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Brain Injury

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The 2024 RCPA Conference Embracing Challenges, Empowering Success will be held September 24 – 27 at the Hershey Lodge for a statewide audience. The Conference Committee is seeking workshop proposals in every area for possible inclusion, particularly those that assist providers in developing and maintaining high-quality, stable, and effective treatments, services, and agencies in an industry where change is constant. The committee looks for presentations that:

  • Highlight new policy, research, and treatment initiatives, such as the use of artificial intelligence, telehealth innovations, and employing people with disabilities;
  • Provide specific skills and information related to individual and organizational leadership development and enhancement;
  • Discuss advanced ethics practices and suicide prevention;
  • Address system changes that affect business practices, including integrated care strategies, value-based purchasing, performance-based contracting, acquisitions and mergers, and alternative payment models;
  • Provide guidance on building a culture of a committed workforce, including recruitment and employee development as well as effective remote workforce strategies;
  • Offer concrete skills and tools to operate more efficient, effective businesses; and
  • Inspire ideas for organizations to be leaders in their field.

The committee welcomes any proposal that addresses these and other topics essential to rehabilitation, mental health, substance use disorder, children’s health, aging, physical disabilities, and intellectual/developmental disabilities & autism.

Members are encouraged to consider submitting, and we highly encourage you to forward this opportunity to those who are exceptionally good speakers and have state-of-the-art information to share.

The Call for Proposals (featuring a complete listing of focus tracks) and accompanying Guidelines for Developing Educational Objectives detail requirements for submissions. The deadline for submissions is Monday, March 11, 2024, at 5:00 pm. Proposals must be submitted electronically on the form provided; confirmation of receipt will be sent. Proposals submitted after the deadline will not be considered.

If the proposal is accepted, individuals must be prepared to present on any day of the conference. Workshops are 90 or 180 minutes in length. At the time of acceptance, presenters will be required to confirm the ability to submit workshop handouts electronically four weeks prior to the conference. Individuals unable to meet this expectation should not submit proposals for consideration.

Individuals are welcome to submit multiple proposals. Notification of inclusion for the conference will be made via email by Friday, May 17, 2024. Questions may be directed to Carol Ferenz, Conference Coordinator.

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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has introduced the Innovation in Behavioral Health (IBH) Model to enhance integration in behavioral health. This model is designed to improve care quality, access, and outcomes for individuals with mental health conditions and substance use disorders under Medicaid and Medicare. Community-based behavioral health practices will form interprofessional care teams to address behavioral and physical health, including health-related social needs. The IBH Model uses a “no wrong door” approach, providing access to all services, and emphasizes building health information technology capacity. The model is scheduled to launch in Fall 2024 and will operate for eight years in up to eight select states. For more information, visit the IBH Model web page, where you can find frequently asked questions, access a fact sheet on the IBH Model, and explore a fact sheet on the accomplishments of the HHS Roadmap for Behavioral Health Integration.

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A Joint Statement of Policy was released in the Pennsylvania Bulletin on January 13, 2024, by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, the State Board of Nursing, and the Department of Human Services (DHS) regarding the application of Pennsylvania’s partial implementation of the Nurse Licensure Compact Act. The partial implantation of the Nurse Licensure Compact Act (2021 Act 68) allows Registered Nurses (RN) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) who hold current multistate licenses from other compact states to practice in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania without obtaining a license from the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing, so long as the licensee’s principal place of residence is not in this Commonwealth.

What does this mean for Personal Care Homes (PCH) and Assisted Living Residences (ALR)?

The Joint Statement of Policy clarification on the partial implementation of the Nurse Licensure Compact Act means that PCH/ALR providers may consider a RN or LPN with a multistate license who does not have their principal place of residence in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to be equivalent to a RN or LPN who holds licensure through the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing. Any reference to “Registered Nurse,” “RN,” “Licensed Practical Nurse,” “LPN,” or “nurse” in 55. PA Code Chapter 2600 and 55. PA Code Chapter 2800 and their corresponding Regulatory Compliance Guides (RCG) may be interpreted to include eligible multistate licensed nurses, regardless of whether or not the regulation specifically indicates that licensure is required by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing.

All other statutory and regulatory requirements continue to apply. All nurses being utilized in PCH/ALR settings must be able to provide services at the physical location if their job description, facility policies and procedures, and/or resident needs require direct resident assessment, evaluation, or treatment.

Visit here for more information on multi-state nurse licensure, including identification of states participating in the compact. Questions about this communication may be directed via email.

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The PA Department of Health (DOH) will be publishing two notices in the Pennsylvania (PA) Bulletin on January 20, 2024, regarding the Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Advisory Board.

