The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 23-056: COVID-19 Outbreak Identification and Reporting Updates. The purpose of this announcement is to:
Draw attention to the updated guidance from the Pennsylvania Department of Health (PA DOH) describing how to identify and report COVID-19 outbreaks originating within the healthcare facility.
Provide updated guidance to providers of the Office of Developmental Programs’ (ODP) home and community-based services (HCBS) and Private ICF/IDs regarding which facilities may appropriately be considered healthcare settings.
Please review the announcement for additional information.
Individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism (ID/A), their families, and ID/A service providers held a rally on June 28 at the state Capitol to urge lawmakers to increase funding for services and support in the 2023/24 budget. Providers told those assembled in the Capitol rotunda that nearly 60,000 Pennsylvanians are at risk because there are not enough direct support professionals (DSPs) to care for them. Advocates pressed lawmakers to restore the $170 million in funding to invest into fee schedule rates to support DSPs and services.
“Across the state, we are seeing that there is insufficient staff to meet needs or no staff at all,” said Richard S. Edley, PhD, Rehabilitation & Community Providers Association president and CEO. “DSPs are overworked and depleted and have compromised their own health to serve individuals with ID/A. Program closures have eliminated essential services and also affected the health of individuals served. Underfunding a system where individuals and families are already waiting for or losing needed services simply compounds a dire situation. We need to come together to help those in need.”
View news clips and photos of those who advocated at this event for ID/A services funding below.
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 23-055: Updates to Technical Guidance for Claim and Service Documentation Attachments. This communication announces the release of updated attachments to Bulletin 00-22-03, Technical Guidance for Claim and Service Documentation, to align with waiver changes approved in January 2023.
Please review the announcement, including attachments contained within, for further information and detail.
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) shared the following list of July workshops offered by the PA Family Network. July starts a new series on Participant Directed Services. Join the team of Family Advisors to get your questions answered about Participant Directed Services and how you can choose to direct your own services under the Intellectual Disability/Autism (ID/A) Waivers. These workshops are created by family members and self-advocates FOR family members and self-advocates! View the full listing below:
The agenda for the July 6, 2023, Managed Long-Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) Subcommittee meeting has been released. The meeting will held in person at the PA Department of Education Building’s Honors Suite, 1st floor, 333 Market Street in Harrisburg, or via webinar. The meeting is scheduled to take place from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm.
To participate in the meeting via webinar, please register here. Registrants will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. Note that if you have trouble accessing the webinar registration through the Internet Explorer or Safari web browsers, please try accessing it through a different web browser, such as Chrome or Edge.
Dial In Number: (562) 247-8422 Access Code: 599513519#
The Pennsylvania Insurance Department (PID) and the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) have put a survey together to try to gain an understanding of the insurance market for both foster care and childcare providers. Both agencies have heard about difficulties experienced by these providers in finding insurance coverage, coupled with the rising cost of insurance for foster care and childcare. You can also read the letter from Acting DHS Secretary Valerie Arkoosh as well as Acting Commissioner of the PA Insurance Department Michael Humphrey, which outlines the importance of completing the survey. Complete the survey here.
Please share this survey where you feel appropriate, and reach out with any questions or concerns you may have. This survey will close Monday, July 31, 2023. Feel free to contact PID’s Caolinn Martin or DHS’ Jameekia Barnett with questions regarding the survey. If you have any additional questions, please contact RCPA MH Policy Director Jim Sharp.
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 23-054: Qualification Process for New Intellectual Disability/Autism (ID/A) Provider Applicants Update. The announcement communicates the process for Administrative Entities (AEs) to validate that new Provider Applicants have satisfied all Waiver Provider Qualification requirements effective May 1, 2023.
Please review the announcement for further information on the Provider Applicant Process. You can also download the following templates:
Prev