National Council for Mental Wellbeing Releases CRN Report “The Provider Relief Fund: FAQ”
OMHSAS Guidance: Telehealth Regulatory Waiver Request
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
- Mental Health Intensive Case Management 55 Pa. Code § 5221.33(4)(iii)
- Outpatient Psychiatric Services 55 Pa. Code § 1153.14(1)
- Outpatient Drug and Alcohol Clinic Services 55 Pa. Code § 1223.14(2)
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:
- To ensure continuity of telehealth delivery of services by allowing this agency/facility to use audio-only service delivery for Outpatient Psychiatric Services, Outpatient Drug and Alcohol Clinic Services when the individual served does not have access to video capability or for an urgent medical situation.
- To ensure continuity of telehealth delivery of services by allowing this agency/facility to accept verbal consent/verification for documentation where a signature cannot be obtained when delivering Mental Health Intensive Case Management Services.
Submission Considerations:
- For all Mental Health Intensive Case Management and Outpatient Psychiatric Clinic Waivers: Please submit all waiver requests to the appropriate OMHSAS Regional Field Office with an attached letter of support from the County MH/ID Administrator where your primary licensed location is at.
- For all Outpatient Drug and Alcohol Clinic Services Waivers: Please submit here. No letter of support is required for these waivers.
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.
American Rescue Plan Act Home and Community-Based Funding Update
Equality Act — Call for Provider Support of LGBT Equality Legislation
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.
PA Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant Submission Open for Public Comment
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.
Leading in 2021: Hoping, Healing, Helping Conference Updates
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
- Preparing Infrastructure for Managed Care in ID/DD Providers
- Coordinating Measurement-Based Care: How the Maryland Community Behavioral Health Association Improved Treatment Outcomes and Leveraged Their Data
- Leadership in Technology for a New Era
- The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Regional Approach to Address Healthy Equity
- Magical Metaphors: Creating a Shared Language Within a CBT Treatment Setting
- Without a Playbook: Navigating the Pandemic While Still Moving Forward
- Enhancing Whole Health and Wellness: Working Works When Using Social Security Work Incentives
- Linking Up! CANS Across the Tristate Area, and How This Can Optimize Care
- Creating an Employee-Centered Culture to Attract & Retain Staff
- Mobile Buprenorphine: A Novel Method for Engaging Populations in Substance Use Disorder Care
- Improving Access to Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Services For OUR Older Adults. YOU Can Help!
Wednesday September 29, 2021
- Top Funding Resources for Assistive Technology in Pennsylvania
- Measuring What Matters Most: Leveraging the Power of Business Intelligence to Drive Organizational Improvements
- People Like Me: Working with Vulnerable Populations Using an Integrated Model to Behavioral Health Care
- How COVID-19 Changes Our View of Emergency Preparedness: Lessons Learned from COVID-19 and Key Strategies for Preparedness Moving Forward
- The Great Reset: Leadership Beyond the Pandemic
- “Link Outside the Box”: Using Remote Services and Technology to Provide Support Services For Individuals With IDD
- Promoting Motivational Interviewing Spirit and Skills with Paraprofessional Staff
- COVID-19 at 18 Months: How the Pandemic Has Changed Us and Society
- Strategies for Reducing Screen Time Fatigue
Thursday September 30, 2021
- A Collaborative Agency-Based Approach to Implementing a Pandemic-Induced Practice-Based Change to Telehealth
- Concussion (TBI) and Behavioral Health (The Missing Peace): Where Are We Now?
- Trauma-Informed Support for People with Intellectual Disabilities
- No Longer Just a Plan — Value Based Payments in Community HealthChoices in 2022
- The Cultural Competency in the Clinical Assessment & Treatment of Adults with IDD and Co-Occurring Mental Illness
- The Path to VBP is Paved With Quality: A National Perspective on Measures of Quality in IDD Services
- Post-Incarceration Care: How to Create an Effective Transitional Model
- Implementing Trauma-Informed PA (TIPA): PRTFs Becoming Trauma-Informed
- We Hear You!
- Expanding Integrated Primary Care for People with IDD: Replicable Models and Policy Implications
- The Unexpected Implications of the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Time Banking: A Grassroots Resource for Increased Personal Outcomes and Community Development
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.
September is FASD Awareness Month
September is National Recovery Month — Message from Secretary Jennifer Smith
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 Issues New Licensing Alert, Information Bulletin Regarding Emergency Contact Notification
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 Adopts Policy to Not Arrest Individuals Who Possess or Distribute Fentanyl Test Strips
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.
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