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Brain Injury

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Last week, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra hosted a press conference to announce a rule proposed by the HHS Office for Civil Rights that would update Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. This is the first time these critical regulations will have been updated since they were originally signed in 1977, after four years of tireless advocacy and a 28-day protest led by disability civil rights leaders.

Updates to the rule include:

  • Clarifications on the obligations to provide services in the most integrated setting appropriate to a person’s needs, consistent with the Supreme Court’s decision in Olmstead v. L.C;
  • Medical treatment decisions are not based on biases or stereotypes about people with disabilities, judgments that an individual will be a burden on others, or beliefs that the life of an individual with a disability has less value than the life of a person without a disability;
  • Adoption of standards for accessible diagnostic medical treatment;
  • Adoption of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, Level AA, which are accessibility standards for websites and mobile applications;
  • Clarification of requirements in HHS-funded child welfare programs and activities to help eliminate discriminatory barriers faced by children, parents, caregivers, foster parents, and prospective parents with disabilities; and
  • Prohibition of the use of value-of-life assessments in treatment decisions.

Read the official announcement, full rule, fact sheet, and instructions on how to provide comments on the HHS website. If you have any questions, please contact Fady Sahhar.

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The Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) has announced that Public Partnerships, LLC, has been selected as the new statewide Vendor Fiscal/Employer Agent (VF/EA) for Financial Management Services (FMS) for Fee for Service OLTL-administered programs related to Request for Application RFA 07-21.

The VF/EA performs fiscal-related functions for the operation of participant direction for multiple home and community-based service (HCBS) waivers managed by OLTL. The intent of FMS is to reduce the employer-related burden for participants while making sure Medicaid and Commonwealth funds used to pay for services and supports are managed and disbursed appropriately as authorized. The new contract became effective September 1, 2023.

Questions regarding the new vendor or anything related to this announcement should be directed to OLTL via email or by calling 800-932-0939, option 2, Monday through Friday, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm.

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The meeting documents from the September 6, 2023, Managed Long-Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) Subcommittee meeting are now available. The documents include the agenda, transcript, and PowerPoint presentations. You can find the documents below:

The next MLTSS Subcommittee meeting is scheduled for October 4, 2023, from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm in the PA Department of Education’s Honors Suite at 333 Market St. in Harrisburg, PA. The option to participate via webinar is also available. To participate via webinar, please register here. 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 the remote captioning and streaming services link.

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Image by Dirk Wouters from Pixabay

On May 25, 2023, Governor Shapiro signed Executive Order 2023-09 — Pennsylvania’s Master Plan for Older Adults. This Executive Order directs the Pennsylvania Department of Aging to lead the Master Plan for Older Adults, a state-led, stakeholder-driven, 10-year strategic planning resource that can help states transform their infrastructure and coordination of services for older adult and disability populations.

The Department of Aging has been leading stakeholder listening sessions and presenting at various venues across the state in order to gather input and comments that will support the development of the master plan. Visit here to see the dates and times of virtual listening sessions planned in September; included in these sessions is a PowerPoint presentation.

Members are encouraged to contribute what you think should be the plan’s priority goals, objectives, and initiatives to support the highest quality of life for older adults. Comments can be shared here, via email, or by mail to Pennsylvania Department of Aging c/o Master Plan, 555 Walnut Street, 5th Floor, Harrisburg, PA 17101.  

Members are also encouraged to complete the Needs Assessment Survey, which is designed to capture the experience of older adults and adults with disabilities. The survey will remain open until September 30, 2023.

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It’s your last chance to claim early bird registration for the 2023 RCPA Annual Conference A Decade of Unity, as early bird rates end this Friday, September 8! Be sure to take a look at our registration brochure, where you’ll see our full lineup of speakers, sessions, and workshops as well as information on reserving your hotel room and more! You won’t want to miss earning CEs with workshops such as:

  • What We Know About the Effectiveness of FBMHS: Implications for Service Delivery
    • Discover how FBMHS improved functionality for adolescents with SED as well as how to use the ESFT Logic Model as a framework for discussing clinical implications.
  • Don’t Forget the Pharmacist! Impact of the Innovative Collaboration Between Woods Services and Synergy Pharmacy on Patients With ID/A
    • Learn about strategies that enhance quality of care and improve safety for a complex population through a dynamic panel discussion highlighting the work of Woods’ clinical teams and its partnership with Synergy.
  • Independence and Wellness Through Employment
    • Identify strategies of person-centered employment readiness and seeking, and deconstruct the complex process of identifying jobs beyond the “usual entry level” positions for a whole-person approach to employment.
  • Building the Framework: The Interactions of Ethics, Bias, & Cultural Humility
    • Create a foundation for client-centered care by taking an introspective exploration of ethical principles, bias, and cultural humility.
  • Sustainable Development Preventive Planning in Mental and Behavioral Health
    • Experience participatory planning by being grouped into simulated communities and analyzing risk factor data to inform decisions to protect children and youth from developing mental and behavioral disorders.
  • Moving From Great Resignation to Great Retention
    • Develop policies and procedures that support employee wellbeing while using behavioral assessments to improve talent management.
  • Adapting Interventions for Neurodiversity Effectiveness
    • Learn about interventions, modifications, and adaptations for family-based, PCIT, and education systems to improve outcomes for children affected by FASD, their families, and the support providers who work with them.
  • Suicide in a Chaotic World
    • Examine strategies and possible solutions to prevent suicide in the workplace as well as the general community, with an emphasis on the importance of conversation, language, and listening to help those who are having thoughts of suicide by connecting through hope.
Register today!

