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Authors Posts by Carol Ferenz

Carol Ferenz

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RCPA partnered with the Pennsylvania Client Assistance Program, PA APSE, and PAR to send a letter to OVR Acting Executive Director Ryan Hyde, Labor and Industry Secretary Jerry Oleksiak, Governor’s Secretary of Legislative Affairs Will Danowski, and Governor’s Secretary of Policy Meg Snead, expressing our serious concern regarding the January 10 memo, as well as actions taken by various OVR district offices, affecting funding of Pre-Employment Transition Services (PETS) in calendar year 2019.

Many providers of PETS services have reported the loss of funding for programs that were in place or about to launch at the beginning of 2019. This action has had a negative impact on a large number of students across the Commonwealth, as well as schools, teachers, families, and providers of services who have invested time and resources.

View a copy of the letter and impact statements. Contact RCPA IDD Division Director Carol Ferenz with questions.

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The Department of Human Services (DHS) has published a Q&A Fact Sheet regarding Community HealthChoices (CHC) and ODP Providers. This fact sheet provides basic information such as enrollment in CHC, dates for rollout in various regions in Pennsylvania, services available through CHC, how to become a CHC provider, and transition between CHC and ODP.

What is Community HealthChoices?
Community HealthChoices (CHC) is Pennsylvania’s mandatory managed care program for dually eligible (Medicare and Medicaid) individuals and individuals 21 years of age or older with physical disabilities. The goal of the program is to improve services for hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvania residents.

CHC has been developed to enhance access to and improve coordination of medical care and create a person-centered long-term support system in which people have choice, control, and access to a full array of services that provide independence, health, and quality of life. Long-term services and supports (LTSS) help eligible individuals to perform daily activities in their homes such as bathing, dressing, preparing meals, and administering medications.

Will participants receiving services from ODP be in CHC?
Individuals with an intellectual disability or autism who are receiving services beyond supports coordination through ODP will not be enrolled in CHC. However, if an individual needs the level of care provided in a nursing facility, and they would be better served by the services available in CHC, they may choose to transition from ODP into CHC.

Individuals will be enrolled in CHC if they are age 21 or over and are:

  • Receiving both Medicare and Medicaid;
  • Receiving LTSS in the Attendant Care, Independence, or Aging waivers;
  • Receiving services in the OBRA waiver and determined nursing facility clinically eligible;
  • Receiving care in a nursing home paid for by Medicaid; or
  • Determined to meet nursing facility level of care.

Individuals who already participate in the Living Independence for the Elderly (LIFE) program can remain in their LIFE program and will not be moved into CHC unless they specifically ask to change. Anyone who is enrolled in CHC who would prefer to participate in the LIFE program and qualifies to participate in LIFE may do so.

CHC is now live in the Southeast region. Make sure you and your coworkers have the information you need about CHC. Take our 30-minute online training here.

If you have other questions about CHC, view our comprehensive question and answer document.

If you have any additional questions, please visit the HealthChoices website or submit via email.

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Today, RCPA joins with six other associations representing community Intellectual Disability/Autism (ID/A) services providers in releasing a study that provides data about the 2017/18 Fiscal Year Compensation for Direct Support Professional (DSP) and Frontline Supervisor workforce in Pennsylvania.

The study, titled “2018 Pennsylvania Direct Support Professional and Frontline Supervisor Compensation Study,” found that the average DSP hourly wage increased from $11.89 in 2016 to $12.83 in 2018. The wage increase comes as a result of successful advocacy and action by Pennsylvania Government officials in the 2017/18 Fiscal Year when Intellectual Disability/Autism services received the first rate increase in a decade. This investment from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania resulted in 90% of DSPs receiving a wage increase.

It was not all positive news in the study, as both turnover and the percentage of open positions have increased from 2016 to 2018. Staff turnover rose from 26% to 38.2%. The rate of open positions increased from 11.9% to 20.4%. As such, the study notes that, “while advocacy efforts have been followed by increases in DSP wages, hiring challenges continue to highlight the fact that the wages are too low. We have failed to reach an equilibrium between supply (DSPs) and demand (the need to hire DSPs).”

Dr. Scott Spreat, renowned researcher and the Principal Investigator of the study, said: “the data make it evident that even though wages have gone up, our system continues to be plagued by high workforce turnover rates and vacancy rates. It’s clear that with the current rate structure, Intellectual Disability/Autism services providers can’t compete with other businesses for talented, qualified workers. Workers often leave our field to pursue higher paying jobs elsewhere. The investment in the 2017/18 Fiscal Year is an important step forward. But as the study suggests, one shovel full is not enough to fill the hole.”

The study points out that, unlike other privately-owned businesses, providers of Intellectual Disability/Autism services can’t raise their prices to pay higher wages without additional government funding. Services for individuals with Intellectual Disability and Autism are funded primarily through the rates set by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. This funding is matched approximately dollar for dollar by Federal Medicaid funds.

