March is Brain Injury Awareness Month — View Governor Wolf’s Proclamation
Melissa Dehoff
Melissa Dehoff is responsible for all medical rehabilitation and brain injury service issues. Ms. Dehoff attends multiple state-level meetings to advocate on behalf of members on brain injury and rehabilitation issues and is a member of the Department of Health Traumatic Brain Injury Advisory Board.
DOH/DHS Announce Extension of Regional Congregate Care Assistance Teams
The Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Human Services (DHS) announced the Regional Congregate Care Assistance Teams (RCAT) will continue to provide COVID-19 outbreak support to facilities from March 1, 2021 through May 31, 2021. The continuation of the RCATs is possible due to additional funding that was made available to them. Those facilities that were previously eligible for the Regional Response Health Collaborative (RRHC) program will also be eligible for the RCAT. Facilities experiencing outbreaks may request assistance with personal protective equipment (PPE), staffing, and testing. Please refer to this document for additional information and some great resources.
DHS Issues COVID-19 Vaccine Tracker
The Department of Human Services (DHS) has issued a request for providers to track the initial administration of the COVID-19 vaccination in the following facilities that it licenses:
Office of Developmental Programs (ODP)
- Community Homes for Individuals with an Intellectual Disability or Autism
- Private Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with an Intellectual Disability
Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS)
- Long Term Structured Residences
- Residential Treatment Facility for Adults
- Private Psychiatric Hospitals
Office of Long-Term Living/Bureau of Human Services Licensing (OLTL/BHSL)
- Personal Care Homes
- Assisted Living Facilities
Office of Children Youth and Family (OCYF)
- Child Residential Facilities (Chapter 3800)- For staff and residents over 18 years of age
This will be a one-time data collection to understand the level of vaccination for residents and staff at these facilities.
It is very important that facilities complete this form. This information is essential to implementing the Commonwealth’s vaccine planning and administration plan and to help ensure that vaccines are being administered as soon as can be accomplished. Completing this form is a major component to stopping the spread of COVID-19 in the Commonwealth. Detailed instructions are available here.
Please enter the required information at the COVID-19 Vaccine Tracker link.
If you have any questions or still need any assistance regarding vaccinations, please send an email to RA-pwarlheadquarters@pa.gov.
April MLTSS Subcommittee Listening Session on Experience of Participants During COVID-19 PHE
House Aging & Older Adult Services Committee Schedules Hearings on COVID Vaccination Distribution
The House Aging and Older Adult Services Committee recently announced that they will be holding public hearings on COVID-19 Vaccination Distribution for older adults and long-term care in Pennsylvania. There will be two hearings in March:
- Tuesday, March 2, 2021 at 9:30 am in Room 205 in the Ryan Office
- Wednesday, March 10, 2021 at 9:30 am in Room G50 in the Irvis Office
There is a possibility that these hearings will be streamed live. Members are encouraged to check the Committee website next week for updates to determine if the hearing will be streamed.
Reminder: IRF Quality Reporting Deadline is February 16
Handouts from February 3, 2021 MLTSS Subcommittee Meeting Available
HHS Amends PREP Act for Administration of COVID-19 Vaccinations
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced an amendment to the Public Readiness and Preparedness Act (PREP), which will allow for those providers whose license has expired within the last five years or who have recently retired to prescribe, dispense, and administer the COVID-19 vaccine. Retired providers or those whose license has expired within the last five years will be required to complete a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-administered COVID-19 vaccine training and will be required to undergo an on-site vaccination supervision period by a currently practicing provider. HHS is hopeful that this expansion of the health-care workforce who can administer the vaccines will assist in ramping up vaccination efforts once vaccine supply is more widely available.
HHS Announces Intention to Extend PHE Declaration Through 2021
In a letter to United States governors, Acting Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Norris Cochran announced their intention to keep the public health emergency (PHE) declaration throughout 2021. States will be provided with a 60-day notice before the declaration is terminated or expires to allow stakeholders time to transition. Additionally, HHS has indicated renewals will be announced every 90 days.
National Strategy for the COVID-19 Response and Pandemic Preparedness
Prev