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The Brain Injury Advisory Board, established under section 1252 of the Federal Traumatic Brain Injury Act of 1996 (42 U.S.C. § 300d-52), will hold their next public meeting on May 2, 2025, from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm. The meeting will be held in person at the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN), 6340 Flank Drive, Harrisburg, PA 17112 in the Cumberland conference room.

Meeting materials will be sent out before the meeting and will also be available on the Board’s website as well as at the meeting location. Questions should be directed to Nicole Johnson electronically.

The Department of Health’s (DOH) Head Injury Program (HIP) strives to ensure that eligible individuals who have a traumatic brain injury receive high quality rehabilitative services aimed at reducing functional limitations and improving quality of life. The Board assists the Department in understanding and meeting the needs of persons living with acquired brain injuries, both traumatic and nontraumatic, and their families. This quarterly meeting will provide updates on a variety of topics, including the number of people served by HIP. In addition, meeting participants will discuss budgetary and programmatic issues, community programs relating to traumatic and nontraumatic brain injuries, and available advocacy opportunities.

For additional information or for persons with a disability who wish to attend the meeting and require an auxiliary aid, service or other accommodation to do so, contact Nicole Johnson, Division of Community Systems Development and Outreach, via email or at (717) 772-2763. For individuals with speech and/or hearing-impairments, contact V/TT (717) 783-6514 or the Pennsylvania Hamilton Relay Service at (800) 654-5984.

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In a presentation to the Medical Assistance Advisory Committee today, Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) Deputy Secretary Jen Smith shared data that shows a significant increase over the past three years in behavioral health managed care organization (BH-MCO) decisions to deny services to their members or contracted providers.

In addition to denial data for calendar years 2022 through 2024, the report also provides data on grievances and complaints and defines what each of those is. Notably, the 2024 data does not include the fourth quarter of the year.

The most egregious service type denials are seen in two categories: 1) non-hospital residential withdrawal management, rehabilitation and halfway-house services for drug/alcohol abuse or substance use disorders; and 2) IBHS for children and adolescents with mental health or substance use disorders. Although the IBHS denials appear down slightly in 2024, when the fourth quarter data is added, the number is likely to increase. On the SUD side, even without fourth quarter data, denials for the non-hospital residential substance use disorder treatment services are up 45 percent over 2023.

The presentation breaks down the number of denials per year per BH-MCO since 2022.

The increases in denials in 2024 occurred at the same time OMHSAS acknowledged a significant miscalculation of capitation rates, resulting in underfunding of the behavioral health system, including primary contractors and BH-MCOs, by hundreds of millions of dollars.

Deputy Secretary Smith cautioned that there are multiple factors to consider when reviewing the data and increase in denials, including Pennsylvania’s SUD treatment system’s ongoing alignment with ASAM Criteria and the increased BH-MCO scrutiny on providers and individual BH-MCO interpretation of ASAM Criteria.

The full presentation is available here.

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The Department of Human Services’ invites you to the Department of Human Services (DHS) Statewide Positive Approaches & Practices Meeting. Jointly hosted by the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) and the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP), this quarterly meeting aims to provide the most recent research and resources for people with mental health and behavioral challenges, intellectual disabilities, autism, and other developmental disabilities to live an everyday life. Please see the flyer for detailed information.

Date: May 15, 2025
Time: 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Location: Zoom Webinar

  • Morning Session: Run. Dance. Play. What’s Your Move? Promoting Physical Activity with the Move Your Way® Campaign
  • Afternoon Session #1: Unlocking Potential: An Overview of Special Olympics Pennsylvania’s Community Sport, Health & Fitness, and In-School Programs
  • Afternoon Session #2: What’s Strong With You? A Shift to Resiliency-Informed Care

Register Here

The Zoom link for joining the session will be sent to the email you used to register. This link will be unique to your registration. Please do not share this link.

Questions? Send via email to PATraining.

Please note that Certificates of Attendance are not issued for Statewide Positive Approaches and Practices Meetings.

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The 3rd Annual “Kick the Stigma” Day of Wellness, an event dedicated to fostering life wellness in all areas — emotional, intellectual, social, spiritual, nutritional, and physical. Why “Kick the Stigma?” Stigma can impact anyone, stemming from misconceptions, stereotypes, and fears related to health conditions, disabilities, race, religion, gender, or culture. The mission here is to address these issues head-on by providing resources, education, and support to our community. Together, we can build a more inclusive and compassionate environment.

Event Details – see event flyer
When: Saturday, May 17, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Where: DuBois City Park
What: Highlights include the “Kick the Stigma” Kickball Tournament, live music, guest speakers, art contest, pickleball tournament and family-friendly activities.

Sponsorships
Your role in making a difference – as a valued partner in your community, your support is crucial to the success of this event. By sponsoring “Kick the Stigma,” you’ll directly contribute to creating an impactful day of wellness and connection while aligning your business with a cause that truly matters. See sponsorship information.

Story Submissions
In an effort to end stigma in all areas, they are asking to hear your story! Submissions will be read aloud at the annual Kick the Stigma Day of Wellness. See story submission information.

Call 814-299-7640 for more information.

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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 25-042. This announcement provides access to stakeholders to a DP 1077-S form in Spanish. Please note that if a provider agency has a current Spanish translated room and board contract in the individual’s file, provider agencies are required to complete this new Room and Board Residency Agreement form by June 30, 2025.

Please review the announcement for additional information on accessing the form.

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