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0 1483

ODP Announcement 21-048 is intended to supplement — not replace — any federal, state, or local public health and safety laws, rules, and regulations with which providers of the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) home and community-based services must comply. Additionally, there may be instances where there are differences in CDC guidance from PA Department of Health (DOH) guidance. In these instances, PA DOH guidance should be followed as the lead agency of the COVID-19 response for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

All direct support professionals (DSPs) should follow risk mitigation recommendations, which include, but are not limited to, infection prevention strategies for universal masking, screening, and handwashing as outlined in the guidance included in this communication.

This announcement includes a chart outlining obsolete guidance and new guidance to be followed by service type, with links to the applicable documents.

ODP encourages any provider who has a question to reach out for clarification and support. The following resources can provide support as appropriate:

  1. Regional Congregate Care Assistance Teams (RCAT)
  2. PA DOH at 877-PA-HEALTH (877-724-3258)
  3. Health Care Quality Units (HCQUs)
  4. ODP Regional Offices Questions about this announcement may be directed here

 

0 931

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) UPDATE: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Modifications to Medication Administration Course Requirements as a Result of the COVID-19 Pandemic

ODP Announcement 20-114 informs stakeholders that due to the ongoing effects of the pandemic, staff can continue to take the Modified Course in place of the Standard Course until December 31, 2021. Also, the Department previously required that staff who took the Modified Course in lieu of the Standard Course complete the Standard Course no later than June 30, 2021. Please be advised that this deadline has been extended to December 31, 2022.

Beginning July 1, 2021, staff who have completed the initial requirements to begin administering medications using the Modified Course as above are required to complete additional medication administration observations and Medication Record Reviews as part of the Annual Practicum. This enhanced requirement applies to any staff who have at any time trained with the Modified Course and have not yet completed the Standard Course.

The enhanced Annual Practicum requirements are:

  1. Observations of staff administering medications must occur four times annually by a Certified Medication Administration Trainer or Qualified Medication Administration Practicum Observer. It is recommended that one medication administration observation be completed each quarter. Observations of the medication administrations may be conducted in-person or remotely using video telecommunication technology. Remote observation is encouraged to maintain social distancing; and
  2. Medication Record Reviews for the medication administrator must occur four times annually by a Certified Medication Administration Trainer or Qualified Medication Administration Practicum Observer. It is recommended that one Medication Record Review be completed each quarter. Medication Record Reviews of the medication administrations may be conducted in-person or remotely using video telecommunication technology. Remote reviews are encouraged whenever possible to maintain social distancing.

The full document, including frequently asked questions relating to medication administration requirements that were modified as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, can be accessed here. These questions and responses apply to both new and current staff unless otherwise indicated.

0 1465

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is reminding providers of the importance of completing the 2020 Staff Stability Survey for your organization. We are particularly interested in having a robust response rate this year due to the impact of the pandemic on your workforce. We expect to use the data from this survey to help inform the rate-setting work.

If you are one of the 200 or so who have already completed the survey or determined that your agency is not eligible to complete it, thank you. There is nothing further to do. We have reached a statistically significant response but would like to have as many as possible in order to have the best data possible. Many providers have not yet clicked on the survey to open it or have started but not completed it.

Responses are due by Wednesday, June 30, 2021. You should have received an invitation and the personalized survey link from HSRI. Please be sure to check your spam folder or contact Rick Smith if you cannot locate the message. Thank you for your attention to this important survey.

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The next Managed Long-Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) Subcommittee meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 7, 2021, as a webinar with remote streaming from 10:00 am–1:00 pm.

To register for this webinar, please visit the webinar registration link. The dial-in number is: (914) 614-3221; Access Code: 716-025-613. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. Remote captioning and streaming services will be provided. If you require these services, please visit this remote captioning and streaming services link.

0 1458

From ANCOR:
You may have received this information and related links already, but posting here for ease of access! HRSA continues to encourage providers to establish their PRF Reporting Portal accounts now by registering here. Registration will also allow providers to receive updates closer to the official opening of the portal for their reporting submissions.

HRSA landing page for reporting portal here.

PRF Reporting FAQs here. I found the FAQs extremely helpful and suggest you review before registering for the portal!

Provider Relief Fund General and Targeted Distribution Post-Payment Notice of Reporting Requirements (revised June 11, 2021).

Full “User Guide” available here.

Link to HHS resources and additional information here.

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Donna Martin
American Network of Community Options and Resources
Alexandria, VA
(401) 965-9411
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