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Authors Posts by Carol Ferenz

Carol Ferenz

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The Arc of Philadelphia, KenCrest, PA Representative Joe Hohenstein, and Temple University’s Institute on Disabilities present the 2022 Disability Summit, focused on Enabling Technology.

Join the Philadelphia Disability Summit on September 22! This year’s conference highlights enabling and assistive technologies as well as the many adaptations and smart devices — creating greater accessibility for people with disabilities throughout the world. Join the speakers and presenters for a day-long conference held on Temple University’s campus, featuring a keynote address by Dr. Shea Tanis, Associate Research Professor at the Kansas University Center on Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, along with breakout tracks from various leaders in the ET field, and a public legislative hearing on assistive and enabling tech.

Learn more and register here.
Have questions? Contact KenCrest for details.

ODP Announcement 22-087 issues an important reminder that major changes are being made to the HealthChoices Physical Health Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) offering Medical Assistance benefits on September 1, 2022. A large number of Medical Assistance consumers must select a new MCO by August 16, 2022. If they do not make a selection, a new MCO will be automatically chosen for them.

If Medical Assistance consumers are unsure if they need to select a new MCO, or haven’t received selection materials, they should contact Pennsylvania Enrollment Services at the following:

800-440-3989
TTY: 800-618-4225 | Monday – Friday | 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Home | PA Enrollment Services

Image by Shotkitimages from Pixabay

ODP Announcement 22-091 informs all interested parties that the new Medication Administration platform is now available for trainers and primary contacts. This announcement contains instructions for logging in with an existing account, creating a new account, accessing the “Train the Trainer” course, submitting payment, and registering for the Face-to-Face class.

A recording and PowerPoint for the Medication Administration Platform Overview webinar held on August 10, 2022, from 10:00 am – 11:00 am is included. Further development of the platform is continuing with trainers able to administer new classes and student registration becoming available on September 6, 2022.

The new Medication Administration platform is now available here.

ODP Announcement 22-089 reports that the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has developed two brief surveys for Community Participation Support providers to collect information on current system capacity. The first survey is meant to collect current data from Community Participation Services (CPS) providers on CPS capacity across the ODP service system. The second survey is meant to collect current data on individuals who are authorized to receive CPS across the ODP service system but are not receiving the service.

ODP will send each provider a list of MCIs with less than 5% CPS utilization, if there are any associated with their MPI, to assist with information gathering.

Important note to all CPS Providers: Providers must contact individuals and families, or the assigned SC, when the reason for less than 5% utilization is unknown.

The first survey regarding system capacity will be available Monday, August 8, 2022, and will close Monday, August 22, 2022.

The second survey to collect individual-specific information will be available Monday, August 15, 2022, and will close Thursday, September 15, 2022.

ODP will release these surveys no more than once per quarter.

Attachment 1 — ODP CPS Survey 1: Service System Capacity Questions
Attachment 2 — ODP CPS Survey 2: Authorized Services Questions

Any questions regarding the surveys should be directed to the appropriate regional CPS lead.

ODP Bulletin 00-22-05, dated August 9, 2022, is to provide the Office of Developmental Programs’ (ODP) requirements and standardized processes for preparing, completing, documenting, implementing, and monitoring Individual Support Plans (ISPs) to ensure they are:

  • Developed to meet the needs of the individual;
  • Developed and implemented using the core values of Everyday Lives: Values in Action, LifeCourse Principles, Positive Approaches, and Practices and Self Determination to result in an enhanced quality of life for every individual; and
  • Compliant with the approved Consolidated, Community Living, and Person/Family Directed Support (P/FDS) Waivers and Medical Assistance (MA) State Plan as it pertains to Targeted Support Management (TSM).

A summary of major changes made to information in the attachments is included as attachment 8.

ATTACHMENTS:

  • Attachment 1: ISP Manual for Individuals Receiving Targeted Support Management, Base-Funded Services, Consolidated, Community Living or P/FDS Waiver Services or Who Reside in an ICF/ID
  • Attachment 2: ODP Role Expectations and Required Timeline for ISP Activities
  • Attachment 3: DP 1032 Individual Support Plan Signature Form (Spanish form: DP 1032-S)
  • Attachment 4: Annotated Individual Support Plan
  • Attachment 5: The Basics of the LifeCourse Framework to Guide the Development of the ISP
  • Attachment 6: Questions to Help Facilitate the Development of the ISP
  • Attachment 7: DP 1022 Waiver Service Request Form
  • Attachment 8: Summary of Major Changes Made to ISP Requirements or Processes

OBSOLETE DOCUMENTS:

  • Bulletin 00-20-02, Individual Support Plans for Individuals Receiving Targeted Support Management, Base-Funded Services, Consolidated, Community Living or P/FDS Waiver Services, or Who Reside in an ICF/ID

Photo by MChe Lee on Unsplash

The Pennsylvania Governor’s Office of Homeland Security, in partnership with three Intermediate Units across Pennsylvania, cordially invites you to attend our regional School Safety Conferences, focusing on “Averting Targeted Violence at Schools Through Mental Health Supports & Building a Culture of Belonging.”

We are honored to have keynote speaker Mr. Eric Garner from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, who graciously agreed to share his experience on the mass shooting that took place at his high school on February 14, 2018. Additionally, presenters from the FBI, U.S. Secret Service, Pennsylvania State Police, and the Capital Area Intermediate Unit round out the day-long program with timely and resourceful presentations.

Regional Dates & Locations:

  • September 15 | Sheraton Station Square — Pittsburgh
  • October 20 | Hershey Lodge — Capital Area (Hershey)
  • November 16 | Normandy Farm Convention Center — Montgomery County

Audience:

  • School Administrators, Teachers, Support Staff
  • School Resource Officers
  • Mental Health and Social Health Experts
  • Law Enforcement
  • First Responders

ODP Announcement 22-090 is to announce that all Supports Intensity Scale-Adult (SIS-A TM) and PA Supplement Assessments will be conducted in person beginning September 1, 2022. This announcement obsoletes ODP Announcement 20-063 and any subsequent updates.

If you have any questions, please reach out to your SIS Regional Lead.

FEMA has approximately 30 million new/unused level 1 gowns in their warehouse in Manteca, California, and another 11 million new/unused Level 1 gowns (same type of gowns) in the warehouse in Springfield, Virginia. Visit here for details on the available gowns. Note that sizes range from small to 2XL. The majority of the gowns are a cotton/polyester blend.