Copies of the study are available upon request and can be accessed online here. The study is a collaborative project of RCPA, Moving Agencies Toward Excellence (MAX), PAR, The Alliance CSP, The Arc of Pennsylvania, The Provider Alliance (TPA), and United Cerebral Palsy of Pennsylvania (UCP of PA).

A one-page review of the study is available here for use in advocacy efforts on behalf of DSP salary increases. Contact RCPA IDD Division Director Carol Ferenz with questions.

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The Certified Investigator Initial Certification Course was created to ensure all incidents that require an investigation receive a systematic investigation, which meets established standards. In order to perform investigations, the investigator must successfully complete all requirements listed in the course description. ODP Announcement 19-005 announces course openings April to July 2019.

Registration for the Certified Investigator Initial Certification Couse is now open for anyone wishing to become a Certified Investigator through ODP. In order to complete this course and obtain certification, please complete the following process:

  1. Go to this link on MyODP and read the description to ensure comprehension of certification requirements;
  2. Click on “Register for a scheduled CI training session” to enroll;
  3. Complete the 3 online prerequisite modules in preparation for the next step;
  4. Attend 4 days of face-to-face training; and
  5. Complete and successfully pass the online exam.

Current course offerings for the Certified Investigator Initial Certification Couse are available on MyODP.org.

For assistance with registration, please contact ODP Support. For questions regarding the course or its topic, please contact Sarah Naughton.

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ODP has announced that Medication Administration trainers can now request training aids, including a document with links to the Medication Administration webcasts, transcripts for each lesson, a copy of quizzes, and a quiz answer key. Similar training aids also are available for the Practicum Observer course. This method of access can be used by Medication Administration Course Trainers instead of using Matrainer Dashboard Course set up and online Mastudent Course Administration.

There have been numerous requests to allow more flexibility in providing the Medication Administration Training Course to unlicensed staff learning to pass medications. Trainers will now be able to request a document, which contains links to the medication administration webcasts and transcripts for each lesson. There is a similar set of documents available for the Practicum Observer course. Additionally, trainers will receive a copy of quizzes and a quiz answer key. This permission is temporary. Once there is a new online version of the Medication Administration Training Course available, this permission will be rescinded.

ODP Announcement 19-006 provides the detailed information regarding accessing copies of the course material and quizzes as well as the process for training staff who are taking the training.

ODP will also be offering face-to-face classes in the Spring of 2019.

Class requirements:

  • The trainer candidate must already have registered for and completed the required online modules.
  • The trainer candidate must have successfully completed all 10 quizzes with an 80% or higher.
  • The trainer candidate must have successfully completed all exams (multiple choice and written documentation), with an overall course average of 90% or higher.
  • A trainer candidate will automatically attain access to select an available face-to-face class, once he or she has successfully completed all of the above.
  • There is no additional charge to attend the face-to-face class. It is part of the original fee.
  • The face-to-face class is required for new trainers as well as for recertifying trainers.

The face-to-face training date and location may be selected by returning to this website. The full address of the class location will be provided, once you have successfully completed the exams. If you need to change a class date after you have already registered, please contact the helpdesk.

Please do not contact the facility for information. If you have questions about arrival times, parking, assignments, handouts, etc., please contact the Meds Admin Help Desk Portal listed in the above announcement.

Note: Classes are assigned on a first come, first-served basis, based on when you successfully complete your exams. There is a finite number of seats in each class and some classes do fill up. Some class locations may be cancelled, if enrollment is too low.

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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is pleased to announce updates to the schedule of virtual trainings and virtual office hours during the months of January, February, and March 2019. This alignment of the training schedule for all ODP programs provides courses for Supports Coordination Organizations and Agencies, Other Service Providers, and Other Professionals Supporting Individuals with Autism, Intellectual Disabilities, and Other Developmental Disabilities.

View ODP Announcement 19-002 – UPDATE for the links for the GoToWebinar updates. Also, ODP apologizes for the technological issue that happened on January 4, causing the Dual Diagnosis webinar to be available in two electronic locations, misdirecting attendees. While a copy of that webinar has been placed on MyODP, Dr. Cherpes has graciously offered a repeat session, which will be announced at a later date.

Beginning in February, ODP will offer one targeted session for Bureau of Community Services (BCS) AEs and SCOs, but those entities may also benefit from attending other non-targeted topic sessions, and are encouraged to review the scheduled options.

ODP recommends that interested parties register as soon as possible; pre-registration for each session is required. For questions about this announcement, email MyODP Training.

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Close-up of Hands holding pens and making notes at the conference

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has announced the schedule for upcoming Quality Management (QM) Certification classes. The ODP QM Certification Program enhances the QM knowledge and skills of ODP staff and stakeholders throughout the service delivery system. ODP recognizes that providing opportunities to join together to become ODP QM Certified will improve our system’s expertise and capacity to move forward in partnership and collaboration.

