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Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities

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ODP Announcement 22-018 is to make stakeholders aware that the proposed renewals of the Consolidated, Community Living, and Person/Family Directed Support (P/FDS) waivers are available for public review and comment. There is a 30-day public comment period on the information proposed in the waivers that starts on February 12, 2022, and ends on March 14, 2022.

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ODP Announcement 22-007: UPDATE provides information to providers in order to prepare for upcoming rate increases that are scheduled to be published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin on February 26, 2022.

Per the final public notice for Fee Schedule Rates, Department-established fees, and the AWC FMS Department-established fees rendered through the Consolidated, Community Living (CLW), and Person/Family Directed Support (P/FDS) waivers:

  • The anticipated effective date for the increased Fee Schedule Rates is January 1, 2022; however, the effective date in the Home and Community Services Information System (HCSIS) will be March 1, 2022.
  • The anticipated effective date for the Department-established fees for residential ineligible services is July 1, 2022, and HCSIS will reflect the same effective date.
  • Both the Fee Schedule Rates and Department-established fees for residential ineligible services will be visible in HCSIS on February 28, 2022. Compensation will be for the period January 1, 2022–February 28, 2022. The updated fee schedule rates will not be loaded in ISPs for the period January 1, 2022–February 28, 2022. Instead, the current rate will remain for that period, and ODP will be compensating providers, via gross adjustments, for the difference between the rate billed and the updated fee schedule rate for dates of service rendered during the period January 1, 2022–February 28, 2022. This is intended to eliminate the provider’s effort of voiding and rebilling claims.

ODP anticipates processing gross adjustments during the April to May 2022 timeframe to ensure all billing for dates of service January 1, 2022–February 28, 2022 has been completed. Providers are strongly encouraged to bill in a timely manner to minimize the need for corrections.

Since the new rates will have a begin date of March 1, 2022, two service/rate segments in authorized status will be present on ISPs, assuming no errors set. One service/rate segment will reflect the period July 1, 2021, to February 28, 2022, or the begin date of the service when it was initially authorized on the plan during Fiscal Year (FY) 2021–2022. The second service/rate segment will reflect the period March 1, 2022, to June 30, 2022.

Authorized units on the first service/rate segment, July 1, 2021–February 28, 2022, will reflect 67% of total authorized units for the FY 2021–2022. The second service/rate segment will reflect 33% of total authorized units for the remainder of FY 2021–2022. If an individual requires more than 33% of the total annual authorized units for the remainder of FY 2021–2022, a revision to the plan will be necessary to move units from the first service segment to the second service segment on the ISP. For the period July 1, 2021, to February 28, 2022, providers should bill normally for any services rendered.

See the ODP Announcement for the full instructions.

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When: March 3, 2022 12:00 pm Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Topic: Real-Life Stories: Using Smart Home Technology For Independence.
Register in advance for this webinar. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Webinar Speakers

Michael Anderson (Legislative Advocate @The ARC of Philadelphia)
Michael Anderson has been a legislative advocate for The ARC of Philadelphia since 2015. He meets with lawmakers from the Philadelphia area at local, state, and federal levels to make the case for legislative changes that will improve the lives of people with disabilities. Mr. Anderson is also a member of Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation’s (PATF’s) Smart Home advisory committee. In a previous life, Mr. Anderson worked for three years as a statistician for the Philadelphia 76ers. He has also worked on a number of political campaigns. Mr. Anderson is a proud graduate of Lower Merion High School and received an associate’s degree with a concentration in journalism from Edinboro University. Currently, he is co-owner of a home in Merion Station, PA. Mr. Anderson has cerebral palsy and is a wheelchair user.

Alexa Brill (Social Media and Website Manager @The Arc of Pennsylvania)
Alexa Brill graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania in 2013. She has worked for The Arc of Pennsylvania since 2014 as their Social Media and Website Manager. Alexa also serves as the President on the Board of Self Advocates United As 1 (SAU1). She also serves on the Smart Home Advisory Committee through the Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation (PATF). Alexa is very passionate about advocating for the rights of people with disabilities, as well as helping to make sure they have access to the right technology. She wants to help as many people learn about and access the technology they need to be as independent as possible.

George Russo (Assistive Technology Assistant @Easterseals)
I’m George Russo. I’ve been working as an assistive technology assistant at Easterseals for fifteen years. Easterseal has been a part of my adult life since 1996 as a client, a volunteer, an ambassador for PRC, and now as an employee. I have an Associate Degree in Computer Science from Miami Dade Community College. I’ve been a member of the Smart home Committee for about a year.

Laura Slotkoff (Occupational Therapist and Assistive Technology Specialist @Easterseals of Southern Pennsylvania)
Laura Slotkoff, MS, OTR/L, ATP is an Occupational Therapist and Assistive Technology Specialist for Easterseals of Southeastern Pennsylvania. Through her role as AT Specialist on an interdisciplinary AT team, Laura works to provide innovative solutions to individuals with disabilities across the lifespan. Over the past 2 years, she has worked collaboratively with teachers, therapists and the AT team to design 3D printed assistive technology and utilize the tools within maker spaces to benefit students with special needs. Laura is excited about the ever-evolving potential of Smart Home Technology to improve her clients’ independence and quality of life.

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The Department of Human Services’ (DHS) Division of Adult Protective Services (APS) developed a media toolkit designed for facilities, mandatory reporters, and community members to assist in the awareness of abuse, neglect, exploitation, and abandonment of adults ages 18 to 59 living with a disability within the Commonwealth. Learn more about APS and use these resources to help promote APS to your clients, constituents, and network at the Adult Protective Services Media Toolkit web page.

Additionally, there are several dates (that are subject to change) where DHS will be publishing different social media posts that everyone is encouraged to share. These are available at the Adult Protective Services Media Toolkit web page on:

  • Wednesday, February 9, 2022;
  • Tuesday, February 15, 2022;
  • Wednesday, February 23, 2022;
  • Thursday, March 3, 2022;
  • Monday, March 14, 2022; and
  • Wednesday, March 23, 2022.

Questions regarding the materials found in the APS Media Toolkit or suggestions of additional resources that might be helpful in promoting the program should be directed to the APS Division.

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ODPANN 22-019 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funding for Respite and Family Driven Support Services (FDSS) informs stakeholders of ARPA funds that are available to AEs to disperse in order to meet respite and/or the Family Driven Support Services (FDSS) needs of individuals on the waiting list who do not currently receive waiver funded services. This communication is intended to:

  • Describe eligibility criteria for the use of these funds;
  • Describe eligible expenditures;
  • Describe responsibilities of counties in allocating funding; and
  • Reporting requirements.

You can also view the family supports funds tracker here.

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