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OMHSAS has released the following bulletin that applies to providers of Community Residential Rehabilitation (CRR) services that provide behavioral health treatment services in host homes to children and youth under 18 years of age in the Medical Assistance (MA), Fee-For-Service (FFS), and managed care delivery systems.
On October 19, 2019, the Department promulgated 55 Pa. Code Chapters 1155 and 5240, which codified the minimum standards for licensing and MA payment conditions for agencies that deliver Intensive Behavioral Health Services (IBHS) to children, youth, and young adults under 21 years of age with mental, emotional and behavioral health needs.
The regulations replaced the requirements for Behavioral Health Rehabilitation Services (BHRS) previously set forth in bulletins issued by the Department. Because IBHS replaced BHRS, BHRS will not be compensable after January 17, 2021.
Specialized behavioral health treatment provided in the CRR host home setting is not considered IBHS. Because the behavioral health treatment component provided in a CRR host home setting cannot be provided through IBHS, the Department is issuing procedures for how CRR providers who provide services in a host home setting can continue to provide specialized behavioral health treatment.
Please review OMHSAS 21-04 Home Host Treatment Bulletin for guidance. There are procedural steps for existing and new providers that should be followed in accordance with this bulletin as well as identified code procedures.
There are also addition attachments related to the bulletin:
If you have any questions, please contact RCPA Children’s Policy Director Jim Sharp.
Following the promulgation of the Intensive Behavioral Health Services (IBHS) regulations, Behavioral Health Rehabilitation Services (BHRS) will no longer be available after January 17, 2021. See OMHSAS Bulletin 21-01 for a list of bulletins that will become obsolete on January 18, 2021.
OMHSAS will be hosting a webinar on May 11, 2021 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm to provide Intensive Behavioral Health Services (IBHS) updates. This webinar will provide a brief summary of the transition from BHRS to IBHS throughout 2020, as well as current tips, policy, and process. Anyone is welcome to attend. If you have a specific question, please familiarize yourself with the resources, frequently asked questions, and presentations already listed on the IBHS website. The webinar details will be sent out shortly.
In addition, the IBHS email is always available for questions and suggested webinar topics. If you have questions or thoughts, please contact RCPA Children’s Policy Director Jim Sharp.
The RCPA Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) Committee created this resource to answer frequently asked questions regarding DEI policy development and refinement. Following a survey of available resources, this compilation was developed as a guide for interested parties and is intended as a springboard to further research with links to additional resources to aid their DEI policy development process. Please send questions or feedback to Cindi Hobbes or Jim Sharp.
The Rehabilitation and Community Providers Association (RCPA) and the Pennsylvania Association of Community Health Centers (PACHC) have secured a $250,000 grant as part of a national initiative to cultivate health policy and a care system that is more equitable and better meets the needs of individuals and families. The collaboration will focus on increasing access to care and developing a comprehensive policy framework and health care plan for consumers with the use of telehealth.
The two-year grant to RCPA and PACHC is among six spanning eight states. It was awarded by the Delta Center for a Thriving Safety Net, which brings together primary care associations and behavioral health state associations to advance policy and practice change. The Delta Center project is supported by the National Council for Behavioral Health, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and the National Association of Community Health Centers. Read the full press release here.
From ANCOR:
March 26, 2021
The Employment First Community of Practice will host a webinar on “Pre-employment Transition Services: Implementation Efforts, Successes and Challenges in Minnesota and Idaho” on April 14 from 3:00-4:00 p.m. ET. This webinar will review the requirements for pre-employment transition services for students with disabilities, including job exploration counseling, work-based learning experiences, counseling on opportunities for enrollment in comprehensive transition or postsecondary educational programs, workplace readiness training, and instruction in self-advocacy. The webinar will share how Minnesota and Idaho are implementing the requirements.
The Center for Advancing Policy on Employment for Youth published a blog on “Inclusive Community College Career Pathways: Access.” The blog discusses how two community colleges increased education access for students with disabilities through an Office of Disability Employment Policy grant program.
The Partnership on Employment & Accessible Technology released its March 2021 Future of Work Newsletter. It highlights the Office of Disability Employment Policy’s 20th anniversary and PEAT’s conference session at SXSW 2021 on “Disability-Led Innovation in Future Workplaces.” It also links to resources added to PEAT’s “Telework and Accessibility Toolkit.”
The National Conference of State Legislatures published a report, “Apprenticeships: A Pipeline for an Inclusive Recovery,” that examines state and federal actions to enhance disability inclusion in apprenticeships. The report explains why inclusive apprenticeships can be an effective workforce development tool to aid economic recovery in the COVID-19 response and highlights resources for creating inclusive apprenticeship programs. The report is the fourth and final in a series developed in collaboration with the State Exchange on Employment & Disability on the opportunities and challenges stemming from the pandemic and its impact on the employment of people with disabilities.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Apprenticeship announced $31 million in funds for Registered Apprenticeship Technical Assistance Centers of Excellence. The Centers of Excellence will support the expansion and modernization of technical assistance to Registered Apprenticeship Programs to accelerate and support their growth and diversity. Funding applications are due April 29, 2021.
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Donna Martin
American Network of Community Options and Resources
Alexandria VA
401-965-9411
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The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services has issued guidance related to Tuberculin skin testing regulatory compliance and COVID-19 vaccinations. The official DHS announcement concerning tuberculin skin testing and COVID vaccination is available at the following link: Guidance for Tuberculin Skin Testing and COVID Vaccination.
Current CDC recommendations state that individuals should not take a Tuberculosis skin test within four weeks of their 2-dose COVID-19 vaccination process.
Applies to Chapters 2380 (Adult Training Facilities), 6400 (Community Homes for Individuals with an Intellectual Disability or Autism), and 6500 (Life Sharing Homes) of Title 55 of the Pennsylvania Code.
Due to the CDC guidance related to tuberculin skin testing and COVID-19 Vaccinations impact on licensees’ ability to comply with regulatory requirements and with the Governor’s authorization as conferred in the Disaster Proclamation, the Department has temporarily issued a limited suspension of the timing of the tuberculin skin testing provisions.
Update from ANCOR:
The Small Business Administration (SBA) has now released the NEW application forms Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) borrowers must submit to apply for first-time loans, or “second draw” loans, as well as indicating expanded eligibility for those second draw loans.
Additionally, the Senate passed legislation by a 92-7 margin today (Thursday, March 25) to extend the deadline for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan applications to May 31. Under the legislation, which overwhelmingly passed the House last week, PPP applicants have until May 31 to apply for a loan and the Small Business Administration (SBA) has a June 30 deadline to process them. We will keep you informed when the legislation is signed by President Biden, and if the SBA issues new materials as a result of this legislation.
First Draw loan information
Second Draw loan information
More information at the US Small Business Administration!