RCPA Children’s Committee Meeting Materials from February 3
Jim Sharp
OCDEL Releases Protocols on Reportable Incidents for Early Intervention Programs
The Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) has established the procedures for infant and toddler programs to report any incidence of suspected child abuse by an early intervention (EI) provider who works with infants and toddlers. The announcement also includes the Child Protective Services Law (CPSL) definition of child abuse and the process mandated reporters must follow to report any incident of suspected child abuse.
As CPSL regulations require, all providers within the EI system are mandated reporters. Mandated reporters must report suspected child abuse, including neglect and exploitation, to ChildLine, Pennsylvania’s Statewide Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-932-0313 or through the Child Welfare Portal.
The guidance includes an overview of the process and standards as well as the following reportable incident forms:
- Reportable Incidents Announcement EI-21-1
- Reportable Incidents Form Fillable EI-21-1 PDF
- Reportable Incidents Form EI-21-1 Word Document
If you have any questions, please contact RCPA Children’s Division Director Jim Sharp.
Update: PA Family Support Alliance Sponsors Free Online Virtual Mandated Reporter Training
RCPA Member The Children’s Institute Launches New Autism Program
OMHSAS Seeks Provider Data for Relief Funds
The Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) is positioned to advocate for federal relief funds to assist the behavioral health system in Pennsylvania throughout the public health emergency (PHE). We know that people are struggling and that the need for services will continue to grow; there are daily reports in the national news of increased suicides, increased calls to crisis services, and increased deaths by overdose.
OMHSAS is asking for valuable information to support their allocation requests. Please provide specific, measurable data to help support the need for dollars to aid the behavioral health system. A sample of metrics can be found in this OMHSAS correspondence.
This information will be most helpful if each data point is related to a certain service or population. OMHSAS is not currently looking to gather anecdotal information.
The turnaround time is very quick as responses are due on Friday, February 5, 2021. These responses should be sent via email to this contact.
If your RCPA policy director can be of assistance, please contact them directly.
Statute of Limitations Reform Takes Another Step in PA Legislature
Kayden’s Law Clears Pennsylvania Senate Judiciary Committee
PA Victim Advocate Jennifer Storm Announces Her Resignation
OCYF Bulletin: “Appointment of Legal Counsel for a Child in Contested Termination of Parental Rights Hearing”
Attached please find the Office of Children, Youth, and Families (OCYF) Bulletin 3130-21-01 entitled “Appointment of Legal Counsel for a Child in Contested Termination of Parental Rights Hearing.” This bulletin provides guidance on a Supreme Court decision regarding requirements for the appointment of legal counsel for a child in a contested termination of parental rights hearing.
The requirements outlined within this bulletin are effective immediately. Questions regarding this bulletin or the requirements may be directed to your applicable OCYF regional office. Please contact RCPA Children’s Division Director Jim Sharp for any clarification.
OCYF Releases Updated COVID-19 Mitigation Guidance
The Pennsylvania Office of Children, Youth, and Families (OCYF) has issued updated general guidance reflecting the Governor’s and Secretary of Health’s COVID-19 Mitigation Orders and how they will impact services offered to children, youth, and families served by counties and providers licensed by the Department of Human Services (DHS), Office of Children, Youth, and Families.
This guidance replaces the guidance previously issued on June 5, 2020 that was based on the Governor’s strategic three-phased approach (red/yellow/green) to reopen the commonwealth and ongoing mitigation efforts to limit the community spread of COVID-19.
The guidance can be found here.
These safety precautions, including social distancing and building safety protocols, shall be followed for the purpose of minimizing the spread of COVID-19:
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- In-person contact, as required by the Child Protective Services Law (CPSL) for Child Protective Services (CPS) and general protective services (GPS) investigations, will continue with strict safety precautions that comply with Department of Health (DOH) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance;
- Telework is mandatory unless impossible;
- Previously issued DOH guidance for universal precautions applies;
- All agencies with in-person operations must follow business and building safety orders;
- Agencies must follow the most recent orders and guidelines to include masking requirements, travel restrictions, and continued social distancing requirements; and
- All agencies must screen employees prior to each shift, or for employees who don’t work shifts, before the employee starts work. Visitors should be screened prior to entering the building for visitation. When children return from home visits, screening protocols should be in place to assess for the need to quarantine (See the Symptom Screening Tool).
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Visitation requirements for child residential facilities, child and youth agencies, foster care agencies, and adoption agencies:
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- Visitation frequency and type (in-person/virtual) will continue to be directed by the Court for Children under their jurisdiction. All in-person visitation should consider the unique needs of the child, youth, or family and follow the Governor’s orders and updated DOH protocols.
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Please contact RCPA Children’s Division Director Jim Sharp with any questions or clarifications.
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