Gov. Wolf, Sec. of Health Extend Statewide Stay-at-Home Order Until May 8
State Plan Request to Support Food Access for Students During COVID-19 Crisis
Governor Signs Senate Bill 841 – Flexibility for Local Governments and Businesses
Action Needed Today: Funding to the HHS Emergency Fund
From ANCOR:
Dear ANCOR members,
I need 5 minutes of your time today – it’s urgent, and time sensitive. Congress and the Administration are very close to finalizing an interim legislative package. Importantly, it will add more funding to the HHS Emergency Fund, in addition to propping up the underfunded SBA Paycheck Protection Program. Together we’ve been relentlessly lobbying for I/DD providers to be included in the original $100 Billion that was included in the CARES Act — this additional funding must ensure HHS includes our industry in the next distribution of the fund. Please take action through our online tool here – the urgency of your need must be communicated as loud as humanely possible today!
Although we believe there will be another legislative package after this one, this opportunity must be leveraged to the fullest extent possible. As I wrote to HHS Secretary Azar and Administrator Seema Verma today:
“Our system of services for people with I/DD and Autism is the first line of defense for millions of people. It is our Direct Support Professionals who are keeping those they support out of the emergency healthcare system. A story in The Washington Post last week highlighted the struggles of a dedicated Direct Support Professional in a powerful way. “Across the nation, we are – rightly – applauding health-care workers nightly, but many people have no idea what that man and his colleagues do daily. They work in one of the most difficult, and hidden, health-care jobs in the country. And it is one that has landed them, too, on the front lines of this pandemic.“ This is happening right in the heart our nation’s capital. From the New York Times to the Chicago Tribune, the news media is now exposing how vulnerable this population is to this virus. Providers are reporting COVID-19 deaths of both staff and individuals supported, but with the exception of the media coverage and our advocacy cries, it appears our sector continues to not be prioritized. It is in your power to correct this by ensuring I/DD providers are included in HHS response funding.”
Help us drive this message home today with Congress and take action immediately – thank you!
——————————
Barbara Merrill
Chief Executive Officer
American Network of Community Options and Resources
Aid in PA Webinar on Sleep Hygiene
Are you or someone you support struggling with getting a good night’s sleep? Whether this is a new issue arising during COVID-19 or an ongoing issue, it is more important than ever to focus on proper sleep hygiene. Sleep is an essential human process that effects our physical and mental health. This includes being critical to the optimal functioning of the immune system, mental health, and cognitive function.
Aid in PA has released an information rich webinar on Sleep Hygiene. The 12-minute presentation covers the basics of Sleep Hygiene and Restorative Sleep and includes several great resources, including this informative piece on Sleep Hygiene and Disabilities. First and foremost, assist supporters and individuals in identifying if there is a sleep issue, and the potential culprit or reason. If there is an issue, work with them to try some of the suggested strategies listed.
Are there other strategies or recommendations that have been effective for the participants you support? If so, let us know! Please send any suggestions or questions related to this email or requests for additional resources via email.
COVID-19 Guidance For Essential Businesses
The Arc of PA Offers ACRE Basic Certification Training for Providers of Employment Services
The Arc of Pennsylvania’s Making Employment Work course is an ACRE Basic Certification Training. In order to receive certification, participants must attend a 3-day, live webinar training and then complete a self-paced, online curriculum. Completing this certification course will qualify individuals to provide Supported Employment services with Pennsylvania’s Office of Vocational Rehabilitation and Office of Developmental Programs.
When: Live webinar training takes place on May 18–20, 2020 from 9:00 am to 11:00 am and 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. The rest of the course is self-paced and will begin after the conclusion of lectures on May 20.
Where: This training will be done completely online.
Who is this for: Providers of Supported Employment Services
Price: $150 per person
Please review this flyer for registration information and course system requirements
For questions, please submit via email.
CMS Issues New Recommendations to Re-Open Areas With Low Incidence of COVID-19
Today, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued new recommendations that are targeted specifically to communities that are in Phase 1 of the Guidelines for President Trump’s Opening Up America Again with low and stable incidence of COVID-19 cases. These guidelines recommend a gradual transition and encourage health care providers to coordinate with local and state public health officials, as well as reviewing the availability of personal protective equipment (PPE), workforce availability, facility readiness, and testing capability to factor into the decision making process to re-start or increase in-person care.
These recommendations update earlier guidance that was issued by CMS on limiting non-essential surgeries and medical procedures. Health care facilities and providers that are in areas still seeing higher numbers of COVID-19 cases are encouraged to continue following the recommendations made by CMS last month. These were issued to expand capacity to care for patients with COVID-19, to reduce the risks of transmission and exposure to patients, and to conserve adequate supplies (especially PPE) and manpower, during the public health emergency.
