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Authors Posts by Jim Sharp

Jim Sharp

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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the availability of $500 million in grants over the next five years to increase the number of organizations who help people enroll in health coverage through the Federally-Facilitated Marketplace (FFM) on HealthCare’s website. This is the largest funding allocation CMS has made available for Navigator grants to date. With the additional funding, CMS encourages eligible entities and individuals to apply, especially those that focus on education, outreach, and enrollment efforts to underserved and diverse communities.

Please read the the full announcement details and guidance below. If you have questions, please contact RCPA COO and Policy Director Jim Sharp.

What’s new for this year’s Navigator Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)?

  • Focuses on increased participation of smaller, community-based organizations as part of CMS efforts to reach people where they are.
  • Provides longer multi-year grant funding.
  • Shorter and easier to understand application.

Who can apply?
Eligible organizations may include but are not limited to community and consumer-focused nonprofit groups; trade, industry, and professional associations; commercial fishing industry organizations; ranching and farming organizations; chambers of commerce; unions; resource partners of the Small Business Administration; and non-healthcare licensed insurance agents and brokers. Such other entities may include but are not limited to Indian tribes, tribal organizations, urban Indian organizations, and state or local human service agencies.

How much funding is available through this funding opportunity?
CMS expects to award $500 million total over the five-year period of performance, provided in five budget periods of 12 months each; $100 million is available for the first 12-month budget period.

Will there be technical assistance available for applicants?
CMS will hold two technical assistance sessions for potential applicants. These sessions will provide applicants with an overview of this project, relay budget guidance, and review the instructions for applying outlined in the 2024 Navigator funding opportunity. Applicants are encouraged to submit questions in advance of each session to CMS via email.

Technical Assistance Session #1

Technical Assistance Session #2

What is the deadline to submit an application for the NOFO?

Applications must be submitted by July 8, 2024 at 11:59pm ET. You must submit your application through the Grants website. Grants.gov creates a date and time record when it receives the application. If you submit the same application more than once, we will accept the last on-time submission.

For instructions on how to submit in Grants.gov, see the Quick Start Guide for Applicants.

Can my organization help promote the NOFO?

CMS encourages partners to share this listserv with your networks and to use the below social media and attached graphics on your social accounts.

  • CMS has announced $500 million in grants over the next 5 years for Navigator programs, as part of the continued efforts to connect people to the ACA Marketplace and other health coverage options. Learn more.
  • CMS has announced $500 million in grants over the next 5 years for Navigator programs, as part of the continued efforts to connect people to the ACA Marketplace and other health coverage options. These awards mark the first time the grants have been awarded for a period of more than three years of funding, allowing grantees to better retain and add more staff who are trained to help consumers find affordable, comprehensive health coverage.

For more information about the Navigator NOFO, visit the links below:

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The Department of Human Services Office of Children, Youth, and Families (OCYF) is pleased to announce the release of the Caseworker Recruitment and Retention Study. The report includes 43 recommendations across six themes that address the primary issues driving attrition: cross-cutting; compensation; recruiting; caseworker workloads; training; and safe, supportive workplaces. OCYF recognizes the recommendations will not be applicable, viable, or appropriate to every CCYA. However, the goal is that each CCYA will find some recommendations that will be helpful in bolstering the employee recruitment and retention experience.

If you have any questions, please contact RCPA Policy Director and COO Jim Sharp.

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The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services released Medical Assistance Bulletin 99-24-03 on May 28, 2024, detailing updates to the Medical Assistance (MA) Program Fee Schedule based on the 2024 Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) changes. These updates include new codes such as 90867, 90868, and 90869 for transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) treatment billing, along with additional modifications to other procedure codes, setting of limitations, fee adjustments, and new prior authorization requirements effective from the same date. This bulletin applies to all providers serving MA beneficiaries under the Fee-for-Service system and those in the MA Managed Care system should contact their respective organizations for specific billing guidance.

For more detailed information, read the full bulletin here.

If you have any other questions, please contact RCPA COO and Policy Director Jim Sharp.

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Image by Wokandapix from Pixabay

The 2024 PA LGBTQ+ Health Needs Assessment aims to enhance the health and well-being of the LGBTQ+ community. This survey intends to identify health disparities, barriers to care, and potential strategies for improvement as well as to understand the health care experiences and wellbeing of LGBTQ+ Pennsylvanians to inform future discussions and actions. It is available in English and Spanish and will remain open until August. Participation is open to LGBTQ+ residents of Pennsylvania who are 13 years or older. The survey maintains anonymity and confidentiality. The Pennsylvania Department of Health is sponsoring the survey, which is being conducted by Bradbury Sullivan LGBT Community Center and Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC).

