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Executive Vice President of IDD Services Terry McNelis will be retiring from his current position at Merakey at the end of this fiscal year, after 51 years of service in the field. “RCPA would like to congratulate Terry on his upcoming retirement,” remarked RCPA President & CEO Richard Edley, “And we thank him for his many years of dedication to supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.”

Terry has excelled in many different roles at Merakey, while maintaining tireless commitment to their mission. We wish him much success and happiness in the years to come.

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Amplifying The Voices Of Direct Support Professionals
March 9–10, 2022
Register

On March 9–10, 2022, the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals will embark on its first-ever national advocacy event to bring the direct support professional (DSP) perspective to the forefront of Congress and the Administration during a time of unprecedented workforce challenges. Hardships from the pandemic and recent legislation have provided new insights and opportunities for the direct support workforce that supports people with disabilities.

The NADSP recognizes the previous absence and critical importance of lifting the voices of DSPs to federal policy-makers so that public policy can be informed by the people who are on the front-lines of supporting people with disabilities to live, work, and thrive in the community. In February 2022, the NADSP will provide direct support professionals with materials to prepare for legislative meetings. This will lead up to a 1.5-day virtual symposium that will culminate with virtual meetings with Congressional leaders and staff to educate and advocate on NADSP’s public policy priorities for 2022.

Thank you to NADSP’s Gold Sponsors

NADSP’s 2022 Policy Priorities

  • Establish a Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) for direct support professionals within the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
  • Assure effective implementation of workforce development initiatives authorized through legislation that leads to wages commensurate with the level of responsibility and the complexity of this work, as well as career ladder opportunities that lead to professional growth.

Event Schedule

Wednesday, March 9, 2:00 pm–5:30 pm ET

  • 2:00 pm–2:15 pm ET: Welcome
  • 2:15 pm–3:00 pm ET: Expert Panel Discussion: The Direct Support Workforce and Public Policy: Building Quality at the Point of Interaction
  • 3:00 pm–3:15 pm ET: Sponsor Break with CareSource
  • 3:15 pm–4:00 pm ET: A Call to Action: NADSP’s Message to Congress
  • 4:00 pm–4:15 pm ET: Sponsor Break with Amerigroup
  • 4:15 pm–5:30 pm ET: Hook, Line, and Sinker: Soapbox Interactive Legislative Hill Meeting Preparation with Christopher Kush

Thursday, March 10, 2022
Legislative Meetings
After registering, all individuals will receive a confirmation note and a separate email with a Zoom link. Meeting details will arrive from Soapbox Consulting by Friday, March 4, 2022. Please note that your meeting time will depend on your zip code and Congressional District.

A detailed schedule of events, along with the expectations of attendees, is on our event landing page. Ready to answer our call to action? Visit ‘Register Now’ below to learn more.

REGISTER NOW

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We apologize for any confusion but due to scheduling conflicts, we have made a change to the date for the February meeting of the RCPA Finance and Reimbursement Committee meeting. Please disregard the reminder announcement that went out earlier today.

The RCPA Finance and Reimbursement Committee meeting has been rescheduled for Thursday February 24, 2022, 10:00 am–12:00 pm. If you have already registered for the February 10 meeting, your registration will be transferred to this new date. If you have not yet registered for the meeting, but would like to, you can do so here.

Thank you for your understanding.

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Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash

A message from the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP):

Due to an extended time frame for approving and loading rates into the Home and Community Services Information System (HCSIS), ODP is notifying stakeholders that several dates contained in Announcement 22-007 are no longer effective. The date for the rate load will occur after February 15, 2022.

ODP anticipates re-releasing this Announcement with updated time frames and encourages providers, Supports Coordination Organizations, and Administrative Entities to be familiar with its technical content in preparation for the pending rate load.

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From Kevin Dressler, Office of Developmental Programs (ODP):

Updated HANs dealing with Work Restrictions and Return to Work Guidance for Healthcare Workers With COVID-19 Exposure:

HAN 621

This guidance replaces PA-HAN-616. Information has been added to clarify the recommendations in consultation with CDC as well as to incorporate changes that have been made by CDC on January 21, 2022. Language has changed from using the term “boosted” in PA-HAN-616 to instead describe persons as being “up-to-date” with vaccine doses. This guidance pertains only to the healthcare personnel and their need for work restriction. For guidance on isolation and quarantine in the community, please refer to PA-HAN-615 or its successor.

This update includes clarification that:

  • Being up-to-date with all recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses includes persons who have completed a primary vaccine series at least 2 weeks prior but are not yet eligible for a booster shot per current CDC guidelines.
  • A person is considered up-to-date immediately after receipt of the booster dose; there is no waiting period following a booster.
  • In general, asymptomatic Healthcare Personnel (HCP) who have recovered from SARS-CoV-2 infection in the prior 90 days do not require work restriction following a higher-risk exposure; however, it should be considered in certain circumstances.

If you have additional questions about this guidance, please contact DOH at 877-PA-HEALTH (877-724-3258) or your local health department.

HAN 622

Due to concerns about increased transmissibility of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant, this guidance is being updated to enhance protection for healthcare personnel (HCP), patients, and visitors, and to address concerns about potential impacts on the healthcare system given a surge of SARS-CoV-2 infections. These updates will be refined as additional information becomes available to inform recommended actions.

Updates include:

  • Antigen testing is preferred if testing symptomatic HCP who have recovered from SARS-CoV-2 infection in the prior 90 days. If tests are in short supply, they should be prioritized to diagnose infection.
  • Added additional information to strategies to mitigate healthcare personnel staffing shortages.

If you have additional questions about this guidance or would benefit from discussion to support infection prevention and control decisions in your facility, please contact DOH at 877-PA- HEALTH (877-724- 3258) or your local health department.

ICF Taskforce Meeting

Date/Time: 2-24-22 from 1:00 pm–3:00 pm
Meeting Registration Link  

After registration, you will receive another link via email that will be used the day of the meeting. Also, from the registration link, you will be able to add an event to your calendar that will contain the meeting link for that day.

As always, if you have any topics that you would like to discuss, please pass them along to me.

Kevin Dressler | Bureau Director
Department of Human Services
Office of Developmental Programs
Bureau of State Operated Facilities
Room 508 Health & Welfare Bldg | Harrisburg, PA 17120
Office Phone: 717-425-5686

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