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Authors Posts by Jim Sharp

Jim Sharp

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To ensure protection of the vulnerable populations cared for in our state facilities, and the staff who care for them, with the authority conferred by the Governor’s March 6, 2020 Proclamation of Disaster Emergency, and in consultation with the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH), DHS is issuing this directive for procedures that must be followed at a minimum for admission of an individual to one of our state facilities.

These State facilities include individuals served by the state hospitals and state centers, as well as adjudicated youth in Youth Development Centers and Youth Forestry Camps (YDCs/YFCs).

View the guidance on the revised admissions protocols here.

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As you know, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, in striking down the recent Juvenile Law Center Petition, did order that the County President Judges direct their Probation and/or Children and Youth agencies to conduct a review of the residential facilities COVID-19 Response plans that serve their children in out of home placement.

RCPA worked with the PA Chief Probation Officers Council and the Juvenile Courts Judges Commission, as well as other stakeholders to develop this COVID-19 Provider Preparedness Questionnaire. It has been recommended to the Courts that if a facility has already developed a COVID-19 Response Policy or Protocol, that it can be submitted in lieu of the full questionnaire, as long as any questions not covered in the policy are addressed separately. Many of you have already completed such a plan.

It is the hope that this  protocol will reduce the amount of effort necessary on the part of the counties as well as the providers, and it can be distributed as the requests come in, or perhaps proactively to all the counties that have youth in your facility.

If you have any questions or feedback, please contact RCPA Children’s Division Director Jim Sharp.

Join the University of Pittsburgh’s Center for Family Support on Tuesday, April 7, at 2:00 PM EST for a webinar discussing caregiving and COVID-19. This presentation is geared towards family caregivers of someone with a disability or chronic illness. We will be answering questions about how to best provide care for your loved one, and to take care of yourself as well, during this time.

Speakers include:
Kathleen Lindell, PhD, RN, ATSF, FAAN
Associate Professor of Medicine & Nursing
University of Pittsburgh Dorothy P. and Richard P. Simmons Center for Interstitial Lung Disease at UPMC

Gregory Cherpes, MD
Medical Director
Department of Human Services, Office of Developmental Programs

Nancy Murray, MS
Senior Vice President, Achieva
President, The Arc of Greater Pittsburgh

Participation is free, but registration is required.

There will be time at the end for Q&A with our presenters. There will be a limited ability to take questions during the webinar, so we highly encourage you to submit them ahead of time via email.

Or iPhone one-tap:

US: +12678310333,,880307670# or 8778535247,,880307670# (Toll Free)

Or Telephone:

Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
US: +1 267 831 0333 or 877 853 5247 (Toll Free)
Webinar ID: 880 307 670
Participant ID: 181,125
International numbers available: https://pitt.zoom.us/u/anVcg5B8S

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This memo provides guidance and recommendations pertaining to visitation, meetings, and travel for entities operating as a Child Residential and Day Treatment Facility licensed under Title 55 Chapter 3800.

The Department of Human Services (DHS), Office of Children, Youth, and Families (OCYF) has developed these recommendations in response to growing concerns about the spread of COVID-19 and guidance issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Health. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact RCP Children’s Director Jim Sharp.