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The Department of Human Services (DHS) just announced that, due to reaching capacity in the February 9 meeting, they are adding a second session at 1:30 pm on the same day. If you are already registered for the morning session, do not register for the afternoon session so that they can keep enough space for all who are interested. Both sessions will be recorded and posted publicly to YouTube, and content will be roughly similar within the two sessions. DHS will share Question and Answer (Q&A) sessions from both, and a follow-up Q&A document will be shared next week.
Visit here to register for the afternoon session.
(If the registration link above does not work, please try copying this link directly into your browser: https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/9f3d9e64-6d38-45a7-84eb-b0ae2b1aafd9@418e2841-0128-4dd5-9b6c-47fc5a9a1bde)
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 24-020. The purpose of this communication is to announce the publication of the most recent version of the AAW Provider Information Table. Please view the announcement for information and details.
Message from Kevin Dressler, Bureau Director, DHS, Office of Developmental Programs:
Infection Control and Vaccination Status Survey
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has put together a short survey (23 questions) to gain an idea of the vaccination status of the people living in ICFs for COVID, Flu, and RSV, as well as to identify difficulties you may have or are currently experiencing with obtaining the vaccines. There is also a section within the survey discussing infection control and prevention. Please take the time to fill out the survey, as ODP will use the information to continue to look for ways to improve access and availability of vaccines and other health-related resources.
Several responded that the survey was not accessible. Participant restrictions have been removed this morning, so you should now be able to complete the survey here.
ICF Task Force Meeting
The next ICF Task Force meeting will be conducted in-person on April 18, from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm. We are planning to hold the meeting at the PaTTAN (Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network) building in Harrisburg. We plan to share ICF citation data from January 1, 2017 – December 31, 2023, as well as two trainings. The trainings will be “Plan of Correction Writing and Follow-up,” and training on “Active Treatment.” We will also have the DOH Long Term Care – RISE group provide a presentation on the services and supports they have to offer to ICFs. Lastly, we will have our typical updates from our finance staff, DOH, and ODP Medical Director. Please plan on attending. Updates will be provided as we get closer to the date of the meeting.
ICF Taskforce Meeting: Location
The ICF Taskforce Meeting on Thursday, April 18, 2024, will be held at the following address:
PaTTAN – Central
6340 Flank Drive
Harrisburg, PA 17112
Directions and nearby hotel accommodations can be found here.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division will offer compliance seminars for contracting agencies, contractors, unions, workers, and other stakeholders on the requirements for paying prevailing wages on federally funded construction and service contracts. Part of the division’s effort to increase awareness and improve compliance, each day-long seminar will include sessions on the Davis-Bacon Act, Service Contract Act, and other related topics. Participants can choose among the sessions offered throughout the day.
The seminars are scheduled on Feb. 27, May 15, and Aug. 29.
Register today. While seminar attendance is free, registration is required. Additional details, including links to the sessions for each date, will be provided to participants after registration.
For additional information on prevailing wage compliance, the division also has an updated video library on the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts, the Service Contract Act, and various executive orders.
The following comes from WFMJ:
Shapiro’s proposal would boost spending on home and community services for the intellectually disabled and autistic by about $200 million, or 12% more.
That’s about half the amount that advocates say is needed to fix a system beset by staffing shortages, low pay and a thousands-long waiting list.
Still, advocates applauded it.
“It’s the first large systemic effort at addressing this issue,” said Richard Edley of the Rehabilitation and Community Providers Association. ”This isn’t going to fix it, but at least it’s major step toward addressing it.”
Read the full article here.
Today, Governor Josh Shapiro gave his second budget address to members of the General Assembly. The Governor outlined an agenda that included new spending for direct service providers, minimum wage, education, health care, law enforcement, and a number of other initiatives. The below budget initiatives come from information from the Governor and his team, which has been made available to stakeholders. The budget proposals include:
Investing in Competitive Pay and Reimbursement of Services for Home & Community-Based Care
Making Pennsylvania a Leader in Economic Development, Job Creation, and Innovation
Building on Historic Education Investments & Making Progress to Support Every Pennsylvania Child
Delivering a New Blueprint for Higher Education Grounded in Access & Affordability
The above are highlights of the Governor’s proposed budget. RCPA will be examining the budget spreadsheets over the next few days, will be attending the DHS Budget Overview this Friday afternoon, and will update members with any new information as it becomes available during the budget season.
If you have any questions, please contact Jack Phillips.
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 24-019. This announcement is directed at all ODP Service Providers who employed Direct Service Professionals (DSP) in 2023. The purpose of the announcement is to inform service providers of ODP’s preparation to open the 2023 NCI® State of the Workforce (SoTW) Survey portal. Please view the announcement and survey reference for information on completing the survey.