‘The Party is Winding Down’: States and Insurers Resurrect Barriers to Telehealth
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FDA Adds Warning About Rare Reaction to J&J COVID-19 Vaccine
AID in PA — TRAIN Program for ID/A and Trauma Populations
Across Pennsylvania, there are qualified therapists prepared to support individuals who have experienced trauma. Likewise, there are therapists dedicated to supporting ID/A populations. However, there are few providers equipped to offer support through both the trauma and neurodiversity lenses.
To meet this need, TRAIN is being launched in early fall 2021. This pilot program, developed by psychologists with diverse backgrounds in both trauma and ID/A populations, will be comprised of live webinars and self-paced learning activities, which will take place over a span of 12 weeks. To provide a fully robust learning experience, there will be access to discussion boards and live supervision for additional communication with and between learners. Continuing Education (CE) credits will be provided through the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC).
Please share with any therapists you know who are currently supporting or are interested in supporting individuals with Intellectual Disabilities or Autism. If you are a therapist currently supporting ID/A clients and would like to learn more about TRAIN, or if you would like to be considered as part of our pilot training session, please email AIDinPA.
COVID-19 Pandemic: Helping Young Children and Parents Transition Back to School
Many early care and education programs stayed open during the COVID-19 pandemic to provide needed care. But for many families, the pandemic meant keeping their children at home. Transitioning back to early childhood programs or school, or starting them for the first time, can be hard for children and families. Transition in a time of physical distancing, masks, and extra stress is extra hard.
Learn what parents and teachers can do to help children make a successful transition to in-person learning and care here.
July 7, 2021 MLTSS Subcommittee Meeting Docs/Transcript
The documents from the July 7, 2021 Managed Long-Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) Subcommittee meeting are now available. Included in these documents are:
- Agenda
- OLTL Updates
- Medicaid Research Center’s (University of Pittsburgh) Presentation: Community HealthChoices (CHC) Participant Experience: Before and After Implementation
- Community HealthChoices Managed Care Organizations (CHC MCO) Contact Center Presentations
- MLTSS Subcommittee Transcript
The next MLTSS Subcommittee meeting is scheduled for August 5, 2021.
Court Throws Out FDA Ban On Shock Devices For Those With Developmental Disabilities
ODP Guidance for Infection Control and Mitigation for HCBS Providers Webinar
Today, July 9, 2021 the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) held a webinar to provide guidance for HCBS providers regarding on-going infection control and mitigation strategies. This PowerPoint presentation was reviewed during the webinar.
ODP no longer intends to issue updated written guidance to providers and instead is directing providers to the CDC website, and to PA Department of Health, for on-going guidance. The CDC now has specific guidelines for Direct Service Providers that applies to service providers in the HCBS system.
While CDC guidance is broad based, PA Department of Health guidelines may have more specific guidance based upon conditions in PA. Therefore, if there are differences in the policies, PA DOH guidance should be followed. Providers should frequently check these websites for updates.
The guidance provided by the CDC and the DOH are considered recommendations, not requirements, and each provider is charged with developing their own policies. ODP urges providers to consider all aspects of their service circumstances when developing their policies, including who is participating, where are the services provided, are those involved vaccinated, are the participants coming from various settings where they are exposed to others, etc. Policies must be clearly communicated to participants, families, and employees.
Providers may NOT refuse visitation by families (although specific guidelines such as limits to amount of people, length of time, etc. may be instituted), Department staff, including licensing and other regional office staff, Administrative Entity staff, and Supports Coordinators conducting individual monitoring. Access for inspections, investigations and individual monitoring may not be denied.
Certain Philips Respironics Ventilators, BiPAP, CPAP Machines Recalled Due to Potential Health Risks
The Office of Developmental Programs is issuing this Health Alert to bring awareness of a recall affecting certain Philips Respironics Ventilators, BiPAP, and CPAP machines due to potential health risks. The Food and Drug Administration recently issued a Safety Communication regarding this: Certain Philips Respironics Ventilators, BiPAP, and CPAP Machines Recalled Due to Potential Health Risks: FDA Safety Communication | FDA. In their communication, the FDA provides guidance for people who use the affected devices and their caregivers.
The devices involved are listed here.
Supports Coordination Organizations Attention: Act 66 of 2021 — Action Needed by July 15
Gov. Tom Wolf signed Senate Bill 664 into law on June 30, 2021, now known as Act 66 of 2021, that permits students with disabilities who graduated during the 2020–21 school year and turned age 21 during the 2020–21 school year to attend school during the 2021–22 school year and receive services as outlined on their most recent Individualized Education Program (IEP) with all the protections under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
Parents have the power to decide if their children should repeat their final year to help catch up on learning loss due to the pandemic. The new law gives parents the final say in the decision, not just the school and teachers. However, the decision to repeat a grade level or remain an additional year must be made by July 15, 2021.
As you know, the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requires Person/Family Directed Services (P/FDS) waiver capacity to be reserved by counties for high school graduates who are not eligible to continue their education through the next year. This year is unique since these students are now eligible to choose to continue for an additional year. However, the choice to repeat a grade or remain an additional year under Act 66 of 2021 does not preclude the person from enrollment in P/FDS. Every student slated for a 2021 graduation at age 21, must be offered enrollment in the P/FDS waiver, if they are not enrolled in another waiver, regardless of whether they exercise their right to continue for an additional year under Act 66. A graduate may choose to repeat their final year of high school and enroll in P/FDS. The P/FDS waiver can be used to support the assessed needs that the high school is not required to provide.
ODP expects that Supports Coordinators are immediately communicating this information to all individuals and families that were identified as 2021 graduates and assuring them that the determination to repeat a year of school will not impact their eligibility for or current enrollment in the P/FDS waiver.
Please note: Act 66 applies to students enrolled in any of the following school entities in Pennsylvania during the 2020–21 school year: a school district, intermediate unit, career and technical education center, charter school, cyber charter school, regional charter school, nonpublic school, approved private schools, and chartered schools for the deaf and blind.
Highmark, Stoking Membership Growth, Wants to Buy All of Gateway Health (RCPA Member)
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