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Authors Posts by Sharon Militello

Sharon Militello

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As communications director, Sharon Militello is responsible for the design, development, and maintenance of the association website and social media pages; editing and preparation of communications; preparing and running webcasts; cultivating media relations; and maintaining relationships with technology support vendors.

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RCPA received notice today from the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) that the decision has been made to discontinue the STAR data system. The discontinuation will occur in mid-September. More information regarding next steps will be provided soon.

Below is the information sent out by DDAP this afternoon:

“The Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs will discontinue utilization of STAR as the database to gather and report TEDS data to SAMHSA in September 2015.

We are planning to shut down STAR at 11:59 pm on September 15, 2015. You will have until then to enter and update information as follows:

Admissions:

  • All admissions that occur through August 31, 2015 must be entered into STAR by September 10, 2015.
    • Providers should continue to enter into STAR any related documents for these admissions, such as screens, PCPC/ASAM, etc.
  • Admissions that take place on or after September 1, 2015 should not be entered into STAR. We will provide additional details in the coming weeks of how and when to report admission information to us.

Discharges:

  • All discharges associated with August 31, 2015 and earlier admissions should be entered into STAR if the discharge happens by September 10, 2015.
  • All other discharges should be held until further information is provided.

If you have any questions, please contact the STAR Helpdesk at 717-783-8200.”

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ODP Updates

The Office of Developmental Disabilities has released the following information:

  • Announcement #067-15: Save the Date: ODP Year 8 Cost Report Training Date for Waiver Residential Service Provider Staff; Monday, September 21 at 1:00 pm. Watch for more details.
  • Announcement #068-15: ODP’s Quality Management Certification Program: Leadership Resources Available: QM Module 104, Part 2: Virtual QI Teams.
  • Announcement #069-15:
    Continue

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MEET YOUR SECRETARY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF LABOR & INDUSTRY:
Kathy M. Manderino

Secretary Manderino

RCPA asked the following questions, to help members become more acquainted with Secretary Manderino, and we thank the secretary for her responses:

  1. What are your priorities in your new state position?
  2. What are your goals for your department/office?
  3. What issues will you be addressing your first year?
  4. What do you feel are obstacles to achieving your goals?
  5. How will you work with the appropriate stakeholders as you move the system forward?

Working to serve people in need remains a cause dear to my heart. As a former board member for the Rehabilitation and Community Providers Association’s predecessor PCPA, I’m pleased to have the opportunity to discuss my goals for the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I).

Governor Tom Wolf’s vision for Pennsylvania is jobs that pay, schools that teach, and government that works. That vision fits the mission of the L&I to a “T,” and dovetails with L&I’s mission to provide jobs that pay for every Pennsylvanian of every ability, education, and training to match those jobs, and the efficient and effective delivery of services.

A key L&I priority this year is the implementation of the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, or WIOA. It is an historic collaboration between L&I and workforce development stakeholders statewide to reinvent the state’s workforce development programs. The end goal is to help job seekers access employment, education, training, and support services to succeed in the labor market, and to match employers with the skilled workers they need to compete in the global economy.

While there are always some hurdles to implementing change within any state agency, my approach is to address issues by focusing on what can be accomplished – versus what can’t. I’ve charged my team at L&I to be a “can do” agency dedicated to making positive improvements and changes to existing programs that benefit and support Pennsylvania’s workers and employers.

Especially because of my past advocacy work and experience at Intercommunity Action Inc., I’ve taken a keen interest in the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR). Improving services for transition age youth and selecting a permanent director for the Hiram G. Andrews Center and implementing a strategic vision for its future success is another of my first-year priorities. I look forward to continuing to work closely with our OVR management team, and its dedicated stakeholders, to implement our vision to help people with disabilities prepare for, obtain, and maintain employment and independence.

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An op-ed from Richard Edley, regarding the effects of the delayed state budget on health and human services providers and those that they serve, was published in the Lancaster Newspapers, both in print and online on August 16. Edley was also mentioned in an editorial on this topic in the same day. RCPA continues to work hard for its members and their communities, spreading the message that we must do everything possible to help ensure the continuation of vital services to our most vulnerable residents in the Commonwealth.

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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released an updated inpatient rehabilitation facility patient assessment instrument (IRF PAI) training manual that includes updated information on new items that become effective for IRF discharges occurring on or after October 1. These new items, including the arthritis attestation item and therapy information, were finalized in the IRF prospective payment system fiscal year 2015 final rule. The Updated IRF PAI Training Manual, Helpful Resources Document and Section 2 (Item by Item Coding Instructions) are located in the “Downloads” section of the IRF PAI web page. CMS has also made available a YouTube video slideshow from the January 2015 national provider call that focused on training providers how to code and complete these new items on the IRF PAI.

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