SUD Treatment Staffing Flexibilities Signed Into Law; DDAP to Provide Guidance
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Harm Reduction Therapeutics Begins Providing Over-The-Counter Naloxone
Harm Reduction Therapeutics (HRT), a non-profit pharmaceutical company, has shipped the first order of RiVive, an over-the-counter naloxone nasal spray to prevent opioid overdose deaths. The FDA-approved nasal spray provides a single 3 mg administration for the emergency treatment of opioid overdose without a prescription. RiVive will be distributed to community harm reduction groups that are working to combat opioid overdoses, and HRT is committed to its non-profit model and aims to make RiVive available across the United States free of charge or at a low cost.
HRT emphasizes that no entity or individual, including its unpaid volunteer board of directors and staff, will profit from RiVive sales. The product will be available at cost or less, with a selling price of $36 per twin pack, covering production, packaging, testing, and transportation costs. Additionally, HRT actively seeks additional funding partners to support operations, reduce selling prices, and increase the availability of free-of-charge doses, highlighting the importance of charitable contributions in saving lives amid the opioid crisis.
RCPA Announces Formation of Performance-Based Contracting/Selective Contracting for ODP Services Work Group
As the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) continues moving quickly on plans to migrate towards a performance-based contracting system, RCPA believes there is value in developing a work group for our members to keep informed and to prepare for future changes. We anticipate continuing to share news regarding any developments and updates from ODP and Strategic Thinking Work Group members both at these work group meetings and also in our IDD Committee meetings. More importantly, in this work group, we are encouraging discussion from members, with the goal of sharing thoughts and developing prudent strategies in order to prepare for performance-based contracting.
The first meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, from 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm. To begin this process, we will look at the proposed strategy from ODP and goals for the work group. As we move forward, we may determine it best to have meetings specific to Residential Services and Supports Coordination.
Please register here for the meeting, and come prepared to participate in a lively discussion. Questions can be directed to Carol Ferenz.
Governor’s BH Council Members Announced, First Meeting Held
Pennsylvania’s Behavioral Health Council, created through executive order in October, held its first meeting yesterday.
The council intends to develop and recommend to the governor a statewide action plan to address any gaps in access, affordability, or delivery of services, with the goal of removing silos across state agencies, healthcare providers, payers, state and local government sectors, as well as decreasing the wait time for services for Pennsylvanians in need.
Read the full press release and list of Behavioral Health Council members.
Webinar to Focus on PCSP in HCBS: Requirements & Best Practices on Jan. 10
On January 10, 2024, from 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm, the Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services (CMCS) will be conducting an upcoming webinar that will focus on Person-Centered Service Planning (PCSP) in Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS): Requirements and Best Practices.
The webinar will include the following:
- An overview of person-centered service planning;
- A detailed discussion of the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) regulations pertaining to person-centered service plans provisions;
- A detailed review of themes identified during CMS heightened scrutiny site visits regarding person-centered service plans;
- Measures included in the 2022 HCBS Quality Measure Set that can be used to assess person-centered planning;
- Section 9817 of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and state examples to support person-centered service planning;
- Strategies to ensure comprehensive understanding and implementation of person-centered service plans; and
- Indiana’s approach to person-centered planning.
Following the presentation, participants will have the opportunity to ask questions.
Register here to participate in the webinar.
PA ABLE Announces Free Webinars on ABLE Savings Program
ANCOR Issues Findings From 2023 State of America’s Direct Support Workforce Crisis Survey
General Assembly Passes Fiscal Code
Registration Now Open for PA’s 21st Children’s Interagency Conference
Social Security Administration Announces 2024 Cost of Living Adjustment
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 23-103: Social Security Administration (SSA) Announces 2024 Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). This announcement discusses the upcoming COLA increase to the Federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payment, beginning in January 2024. Please view the announcement for further information and details.
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