';
Substance Use Disorder

Photo by Markus Winkler from Pexels

On Wednesday, October 5, 2022, the Office of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services announced that Deputy Secretary Kristen Houser is resigning. Her resignation takes effect Wednesday, October 19, 2022.

RCPA would like to thank Deputy Secretary Houser for her collaboration and partnership during a critical time in the Commonwealth, including her support in the development of the telehealth bulletin, the Alternative Pay Arrangements between the BH-MCOs and providers, and the funding through the American Rescue Plan Funds for operations and workforce sustainability during COVID-19.

RCPA President and CEO Richard Edley notes, “We greatly enjoyed our time working with Deputy Secretary Houser and appreciate all the energy she brought to OMHSAS. This was particularly notable, as her tenure spanned an especially difficult time through the pandemic. This could only be accomplished with sound leadership. We also look back fondly on her time with RCPA and valued her contribution to the association. We wish Deputy Secretary Houser all the best as she embarks on the next part of her career.”

Read the message from Deputy Secretary Kristen Houser below:

I am writing to share that I have given Acting Secretary Snead my resignation from my position with OMHSAS and have accepted the position of Executive Director of the Free Clinic Association of Pennsylvania. My last day in the office will be Wednesday, October 19.   

It has truly been an honor to serve as the Deputy Secretary for the past two and a half years, and I have learned so much from so many of you. The work you do here is incredibly important, and you have done it through some truly unbelievable times. Many of you have stepped up and stepped in to answer my many questions, provide history and context, share knowledge, teach processes, make introductions, etc., so that I could learn our systems, know our stakeholders, understand our funding and data, and most of all, remember who we serve. Thank you for your support, your dedication, and your work.

I do not know who will step in to the Deputy Secretary position, but Acting Secretary Snead and Executive Deputy Secretary Barnes will share information as soon as they are able.   

Warm regards, 

Kristen 

The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry has the following grant opportunities that are currently available:

Pennsylvania Industry Partnership Program (IP) Grant:

The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) announces the availability of approximately $4,000,000 in funding for the Pennsylvania Industry Partnership (IP) Program Grant awards. L&I will be supporting Industry Partnership Programming through the competitive award of grants of up to $250,000 to support Industry Partnerships across the commonwealth to improve economic growth, while preparing workers with training for their current positions and future advancement. Projects funded through Industry Partnership grants should identify workforce, education and training, and economic development gaps; coordinate regional needs to support industry needs; identify public and community resources to address industry-identified needs; and increase collaboration among businesses within a targeted industry sector. Eligible applicants include local workforce development boards, non-profit and non-governmental entities, community-based organizations, educational and post-secondary educational organizations, labor organizations, business associations, and economic development entities.

More information can be found here, including info on an upcoming bidder webinar on 10/6/22. The IP grants close on 10/28/22. If you have questions or concerns regarding this grant opportunity, please email L&I.

Schools-to-Work Program (STWP) Grant — Round 3:

The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) announces the availability of approximately $2,500,000.00 of funding for the Schools-to-Work Program (STWP) Grant award(s). L&I will be establishing a STW Program through the competitive award of a grant(s) to a sponsor(s) in partnership with schools in the commonwealth to support the establishment or enhancement of a workforce development partnership between schools, employers, organizations, or associations to create pre-apprenticeship apprenticeship pathways. This NGA seeks applications to support this statewide initiative. Grant awards may not exceed $250,000.00.

L&I also has funding currently available for school-to-work program grants. The STWP grant closes on 10/12/22. If you have questions or concerns regarding this grant opportunity, please email L&I.

If you have further questions, please contact your RCPA Policy Director.

Immediate Action Required for Regulatory Compliance – Please Read Carefully

The Department of Human Services (DHS) is providing a critical update to those providers who hold a license to operate a facility licensed by DHS. On August 18, 2022, DHS and RCPA released an alert regarding changes in how licensed agencies provide information related to civil rights compliance. Since that time, DHS has received several questions and is providing further clarification.

  1. When sending the CRC form or the CRC attestation form, please send it as a PDF. Please do NOT send as a secure file, secure email, or link to a secure portal to retrieve the document. We are unable to access those forms, and they will be returned. When emailing the forms for submission:
    1. Use the following naming convention in the subject line when submitting Renewal HS2125:
      • Attestation – Program Office – Name of Facility or Agency – License number or APP number if assigned
        • Examples:
          • Attestation – OCYF – Apple Agency Home – 123450
          • Attestation – ODP – Apple Agency – APP-00123456
    2. Use the following naming convention in the subject line when submitting a new application HS2126:
      • New – Program Office – Type of Service – Name of Facility or Agency
        • Examples:
          • New – BHSL  – PCH – Apple Personal Care Home
          • New – ODP – Life Sharing – Apple Agency – APP-00223456
  2. In the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) and the Office Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS), there are providers who have one license that cover multiple locations. In this case, you only need to submit one form (either the HS2125 or the HS2126) and list the addresses of each satellite site/location that falls under that license.
  3. If in the past, you completed the Civil Rights Compliance Questionnaire (CRCQ) annually, as part of the renewal license process, you will need to complete the Civil Rights Attestation (HS2125) when you receive your next notice to complete the renewal application process.
  4. If you have a current license, your CRC was approved. You will need to complete the Civil Rights Attestation (HS2125) when you receive your next notice to complete the renewal application process.
  5. For Assisted Living and Personal Care Home providers, when submitting the renewal application for a license, the renewal application, the renewal application fee, and the Attestation (HS2125) must be sent in hard copy in one envelope to Licensing Administration in Harrisburg, as noted on the cover letter of the renewal application packet.
  6. Please ensure that the “Non-Discrimination in Employment” policy statement and the “Non-Discrimination in Services” policy statement issued by your facility contain updated contact information (as indicated below). If this administrative update is the only change that has occurred since the facility’s last license was issued, it is not necessary to provide updated copies to the Department as part of Form HS 2125.