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The Pennsylvania Homecare Association (PHA), the Pennsylvania Association of Home and Community-Based Services, and the Rehabilitation & Community Providers Association (RCPA) provided feedback on House Bill 2372, sponsored by Reps. Jessica Benham and Jason Ortitay. The bill seeks to improve agency accountability and ensure livable wages for home care workers in Pennsylvania by increasing state funding for personal assistance services. The associations support the bill but recommended uniform wage increases across all care models and a standardized rate review process every three years. They also expressed concerns about burdensome funding allocations and reporting requirements as well as provisions that could disproportionately affect nonprofit agencies by linking enhanced rates to tax status.

The groups emphasized the need to focus on investments in workforce development and quality care rather than imposing arbitrary financial mandates. They advocated for collaborative efforts to create a sustainable future for home-based care, ensuring high-quality services for Pennsylvania’s aging population.

For more details, read the full letter here.

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Child Guidance Resource Centers (CGRC) is currently offering three free webinars for continuing education credits for LSWs, LCSWs, LPCs, and LMFTs. The links in the titles below are the registration links for each event.

All webinars will be presented by Kelly J. Ace, PhD, JD, and Antonia J. Cianfrani, MA, ATR-BC, LPR. Participants will receive 2 CE credits upon completion.

If you have any other questions, please contact RCPA COO and Policy Director Jim Sharp.

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Last week, House Bill 2300 was referred to the House Professional Licensure Committee. HB 2300: Legislative Package to Join the National Counseling Compact & Changes to Behavioral Specialists (Former HB 2852), allows Pennsylvania to join the Counseling Compact, enabling Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) to practice across state lines without needing additional licenses. This change aims to improve access to mental health services by supporting telehealth, allowing LPCs to provide remote counseling. The compact also mandates standardized licensure requirements, including a 60 semester-hour master’s degree, a nationally recognized exam, and supervised postgraduate experience. RCPA is seeking member input as we develop our position on the legislation.

The Compact establishes a data system for sharing licensure and disciplinary information among member states, enhancing oversight and public safety. It mentions granting authority to member states to take actions against LPCs who violate regulations and creates the Counseling Compact Commission to oversee the implementation and administration. These changes ensure consistent standards for mental and behavioral health providers, increasing mobility and the availability of BH services.

As RCPA reviewed the details of this piece of legislation, one item of interest was that the bill entails the creation of a commission in Pennsylvania that will need to be funded. In the past, portions of commission operating costs have been realized by an increase in licensing fees. It is important to note that RCPA has not yet seen any fiscal package associated with the bill.

We ask that members review the bill and provide commentary as well as an organizational position of support, neutrality, or non-support. Please contact RCPA COO and Policy Director Jim Sharp with any feedback or questions.

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The Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) has launched MyOMHSAS, its enterprise learning management system, providing tailored training modules and resources on behavioral health topics. Accessible to everyone, MyOMHSAS offers courses like Suicide Prevention in Care Management, Assisted Outpatient Treatment, Transgender Resources, and Child and Adolescent Service System Program (CASSP)/System of Care (SOC), with more modules planned for the future, such as Anti-Ageist Practices, Cultural Humility, and Working with LGBTQ+ in the Community.

To access training modules, users need to register and log in on the MyOMHSAS website. For inquiries or suggestions, contact OMHSAS via email. If you have additional questions, contact RCPA COO and Policy Director Jim Sharp.

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Photo by The Climate Reality Project on Unsplash

In response to the escalating number of nonviolent offenders requiring competency restoration, Treatment Advocacy Center is offering a free training session titled “Dismiss Upon Civil Commitment With AOT: One Alternative to the Competency Restoration Crisis.” This session delves into Pennsylvania’s civil commitment law and the implementation of Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT). Learn from community leaders and explore the benefits of AOT over competency restoration. Register for the July 30 session in Butler or the August 1 session in Allentown. CLEs, CJEs, and CEUs available.

View the flyer for more information.

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Photo by CHUTTERSNAP on Unsplash

ADvancing States invites you to register for the 2024 Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Conference, celebrating significant milestones this year: the 60th anniversary of ADvancing States and the 40th anniversary of the HCBS Conference. The event gathers leaders and policymakers in the field of aging and disabilities to discuss and share practices that enhance state systems delivering long-term services and supports for individuals of all ages and abilities. Scheduled from Monday, August 18, to Friday, August 22, 2024, at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront, the conference offers over 190 sessions, along with breakfast, lunch, and networking opportunities, including a Gala Dinner on Wednesday, August 21. Additionally, a virtual conference will be available on Wednesday, September 11, and Thursday, September 12, featuring on-demand sessions with live speaker Q&A, accessible from home at a reduced rate. For more details or to register, visit the in-person registration or virtual conference information pages.

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