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The Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) announced today the availability of $2.7 million in funding for Recovery Community Organizations (RCOs) to expand or enhance recovery support services to individuals in recovery from substance use disorder.

“Community is one of the four dimensions that support and sustain life in recovery,” said DDAP Secretary Jen Smith. “By providing communities with appropriate support services, we can help individuals and their loved ones be better suited for their recovery journey and ultimately live happy, healthy lives.”

The grants are part of $55 million in federal funding awarded to Pennsylvania through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant Program COVID-19 Supplemental Awards. The funding spending plan submitted by DDAP is currently pending approval by SAMHSA. More information will be shared about this funding and supporting projects as it becomes available.

To read about applying for the grants, visit DDAP’s website.

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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released the fiscal year (FY) 2022 inpatient rehabilitation facility prospective payment system (IRF PPS) proposed rule, along with a detailed fact sheet. The proposed rule is scheduled to be published in the Federal Register on April 12, 2021.

Some of the key provisions and proposed policy changes include:

  • Increase in net payments of 1.8 percent (or $160 million), relative to FY 2021 payments (CMS is also requesting feedback on whether FY 2019 claims data or FY 2020 claims data should be utilized to update payment rates due to the COVID-19 public health emergency).
  • Input requested on a number of potential new quality reporting program (QRP) measures.
  • Addition of a new IRF QRP measure: COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage Among Healthcare Personnel beginning in FY 2023 under the IRF QRP.
  • Revision to the data for public reporting/use on Care Compare to account for the 2020 QRP reporting waivers.
  • Outlier Threshold: CMS proposes to update the outlier threshold amount from $7,906 for FY 2021 to $9,192 for FY 2022.
  • Requesting information on revising the measure development and standardized patient ‎assessment data elements (SPADEs) collection to “address gaps in health equity in the IRF ‎QRP.”
  • Requesting information on future plans to define digital quality measures for the IRF QRP.

RCPA will review and discuss the proposed rule in the upcoming Outpatient Rehabilitation Committee and Medical Rehabilitation Committee meetings and utilize the feedback in developing comments on this proposed rule. Comments on this proposed rule are due by June 7, 2021.

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The Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) will host a statewide Intensive Behavioral Health Services (IBHS) webinar on May 11, 2021 at 1:00 pm–3:00 pm. The webinar will include helpful tips and reminders regarding Fee For Service prior authorization instructions, licensing and regulatory requirements, and department approved IBHS training. Questions regarding the webinar may be directed to the IBHS.

Please register here for the IBHS Updates webinar. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. If you have any question for the webinar, please forward them to RCPA Children’s Policy Director Jim Sharp.

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announced today that federal funding may now be used to purchase rapid fentanyl test strips (FTS) in an effort to help curb the dramatic spike in drug overdose deaths largely driven by the use of strong synthetic opioids, including illicitly manufactured fentanyl. Unfortunately in Pennsylvania, fentanyl test strips are considered drug paraphernalia and are therefore illegal.

FTS can be used to determine if drugs have been mixed or cut with fentanyl, providing people who use drugs and communities with important information about fentanyl in the illicit drug supply so they can take steps to reduce their risk of overdose.

The entire press release is available on SAMHSA’s website.

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Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash

The Office of Children, Youth, and Families (OCYF) has updated and released its Complex Case Bulletin and Referral Form. The Complex Case Planning Bulletin was originally disseminated in October 2020. Implementation of the bulletin has been continuously evaluated, and edits were made in coordination with program offices and the Complex Behavioral Health Steering Team to increase consistency and quality of planning. The bulletin provides a detailed overview for providers and county agencies on the county, regional, and state processes for planning these cases.

Please view the Complex Case Planning Bulletin and CY 1003. These documents can also be accessed at the DHS website.

If you have any questions, please contact RCPA Children’s Policy Director Jim Sharp.

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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is pleased to announce the release of the second Annual Comprehensive Employment Report. The ODP Comprehensive Employment Report provides important performance data to individuals, families, advocates, providers, government officials, and taxpayers.

Employment is paramount to living an everyday life. While there has been tremendous progress, there are still many barriers to overcome. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on individuals’ employment, as well as their physical and emotional health, is significant. In addition, barriers that existed prior to the pandemic still exist. ODP stands behind the philosophies and recommendations of Everyday Lives and the Employment First Act. With valuable insight from all stakeholders, ODP is committed to supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities or autism to achieve their employment aspirations.

The 2019–2020 Annual Comprehensive Employment Report is available by accessing the report directly or by visiting the MyODP employment web page.

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