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Department of Human Services
BEO/Office of Civil Rights Compliance
Room 225, Health & Welfare Building
P.O. Box 2675 Harrisburg, PA 17120
Inquiries: (717) 787-1127
Email

Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centralized Case Management Operations 200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Room 509F HHH Bldg
Washington, D.C. 20201
Customer Response Center: (800) 368-1019 TDD: (800) 537-7697

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
801 Market Street, Suite 1000
Philadelphia, PA 19107-3126
Inquiries: (800) 669-4000
Complaint Process Overview

Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission
333 Market Street, 8th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Inquiries: (717) 787-4410

PFSA is continuing to offer virtual Mandated Reporter Training at no cost to mandated reporters in Pennsylvania.

This three-hour virtual training is approved by the Departments of Human Services, Education, and State and meets all requirements for training on recognizing and reporting child abuse (to include Act 126 for school employees). It is also approved for continuing education credits under Act 31 (Department of State for health-related licenses) and Act 48 (Department of Education for teachers) at no cost. PFSA will submit your training verification to the Department of State or Education as appropriate on your behalf (details provided during training).

Please register for your preferred training date and time by selecting the session time/date in the list below. Each person must log in through separate devices, using the unique access link emailed to them after registration to receive credit. For questions or to schedule a session specifically for your organization, please email PFSA.

If you have any questions, please contact RCPA Policy Director Jim Sharp.

Wednesday, Oct. 5 | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Wednesday, Oct. 5 | 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Thursday, Oct. 6 | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Friday, Oct. 7 | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Friday, Oct. 7 | 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Monday, Oct. 10 | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Monday, Oct. 10 | 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Monday, Oct. 10 | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Tuesday, Oct. 11 | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Wednesday, Oct. 12 | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Wednesday, Oct. 12 | 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Wednesday, Oct. 12 | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Thursday, Oct. 13 | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Friday, Oct. 14 | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Monday, Oct. 17 | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Tuesday, Oct. 18 | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Tuesday, Oct. 18 | 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Wednesday, Oct. 19 | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Thursday, Oct. 20 | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Thursday, Oct. 20 | 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Friday, Oct. 21 | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Saturday, Oct. 22 | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Monday, Oct. 24 | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Monday, Oct. 24 | 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Tuesday, Oct. 25 | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Tuesday, Oct. 25 | 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Wednesday, Oct. 26 | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Thursday, Oct. 27 | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Thursday, Oct. 27 | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Friday, Oct. 28 | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Image by succo from Pixabay

Act 59 of 2017 gave the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) the power and duty to license drug and alcohol recovery houses that receive referrals from state agencies or state-funded facilities or federal or state funding and to impose fines on unlicensed recovery houses that receive funds from federal, state, or county agencies. On December 11, 2021, DDAP published recovery house licensure regulations in 28 Pa. Code Ch. 717. The regulations took effect immediately upon publication, except for 28 Pa. Code § 717.14, regarding fines for unlicensed recovery houses, which took effect on June 9, 2022. On June 9, DDAP gave notice that, effective July 1, 2022, to minimize disruption to residents during the application and licensure process, single county authorities (SCAs) could continue to act on existing contracts with recovery houses that were making timely and good faith efforts to obtain licensure. DDAP also expressed its position that it would not penalize recovery houses while they were actively working through the licensure process.

Beginning January 1, 2023, SCAs may only fund recovery houses that have obtained licenses from DDAP. SCAs should plan to transition individuals who remain in unlicensed recovery houses to another licensed recovery home or arrange for other suitable housing as of January 1, 2023.

The SCAs are subject to the provisions of all requirements as outlined in the 2020–2025 Grant Agreement. Any state or federal funding used to make payments to unlicensed recovery homes is a violation of Act 59 of 2017 and the terms outlined in Appendix D Program Specific Provisions, Paragraph VI Compliance/Termination/Reduction of the 2020–2025 Grant Agreement.

In addition, as of January 1, 2023, DDAP will exercise its enforcement authority to impose fines of up to $1,000 per day on persons who have not obtained licenses but who operate recovery houses that receive funds from a federal, state, or county agency, in accordance with the requirements of Act 59 of 2017 and 28 Pa. Code § 717.14. Recovery house operators who have started but not completed the licensure process must either obtain their license or stop accepting federal, state, and county funds by January 1, 2023 in order to avoid this fine.

Act 59 of 2017, 71 P.S. § 613.16(a), relating to Violations, provides:

(a) Penalties — A person operating a drug and alcohol recovery house that is funded, in whole or in part, by the department or a Federal, other State, or county agency, that has failed to attain or maintain licensure or certification of a drug and alcohol recovery house and has not been licensed or certified by the department, shall pay a fine of up to $1,000 for each violation.

28 Pa. Code § 717.14(b), relating to Fines, provides, “Each day of operating a drug and alcohol recovery house that requires a license without a current license shall constitute a separate violation.”

Please submit all questions regarding this communication to the Bureau of Program Licensure.