RCPA Incident Management Feedback Work Group Scheduled for November 16
Carol Ferenz
SCO Feedback for December Meeting With ODP
Technology Virtual Road Show Series Announced
Please join the Department of Human Services (DHS) for an upcoming Virtual Road Show series “Technology to Support Independence in PA!” People from all backgrounds will be sharing their personal stories and experiences with exploring how technology can support and improve everyday lives. Each session will include scheduled presentations and plenty of time for group conversation, questions, and feedback. Please bring your own experiences to share so that everyone can learn from each other! Pre-registration is required. Visit the session title below to register.
November 15, 2022, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Incorporating Enabling Technology as a Natural Support: A Provider’s Perspective
Nathan Gerhard, Associate Executive Director, Keystone Human Services
Julie Daly, Director of Enabling Technologies, KenCrest
December 13, 2022, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Technology to Support and Enhance Communication
Karen Velocci, President of SI-Services, Director of Programming and Technology at The Center at Hampton House, and First and Foremost, Mom to Stefan, who is a 25-year-old living with Autism
Lauren Enders and Rachael Smolen, AAC Specialists, Assistive Technology Team at Bucks County IU
January 18, 2023, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Person-Centered Planning With Technology
Maria Baker and Lucas Schwanke, Supports Coordinators
Rankin Christian Center (RCC), Mon Valley Supports Coordination (MVSC)
February 16, 2023, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Imagine, Discover, Explore, Try, and Get – A Pathway to Assistive Technology
Kim Singleton, Senior Director of Assistive Technology Programs, TechOWL, Institute on Disabilities at Temple University
Sandra McNally, Assistant Director of Assistive Technology Programs, TechOWL, Institute on Disabilities at Temple University
Includes Assistive Technology Users who will share their experiences!
This content brought to you by the ODP Technology Task Force, Expanding Technology to Support Independence Workgroup. For comments, questions, or suggestions about future content, please contact Marian Tresky. Hope you can join us for the Road Show!
Medication Administration Training Course Guidance
ODP Announcement 22-113 is to provide guidance and a timeline for the implementation requirement of the 2022 Online Medication Administration Training Course and manual. It is also to announce the discontinuation of the 2004 paper course and paper examinations, effective on January 1, 2024.
All Medication Administration trainers are now required to take the new 2022 online Medication Administration Training Course. Existing trainers who have not been certified through the new course are required to take the 2022 online course when their certification expires. Both new and existing trainers may continue to monitor students and practicum observers.
If you have any questions regarding the new Medication Administration Training Course, please email the Help Desk.
ANCOR Stateside Report — November 7
PA CoP for Supporting Families Work Plan for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022/23
The Community of Practice (CoP) for Supporting Families Work Plan for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022/23 reflects ongoing efforts as well as areas of focus for new or enhanced strategies for the Supporting Families Initiative Director and leadership team. It also includes highlights of accomplishments from the prior FY. The work plan can be found on the MyODP page for the CoP for Supporting Families.
A webinar is also available that describes the structure of the work plan and the relationship of the Supporting Families Initiative to the Information Sharing and Advisory Committee (ISAC). It also explains a few of the new and enhanced activities for this fiscal year.
ID/A Compensation Survey Work Group Recording Now Available
Drexel’s 30th Annual Forensic Rights & Treatment Conference Scheduled for Nov. 30–Dec. 1
“Homeward Bound: Exploring Issues Faced by Justice-Involved Persons”
The 30th Annual Forensic Rights and Treatment Conference, brought to us by Drexel University, will be presented this year with a spectacular online educational program addressing clinical, policy, and environmental issues that impact persons involved with the criminal justice system. RCPA highly recommends this engaging experience, and members can see further details, including registration, in the conference brochure.
The plenary sessions will address implicit bias, false confessions, Megan’s Law, and an overview of the pardons process. The workshops will offer skill-building sessions to use in your own settings. All sessions will be recorded, which will allow you to earn additional continuing education credits by viewing sessions at your convenience. The conference will be available to registrants until December 31, 2022, and you will be able to see all of the workshop offerings.
For more information contact Drexel via email or call 215-831-4055. If you have additional questions, please contact RCPA Policy Director Jim Sharp or Carol Ferenz.
Now Available: PA’s Statewide Transition Plan for HCBS Submitted to CMS
ODP Announcement 22-112 informs all interested parties that on October 31, 2022, the Department submitted Pennsylvania’s Statewide Transition Plan to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). CMS is responsible for reviewing the Statewide Transition Plan to ensure all federal regulatory requirements are met. During the review process, CMS may request that technical changes be made to the plan. When this occurs, CMS usually includes a summary of changes made with the final approval letter. The Department will notify all interested stakeholders when CMS has given its approval and will make the approved version available at that time.
The Statewide Transition Plan may be viewed here. Questions about the Statewide Transition Plan or this communication should be sent electronically.
ODP Guidance for 24-Hour Annual Training Requirements in Training Year 2023
ODP Announcement 22-111 reminds providers that any regulation that requires completion of 24 hours of training related to job skills and knowledge each year, as well as any regulations that require the provision of training that encompasses the six areas required by regulation, are in full effect. Providers must comply with these requirements.
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) recognizes that providers may still be struggling to meet the 24-hour training requirements due to the prevalence of infectious or communicable diseases and continued workforce insufficiency; as such, the following guidance will be applied for training years that end in calendar year 2023:
- Any training provided that is specific to the mitigation of risk related to infectious and communicable disease may be counted towards the 24-hour training requirements required by regulation. Such training includes, but is not necessarily limited to:
- Social distancing;
- Personal protective equipment use (donning, doffing, fit testing);
- Contact tracing and notifications;
- Mask, face covering, or face shield use;
- Cleaning and disinfection practices;
- Screening for signs and symptoms of infectious disease;
- Reporting procedures related to signs and symptoms of infectious disease;
- Notification processes due to infectious reportable infectious disease;
- Characteristics and methods of transmission of infectious disease;
- COVID-19 transmission risk by pre-symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals;
- Safe and healthy work practices and infection control measures;
- Supporting individuals to engage in mask wearing, social distancing, etc.;
- Vaccine safety, efficacy, and access;
- Set up and use of technology in providing remote service delivery or supporting individuals to connect with friends and family;
- Remote monitoring;
- Use of the Supports Coordinator Check-In for Well-Being Tool;
- Engaging in meaningful conversations during check-ins;
- SC Individual transition guide;
- Transition discussion and resources video; and
- Reviewing Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and state or local guidelines and trends.
- Any component of a department-approved Medication Administration Course.
Licensed Providers may self-assess regulatory compliance using ODP’s Inspection Scoresheets or Provider Self-Assessment Forms. If a provider identifies areas of noncompliance while completing a self-assessment, provided those noncompliance areas have been corrected, licensing staff will not identify those areas as noncompliant. Violations identified and subsequently corrected through the self-assessment process will not be cited on a Licensing Inspection Summary.
Please contact the appropriate ODP Regional Program Office or the Department’s Regulatory Administration Unit with any questions about this guidance.
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