BHSL Issues Statement on PA LTC RISE Program Concluding May 31

From the Bureau of Human Services Licensing (BHSL):

The Bureau of Human Services Licensing (BHSL) would like to join you in celebrating the tremendous impact of LTC RISE (Long-Term Care Resiliency, Infrastructure Supports, and Empowerment). Launched on January 1, 2022, in partnership with the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of Human Services (DHS), the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA), and regional healthcare organizations, LTC RISE has provided comprehensive support to long‑term care settings, strengthened infection prevention practices, expanded technical assistance, and enhanced preparedness and resiliency across the Commonwealth.

Over the past four+ years, LTC RISE has delivered:

• 24/7 call center and on-site technical support;
• Consultation on infection prevention, testing, personal protective equipment, staffing strategies, outbreak planning, and workforce wellness;
• Facility assessments and targeted recommendations;
• Quality‑improvement support in emergency preparedness, clinical practices, and staff development; and
• A sustained focus on resident-centered care and building long-term operational resilience.

The program’s efforts have bolstered the safety and quality of long‑term care throughout Pennsylvania. We thank you for welcoming them into your facilities and participating in the spirit of support and partnership.

LTC RISE is winding down and will be fully concluded on May 31, 2026. As the program concludes, we want to ensure facilities continue to have access to tools, supports, and resources that strengthen operations and protect residents and staff:

Emergency Preparedness & Planning

• ASPR RISC Resource Library

Staffing & Workforce Support

• The First 90 Days: Retention Playbook

Infection Prevention & Control

• PA Infection Control Plan Toolkit
• Preventing and Responding to Respiratory Infections and Outbreaks in Long-Term Care | Infectious Diseases | CDC’s Project Firstline | AMA Ed Hub
• PA Epidemiology – Healthcare-Associated Infection Support Team
• PA Project Firstline

 Additional Support

• United Way Pennsylvania
• PA Long-Term Care Transformation Office (LTCTO)

Thank you for your unwavering commitment to the residents of our Commonwealth. As the RISE program concludes, your continued leadership ensures that the progress made over the past several years endures.

If you have any questions, please contact Fady Sahhar or the Bureau of Human Services Licensing.