Up to $20,000 in debt relief is available to those who received a Federal Pell Grant in college and meet the income requirements. Up to $10,000 in debt relief is available to those who received a Federal Pell Grant in college and meet the income requirements.
The U.S. Department of Education is providing this one-time debt relief as part of the Biden-Harris Administration student debt relief plan.
Apply for student debt relief, or get more information at Federal Student Aid.
Registration is open for the fourth annual virtual psychostimulant symposium, “Overcoming Barriers & Making a Difference.” The symposium will be held Wednesday and Thursday, December 7–8, 2022.
Pennsylvania continues to see a rise in stimulant misuse. However, data continues to show that polysubstance use has increased among individuals with a substance use disorder (SUD), as well. The symposium will use data to tell the story of what is happening across the state and nationwide. In addition, it will focus on addressing current issues that prevent individuals from seeking treatment or maintaining their recovery, barriers to treatment, and strategies to help them while making a difference in Pennsylvania’s communities. The goal of the symposium is to educate and provide resources to attendees to assist in their work to help Pennsylvanians suffering from SUD.
Attendance is free, but registration is required. Register today.
Call 610-494-8044 or email registration with questions.
The open enrollment period for substance use disorder (SUD) treatment providers licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) to submit their information to be included in the Addiction Treatment Locator, Assessment, and Standards Platform (ATLAS) has begun and will continue through December 30, 2022.
Provider participation in ATLAS is voluntary. Facilities already included in ATLAS that need to update any of their information can do so during the open enrollment period and should contact Shatterproof directly.
Facilities that have not submitted the treatment facility survey can complete it during the open enrollment period to have their information appear in ATLAS. Shatterproof will reach out directly to licensed SUD facilities not currently included on ATLAS. There is a streamlined submission process for organizations with multiple facilities.
By completing the ATLAS survey during the 2022 open enrollment period, treatment facilities ensure that the information presented in their site’s profile on TreatmentATLAS.org is accurate. Providers also gain access to a customized portal that allows them to benchmark and compare their services against their peers.
Sen. Brooks will introduce a resolution today that directs the Joint State Government Commission (JSGC) to study and issue a report on the specific data, calculations, and mechanisms that the Department of Human Services uses to determine the amount of Medical Assistance capitation funding ultimately paid to drug and alcohol addiction treatment providers within the Commonwealth.
The complete resolution, which includes a detailed listing of requirements of what the JSGC must analyze and report, can be viewed here.
Act 59 of 2017 gave the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) the power and duty to license drug and alcohol recovery houses that receive referrals from state agencies or state-funded facilities or federal or state funding and to impose fines on unlicensed recovery houses that receive funds from federal, state, or county agencies. On December 11, 2021, DDAP published recovery house licensure regulations in 28 Pa. Code Ch. 717. The regulations took effect immediately upon publication, except for 28 Pa. Code § 717.14, regarding fines for unlicensed recovery houses, which took effect on June 9, 2022. On June 9, DDAP gave notice that, effective July 1, 2022, to minimize disruption to residents during the application and licensure process, single county authorities (SCAs) could continue to act on existing contracts with recovery houses that were making timely and good faith efforts to obtain licensure. DDAP also expressed its position that it would not penalize recovery houses while they were actively working through the licensure process.
Beginning January 1, 2023, SCAs may only fund recovery houses that have obtained licenses from DDAP. SCAs should plan to transition individuals who remain in unlicensed recovery houses to another licensed recovery home or arrange for other suitable housing as of January 1, 2023.
The SCAs are subject to the provisions of all requirements as outlined in the 2020–2025 Grant Agreement. Any state or federal funding used to make payments to unlicensed recovery homes is a violation of Act 59 of 2017 and the terms outlined in Appendix D Program Specific Provisions, Paragraph VI Compliance/Termination/Reduction of the 2020–2025 Grant Agreement.
In addition, as of January 1, 2023, DDAP will exercise its enforcement authority to impose fines of up to $1,000 per day on persons who have not obtained licenses but who operate recovery houses that receive funds from a federal, state, or county agency, in accordance with the requirements of Act 59 of 2017 and 28 Pa. Code § 717.14. Recovery house operators who have started but not completed the licensure process must either obtain their license or stop accepting federal, state, and county funds by January 1, 2023 in order to avoid this fine.
Act 59 of 2017, 71 P.S. § 613.16(a), relating to Violations, provides:
(a) Penalties — A person operating a drug and alcohol recovery house that is funded, in whole or in part, by the department or a Federal, other State, or county agency, that has failed to attain or maintain licensure or certification of a drug and alcohol recovery house and has not been licensed or certified by the department, shall pay a fine of up to $1,000 for each violation.
28 Pa. Code § 717.14(b), relating to Fines, provides, “Each day of operating a drug and alcohol recovery house that requires a license without a current license shall constitute a separate violation.”
Please submit all questions regarding this communication to the Bureau of Program Licensure.
The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) today issued Licensing Alert 02-22, which details the process for establishing mobile narcotic treatment programs (NTPs). In 2021, the Drug Enforcement Agency issued a final rule authorizing NTPs to add mobile components for dispensing controlled substances for maintenance or detoxification treatment without obtaining a separate registration.
Read the full DDAP Licensing Alert.
Today, the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) joined the Pennsylvania Association of County Drug and Alcohol Administrators, members of Pennsylvania’s recovery community, state lawmakers, and advocates for a rally to spread a message of hope that people can and do recover from the disease of addiction.
This Eighth Annual Recovery Advocacy Day aims to raise awareness of substance use disorders, celebrate individuals in recovery, and acknowledge the work of prevention, treatment, and recovery support services in honor of National Recovery Month.
“People can and do recover from the disease of addiction. September is a time to celebrate the gift of recovery and to remind people in recovery, and those who support them, that no one is alone in their journey,” said DDAP Secretary Jen Smith. “The Wolf Administration’s efforts go far beyond this month, as we work each and every day to promote recovery and to help all Pennsylvanians live happy, healthy lives. At the crux of our efforts is eliminating stigma and clearing a path for someone to take that first step on their road to recovery.”
View a full calendar of National Recovery Month events.
The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs is accepting public comment on the Pennsylvania Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant (SABG) application submission. This submission will occur in three parts: The Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Assessment and Plan, or Mini-Application, which is currently available in draft and available for review; the SAPT Report, which will be posted in November; and the Annual Synar Report, which will be made available in December.
These documents can be accessed here utilizing “citizenpa” as your login and “citizen” as your password.
To review the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Plan Mini-Application:
Please submit all comments electronically by Friday, September 30.
Prev