CMS Releases Details on HCBS Settings Rule Corrective Action Plans
PA Family Support Alliance Sponsors Free Training Responding to Disclosures of Child Abuse
The PA Family Support Alliance is sponsoring a free mandated reporter training entitled “Responding to Disclosures of Child Abuse.” This training is for mandated reporters who have taken training on recognizing and reporting child abuse before and need to take it again. It is 3 hours and available at no cost to mandated reporters in Pennsylvania. This training is designed to help professionals and volunteers respond to disclosures of child abuse in a way that is sensitive and supportive to the child, but without tainting the child’s memory.
The curriculum is approved by the Departments of Human Services, Education, and State and meets all requirements for training on recognizing and reporting child abuse (to include Act 126 for school employees). It is also approved for continuing education credits under Act 31 (Department of State for health-related licenses) and Act 48 (Department of Education for teachers) at no cost. PFSA will submit your training verification to the Department of State or Education as appropriate on your behalf (details provided during training).
Each person must log in through separate devices, using the unique access link emailed to them after registration to receive credit.
For questions or to schedule a session specifically for your organization, please email PFSA or RCPA Children’s Policy Director Jim Sharp.
Please register for your preferred training date and time by clicking one of the session links below.
Wed. June 1, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Tues. June 7, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Wed. June 8, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Thurs. June 9, 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Tues. June 14, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Wed. June 15, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Thurs. June 16, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Fri. June 17, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Sat. June 18, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Tues. June 21, 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Tues. June 21, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Wed. June 22, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Thurs. June 23, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Mon. June 27, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Tues. June 28, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Just Released: RCPA Member PATF’s Impact Report Highlights Another Outstanding Year
Message from RCPA Member Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation (PATF):
We are so excited to announce that Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation (PATF) has helped a record number of people with our low- and no-interest loan programs, our information and assistance services, and our financial education resources.
Of note, after we increased the lending cap on our Mini-Loan program from $2,000 to $7,000, this program grew by 151%! (see below: 2021 by the Numbers)
And it doesn’t stop there! We published Smart Homes Made Simple: Your Guide to Smart Home Technology and launched SmartHomesMadeSimple to help the disability community learn about mainstream smart home devices and how they can be financed.
In March of this year, PATF hosted a smart home webinar with more than 500 attendees from around the world!
We are proud to share our organization’s growth over the last year, in which assistive technology (AT) was critical, to support people with disabilities and older adults stay safe, healthy, and connected to our community.
With your unwavering support – our donors, borrowers, partners, families and friends – we were able to expand and create new programs to help people with disabilities and older Pennsylvanians live more independently. Thank you!
Insurance Department Reminds Pennsylvanians of Mental Health, Addiction Treatment Parity Laws
In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, the Pennsylvania Insurance Department is highlighting its continued work to ensure that insurers operating within the commonwealth are following state and federal parity laws, allowing those faced with mental health or substance use disorders continued access to needed care.
Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA), health insurance plans and insurers must offer mental health and substance use disorder benefits that are no less restrictive than their coverage for medical or surgical care. These benefits include quantitative limitations (copays, deductibles, and limits on inpatient or outpatient visits that are covered) and non-quantitative limitations (pre-authorizations, providers available through a plan’s network, and what a plan deems “medically necessary”).
It’s the Last Week to Go #AllInForHCBS Before Congress Leaves on Recess
Budget Reconciliation Bill Negotiations Continue
Agenda for June Managed Long-Term Services and Supports Subcommittee Meeting
The agenda for the June 1, 2022, Managed Long-Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) Subcommittee meeting was recently released by the Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL). The June meeting will continue to be offered via webinar and remote streaming. OLTL is planning to hold the July 6, 2022, MLTSS Subcommittee meeting in person with optional webinar and remote streaming.
Surgeon General Advisory Focuses on Health Worker Burnout Crisis
On May 23, 2022, United States Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy released a new Surgeon General’s advisory that highlights the urgent need to address the health worker burnout crisis across the country. The advisory titled “Addressing Health Worker Burnout” warns that the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated longstanding system challenges in the health care system. Health workers, including physicians, nurses, community and public health workers, nurse aides, and others have risked their own lives throughout the pandemic.
A series of recommendations are included in the advisory.
RCPA Capitol Day 2022 Follow-Up — June 1
Yesterday, RCPA held its 2022 Capitol Day on the Capitol steps in Harrisburg. Members had the opportunity to meet with their legislators and hear from Charlie Barber, RCPA Board Chair, Sherri Landis, Executive Director for the ARC of Pennsylvania, Rep. Jessica Benham, Rep. Dan Miller, and Rep. Carrie Lewis DelRosso about the importance of funding intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and behavioral health services.
As a follow-up to Capitol Day, RCPA would like those members who attended to give an update about their legislative meetings. This member intel will be beneficial for RCPA staff to effectively lobby the Governor and the General Assembly over the next few weeks.
RCPA is hosting this follow-up to Capitol Day on Wednesday, June 1, at 9:00 am. Members can register for the call here.
Please contact Jack Phillips with questions.
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