, and various executive orders.
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