Reminder: RCPA Annual Membership Meeting on May 18
Don’t Wait for Election Day. Act Now!
You don’t need to wait for election day to have your voice heard.
State lawmakers wrapped up business in Harrisburg and returned home last week to campaign in earnest for the May 17 primary election. Because every vote counts, every voice matters. Especially now, in the weeks leading up to the election, lawmakers are sensitive to constituents’ concerns and want to hear from you.
Take advantage of this opportunity to reach out and urge lawmakers to increase funding to support human services professionals, so individuals and families in need get the assistance and care they deserve.
So far, the outpouring of support has been incredible. Since the governor unveiled his 2022/23 budget proposal in February, more than 4,000 individuals have contacted their local lawmakers urging them to act. We need to build on this momentum.
Once the election finishes, lawmakers will begin crafting a final budget before the end of the fiscal year, June 30. Pennsylvania is sitting on billions of federal dollars and state “rainy day” funds that could increase wages to help us attract and retain human service professionals.
It’s critical that our senators and representatives understand how this workforce crisis is affecting our most vulnerable individuals and families, as well as the providers and professionals who serve them.
Please USE THIS LINK to learn how you can help and urge your networks to do the same. Most importantly, TAKE ACTION TODAY. Tell lawmakers to increase funding to address the workforce crisis facing Pennsylvania’s health and human services.
All Eyes Are Back on the Senate
CDC Call to Focus on Patients With Cognitive Symptoms Following COVID
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity (COCA) will host a call on May 5, 2022, from 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm that will focus on and discuss post-COVID conditions (PCC), specifically cognitive symptoms or “brain fog” following SARS-CoV-2 infection.
The American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPM&R) has recently published a Multi-Disciplinary Collaborative Consensus Guidance Statement on the Assessment and Treatment of Cognitive Symptoms in PCC that provides practical guidance to clinicians in the assessment and treatment of individuals with cognitive symptoms and a history consistent with PCC.
To participate, use the provided Zoom link. The passcode is: 828356.
Or dial 699-254-5252. Webinar ID: 160 331 6732. The call will be recorded and will be available on the COCA Call web page a few hours after the live event ends. Registration is not required to participate.
The slide set will be available on the day of the call on the COCA Call web page under Call Materials. Free Continuing Education (CE) will be offered for this COCA Call.
RCPA Recognizes PA #WeHealUS Campaign for Mental Heath Awareness Month
RCPA is pleased to support and celebrate Pennsylvania’s participation in the #WeHealUS national campaign during Mental Health Awareness Month.
#WeHealUS is a grassroots campaign that honors May as Mental Health Awareness Month by amplifying the hard work of individuals, organizations, and local/state governments building resilience and healing. Nationwide, more states and municipalities are embracing trauma-informed and healing-centered policies and practices because resilience grows through healthy and informed relationships.
#WeHealUS was the brain child of stakeholders in Illinois and Pennsylvania — pioneering states that have become “healing-centered” with public and private partnerships working outside the box to promote trauma awareness. The Illinois Light Initiative has launched an Illinois Healing Capacity Building Center to unify trauma education, training, and programming. HEAL PA is an innovative mix of state agency representatives and community stakeholders tasked with implementing the Trauma-Informed PA Plan across the commonwealth. #WeHealUS is further supported by the national Campaign for Trauma-Informed Policy and Practice (CTIPP).
Take a look at the Pennsylvania calendar of #WeHealUS activities as well as the #WeHealUS campaign toolkit for this month. We encourage everyone to share this information widely with your networks, as the events are open for all to attend! Sample social media posts are included in the toolkit.
RCPA remains an active member of the Heal PA trauma-informed initiative. You can contact RCPA Policy Director Jim Sharp with any questions or comments regarding this initiative.
Advocates Push for More State Funds for Disability Services and Higher Wages for Workers: RCPA President/CEO Richard Edley and RCPA Member Achieva’s Nancy Murray Quoted
Coronavirus Updates: FDA Says It Won’t Delay Vaccines for Children Under 5
Nearly Two-Thirds of Family Members of COVID Patients in ICU Show Signs of PTSD: Study
2022 Virtual Everyday Lives Conference — Registration is Now Open!
2022 Virtual Everyday Lives Conference
An Everyday Life in a Changing World: A Focus on Wellness and Resilience
The Pennsylvania Office of Developmental Programs invites you to register for the 2022 Virtual Everyday Lives Conference! The Everyday Lives Conference seeks to provide valuable information to individuals with an intellectual disability and/or autism, their families, and support professionals to help empower individuals to live their ideal everyday lives.
Registration
The conference is free for individuals and families and $50 for professionals. Registration allows access to all virtual conference sessions. To register online, go to the Everyday Lives website and visit the Registration tab.
Conference Lineup
The conference lineup, including presenters and presentation topics, is now available to view under the Schedule tab.
Conference Dates and Tracks
May 17, 2022
Communication and Connection
May 24–25, 2022
Community of Practice for Supporting Families
Regional Collaborative Summit
June 1, 2022
Supportive Technology
June 8–9, 2022
Dual Diagnosis
June 16, 2022
Employment
CMS Announces Virtual Training Program for IRFs & Long-Term Care Hospitals
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced a virtual training program for both inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs) and Long-Term Care Hospitals (LTCHs). The virtual IRF training program will review the updated guidance for the Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility – Patient Assessment Instrument (IRF-PAI) 4.0 and the LTCH Continuity Assessment Record and Evaluation (CARE) Data Set (LCDS) 5.0 for providers in the IRF and LTCH settings. This training is part of a comprehensive strategy to ensure IRF and LTCH providers have access to the education necessary to understand and comply with changes in reporting requirements associated with the IRF and LTCH Quality Reporting Programs (QRPs) that go into effect on October 1, 2022. A major focus of this training will be on the cross-setting implementation of the standardized patient assessment data elements being introduced in 2022 to ensure more consistent reporting and evaluation across post-acute care settings.
The training program consists of two parts:
- Part 1: Beginning May 9, 2022: Access will be provided to recorded training session videos that deliver foundational knowledge necessary to understanding the new items and guidance. These videos are intended to be reviewed in advance of the live event.
- Part 2: June 15–16, 2022: Live, virtual workshop sessions will provide coding practice on the items covered in the Part 1 videos. These live sessions will take place each day from 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm.
To participate in the training program, registration is required. If you have questions about accessing resources or feedback regarding the trainings, please email the PAC Training Mailbox. Content-related questions should be submitted to the LTCH QRP Help Desk and IRF QRP Help Desk
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