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Since 2017, Pennsylvania has taken several steps to increase naloxone access for people and communities across the commonwealth who need it the most. With a recent increase in drug overdose deaths (the majority of which are opioid- and fentanyl-related), Pennsylvania is anticipating a significant supply of naloxone in the coming months. The Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs is encouraging individuals, organizations, and agencies to learn how to access this naloxone at no cost.

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ODP Announcement 22-056 is to communicate that registration for the July – December 2022 Certified Investigator (CI) Initial Certification Course classes (also known as cohorts) is now open on MyODP. The Initial CI Certification Course was created to ensure that all incidents requiring an investigation receive a systematic review that meets established standards. In order to perform investigations, the investigator must successfully complete all requirements of the CI Initial Certification Course.

Due to continued concerns regarding COVID-19, the July – December 2022 CI Initial Certification cohorts of the course will be provided virtually rather than in person.

To register for the CI Initial Certification course:

  1. Log into your MyODP account.
  2. Go to the Certified Investigator Initial Certification Course Information web page.
  3. Visit the Registration web page.

If you do not have a MyODP account, visit the MyODP login web page and follow the instructions under “Is this your first time here?” If you are not sure if you have a MyODP account, contact MyODP Support or Kiyona Duncan. For assistance with registration, contact Kiyona Duncan. For questions regarding course content, contact Amanda Black.

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The Department of Human Services (DHS) Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) has announced a funding opportunity under an approved Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) spending plan that will provide American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to HCBS providers. The purpose of the funding is for the implementation of quality improvement (QI) projects to improve the services available to HCBS participants through the Community HealthChoices (CHC) and OBRA 1915(c) waivers. This opportunity focuses on supplementing activities in a manner that improves and strengthens the quality of HCBS services. The use of the ARPA funding, however, is limited to those activities that supplement rather than supplant the existing services.

DHS will provide funding of up to $40,000 per approved request submission and approve funding on a one-time basis to each qualified provider. DHS will review and approve submissions in the order in which they are received until the total funding allocated has been exhausted. Members are encouraged to submit their requests as soon as possible.

Funding will only be provided for the following improvement projects:

  • Supplemental activities to address the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH). For example, SDOH activities may include:
    • Activities to address affordable and accessible housing (rent, room, and board are not allowable expenditures under this funding opportunity);
    • Activities to improve access to competitive integrated employment for participants. This may include access to benefits counseling or remote technology to support employment;
    • Activities to improve or enhance transportation for CHC and OBRA participants; and
    • Activities to alleviate food insecurities for participants.
  • Purchase of remote support technology by providers. This can include provider technology initiatives that improve service transparency and quality assurance, such as providing direct care workers with access to tablets and software that support in-home documentation of participant conditions and other related care needs.
  • Payment for the development and implementation of enhanced training for direct care workers, Medical Assistance (MA) providers, or both. This may include enhanced training on infection control practices, such as the development of videos and online modules to address best practices in infection control. This may also include training for professional development. For example, this funding may be used to promote training or coursework related to the professional advancement or development for direct care workers.
  • Purchase and implementation of new software and technology for electronic health records or quality/risk management functions. This includes funding for providers to contract with a Health Information Organization. Having access to electronic health care records enables HCBS providers to connect with local hospitals and physicians and ensure real-time communication between the HCBS provider and the participant’s medical providers.

Additional information, including the HCBS Quality Incentive Funding Request Form, is available on the DHS Long-Term Care Providers web page. Questions should be sent via email to OLTL.

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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has been sharing information and bringing awareness about the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program. This new long-term program can assist individuals who use telehealth services to help lower the cost of broadband service for eligible households struggling to afford internet service.

The ACP provides:

  • Up to $30/month discount for broadband service;
  • Up to $75/month discount for households on qualifying tribal lands; and
  • A one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet purchased through a participating provider if the household contributes more than $10 but less than $50 toward the purchase price.

The ACP is limited to 1 monthly service discount and 1 device discount per household.

Who’s Eligible?

An individual’s household is eligible for the ACP if the household income is at or below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or if a member of the household meets at least 1 of the criteria outlined on the FCC’s website.

Individuals can enroll in two steps by:

  1. Going to ACPBenefit to apply online or print a mail-in application; and
  2. Contacting their preferred participating ACP provider to select a plan, who will apply the discount to the patient’s bill.

Some ACP providers may request individuals to complete an alternative application. Eligible households must apply for the program and contact a participating provider to select a service plan.

For Additional Information:

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The next RCPA Drug and Alcohol Committee meeting, originally scheduled for Tuesday, June 14, has been rescheduled to Tuesday, June 21, 2022. The meeting will held from 9:30 am – 12:00 pm and be composed of two parts:

  • The provider member-only portion is set for 9:30 am – 11:00 am.
  • The all-member portion will be held from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm.

The meeting will be hybrid, with attendees able to join virtually or in person. Please note that we require attendees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 to attend in person. In-person attendance will be closed after the first 25 in-person registrants. Masking and social distancing protocols will be followed per the CDC guidelines at the time of the meeting.

Register here for the meeting.

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