The first notice announces the renaming of the TBI Advisory Board to the Brain Injury Advisory Board:
The Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Advisory Board (Board) was instituted in August 2001 by the Secretary of Health as a requirement of section 1252 the Federal TBI Act of 1996 (42 U.S.C. § 300d-52) and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Federal TBI Planning Grant, presently known as the Administration for Community Living (ACL) TBI State Partnership Program Grant. There is no requirement for the Board to be specifically called the TBI Advisory Board. Until 2021, the grant stipulated that the Board must have 50% of its voting members exclusively represent individuals with a TBI. With this limited scope, individuals with a nontraumatic brain injury (nonTBI) could not be considered as voting members. It created gaps in representation and understanding, hindering the Board’s ability to address the diverse needs of the broader brain injury community. As awareness of nonTBI evolved and service needs increased for individuals with a nonTBI, ACL expanded the scope of the Board to allow all individuals with nonTBI brain injury to serve as voting members. On August 4, 2023, the Board convened and voted unanimously to change its name to the Brain Injury Advisory Board. This adjustment underscores a strategic initiative toward inclusivity. It acknowledges the various origins of brain injuries and aims to bridge the current gap in representation. The change also aligns the Board’s nomenclature with its commitment to comprehensive advocacy, facilitating a more nuanced understanding and responsive approach to the diverse challenges encountered by individuals affected by all forms of acquired brain injuries.

The second notice provides information about the next board meeting. The Brain Injury Advisory Board will hold their next public meeting on February 2, 2024, from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm in person at the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN), 6340 Flank Drive, Harrisburg, PA 17112, in the Cambria conference room.

Meeting materials will be sent out before the meeting and will also be available on their website and at the meeting location. Questions about the meeting should be directed to Nicole Johnson.

The DOH’s Head Injury Program (HIP) strives to ensure that eligible individuals who have a brain injury receive high quality rehabilitative services aimed at reducing functional limitations and improving quality of life. The Board assists the DOH in understanding and meeting the needs of persons living with acquired brain injuries, both traumatic and nontraumatic, and their families. This quarterly meeting will provide updates on a variety of topics including the number of people served by HIP. In addition, meeting participants will discuss budgetary and programmatic issues, community programs relating to traumatic and nontraumatic brain injuries, and available advocacy opportunities.

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Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash

KING OF PRUSSIA, PA – Chief Executive Officer of Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation (PATF) Ben Laudermilch has announced his resignation, effective February 2, 2024.

Laudermilch succeeded founder Susan Tachau as PATF’s CEO. He continued PATF’s mission of supporting and advocating for people with disabilities. In his role as CEO, Laudermilch continued to grow PATF’s mission across Pennsylvania, and into new states, working with public and private stakeholders and partners.

PATF Senior Lending and Operations Director Tracy Beck and Board Member Evan Davis have been named as interim co-CEOs of the organization while a search is conducted to select a permanent CEO who will sustain PATF’s mission and leadership.

Tracy Beck is the long-term PATF Senior Lending and Operations Director who has been vital to PATF’s growth and a consistent leader in PATF’s mission. Evan Davis is an executive with a proven successful track record as a COO and CFO for multiple organizations. Evan assisted PATF as a board member and led the recent PATF strategic planning process.

“We are grateful to Ben for continuing to promote assistive technology through meaningful programs for members of the disability community. We are confident in Tracy and Evan’s leadership and their excellent working relationships to sustain PATF through the transition. We look forward to successfully identifying and onboarding a new CEO and to continue making an impact in the disability community,” says Nancy Murray, President of PATF Board of Directors.

PATF remains dedicated and passionate about growing its mission to help older Pennsylvanians and people with disabilities by providing valuable services that allow everyone to have more independent and equitable lives.

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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released the calendar year (CY) 2024 therapy services KX Modifier threshold amounts. The CY 2024 amounts are as follows:

  • $2,330 for physical therapy (PT) and Speech-language Pathology (SLP) services combined; and
  • $2,330 for occupational therapy service.

Additional information can be found on the following web pages:

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The Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) recently posted a proposed regulation from the Pennsylvania Department of State on behalf of the State Board of Physical Therapy (PT) for consideration.

The State Board of Physical Therapy (Board) proposes to amend §§ 40.1, 40.14, 40.15, 40.61, 40.63, 40.67, 40.163, 40.164, and 40.192. The proposed rulemaking will allow physical therapist (PT) students and physical therapist assistant (PTA) students to sit for the requisite examinations up to 90 days prior to graduation from their respective programs, and it will allow PTs and PTAs to receive a limited amount of continuing education credit for providing clinical instruction to student PTs and student PTAs at clinical facilities affiliated with accredited programs. Additionally, the proposed rulemaking will allow applicants to directly register for the national examination with the examination provider, by removing the requirement that the applicant first seek the Board’s permission. Lastly, it will allow applicants to sit for a third or successive examination, after two failures, without first seeking the Board’s permission.

