FDA Approves Moderna, J&J Booster Shots, Also Says It’s OK to Mix Vaccines
HHS Renews COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra has again issued the renewal of the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) due to the continued consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. The renewal became effective on October 18, 2021 and will extend the PHE into early 2022. This PHE status enables the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to keep all applicable waivers in place.
Vaccination and Testing Policy Request
As vaccinations and/or testing of employees becomes more of a requirement for many of our members, there will also be a need to develop policies for the implementation of these requirements. Philadelphia providers have already been forced to deal with this situation, and others are preparing, or have already decided to implement, mandatory vaccine protocols for their employees.
We are trying to gather as much information as possible to help all of our members handle this new demand, including determining what testing will be acceptable to meet the mandate in lieu of vaccinations, who the mandates will apply to, and what are acceptable reasons for exemption from a vaccination mandate.
RCPA is requesting that those who have developed polices and who are willing to share those policies send them to RCPA HR Committee staff so that others may learn from your experiences. We will make these available to other members only and will share them in whatever format you choose to send them (with or without your agency name).
Thank you in advance to any members who are willing to share your policies.
OMHSAS Reinstates Licensing Inspection Visit Regulations
Effective October 18, 2021, the following regulatory statutes and regulations are reinstated:
- 62 P.S. § 911(a)(2) — Visitation and Inspection;
- 62 P.S. § 1016 — Right to Enter and Inspect; and
- 55 Pa. Code § 20.31 — Annual Inspection.
If you have any questions or concerns related to this announcement, please contact your local OMHSAS Regional Field Office at the following numbers:
Central Field Office — 717-705-8395
Northeast Field Office — 570-963-4335
Southeast Field Office — 610-313-5844
Southwest Field Office — 412-565-5226
If you have further questions, please contact your RCPA Policy Director(s).
Wolf Administration Establishes Interagency Substance Use Response Team
The Wolf Administration today announced creation of the Interagency Substance Use Response Team (ISURT), a new tool for collaboration across state government to combat the disease of addiction. ISURT replaces the Opioid Command Center (OCC), which was originally created under the governor’s opioid disaster declaration. In replacing the current OCC structure, this newly-established group will shift its focus from solely opioids to all SUDs due to the increase in polysubstance use, stimulant use, and additional SUDs emerging in Pennsylvania.
For more information, contact the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs.
Foothold Technology Presents “Change Management” Webinar on November 2, 2021
Nursing Homes Fall Short of Vaccine Mandates for Staff
Nazareth Woman is Making Jackets for People in Wheelchairs
RCPA Workforce Survey Closes Today — Monday, October 18, 2021
RCPA will close the workforce survey at close of business today, Monday, October 18, 2021. The survey, which is open to all Human Service Providers in Pennsylvania, covers workforce issues for a diverse range of programs, including Mental Health, IDD/Autism, Brain Injury, Drug & Alcohol, and Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities (IRF). The survey responses seek to gather data related to hiring, retention, vacancy rates, pay structures, vaccinations, and COVID-19 impacts on programs as well as access to care associated with the pandemic.
We thank you for your time in completing this survey. We will begin the survey analysis of the survey outcomes and will complete a report for distribution to our General Assembly, state stakeholders, members and participants.
Please complete the survey here. If you have any questions, please contact RCPA Director of Children’s Services Jim Sharp.
New Funding Opportunities Now Available Through PADDC
PENNSYLVANIA DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES COUNCIL (PADDC) REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS
We are pleased to announce that the first Request for Application (RFA) book for 2022–2026 State Plan is now available for you to download, which includes 13 separate grant opportunities. The deadline to submit applications for these grants is December 1, 2021. Visit here to read more and download the RFA book and other application resources.
In addition, PADDC is offering funding on a rolling basis through our Community Grants Program. Get more information about the Community Grants Program here.
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