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Authors Posts by Jim Sharp

Jim Sharp

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Photo by Larry Crayton on Unsplash

The Department of Human Services Office of Children, Youth, and Families (OCYF) has launched the Pennsylvania Meaningful Family Engagement Toolkit, a web-based resource developed through statewide quality improvement efforts. Over a two-year collaboration period, Pennsylvania system partners defined meaningful family engagement, set consistent expectations for day-to-day practice, and prioritized organizational cultures supporting family engagement. The toolkit provides a comprehensive definition of meaningful family engagement and offers specific strategies and skill-building opportunities for child welfare professionals to enhance engagement and improve outcomes. It also highlights populations needing additional support for engagement, which they have included as fathers, youth, out-of-state parents, incarcerated parents, and extended family. Child welfare professionals are encouraged to utilize this resource to ensure consistent and sincere practice of meaningful family engagement.

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

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Image by David Mark from Pixabay

President Biden signed the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 into law on March 23. This Act includes the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024. Notable FY 2024 funding totals for mental health and substance use include:

  • $385 million for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (level with FY 2023);
  • $986,532,000 for the Mental Health Block Grant, which includes maintaining the existing 5% of the total set aside for evidence-based crisis care programs that address the needs of individuals with serious mental illnesses, children with serious emotional disturbances, or individuals experiencing a mental health crisis (level with FY 2023);
  • $153 million for the Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Program, including $40 million for the Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Loan Repayment Program (level with FY 2023);
  • $1,575,000,000 for State Opioid Response Grants (level with FY 2023); and
  • $1,928,879,000 for Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services Block Grants (level with FY 2023).

Additionally, key provisions of the Act include an $18 million increase in funding for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and a $1 million increase for the Primary and Behavioral Health Care Integration grant technical assistance program. There is also a $75 million increase for mental health research conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health. Various mental health and substance use programs maintained funding levels similar to those of FY 2023. For more information, you can access the full explanatory text as well as the comparative highlights table.

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

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The Office of Children, Youth & Family has compiled a list of the top 10 frequently asked questions (FAQ) regarding the renewal process for existing Certificates of Compliance/Licenses. These FAQs cover essential information for providers operating under office regulations, including document requirements, submission procedures, and anticipated timelines. Providers can access the Licensing Administration Top 10 FAQs and are able to share these FAQs with relevant personnel. Providers are also encouraged to include their Certificate of Compliance or License number and agency/facility name in all communications with Licensing Administration staff.

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

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The Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) invites public review of the Fiscal Year 2024 Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH) grant application on the Mental Health in PA website. The PATH grant, established under the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Amendments Act of 1990, assists individuals with serious mental illness facing or at risk of homelessness. The application, submitted annually to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), is open for public comment until 10:00 am Friday, March 22, 2024. For questions or comments, please contact Lauren MacWithey, Pennsylvania PATH Grant Coordinator.

Additional questions can be sent to RCPA Policy Director Jim Sharp.

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Children First, The Advocate for the Kids, is hosting a webinar titled “Reimagining Our Mental Health System for Pennsylvania’s Children and Youth,” which is scheduled for 12:00 pm on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. This event will delve into the pressing matter of children’s mental health reform in PA, with a diverse panel comprising of advocates, clinical mental health practitioners, insurance payers, and youth voices. The discussion aims to explore effective strategies and solutions to tackle the ongoing children’s mental health crisis. Register here.

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

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Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash

The Medical Assistance Bulletin 08-24-04, issued by the Department of Human Services (DHS) Office of Medical Assistance Programs (OMAP), provides updates to the PROMISe (Provider Reimbursement and Operations Management Information System) Provider Handbook 837, Professional/CMS-1500 Claim Form, specifically focusing on Appendix E – FQHC/RHC (Federally Qualified Health Center/Rural Health Center) Handbook. Released on March 1, 2024, the bulletin outlines revisions to Federal and State requirements for FQHCs and RHCs in Pennsylvania participating in the Medical Assistance (MA) Program.

Notable changes include the addition of pharmacists and licensed dietician-nutritionists as eligible practitioners for billable encounters starting March 1, 2024. The revision addresses group therapy encounters and introduces guidelines for telehealth, telemedicine, and teledentistry in FQHC and RHC services. A new section on alternative payment methodologies is included, along with updates to the MA Cost Reporting and Wraparound Reporting sections. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ clarification designates “hospital” as an allowable place of service for FQHC and RHC services. Providers are encouraged to review the revised handbook for detailed information on these changes.

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

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With state and federal laws governing the use and disclosure of confidential substance use disorder (SUD) information having undergone significant changes, including the recently announced final rule modifying 42 CFR Part 2, the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) issued Licensing Alert 04-2024 to clarify the identification of recipients of confidential SUD information for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations for compliance with 28 Pa. Code § 709.28(c)(1).

Consent forms must now include names of recipients, with a single form applicable for future disclosures, using a generalized recipient description. Treatment providers are urged to ensure their consent forms comply with these regulations and updated policies. For additional questions treatment providers can contact the Bureau of Program Licensure.

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