2022 Drexel Forensic Rights and Treatment Conference: Call for Papers
Jim Sharp
Update Regarding Notice for Public Comment for PA Insurance Department
Following up on the previous RCPA Alert regarding the Pennsylvania Insurance Department’s Notice for Public Comment, please note that comments may be submitted via email OR sent directly to the following address:
PA Insurance Department
Attn: Katie Merritt, Policy Director
1326 Strawberry Square,
Harrisburg, PA 17120
Comments will be accepted until Friday, August 5, 2022.
The department is looking to hear from consumers, advocates, and other organizations about challenges they have experienced accessing various provider types. The notice is divided into two categories: physical health services and behavioral health services, including substance use disorder treatment.
On behalf of its behavioral health provider members, RCPA is compiling comments to submit to PID, although members who prefer to submit their comments and experiences on their own are encouraged to do so. Providers wanting to submit comments as part of an RCPA response can send them to Drug and Alcohol Division Director Jason Snyder. PID will accept comments until Friday, August 5, so please submit your comments to RCPA by Friday, July 29.
Recruiting Therapists for ID/A Train Sessions
The Department of Human Services’ Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is announcing upcoming TRAIN sessions. Individuals with intellectual disabilities or autism (ID/A) are at an increased risk of experiencing trauma; however, few therapists are skilled in both trauma and ID/A support. To bridge this gap, psychologists with the ASERT team created the TRAIN program — 12 weeks of self-guided learnings and live webinars to equip therapists across Pennsylvania currently working with ID/A populations, with the skills to support clients through traumatic experiences. Read more here.
Therapists interested in participating in the fall cohort, which begins in September, should email with their interest.
If you have questions, please contact your RCPA Policy Director.
FASD United Weekly Roundup — July 5
Federal Provider Relief Fund Reporting for Period 3 Deadline: September 30, 2022
OMHSAS New Bulletin: Revised Guidelines for the Delivery of BH Services Through Telehealth
OMHSAS Announcement: Extension of Regulatory Suspensions Until 10/31/22
Message from Kristen Houser, Deputy Secretary of the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS):
Pursuant to Act 30 of 2022, the suspension of various regulatory provisions under the state disaster emergency declaration that are currently in effect and which were set to expire on June 30, 2022, are now extended until October 31, 2022. A list of the regulations that were suspended in whole or in part and their current status is available here.
If you have any questions, please contact Jim Sharp.
Gov. Wolf Signs HB 2401: COVID-19 Regulatory Flexibilities To Be Continued to October 31, 2022
PA Child Welfare Resource Center Training on 411: Act 148 Invoicing — July 21–22
OCDEL Issues FDA Safety Advisory PSA Regarding Use of Neck Floats for Babies
FDA Safety Advisory (Issued June 28, 2022): Do not use neck floats with babies for water therapy interventions, especially with babies who have developmental delays or special health care needs.
See the full FDA Communication here.
If you have any questions, please contact RCPA Children’s Policy Director Jim Sharp. Please share with those in your networks. Thank you.
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