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Authors Posts by Carol Ferenz

Carol Ferenz

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The COVID-19 Mitigation Unit is currently evaluating devices that can eliminate viruses, bacteria, mold, and other pathogens from air and surfaces simultaneously. The devices could be stand-alone or wall mounted, utilize a standard outlet for power, and would come with 2 years of supplies that may be needed to run the device.

If funding is approved, the Department of Health (DOH) would purchase and distribute the devices free of charge to small businesses, nonprofit entities, healthcare providers, and other facilities throughout the Commonwealth to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, flu, and other diseases. If you are interested in receiving a device that could greatly reduce viruses, bacteria, mold, and other pathogens in your facility, please complete this application. The deadline for applications is May 31, 2023.

Currently, the application is being used to gauge interest in receiving a device, and those who complete the application are not guaranteed a device; however, the application must be accurately completed in order to be considered when and if funding becomes available. At that point, DOH would reach out to the facilities chosen to receive devices to confirm delivery details and provide an approval notice. Devices will be awarded based on the amount of funding available and on a first come first served basis. DOH will also consider factors such as foot traffic versus square footage and COVID-19 risk in the community served, prioritizing underserved communities.

If you are interested, please complete this application. Feel free to email with any questions.

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Orchid Phoenix is an annual virtual tabletop exercise (VTTX) facilitated by the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) to improve the understanding of emergency response concepts, identify opportunities or problems for your program, and build organizational, systemic resiliency.

Previously, participation was only available to Intermediate Care Facilities (ICF). For this year, ODP is expanding Orchid Phoenix and invites the following organizations to participate:

  • ICF facilities;
  • ICF provider organizations; and
  • Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) provider organizations.

The exercise time commitment will be for one four-hour period during the last two weeks of August 2023. ODP will ensure that the four-hour time commitment is respected. Once the call for participants is closed and the number of interested organizations is known, you will receive additional communication to schedule a specific date and time.

The call for participants for the 2023 Orchid Phoenix VTTX will close on June 30, 2023, at 5:00 pm. Please submit your interest in participation here.

The 2023 Orchid Phoenix VTTX will be a group discussion-based and mediator-facilitated exercise that will focus on four key target capabilities: Planning, Operational Coordination, Situational Awareness, and Critical Transportation.

  • Participating organizations will be presented with an evolving scenario that summarizes key events occurring within a defined time period.
  • Participating organizations will engage representatives from within their organization for a functional group discussion to identify an organizational response and think critically about unmet needs or future concerns.
  • Each participating organization will share a summary of their functional group discussion to the other participating organizations.

Questions and concerns about the 2023 Orchid Phoenix VTTX or this communication may be directed to Douglas Trahey, MPA, Emergency Preparedness and Response Coordinator.

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In 2020, the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) Bureau of Supports for Autism and Special Populations (BSASP) clinical team implemented a triage process to prioritize clinical support for participants and teams with high-risk needs. Currently, those participants deemed high-risk are assigned one clinical rep to consult with teams and ensure continuity of support. All other participant teams reach out to the clinical team as needed, but the clinical rep varies depending on the need at that time. The triage process remains fluid, and as participant’s needs change, risks increase, or new concerns arise, so will the level of clinical support. The triage levels are determined by multiple factors, including the information identified within the Periodic Risk Evaluation (PRE) and incident history. This triage process only applies to the ODP-BSASP Clinical Team and does not change any involvement, operational processes, or responsibilities of the Regional Office and the Regional Office Representatives.

New AAW Clinical Referral Process

In an effort to maximize the clinical team resources and triage team needs efficiently, the clinical team is implementing a new referral process for participant teams in the Adult Autism Waiver (AAW) in need of clinical support effective May 15, 2023. This new process will require Supports Coordinators (SCs) to complete an online form to share information about the type of support requested. View the full announcement here. The referral form is titled Referral for ODP/BSASP Consult for AAW Participants.

If you have any questions about this communication or process, please contact the Provider Support inbox.

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The transition from student to adult services is often referred to as a “cliff” where many needed services and service providers “drop off.” For individuals with complex communication needs, this often results in regression or stalled progress in communication, right when it is arguably more important to quality of life than ever. Penn State Health has focused their efforts on addressing this gap, teaching adults with limited functional communication to be able to communicate more with high tech augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). While providing outpatient speech and language therapy and applied behavior analysis services in their clinic, they then noticed another gap in services. The direct support professionals, parents, and other caretakers supporting the patients on a daily basis often had limited experience, knowledge, and confidence using the AAC themselves with the person they were supporting. In response to this concern, Penn State Health has been building resources to help caregivers become confident, competent communication partners using the AAC. They have been developing models of education and training that meet caretakers where they are, acknowledging their time and capacity limits. With these efforts, they hope to hear the voices of many more adults in this population – not just in the clinic, but also in the community.

Tuesday, June 30, 2023
10:00 am – 11:30 am
Register Here

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System For Individuals With Intellectual Disabilities, Autism Will Collapse Without Increased State Aid, Advocates Say
Health, human services organizations ask General Assembly for $430 million increase to stop further termination of programs, closure of facilities

HARRISBURG, Pa. (May 3, 2023) – Advocates for and providers of services for individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism (ID/A) today urged the Pennsylvania General Assembly to increase state aid by $430 million to prevent a full collapse of the system. Prominent health and human services organizations gathered in the Capitol rotunda and said chronic underfunding and staffing shortages are forcing them to end programs and turn away individuals.

The $430 million funding request would generate a federal match that would allow providers to resume service to the 4,029 individuals who lost care in recent years. Without the 15-percent increase, providers say that 60,000 Pennsylvanians with ID/A would be at risk of losing or experiencing a reduction of essential services [read full press release].

 

 

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Join RCPA as we host the 2023 Annual Conference, A Decade of Unity: Enhancing Lives and Shaping the Future, October 10–13. RCPA staff and the Conference Committee are excited to return to the Hershey Lodge, as we have new opportunities for sponsors and exhibitors to showcase their services! Be sure to complete the Sponsors, Exhibitors, and Advertisers brochure to reserve your spot, as space and opportunities are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis.

We already have a growing number of sponsors and exhibitors and wish to recognize the following organizations for their contributions and support for what is shaping up to be a packed week of sessions and events!

Platinum
Carelon Logo
SilverMagellan Healthcare LogoBronze
CBH LogoSupporting

Berks Counseling Center Logo

PatronExhibitors
Butler Human Services Furniture Logo

As a reminder, 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 September 8. In order to be considered for booth self-selection, a completed contract with payment must be submitted, and no reservation is considered complete without payment. If questions remain, please contact Carol Ferenz, Conference Coordinator.

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