Secretary of Health Highlights Multimedia Campaign for Awareness of Flu Vaccine as Pandemic Continues
DDAP Announces Webinar and Webinar Recording on Preventing Overdose Deaths
Advancing Substance Use Prevention in HIDTA Communities | Thursday, October 8, 2020
The Advancing Substance Use Prevention in HIDTA Communities virtual summit has the following goals:
- Discuss advances in substance use prevention policy and strategies over the last five years in the context of national substance threats.
- Describe evidence-based practices, programs, and strategies for substance use prevention led by public safety and public health partnerships.
- Describe critical insights into implementing substance use prevention practices, programs, and strategies.
- Compare different methods for measuring the impact and value of prevention programs.
- Identify national, state, and local prevention resources available to all HIDTA communities.
Review the agenda and event flyer, and register today.
Naloxone Distribution Strategies Webinar Recording
Offered for Centralized Coordinating Entities (CCEs) and their partners, this webinar recording showcases real-world examples of community-based initiatives used by CCEs across Pennsylvania to increase availability of naloxone and prevent overdose deaths. Panelists also discuss how they have adjusted their naloxone distribution efforts in light of COVID-19. Learn more about PCCD’s Naloxone for First Responders Program.
NW PA CDC Cooperative Agreement for Comprehensive Veteran Suicide Prevention Program
Resources For Pennsylvanians Struggling With Mental Health, Thoughts Of Suicide During Pandemic
Human Services Urges Senators Casey, Toomey To Continue SNAP Waivers And Flexibilities During The COVID-19 Health Crisis
Gov. Wolf: Pennsylvania is COVID-19 Prepared with PPE
Reminder: CARES Act Funding and Reporting Update Webinar from Maher Duessel
Maher Duessel is hosting a webinar on Wednesday, October 7 from 2:00 pm – 3:40 pm, for a session entitled CARES Act Funding and Reporting Update. This webinar will be worth 2 A&A credits and is Yellow-Book eligible. It will include the latest regulatory updates on the CARES Act (including discussion on the Paycheck Protection Program and Provider Relief Fund) and best practices for handling the financial reporting requirements. The session will be led by Partner, Diane Edelstein and Senior Manager, Peggy Jo Revay, CPA and will include time for Q&A. There is no cost to attend the webinar. To register for the session, please RSVP directly to Rachelle Ogun. Once you are registered, a few days prior to the seminar, a viewing link (through Teams Live) will be sent to you. We look forward to you joining us!
Wolf Administration Launches Nation’s First Innovative, Evidence-Based Substance Use Disorder Stigma Reduction Campaign
HHS Reporting Requirements for Provider Relief Fund Recipients
Department of Health Releases COVID Alert Exposure Notification App
Earlier this week, the Department of Health (DOH) released the COVID Alert Exposure Notification App, which is now available and can be downloaded for free in the Google and Apple stores (links provided below). The COVID Alert PA is a free mobile App using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology and the Exposure Notification System developed by Apple and Google. The app offers:
- Interactive COVID-19 symptom checker
- Opt-in for alerts for potential exposures to the virus
- Updates on the latest public health data about COVID-19 in PA
- Advice for what to do if you have a potential exposure to COVID-19
COVID Alert PA protects both privacy and personal information. The app does not use GPS, location services, or any movement or geographical information. It will never collect, transmit, or store personal information. It is completely anonymous.
Existing traditional contact tracing processes rely on a positive individual to remember and name who they have been in contact with recently, and for how long. In many cases, positive COVID-19 individuals may not even know the people they were in close contact with, like if the contact happened on a bus or train, at a check-out line in a grocery store, a restaurant or some other public venue.
The app supplements traditional contact tracing processes by being able to identify strangers a positive app user came in contact with and help stop the rapid spread of COVID-19. If the app detects that you have been in close contact with another user who has tested positive for COVID-19, you will receive a push notification on your phone. This is called an exposure alert and will be followed by what you should do to monitor your own health. You can learn more about the app and how it works here.
The Department of Human Services is committed to supporting this effort and helping protect the people we serve encouraging use of COVID Alert PA. This technology only works if others have downloaded the app, which is why they are asking all Pennsylvanians to unite against COVID and download the app.
DOH also has an extensive catalog of marketing materials including posters, social media posts, press releases, and other customizable content if you are interested in helping them to get the word out.
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