Join ANCOR for a Congressional Briefing on the Case for Inclusion 2023
Carol Ferenz
ODP Responds to Provider Concerns Regarding SIS Assessment and Timing of Service Adjustments
55 Pa.Code Chapter 6400 Regulatory Compliance Guide Update
ODP Announcement 23-020 announces missing content in the updated version of 55 Pa.Code Chapter 6400 Regulatory Compliance Guide, released on February 15, 2023. The Chapter 6400 Regulatory Compliance Guide released on February 14, 2023, in announcement 23-020, omitted 2 pieces of content, which are listed below:
- An opening narrative about compliance requirements in the Individual Rights section.
- Regulation 6400.103 that describes proper evacuation procedures in the First Safety section.
An updated version of the Chapter 6400 Regulatory Compliance Guide has been added to the MyODP Licensing page. Also available is the Chapter 6400 Regulatory Compliance Guide – Record of Change.
Questions about this announcement or about the RCG can be directed to ODP’s Regulatory Administration Unit.
ODP April External Training and Events Calendar is Now Available
Sponsor, Exhibit, and Advertise at the 2023 RCPA Conference: A Decade of Unity
Join RCPA as we host the 2023 Annual Conference, A Decade of Unity: Enhancing Lives and Shaping the Future, October 10–13, at the Hershey Lodge. RCPA staff and the Conference Committee are excited to release this year’s Sponsors, Exhibitors, and Advertisers brochure, with new opportunities to get in on the action. Booth self-selection will be available for exhibitors and exhibiting sponsors. In order to be considered for self-selection, a completed contract with payment must be submitted.
Don’t miss your chance to be seen and to support the work of this dynamic organization at our 10 year anniversary! The event is a highlight for the Pennsylvania behavioral health, intellectual and developmental disabilities, children’s, brain injury, medical rehabilitation, and physical disabilities and aging provider communities.
Celebrate, Communicate, and Compete in Connections Hall
Exhibit activities take place during the two busiest days of the conference, with many networking opportunities throughout the event. You’ll also be able to compete and have a chance to win “Best of Show!”
Exciting New Sponsorship Opportunities
The association 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 September 8. 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.
Lack of Workers, Funding Jeopardize Day Programs for People With Autism, Intellectual Disabilities: RCPA Member Wesley Family Services Quoted
AAW Removal of Residential Habilitation — Life Sharing Ineligible Rate
ODP Announcement 23-027 announces that the Residential Habilitation (Life Sharing) Ineligible Rate will be removed from the Adult Autism Waiver (AAW) effective July 1, 2023. The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is continuing to align the AAW with the other ODP waivers. This alignment includes the removal of procedure code W7234. This procedure code will be removed from HCSIS, and providers will be unable to bill this procedure code within PROMISe for dates of service on and after July 1, 2023.
For questions, please contact the appropriate ODP Bureau of Supports for Autism and Special Populations (BSASP) Regional Office.
Adult Autism Waiver (AAW) Provider Resource Guide Now Available
ODP Announcement 23-026 announces the release of a new Adult Autism Waiver (AAW) Provider Resource Guide. The guide is available online.
Providers are responsible for compliance with all applicable regulations and requirements of the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) services, as well as local, state, and federal regulations and laws applicable to the services provided.
The guide is designed as an online-only document with links to pertinent regulations, bulletins, communications, forms, websites, and other materials necessary to support AAW providers in the quality provision of services. The online format will allow ODP to update the guide in a timely manner as needed.
Please contact your ODP Bureau of Supports for Autism and Special Populations (BSASP) regional office with any questions.
RCPA’s Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Division Expands Staffing
RCPA is pleased to announce the addition of a new Policy Analyst serving the IDD Division. Cathy Barrick will begin supporting members and the IDD Division Director, Carol Ferenz, this month. Cathy spent 15 years as Director of Practice Management in an outpatient rehab facility, followed by 6 years’ worth of experience as Administrative Support Manager at The Arc of Cumberland/Perry Counties (CPARC).
Her extensive experience includes human resources, policy development, management, accounting, contract negotiations, provider qualifications, and quality management team membership. Cathy served as a Certified Investigator for the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) mandated reportable incidents, oversaw Incident Management roles, and led a Peer Review team. She also completed waiver renewal and Department of Human Services (DHS) benefit applications.
Please feel free to reach out to Cathy with any issues related to IDD services, as well as to welcome her to the RCPA team.
NASDDDS Seeking Steering Committee Members
The National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disability Services (NASDDDS) is pleased to share this announcement from the Administration for Community Living (ACL) with our members. As you know, NASDDDS, along with NASMHPD, NADD, and other key partners, was awarded a five-year grant from ACL for a technical assistance and resource center to improve supports for individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities who also have mental health conditions.
An important part of this grant is that its work will be guided by a steering committee comprised entirely of individuals with living experience. We are excited to announce the open recruitment for Steering Committee members. The center is looking for people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD) who have mental health conditions and want to share their experiences. We are hoping to identify potential candidates from many different backgrounds with many different perspectives, so we hope that you will share this opportunity within your state.
The steering committee of 12 people will meet 4 times per year. Steering committee members and, if needed, their support staff will be paid to participate in this project.
A recruitment explainer video by NASDDDS partner Green Mountain Self-Advocates is posted on the NASDDDS YouTube channel. The three-minute video includes open captions and American Sign Language interpretation.
We are asking individuals to contact us if they are interested by March 17, 2023. More information can be found here. Thank you in advance for sharing this with your partners!
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