With the implementation of the QA&I Process in July 2017, each AE is expected to have one staff person who is ODP QM Certified on its Provider Review Team. To meet this demand, ODP is offering four classes in the Spring of 2019. These classes are located throughout the Commonwealth to make them more accessible.

ODP Announcement 19-004 provides the application requirements and process to register for the classes.

ODP’s Spring 2019 QM Certification Class Sessions:

Southeast PA – Chester County
Chester County Government Services Center, 601 Westtown Road, West Chester, PA 19382
March 13 and 14
Deadline to complete the Application Process: February 15, 2019

Central PA – Cambria County
Ebensburg State Center, 4501 Admiral Peary Highway, Ebensburg, PA 15931
April 3 and 4
Deadline to complete the Application Process: March 8, 2019

Western PA – Allegheny County
Monroeville Training Lab, Penn Center East, 400 Penn Center Blvd Bldg. 4, Suite 741, Pittsburgh, PA 15235
May 1 and 2
Deadline to complete the Application Process: April 5, 2019

Central PA – Cumberland County
Child Welfare Resource Center, 403 Winding Hill Road, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
May 22 and 23
Deadline to complete the application process: April 26, 2019

Fall 2019 classes will be announced mid-summer. Staff should regularly visit the Quality Management section of the MyODP website to stay informed. As ODP’s Quality Strategy is updated, waivers are renewed, and regulations are implemented, information will be posted to MyODP.

Questions about the Quality Management Strategy, the ODP QM Certification program, or other questions related to quality management, can be sent to the ODP QM Mailbox.

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The Case for Inclusion, which has been published regularly since 2006 by United Cerebral Palsy (UCP), compiles the most recent data available (generally from 2016 for this report) and analyzes 30 outcome measures in the five major categories. The ANCOR Foundation joins UCP this year in publishing the report.

The Case for Inclusion 2019 Report ranks all 50 states and the District of Columbia on how well state programs, primarily Medicaid, serve those with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). The states are ranked in five key areas critical to the inclusion, support, and empowerment of individuals with I/DD and their families: Promoting Independence, Promoting Productivity, Keeping Families Together, Serving Those in Need, and Tracking Health, Safety, & Quality of Life.

Pennsylvania has made significant strides to improve policies that help individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities lead more independent and productive lives, propelling the state from 29th place in 2007 to 19th place this year in state rankings. RCPA President/CEO Richard S. Edley, PhD, RCPA IDD Division Director Carol Ferenz, and Brandy Burnham, President/CEO of RCPA member AHEDD, were interviewed for this PennLive article on the subject (“Where does Pa. rank in helping with those disabilities?” By Ron Southwick, January 10, 2019).

Pennsylvania’s notable improvement was due to strong performance in several key areas compared with the 2016 Case for Inclusion report. When it comes to the portion of the state’s expenditures allocated toward supporting individuals with I/DD in home- and community-based settings, Pennsylvania’s percentage increased from 79 percent in the last report to 83 percent this year. The state also managed to cut by half the number of individuals on waiting lists for Home- and Community-Based Services, dropping from 18,308 in the last report to 9,728 individuals in this year’s report.

Despite these important improvements, Pennsylvania, like most others, struggled in two critical areas: (1) the number of people living in large, state-run institutions, and (2) the number of individuals with I/DD working in competitive employment, meaning they work alongside people without disabilities at a market-driven wage. Just over 900 individuals, or 1.6 percent of individuals with I/DD, lived in one of Pennsylvania’s five large, state-run institutions. The state also had just 17 percent of working-age individuals with I/DD working in competitive employment — down from 18 percent in 2016 and lower than this year’s national average of 19 percent.

Among the other findings on Pennsylvania’s performance:

  • 92 percent of residents with I/DD in Pennsylvania—a slightly higher percentage than in the 2016 Case for Inclusion and on par with the national average—were receiving long-term supports and services through Medicaid-funded waivers.
  • With the exception of California, no other state spent more than Pennsylvania on keeping families together. With total spending in excess of $788 million, Pennsylvania spent an average of $25,081 per family to ensure those with I/DD have the option of living in their family homes, a number that is roughly two and a half times the national average of $11,060.
  • Despite the state’s progress in reducing the size of its waiting lists, Pennsylvania still sees significant demand among individuals for residential services; with 7,812 individuals on the state’s waiting list. Pennsylvania would have to expand its current service offerings by 23 percent to match current levels of demand.

Factors driving the stagnating or downward trends include states forgoing Medicaid expansion and growing shortages in Direct Support Professionals (DSPs), the frontline workers who help those with disabilities integrate into the community. “The DSP workforce crisis may be the most significant challenge we face in improving the outcomes tracked by the annual Case for Inclusion,” said ANCOR and ANCOR Foundation CEO Barbara Merrill. “Without the professional staff needed to provide the supports and services that enable people with I/DD to be integrated into the community, provider agencies have little hope of maintaining and expanding on any progress they’ve seen in the past decade.”

The ANCOR press release regarding this report can be found here. Contact RCPA IDD Division Director Carol Ferenz with questions.

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