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The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) today released recommendations from its Blueprint Workgroup, an interdisciplinary group comprised of representation from state and local governments, health care, education, service providers, managed care, and family advocates. The workgroup sought to evaluate challenges children and youth with complex, co-occurring physical and behavioral health care needs, and their families experience like accessing care and services that adapt to a youth’s changing circumstances and needs, lessening the likelihood of child welfare system involvement, reducing trauma experienced by instability, prioritizing emotional wellbeing, and supporting family- and youth-driven care and choice.

“The detailed recommendations outlined by the Blueprint Workgroup set a course that now allows DHS and partners at the local level and systems of care to begin the work necessary to see how we make change happen so children with complex needs get the care that improves their quality of life, and the family is supported as they navigate these systems,” said Dr. Val Arkoosh, Secretary of DHS. “Systems of care should uplift those we seek to help, not create confusion and consequences from lack of coordination. The Blueprint Workgroup recommendation align our focus around the children and families we must always prioritize, and I am grateful for the work to this point and moving forward that will build a better future for children and families in Pennsylvania.”

Read the full press release, including details on the Blueprint Workgroup’s priorities, here.

RCPA will continue its work on the complex care needs through our Residential Services Steering Committee and ongoing efforts for the implementation. If you have any questions, please contact RCPA Policy Director Jim Sharp.

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Last week, Governor Shapiro presented his proposed budget for 2024/2025. The PowerPoint with the Human Services Spending Overview outlines the priorities, and the recording is available on the DHS YouTube channel.

RCPA staff will continue to advocate for appropriate levels of funding for our members’ services in the community. We will keep you updated with information as the process continues. If you have any questions, please contact your RCPA Policy Director.

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Friendly nurse cares for an elderly woman in a nursing home.

ADvancing States has announced the release of a new issue brief “Person-Centered Approaches: Connecting Individuals to Services and Benefits.” Developed with support from the National Council on Aging (NCOA), this brief describes person-centered approaches, which are practices and techniques used by human services professionals to learn about an individual’s goals, needs, and preferences to live the life they desire and value. In aging and disability networks, person-centered conversations aid in the understanding of an individual’s long-term services and supports (LTSS) needs and preferences, resulting in improved access to services and benefits. Community-based organizations, including Aging and Disability Resource Centers, Area Agencies on Aging, and Benefit Enrollment Centers, can strengthen their connections and engagement with LTSS access systems through person-centered approaches and state efforts, such as No Wrong Door Systems. Additionally, the issue brief highlights states that have implemented promising person-centered approaches.

If you have any questions, please contact Fady Sahhar.

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ADvancing States announced the release of a new issue brief “No Wrong Door (NWD) Systems: A Guide to Fundamentals and Engagement for Community Organizations.” Developed with support from the National Council on Aging (NCOA), this brief describes the fundamentals of the NWD System initiative in developing a one-stop resource hub and access point for long-term services and supports (LTSS) and benefits in states and territories, and the important roles community-based organizations (CBO) can serve in a NWD System. Additionally, the history of NWD and significant milestones, key elements of a coordinated NWD System, as well as CBO engagement in NWD Systems to facilitate access to services and benefits, are explained. As identified in the issue brief, states provide a range of opportunities for CBOs to connect with NWD Systems, from the inclusion of a CBO’s services in a NWD’s database to partnering with aging and disabilities network agencies and public outreach. The issue brief highlights NWD System development and state approaches to CBO partnerships in several states.

If you have any questions, please contact Fady Sahhar.

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Today, Secretary Arkoosh presented an overview of the proposed Department of Human Services (DHS) budget in the Governor’s proposed budget he unveiled earlier this week. Governor Shapiro is prioritizing investments in IDD home and community-based service providers so that they can pay competitive rates to attract and retain staff who provide these life-changing services to Pennsylvanians.

Secretary Arkoosh stated, “It’s time to make a change,” and people need “the right service at the right time.” PA is about to embark on a multi-year wait list plan.

In September, Governor Shapiro directed DHS’s Office of Developmental Programs to begin an immediate evaluation and assessment of the rates paid to intellectual disability and autism programs that employ direct support professionals. Building on that, the governor is proposing an increase in reimbursement rates by 12%, which will invest a total of over $480 million, divided by state ($217 million) and federal ($266 million) funding for programs that support ID/A. It is proposed that the rate increase will become effective July 2024. Additionally, one-time supplemental payments to support staffing recruitment and retention were announced. These funds are anticipated to be distributed to providers in May or June 2024 and will total $109 million.

ODP will be working closely with counties to shift to management by budget rather than slots, and effective immediately, the department is adding 1,250 in Community Living and 250 in Consolidated people to the waiver capacity ($78 million in funding).

This budget also invests $934,000 to add American Sign Language and English interpreter services to program serving this population as a distinct service.

While this is very positive news for the ID/A community, this is the proposed budget. We all need to continue to advocate with legislators to support this proposal and give the ID/A services the support they need. Please share your stories with your local legislator and participate in our upcoming capitol day on March 19, 2024. You can register to participate in the event here. Also, we ask that you take the time to thank Governor Shapiro for hearing our voices and addressing our critical needs.

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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared a downloadable PDF of the questions within the Infection Control and Vaccination Status Survey that was sent out earlier this week. Since the online survey does not permit you to save and return, reviewing the questions ahead of time may make it easier to have all your necessary data when you complete the survey. If you have not already done so, please enter your responses online.

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In honor of Black History Month, join us Thursday, Feb. 15, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm ET for Amplifying Black Voices: Overcoming Institutionalized Racial Discrimination in Integrated Care. This empowering panel discussion celebrates Black excellence through resilience, resistance and triumph over institutionalized racial discrimination, particularly in the context of health equity and leadership in integrated care settings. We will honor the complexities of being a prominent leader who identifies as Black or African American while experiencing various forms of discrimination, including racism, and its impact on mental health and career possibilities in the field.

In the wake of recent headlines, including the resignation of the former president of Harvard University following experiences of racial discrimination, our esteemed panelists will delve into the complexities and challenges faced by Black leaders within institutional settings, including the “pet to threat” phenomenon, as well as discuss solutions and strategies to address systemic and individual prejudices.

By amplifying the voices of those with lived experience, we hope to inspire and empower individuals, especially in Black and African American communities, to continue working toward equity and inclusion in health care leadership and beyond.

Register Today!

All sessions are supported by the Center of Excellence for Integrated Health Solutions (CoE-IHS), funded by a grant award from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). If you have any questions about this session or any others in this series, contact the National Council for Mental Wellbeing.

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