USDA Expands Access to Broadband Infrastructure for Rural Businesses and Residents
OCYF Bulletin: Statewide General Protective Services (GPS) Referrals
The purpose of this bulletin is to transmit to public children and youth agencies (herein referred to as county agencies) requirements related to a statewide policy establishing when a referral can be designated as a General Protective Services (GPS) report, screen-out protocols, and response times for GPS report assessments. This bulletin rescinds and replaces the Office of Children, Youth and Families (OCYF) Bulletin #3490-19-02, entitled Statewide General Protective Services (GPS) Referrals, which was issued on December 20, 2019 and effective on August 1, 2020. County agencies that already have policies related to screening out GPS reports and response times which provide for more immediate responses than the policy contained in this bulletin are permitted to continue with their individual agency’s policy.
Upcoming MLTSS Subcommittee Meeting Scheduled for October 7, 2020
The next Managed Long-Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) Subcommittee meeting will be held on October 7, 2020 as a webinar with remote streaming from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm. To register for the webinar, please use this webinar registration link. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. Remote captioning and streaming services will be provided. If you require these services, please use this remote captioning and streaming services link.
Wolf Administration Releases Suicide Prevention Plan, Reminds Pennsylvanians They are Never Alone
Huge budget cuts could hurt people with mental illness, disabilities most, Pa. providers fear
Virtual Film Discussion on Preventing Suicide and Supporting Loss Survivors September 22
Save the Date:
Virtual Film Discussion on Preventing Suicide and Supporting Loss Survivors
Tuesday, September 22, 2020, 4:45 pm – 5:45 pm
September is Suicide Prevention Month
Join us to watch scenes from the award-winning film Scattering CJ, the moving story of one family’s loss to suicide and the thousands of people who responded in their time of need.
And hear from speakers, including:
- Dr. Dale Adair, Medical Director, Pennsylvania Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS)
- Hallie Twomey, CJ’s mother
- State Representatives Mike Schlossberg (D) and Tom Murt (R)
Please note this film contains descriptions of suicide that may be disturbing to viewers. Viewer discretion is advised. If you or someone you know is in need of support, please call 800-273-TALK (8255).
EVV for Personal Care Services Bulletin
CMS Launches Streamlined Care Compare Health Care Tool
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has launched a new health care comparison tool, Care Compare, that provides a single user-friendly interface that patients and caregivers can use to make informed decisions about health care based on cost, quality of care, volume of services, and other data. The site provides information about doctors, hospitals, nursing homes, and other health care services in one location rather than searching through multiple tools. In addition, patients can obtain information about quality measures, helpful hints and guides, and costs for procedures. Additional information about this new tool is available from the Press Release issued by CMS.
REMINDER – Your Vote Needed: ANCOR Board of Directors
DMVA Encourages Everyone to Light a Candle on World Suicide Prevention Day
About 17 Veterans Die Each Day by Suicide
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 9, 2020
Annville, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) is encouraging everyone to light a candle at 8 p.m. on Sept. 10 in observance of World Suicide Prevention Day. The annual observance is organized by the International Association for Suicide Prevention.
About 47,000 people commit suicide a year in the United States, but military veterans are 1.5 times more likely to die by suicide than Americans who never served in the military. For female veterans, the risk factor is 2.2 times more likely. When looking at these statistics and factoring in that Pennsylvania serves nearly 800,000 veterans – the fourth largest veteran population in the nation – it is easy to see why the DMVA is so actively involved in suicide prevention initiatives.
“The DMVA and our dedicated partners work together every day to reduce the number of veteran suicides to zero,” said Rick Hamp, special assistant to the deputy adjutant general for Veterans Affairs. “Lighting a candle on World Suicide Prevention Day is not just a heartfelt gesture, it allows a conversation to begin and hopefully spreads an important message that we all care about those lost to suicide, survivors of suicide and those considering suicide. Anyone can help prevent veteran suicide.”
Hamp is also Pennsylvania’s team lead on the Governor’s Challenge to Prevent Suicide Among Service Members, Veterans and Their Families. Pennsylvania is one of 27 states taking part in the Governor’s Challenge. Participants work to implement state-wide suicide prevention best practices and learn from stakeholders nationwide.
Representing Pennsylvania and the DMVA, Hamp recently served as a presenter during the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Virtual Suicide Evaluation Conference.
To learn more about the DMVA, visit us online at www.dmva.pa.gov or follow us at www.facebook.com/padmva or www.twitter.com/padmva.
MEDIA CONTACT: Joseph Butera: 717-903-6791
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