ABC27: Intellectual Disability Advocates Pushing for Increased Funding in Final Budget, RCPA President/CEO Richard Edley Quoted
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National Council and NASMHPD to Host “CCBHC’s Synergies With Crisis Systems” Webinar on July 12
The National Council for Mental Wellbeing, in partnership with the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD), will host a webinar titled “CCBHC’s Synergies With Crisis Systems” on Friday, July 12, from 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm ET. This event, sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), marks the final session in a four-part Crisis Stabilization Learning Series. The webinar will feature discussions on how Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHC) can effectively respond to and manage crisis situations, leveraging their capabilities within community crisis systems. It will also cover the role of peer support and the expansion of crisis services through the CCBHC model. Key speakers include Joe Parks, MD, from the National Council, Carrie Slatton-Hodges from NASMHPD, and C.J. Davis, CEO of Brightli Inc. An upcoming publication from the National Council’s Medical Director Institute will be highlighted in the discussion as well.
To participate in the upcoming webinar, register here.
If you have any other questions, please contact RCPA COO and Policy Director Jim Sharp.
Individuals, Providers, and Advocates Gather to Discuss Funding for Vital Disability Services in 2024/25 Budget
Self-advocates joined RCPA, several legislators, and other associations and provider organizations at a press conference to support ID/A funding in the state budget on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, at the State Capitol in Harrisburg. As part of his 2024/25 budget proposal, Governor Josh Shapiro called for investing $483 million in state and federal funds into the network of care for individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism (ID/A). If enacted, the funding would allow more individuals to access professional support and services as well as relieve families of around-the-clock caregiving duties. ID/A providers across Pennsylvania have long called for increased state investments, and this allocation will allow providers to recruit and retain more direct support professionals (DSP) who have cared for these individuals at low wages. The lack of DSPs and funding have caused thousands of Pennsylvanians to wait months or more for services and support.
Sherri Landis of the Arc of PA spoke, as did Representatives Kinsey and Heffley.
In addition, many self-advocates, including DSPs and family members of those with ID/A, attended and spoke about the need for funding.
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ODP Shares 2024 ISAC Recommendations for New and Updated Strategies
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 24-060. This announcement informs ODP stakeholders that the 2024 Everyday Lives: Values in Action — Information Sharing and Advisory Committee (ISAC) Recommendations & Strategies document, with new and updated strategies, is now available on the MyODP website. View the announcement for details.
Free RCPA Member Webinar on Clinical AI in MH Crisis to Be Held July 25
CBS News: Pennsylvania State Police Unveil Info Card for People With Autism to Help Communication Barriers
State Launches New Website for Enterprise Licensing System Project
Pennsylvania has launched a new website for the Enterprise Licensing System (ELS) project, designed to streamline and modernize the licensing, permitting, registration, certification, and incident management systems across four state agencies: the Department of Human Services, the Department of Health, the Department of Aging, and the Department of Drug & Alcohol Programs. The ELS will be implemented in stages over the next two years, with the aim of improving interagency collaboration and operational efficiency.
For more information and to stay updated on the ELS project, subscribe to the ELS ListServ. If you need additional information or have questions, you can reach out to OCYF through the Contact Us form.
If you have any other questions, please contact RCPA COO and Policy Director Jim Sharp.
IPRC Webinar “The Role of the Pediatric Rehab Professional Along the Cancer Care Continuum” on August 6
Tuesday, August 6, 2024
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm EDT; 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm CDT;
11:00 am – 12:00 pm MDT; 10:00 am – 11:00 am PDT
Register Here
Jennifer Bernstein, PT, DPT
Speaker Bio:
Jennifer Bernstein, PT, DPT, is a Board-Certified Specialist in Oncologic Physical Therapy. Dr. Bernstein has been a practicing physical therapist for over 10 years, all of which have been spent at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio. Her areas of specialty practice within physical therapy include Oncology, Hematology, and Bone Marrow Transplant for pediatric, adolescent, and young adult patients. Jennifer received her Board Certification in Oncology in 2020 and has been involved in extensive program development and leadership roles representing the hospital’s occupational and physical therapists. She serves as the Specialization Chair for the Oncology section of the APTA, which allows her to actively engage with other passionate members of the organization. She serves as a mentor in the APTA Oncology Mentorship Program and has greatly enjoyed sharing her knowledge about the world of oncology physical therapy. Most recently, Whole-Body Vibration in Oncology Rehabilitation: Perceived Benefits, Barriers and Clinical Willingness was published in the Rehabilitation Oncology Journal, serving as Jen’s second publication. She has enjoyed being featured on “The OncoPT Podcast” and serving as a guest contributor for a Medbridge Course About Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology.
Objectives: At the end of this session, the learner will:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the evidence on exercise and patients with cancer;
- Identify precautions, indications, and contraindications to be considered when working with individuals under treatment for cancer;
- Acknowledge the diversity, complexity, and variability involved in a cancer diagnosis at various life stages; and
- Establish an understanding of the role of rehab professionals throughout the continuum of care for patients undergoing treatment for cancer in various practice settings.
Audience: This webinar is intended for all interested members of the rehabilitation team.
Level: Beginner – Intermediate
Certificate of Attendance: Certificates of attendance are available for all attendees. No CEs are provided for this course.
Complimentary webinars are a benefit of membership in IPRC/RCPA. Registration fee for non-members is $179. Not a member yet? Consider joining today.
OLTL Issues Notice on 2024 Pre-Administration of the HCBS CAHPS Survey
The Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) has released a message providing advance notice of the 2024 pre-administration of the home and community-based services (HCBS) Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) survey.
OLTL has the HCBS CAHPS survey administered to participants who receive HCBS through the Act 150 Program as well as the OBRA and the Community HealthChoices (CHC) Waiver Programs in the fall. The department then uses the responses received to assist them with improving the services participants receive. To increase response rates, OLTL is requesting Service Coordinators to begin having conversations with the HCBS participants in order to provide an introduction and encourage participation in the upcoming administration of the survey.
The HCBS CAHPS Survey will be administered from August 1, 2024, to October 31, 2024. This survey will ask questions about the services HCBS participants receive at home or in the community and how well the services meet their needs. Press Ganey, an independent firm, will conduct the survey. They will call participants to set up a time to talk. Member’s participants may also call Press Ganey toll free at 1-800-588-1659 (TTY: 711) if they would like to take the 30-minute survey. The number can also be used to make an appointment to take the survey at a time that works for them. Participants are randomly selected to participate in the survey from a list of all participants receiving HCBS through either the Act 150 Program, the OBRA Waiver, or the CHC Waiver Programs. Language Services can be provided to HCBS participants at no cost.
Members are encouraged to remind participants that their privacy is important. If they choose to participate, any information that they provide will be kept confidential. Participants will not be identified in any report that is released, and their answers will not be shared with their providers, Service Coordinator, or anyone else who assists them. It is the participant’s choice whether to participate, and their decision to participate will not affect any HCBS received through OLTL.
QA&I Process Cycle 2, Year 3 Begins July 1, 2024
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 24-058. This communication announces the start of Cycle 2, Year 3 (C2Y3) of the Quality Assessment & Improvement (QA&I) Process on July 1, 2024. All Administrative Entities, Supports Coordination Organizations, and Providers, regardless of receiving a full review or not, are required to complete a QA&I self-assessment of their performance on the provision of services and supports to individuals annually based on key quality metrics and implementation of “Everyday Lives: Values into Action.”
Please view the announcement for information and details.
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