Home Featured
Featured posts
New Research Finds Blood Tests Can Predict Severe Outcomes of Brain Injury
Disability Summit on Enabling Technology — September 22
The Arc of Philadelphia, KenCrest, PA Representative Joe Hohenstein, and Temple University’s Institute on Disabilities present the 2022 Disability Summit, focused on Enabling Technology.
Join the Philadelphia Disability Summit on September 22! This year’s conference highlights enabling and assistive technologies as well as the many adaptations and smart devices — creating greater accessibility for people with disabilities throughout the world. Join the speakers and presenters for a day-long conference held on Temple University’s campus, featuring a keynote address by Dr. Shea Tanis, Associate Research Professor at the Kansas University Center on Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, along with breakout tracks from various leaders in the ET field, and a public legislative hearing on assistive and enabling tech.
Learn more and register here.
Have questions? Contact KenCrest for details.
Selection of New Medical Care Organizations (MCOs) for Individuals
ODP Announcement 22-087 issues an important reminder that major changes are being made to the HealthChoices Physical Health Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) offering Medical Assistance benefits on September 1, 2022. A large number of Medical Assistance consumers must select a new MCO by August 16, 2022. If they do not make a selection, a new MCO will be automatically chosen for them.
If Medical Assistance consumers are unsure if they need to select a new MCO, or haven’t received selection materials, they should contact Pennsylvania Enrollment Services at the following:
800-440-3989
TTY: 800-618-4225 | Monday – Friday | 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Home | PA Enrollment Services
BIAPA Focus Group Discussion on Brain Injury and the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic
The following announcement was recently released from the Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania (BIAPA) regarding an upcoming focus group discussion for individuals with a brain injury impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Please share with those impacted and encourage participation, as their feedback is important.
View the announcement here.
New Medication Administration Platform Now Available for Trainer Candidates and Primary Contacts
ODP Announcement 22-091 informs all interested parties that the new Medication Administration platform is now available for trainers and primary contacts. This announcement contains instructions for logging in with an existing account, creating a new account, accessing the “Train the Trainer” course, submitting payment, and registering for the Face-to-Face class.
A recording and PowerPoint for the Medication Administration Platform Overview webinar held on August 10, 2022, from 10:00 am – 11:00 am is included. Further development of the platform is continuing with trainers able to administer new classes and student registration becoming available on September 6, 2022.
The new Medication Administration platform is now available here.
OMHSAS Stakeholder Webinar — August 19
The next Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) Stakeholder Webinar will take place on Friday, August 19, 2022, from 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm. Visit here to register. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Call-in Number:
562-247-8422
Access Code: 865972147#
In the meantime, if you have suggestions for agenda topics for August’s webinar, please submit them via email by COB Wednesday, August 17, 2022. OMHSAS will monitor the account and will reply to the sender if more information is needed. Please be advised that responses will not be provided if additional information is not needed.
If you have further questions, please contact your RCPA Policy Director.
‘People Will Die Waiting’: America’s System for the Disabled is Nearing Collapse
Community Participation Support System Capacity Surveys
ODP Announcement 22-089 reports that the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has developed two brief surveys for Community Participation Support providers to collect information on current system capacity. The first survey is meant to collect current data from Community Participation Services (CPS) providers on CPS capacity across the ODP service system. The second survey is meant to collect current data on individuals who are authorized to receive CPS across the ODP service system but are not receiving the service.
ODP will send each provider a list of MCIs with less than 5% CPS utilization, if there are any associated with their MPI, to assist with information gathering.
Important note to all CPS Providers: Providers must contact individuals and families, or the assigned SC, when the reason for less than 5% utilization is unknown.
The first survey regarding system capacity will be available Monday, August 8, 2022, and will close Monday, August 22, 2022.
The second survey to collect individual-specific information will be available Monday, August 15, 2022, and will close Thursday, September 15, 2022.
ODP will release these surveys no more than once per quarter.
Attachment 1 — ODP CPS Survey 1: Service System Capacity Questions
Attachment 2 — ODP CPS Survey 2: Authorized Services Questions
Any questions regarding the surveys should be directed to the appropriate regional CPS lead.
ODP Bulletin 00-22-05: ISP Preparation, Documentation, and Implementation
ODP Bulletin 00-22-05, dated August 9, 2022, is to provide the Office of Developmental Programs’ (ODP) requirements and standardized processes for preparing, completing, documenting, implementing, and monitoring Individual Support Plans (ISPs) to ensure they are:
- Developed to meet the needs of the individual;
- Developed and implemented using the core values of Everyday Lives: Values in Action, LifeCourse Principles, Positive Approaches, and Practices and Self Determination to result in an enhanced quality of life for every individual; and
- Compliant with the approved Consolidated, Community Living, and Person/Family Directed Support (P/FDS) Waivers and Medical Assistance (MA) State Plan as it pertains to Targeted Support Management (TSM).
A summary of major changes made to information in the attachments is included as attachment 8.
ATTACHMENTS:
- Attachment 1: ISP Manual for Individuals Receiving Targeted Support Management, Base-Funded Services, Consolidated, Community Living or P/FDS Waiver Services or Who Reside in an ICF/ID
- Attachment 2: ODP Role Expectations and Required Timeline for ISP Activities
- Attachment 3: DP 1032 Individual Support Plan Signature Form (Spanish form: DP 1032-S)
- Attachment 4: Annotated Individual Support Plan
- Attachment 5: The Basics of the LifeCourse Framework to Guide the Development of the ISP
- Attachment 6: Questions to Help Facilitate the Development of the ISP
- Attachment 7: DP 1022 Waiver Service Request Form
- Attachment 8: Summary of Major Changes Made to ISP Requirements or Processes
OBSOLETE DOCUMENTS:
- Bulletin 00-20-02, Individual Support Plans for Individuals Receiving Targeted Support Management, Base-Funded Services, Consolidated, Community Living or P/FDS Waiver Services, or Who Reside in an ICF/ID
Prev