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Project Goal: To improve service delivery and processes for DHS’ clients, DHS staff, and business partners

The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (PA DHS) is launching a website to share information about the ECM system up to and beyond implementation. The website is intended to communicate key information of the services provided to participants and families through multiple DHS program offices, regardless of the human services program or county providing the service.

The ECM website can be accessed here.

ECM will replace several legacy systems across program offices through the implementation of one common solution. By means of this website, users can get acclimated with all ECM subsystems and their functions. The primary pages and a brief synopsis are as follows:

  • About ECM: An overview of ECM, its timelines, goals and objectives, benefits, scope, and project governance structure.
  • Stakeholder: An overview of the participants who benefit from ECM. This will include links to the subpages for the different stakeholder groups, including the Program Areas, County Organizations, Hearings and Appeals, Providers, Service/Support Coordinators, Administrative Entities and Those we Serve.
  • Development: Description of the scope of the project, the technology used, methods used to implement and operate the future ECM, and the phases of the project. The development and maintenance of the ECM system will follow a hybrid-agile system methodology which will be described in more detail within this area of the website. System development involves the process of producing and sustaining an information technology system. It covers technology, people, and processes.
  • Change and Training: Information about the system including training materials, user guides, and schedules. It is key that the stakeholders and those we serve are supported throughout the entire project process.
  • News: Communications such as press releases, news coverage, and announcements.
  • ECM FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions that cover various topics like general information, the timeline for the project, implementation process, and trainings.

We hope that you will refer to the website often as more information is posted while PA DHS and its partners prepare for the initial launch.

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The Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs’ (DDAP’s) regulations governing recovery houses, Standards for Drug and Alcohol Recovery House Licensure (28 Pa. Code Chapter 717), took effect on Saturday, December 11. DDAP is now accepting licensing applications for recovery houses.

Drug and alcohol recovery houses must have a license to receive referrals from state agencies or state-funded facilities or to receive federal or state funding to deliver recovery house services. In addition, Act 59 imposes two additional requirements on referrals to recovery houses, including:

  1. Persons whose treatment is funded with state or federal funds shall only to be referred to licensed recovery houses; and
  2. Courts shall give first consideration to licensed recovery houses when residential recommendations are made for individuals under their supervision.

Recovery houses that require a license must obtain licensure within 180 days after the regulations have been published, which will be June 9, 2022.

Recovery house operators with questions about the licensure process may contact the Division of Drug and Alcohol Program Licensure at 717-783-8675.

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RCPA would like to welcome Keara Klinepeter to her new position as Acting Secretary of Health. “We sincerely thank Acting Secretary Beam for her efforts with the state vaccination plan, and with improving public health in the Commonwealth,” remarked RCPA President/CEO Richard S. Edley, “RCPA looks forward to continuing that mission in partnership with Ms. Klinepeter, whose work as Director of Rural Health Innovation, and subsequently Executive Deputy Secretary of Health, offers a depth of experience that will prove invaluable in continuing our efforts to combat the COVID crisis and improve the overall health of our community.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 13, 2021
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Gov. Wolf Announces Acting Health Secretary Alison Beam to Depart Wolf Administration, Names Keara Klinepeter as New Acting Secretary

Harrisburg, Pa. – Today, Governor Tom Wolf announced that Department of Health Acting Secretary Alison Beam will resign her position with the commonwealth at the end of the year. The governor also announced his intention to name Department of Health Executive Deputy Secretary Keara Klinepeter to serve as Acting Secretary.

“I am proud to have worked with Acting Secretary Beam over the past several years, and the commonwealth has been fortunate to have had the benefit of her leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic – especially as the Department of Health oversaw a massive vaccine roll-out over the course of the past year,” said Gov. Wolf. “Thank you, Acting Secretary Beam, for stepping up to serve the commonwealth during a difficult time. We will miss your leadership, your determination and your dedication to building healthier communities for all Pennsylvanians.”

Prior to Acting Secretary, Beam served as Deputy Chief of Staff to Gov. Wolf, coordinating initiatives and resources across Pennsylvania’s Departments of Health, Human Services, Drug & Alcohol Programs, Aging and Insurance, as well as the Office of Advocacy and Reform. She helped coordinate the administration’s COVID-19 pandemic response; the rollout of Pennie, Pennsylvania’s health insurance marketplace; the Reach Out PA campaign; and the Wolf Administration’s health care reform plan. Prior to the governor’s office, Beam served as Chief of Staff to the Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner.

“Thank you to Governor Wolf, his leadership team, and the incredibly dedicated Department of Health employees,” said Acting Secretary Beam. “Serving as Acting Secretary during such a critical time in public health has been the most humbling honor of my career. Under the governor’s leadership the administration has made critical strides in ensuring access to health care for all Pennsylvanians and in turn created a healthier, more equitable commonwealth for generations to come. I could not be prouder to have worked alongside such devoted public servants during my tenure with the Wolf Administration.”

Following Acting Secretary Beam’s departure, Executive Deputy Secretary Klinepeter will assume the acting position.

“Thank you to Gov. Wolf and Acting Secretary Beam for their steadfast leadership, especially during this trying time for all Pennsylvanians,” said Executive Deputy Secretary Klinepeter. “I look forward to continuing to work closely with the tremendous employees at the Department of Health and ensuring public health remains a top priority throughout the commonwealth. I am honored for the opportunity to lead public health efforts during this critical time and to serve my fellow Pennsylvanians.”

MEDIA CONTACT: Elizabeth Rementer, ra-gvgovpress@pa.gov

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ODP Announcement 21-090 is to provide guidance to licensees that operate Community Homes for Individuals with an Intellectual Disability or Autism, licensees that operate Life Sharing Homes, ODP-enrolled providers of licensed or unlicensed Residential Habilitation, ODP-enrolled providers of licensed or unlicensed Life Sharing, and/or ODP-enrolled Supported Living providers (“Providers”). This guidance is about the use of assistive technology and remote supports to achieve individual’s goals and outcomes while balancing the benefits of technology use with the requirement to protect each individual’s right to privacy.

ODP has developed a Residential Technology Evaluation Tool to assist providers in determining whether a privacy violation will or may occur. The tool is not a required form, although ODP strongly recommends its use. Providers may develop their own tool to determine whether a privacy violation will or may occur.

ODP is holding a webinar to discuss requirements and best practices for the use of assistive technology and remote supports in residential settings. The date, time, and link for registration to attend the webinar are as follows:

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