Facilitating Personal Relationships When Visitors are Restricted in Residential Settings
ODP Announcement 20-047 outlines guidance for residential providers to develop policies for managing visitors during COVID-19 while facilitating personal relationships between each individual and persons of their choosing.
As stated in ODP Announcement 20-027, COVID-19 Operational Guidance, the requirements for allowing visitors was suspended (providers may prohibit/restrict visitation in line with CMS recommendations for long term care facilities). The modification of this right is not required to be justified in the Individual Support Plan (ISP).
In alignment with the requirements under Governor Wolf’s Stay at Home Order, Residential Habilitation and Life Sharing providers can develop policies and/or procedures that:
- prohibit individuals from receiving visitors in the home
- prohibit individuals from returning to the home if they choose to visit others outside of the home
Residential Habilitation and Life Sharing providers should notify relatives and other individuals designated by the individual of the visitation policies and/or procedures being implemented by the provider. The announcement outlines several considerations that should be taken when developing policies/procedures related to visitation and communicating with anyone interested in visiting individuals receiving residential services, including procedures to follow when individuals go to their family’s home.
Wolf Administration Announces COVID-19 Testing Site for Northeast Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, PA- The Wolf Administration today announced a COVID-19 testing site at Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, to provide much-needed testing for symptomatic first responders, health care workers and residents 65 or older throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania.
“From 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM, Monday, the site will be open for 100 first responders and health care workers from Northeastern Pennsylvanian who are having COVID-19 symptoms to get tested,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. “We are taking every precaution to safely provide this critical public health service and prevent the spread of COVID-19. People are required to stay in their cars to get tested and drive directly back onto the highway to return home.”
The drive-thru testing site will be held in the parking lot of the Mohegan Sun Pocono Arena and pre-registration is required. Beginning Tuesday, April 21, the site will be open from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM daily to test up to 200 Northeastern Pa. residents over 65, first responders and health care workers each day. Registration is required one day in advance and can be found on the Department of Health’s website, health.pa.gov. No onsite registration is available.
Patients do not need a doctor’s prescription to be tested. Dr. Levine has signed a standing order for anyone who registers to be tested at the site.
For those who are registered, the site can be accessed by taking Exit 168 – Highland Park Boulevard from Interstate 81 (northbound or southbound) and following the signs and directions of local officials.
“After testing, you are required to return home and self-isolate,” Dr. Levine said. “If your symptoms worsen while you are waiting for your test results, talk to your doctor and if you experience a medical emergency please seek immediate care.”
The Department of Health State Laboratory will process the tests and provide residents with results in two to three business days. Patients will receive an email to log onto the registration site to access their test results.
“The planning and logistical efforts needed to pull together these testing sites in just a matter of days required a significant amount of coordination among state and county personnel,” said PEMA Director Randy Padfield. “It speaks to the professionalism and skills of the teams involved, and their dedication to the health and well-being of their communities.”
Symptoms of COVID-19 can include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Diarrhea
Symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as long as 14 days after exposure. Reported illnesses have ranged from people with little to no symptoms to people being severely ill and dying.
As of 12:00 a.m., April 18, there were 31,069 positive cases of COVID-19 statewide in 67 counties and 836 deaths. Most of the patients hospitalized are 65 or older, and most of the deaths have occurred in patients 65 and older. There have been no pediatric deaths to date. More data is available here.
All non-life-sustaining businesses are ordered to be closed and schools are closed statewide indefinitely. Currently the entire state is under a stay-at-home order.
For the latest information for individuals, families, businesses and schools, visit “Responding to COVID-19” on pa.gov.
The Wolf Administration stresses the role Pennsylvanians play in helping to reduce the spread of COVID-19:
- Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
- Cover any coughs or sneezes with your elbow, not your hands.
- Clean surfaces frequently.
- Stay home to avoid spreading COVID-19, especially if you are unwell.
- If you must go out for a life-sustaining reason, please wear a mask.
Updated Coronavirus Links: Press Releases, State Lab Photos, Graphics
- Daily COVID-19 Report
- Press releases regarding coronavirus
- Latest information on the coronavirus
- Photos of the state’s lab in ExtonOpens In A New Window (for download and use)
- Coronavirus and preparedness graphics (located at the bottom of the page)
- Community preparedness and procedures materialsOpens In A New Window
- Map with the number of COVID-19 casesOpens In A New Window
All Pennsylvania residents are encouraged to sign up for AlertPA, a text notification system for health, weather, and other important alerts like COVID-19 updates from commonwealth agencies. Residents can sign up online at www.ready.pa.gov/BeInformed/Signup-For-Alerts.
MEDIA CONTACT: Nate Wardle, Health, 717-787-1783 or [email protected]
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