';
OMHSAS has released the following Telehealth Regulatory Waiver Request template in order to streamline regulatory waiver requests for the continued delivery of telehealth services following the 9-30-21 end date of statewide regulatory waivers based on the COVID-19 Emergency Declaration.
The waiver submission process will adhere to the revised OMHSAS Waiver Bulletin 16-13.
The waiver will cover deliverable considerations for the following services
Each waiver request will remain in place for a 1-year period and will require providers also have documented policies in place for clinical appropriateness and the delivery of telehealth in emergencies. RCPA recommends agencies carefully review each section of the waiver request as they complete their submission.
The waiver will outline the following service considerations:
Submission Considerations:
Providers may utilize the following language in your waiver request letter:
Kristen Houser, Deputy Secretary
OMHSAS
Commonwealth Tower, 11th Floor
303 Walnut Street, Harrisburg 17101
Dear Deputy Secretary Houser:
This letter is a request for a waiver of Department of Human Services regulation(s) to continue the delivery of services through telehealth after September 30, 2021, which is the end date of the Governor’s COVID -19 Emergency Disaster Declaration which authorized certain regulatory suspensions. The details for this request for waiver are included in the form below. In addition, a letter of support from the County MH/ID Administrator for this request for waiver is attached. (REMOVE if Outpatient D&A Clinic Waiver)
Your consideration for approval is appreciated. I look forward to your response. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this regulatory waiver request, please contact me at (Phone and e-mail address.)
Sincerely,
(Signature)
(Name)
Members may contact RCPA Policy Director Jim Sharp or their respective Policy Director with questions or feedback.
RCPA was approached by a coalition of organizations in support of federal nondiscrimination protections for the LGBT community, including Freedom for All Americans, the Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center of Allentown, and other state and local partners.
The RCPA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee purpose statement reads that “the committee will actively challenge systemic racism and social injustice through advocacy for legislation, policies, and practices that promote equity, providing guidance and support for DEI initiatives within RCPA member organizations…” This initiative is in alignment with RCPA DEI efforts.
Currently, federal law lacks explicit nondiscrimination protections for the LGBT community in housing, credit, lending, federally funded programs, and public spaces like restaurants, stores, theaters, and hospitals. Additionally, 29 states, including Pennsylvania, lack state laws that explicitly protect LGBT people from discrimination.
This coalition is soliciting supporters from Pennsylvania’s community of service providers — those who support and care for the most vulnerable Pennsylvanians, including LGBT Pennsylvanians who face additional challenges due to the lack of nondiscrimination protections. Service providers are an important and trusted voice in Pennsylvania, and your inclusion will help to demonstrate the broad level of support for nondiscrimination statewide.
By signing on you to this initiative, your organization will join a diverse coalition of service providers supporting the nondiscrimination protections for the LGBT community. Your organization’s name will be shared publicly and will also be shared with Pennsylvania’s US Senators.
To offer your organization’s support, follow this link to join Pennsylvania Service Providers for LGBT Nondiscrimination Protections and make your voice heard.
Please reach out to Jack Phillips or Cindi Hobbes with any questions.
The Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs is providing the opportunity for public comment on the Pennsylvania Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant (SABG) submission. This submission will occur in three parts: the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Assessment and Plan, or Mini-Application, which is currently available in draft and available for review; the SAPT Report, which will be posted in November; and the Annual Synar Report, which will be made available in December.
These documents can be accessed utilizing “citizenpa” as your login and “citizen” as your password. Please submit all comments by Thursday, September 30.
In addition to the general sessions, including national updates that will provide valuable information to all, we have several break-out sessions that will be offered live each day during our 2021 Conference. These sessions include:
Tuesday September 28, 2021
Wednesday September 29, 2021
Thursday September 30, 2021
There will also be over 20 “on-demand” sessions on many timely subjects and topics, such as Leadership, Diversity, and Remote Supports and Services.
Visit the RCPA Conference website for specific updates to the schedule, posted as they become finalized.
Watch video from Secretary Jen Smith
Just as the storm is making its way across our state today— families and individuals across Pennsylvania are weathering internal storms of their own everyday caused by the disease of addiction.
Today is September 1, which marks the start of National Recovery Month. The goal throughout September is to come together, celebrate individuals in recovery, and offer hope to those who are struggling. National Recovery Month reinforces the positive message that behavioral health is essential to overall health, prevention works, treatment is effective, and people can and do recover.
I encourage you to visit our 2021 National Recovery Month webpage for events near you and for information regarding our National Recovery Month Twitter chat on September 14.
– Jen
DDAP today issued a new licensing alert and information bulletin, both pertaining to emergency contact notifications. Licensing Alert 02-21 outlines requirements that inpatient drug and alcohol treatment facilities must follow per Act 41 of 2021 regarding notification of emergency contacts when patients leave treatment against medical advice. Information Bulletin 03-21 outlines requirements that recovery houses must follow per Act 35 of 2021 regarding notification of emergency contacts when residents self-discharge from or leave and fail to return when expected to the house.
Pittsburgh Mayor William Peduto issued an executive order on Tuesday to allow the possession and use of fentanyl test strips, a key opioid overdose prevention tool, in the City of Pittsburgh. The order also directs the City of Pittsburgh Office of Community Health and Safety (OCH&S) to work with city employees and the public to educate them on the benefits of these lifesaving tools and to reduce the stigma associated with possessing them.
With this executive order, the City of Pittsburgh joins the Pennsylvania Attorney General and Allegheny County District Attorney in adopting a policy to not arrest individuals who possess or distribute fentanyl test strips for harm reduction purposes.
Read the full press release here.