DHS has released a set of responses to questions presented by stakeholders during DHS Secretary Teresa Miller’s 2021–2022 budget review.
The responses have been formatted by agency and has a link to the DHS Blue Budget book that will provide line item budgetary information. RCPA will be reviewing these responses, and if you have questions, please contact your RCPA Policy Director.
RCPA has extended the deadline for our members to complete this brief telehealth survey that will provide data for our research project with Woods Services. Your agency’s individual responses will be confidential, and only aggregated information will be shared as part of the report. The survey will remain open for responses until March 8, 2021.
This survey has been expanded across the continuum of RCPA Policy and Human Services and we respectfully request that one survey be completed for each of those program areas in which you are providing telehealth. The data we collect will be instrumental in our efforts with DHS, managed care organizations, and other critical decision makers to ensure telehealth has a place in your continuum of care.
If you have questions regarding the survey, call the principal investigator, Dr. Scott Spreat, at 215-801-2401. All other inquiries can be directed to RCPA Children’s Policy Director Jim Sharp. Thank you for your participation.
The Philadelphia Department of Health has issued clarification on the vaccine status of Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) being in Phase 1A. In their initial letter, they incorrectly left out Behavioral Health DSPs and only mentioned those who are working with individuals with ID/Autism. This was an oversight, and they have now corrected it both on their website and in the letter.
Hence, all DSPs are considered to fall into Phase 1A, regardless of what service line they work in. Please contact your RCPA Policy Director for further clarification.
The Intensive Behavioral Health Services (IBHS) regulations went into effect on January 17, 2021 after a one-year implementation period. Recently, the regulations have gone through some adaptations to address the clinical needs of children and families. One such change was the release of a bulletin outlining the approval to deliver 1:1 services for both ABA and Individual IBHS Services in a community or site-based setting, as well as the compatible billing codes.
These bulletins are both retroactive to January 17, 2021; the full bulletins can be found below.
As part of the ongoing IBHS implementation, the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) also released an updated IBHS Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Guide. This guide represents a composite of updated inquiries regarding the standards and will be updated as a companion piece to the implementation.
RCPA continues its efforts to support our members in the IBHS implementation through its IBHS Work Group, including work to create an equal billing platform for the delivery of individual services like its ABA counterpart. For more information on IBHS, please contact RCPA Children’s Policy Director Jim Sharp.
The Commonwealth recently announced (access the press release here) the selection of a vendor for the Resource Information and Services Enterprise – or RISE PA – the upcoming statewide resource and referral tool. When fully implemented, anyone in Pennsylvania will be able to access this tool from their personal computers, tablets, and mobile devices to find information about services and resources and self-refer to participating social services agencies.
RISE PA will also allow service providers to assess the needs of individuals during a physician’s office or emergency department visit, when receiving case management services, or seeking assistance from a community organization, among others. Providers may refer their clients to agencies and be notified of the outcome of their referrals through the system.
RISE PA Stakeholder Webinars:
Lehigh/Capital Zone – Adams, Berks, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Northampton, Perry, and York counties
Please register for RISE PA Stakeholder Webinar on Mar 12, 2021 – 10:00 AM EST at:
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Southeast Zone – Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties
Please register for RISE PA Stakeholder Webinar on Mar 16, 2021 – 1:00 PM EST at:
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Southwest Zone – Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Bedford, Blair, Butler, Cambria, Fayette, Green, Indiana, Lawrence, Somerset, Washington, and Westmoreland counties
Please register for RISE PA Stakeholder Webinar on Mar 19, 2021 – 10:00 AM EST at:
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
New West Zone – Cameron, Clarion, Clearfield, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Forest, Jefferson, McKean, Mercer, Potter, Venango, and Warren counties
Please register for RISE PA Stakeholder Webinar on Mar 23, 2021 – 10:00 AM EST at:
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
New East Zone – Bradford, Carbon, Centre, Clinton, Columbia, Juniata, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Lycoming, Mifflin, Monroe, Montour, Northumberland, Pike, Schuylkill, Snyder, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, Union, Wayne and Wyoming counties
Please register for RISE PA Stakeholder Webinar on Mar 30, 2021 – 10:00 AM EST at:
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
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