The amendments will be effective upon notice or publication of the final-form rulemaking in the Pennsylvania Bulletin scheduled for January 27, 2024. The proposed regulation will be open for public comment upon publication, and comments will be accepted through February 26, 2024. Written comments, recommendations, or objections regarding this proposed rulemaking should be sent to Thomas M. Davis, Board Counsel, at P.O. Box 69523, Harrisburg, PA 17106-9523 or by email within 30 days of publication of this proposed rulemaking in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. Please reference “Regulation No. 16A-6522 (Early Exam, CE for Clinical Instruction, and AAP)” when submitting comments. IRRC comments on the proposed regulation will be due by March 27, 2024.

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Thursday, January 18, 2024
10:30 am – 11:30 am EST; 9:30 am – 10:30 am CST;
8:30 am – 9:30 am MST; 7:30 am – 8:30 am PST
Register

Jo Barta, MD
Analise Ludwig, AuD, CCC-A, FAAA
Graham Scheck, PhD, CCC-SLP

Speaker/Panelist Bios:

Jo Barta, MD

Dr. Barta is a self-proclaimed “triple gopher,” having completed her undergrad, Medical School, and residency training all at the University of Minnesota. She went on to pursue a fellowship in Craniofacial & Pediatric Plastic Surgery at Seattle Children’s Hospital & University of Washington before being recruited back to the Twin Cities. She is currently the division leader for the Craniofacial & Pediatric Plastic Surgery team at Gillette Children’s Hospital, St. Paul, MN, and a surgeon for the cleft and craniofacial team at the University of MN.

Dr. Barta is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. She holds an academic position as an adjunct and associate professor for the University of Minnesota Medical School and is actively involved with many national and international societies for cleft and craniofacial care. She enjoys running, volunteering on surgical trips, traveling, and spending time with family.

Analise Ludwig, AuD, CCC-A, FAAA

Dr. Ludwig is an Audiologist with a Doctorate of Audiology from the University of Minnesota and a Certification of Clinical Competency in Audiology. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Audiology. She participates in the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association, and the American Academy of Audiology, and she is a former president of the Minnesota Academy of Audiology. She has participated as a member of the Minnesota Department of Health’s Speech-Language and Audiology Advisory Council.

Dr. Ludwig’s goal is to provide comprehensive, flexible, and family-centered audiologic care. She works collaboratively with children, adults, and their caregivers to maximize hearing ability so patients can engage in and enjoy everyday life. In her free time, Dr. Ludwig enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and chihuahuas, playing the violin, cooking Italian food, and running.

Graham Schenck, PhD, CCC-SLP

Dr. Schenck is a Craniofacial Speech Scientist and Outpatient Lead SLP at Gillette Children’s in St. Paul, MN. He is also an adjunct professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. Graham has over eleven years of clinical and research experience in cleft palate and craniofacial differences. He specializes in the assessment and treatment of resonance disorders, speech sound disorders, and feeding/swallowing disorders across the lifespan. Graham’s current research lines include MRI and 3D imaging to evaluate the velopharyngeal complex and examining the efficacy of NMES dysphagia treatment in children with cerebral palsy.

Objectives: At the end of this session, the learner will:

  • Define, identify, and briefly describe complex medical diagnoses that require multidisciplinary care from an accredited craniofacial team;
  • Describe typical craniofacial team composition and roles of team providers (e.g., plastic-craniofacial surgery, speech-language pathology, and audiology); and
  • Describe surgical and rehabilitation pathways for medically complex patients with craniofacial differences, including functional restoration of anatomy, airway management, and principles of feeding, speech, and hearing assessment and treatment.

Audience: This webinar is intended for all members of the rehabilitation team, including medical staff, nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech language pathologists, licensed psychologists, mental health professionals, and other interested professionals.

Level: Intermediate

Certificate of Attendance: Certificates of attendance are available for all attendees. No CEs are provided for this course.

Register

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The Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) has announced that they will be hosting a second Transportation Summit webinar on Wednesday, February 7, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. This is an open forum for anyone interested in discussing transportation in the Community HealthChoices (CHC) Program. There will be staff from various programs on the call, including the managed care organizations (MCOs) and transportation brokers, Medical Assistance Transportation Program (MATP), Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), etc. They will be on the call to listen to your feedback and answer questions as they are able.

During the webinar, there will be three ways for individuals to ask questions. You can either submit your questions (to be read during the meeting) to OLTL in advance by emailing Cortney Alvord; use the “raise hand” feature during the webinar and you will be unmuted so you can ask your question; or you can type your question into the “chat” box located on the right side of your screen.

Please register here. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. Questions about the webinar should be directed to Cortney Alvord.

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