In addition to an impressive roster of speakers, our 2023 Conference will have an exciting array of sponsors and exhibitors. We thank those who have signed on thus far! **NOTE: EXHIBIT BOOTHS ARE SOLD OUT.** If you are interested in sponsoring, visit here for more details or contact Carol Ferenz, Conference Coordinator, with any questions you may have. Keep up-to-date and register today for #rcpaconf!

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RCPA continues to raise funds to support the RCPA PAC, which provides financial support to state legislators who have demonstrated a strong, consistent, and positive interest in our issues and priorities.

We are excited to once again host the RCPA PAC silent auction to be held in conjunction with the RCPA conference. The silent auction will be held outside Connections Hall during the conference, and with over 700 attendees (registrants, presenters, exhibitors, and sponsors), we are hoping to attract all to participate.

We are requesting your consideration in assisting us with providing a donation of an auction item. We are hoping to secure a variety of auction items that will be enticing to all members. All donations are greatly appreciated and can be something as simple as a gift certificate for a restaurant to a basket of sorts (candy, movie night, grilling items, cooking theme). We are also accepting items such as jewelry, designer handbags, tickets to college or professional sporting events, golf items, and sports memorabilia. We hope we can count on your support.

We would like to thank our donors to date, including the following:

  • Basket of Sorts — Venango Training & Development Center, Inc.
  • Pearl & Gemstone Cuff Bracelet — RCPA Staff
  • The 19th Hole Basket (Whiskey, Cigars & Golf Balls) — Children’s Service Center of Wyoming Valley, Inc.
  • Chocolate / Kate Space Basket — PLEA
  • Coach Denim Jacket — RCPA Staff
  • Hershey Lodge Stay — Hershey Resorts
  • Black & Gold Pendant Statement Necklace — RCPA Staff
  • Round of Golf for 4 People — Dauphin Highlands Golf Course
  • Victoria’s Secret Large Tote Bag & Wallet — RCPA Staff
  • 2 Steelers / Packers Football Tickets — Corporate Benefits Consultants, Inc.
  • Winter Basket — Wesley Family Services
  • Basket of Sorts — Hope Enterprises
  • 2 Branded Sweaters & 2 Yeti Coffee Mugs — Greenspace Health
  • Signed Football from #2 Darius Slay of the Philadelphia Eagles — Success Rehabilitation, Inc.
  • Little League World Series Basket — Firetree, Ltd.

Please contact Christine Tartaglione before September 29, 2023, if you would like to donate any items. Thank you for your consideration of our request. We hope we can count on your support, and we look forward to seeing you at the conference.

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Don’t wait any longer — time is running out to take advantage of the early bird registration rate for the 2023 RCPA Annual Conference A Decade of Unity! Early bird rates end Friday, September 8, 2023. You can view our registration brochure to see our exciting lineup of sessions, keynote speakers, and activities, including networking and Connections Hall events, as well as information on booking your hotel room. Complete the brochure and reserve your seat at the early bird discount rate today!

We also wish to extend our thanks to those organizations that have already contributed and shown their support! Please note that all exhibitor booths have been reserved! However, you can still sponsor and advertise by completing our sponsor/exhibitor brochure today! As a reminder, sponsors, exhibitors, and advertisers who wish to be listed on the website, the mobile app, and in the conference program must submit all materials by September 8. If questions remain, please contact Carol Ferenz, Conference Coordinator.

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released an updated HEADS UP to Youth Sports: Online Concussion Training for Coaches. The training provides important information to assist coaches identify signs and symptoms of possible concussions and steps to take if one occurs.

The objectives of the training include:

  • Describe what concussions are, how they occur, and at least one long-term and two short-term potential effect on an athlete’s physical and mental health;
  • Recognize at least two signs and two symptoms of a concussion you might observe during a practice or game;
  • Explain your role in determining if an athlete should be removed from a practice or game, and list four steps to take after a possible concussion occurs; and
  • Identify at least two ways you can prioritize concussion safety.

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The Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania (BIAPA) has announced that they will be offering a 4-part review course for individuals preparing to become Certified Brain Injury Specialists (CBIS). This 4-part Review Course will cover the topics found in Essentials of Brain Injury Guide, Edition 5.0; however, it is highly recommended that you obtain the study materials and prepare prior to taking the CBIS Review Course and the CBIS Exam. Acquiring the CBIS is essential for staff to demonstrate that they are well-informed about providing brain injury rehabilitation services.

FALL 2023 COURSE DATES: September 27, October 4, October 11, and October 18
TIME: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Registration Deadline: September 6, 2023

REGISTRATION PROCESS

  1. The BIAPA Prep-course fee is $250. There will be a live Q&A at the end of each Zoom session. Register here to sign up and pay for the BIAPA prep course.
  2. The CBIS discounted application fee is $200 and is only available at this price if you sign up for the prep-course through BIAPA. This application fee is made payable to BIAA/ACBIS and is required to determine eligibility and be able to sit for the CBIS Exam. Use affiliate code: BIAPADIS to receive a discounted rate through October 19, 2023. Please visit here for eligibility and requirements for taking the CBIS Exam and to pay the application fee.

You can email BIAPA for more information.

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